The Holy Spirit Our Friend
There is no one with whom we should nurture an intimate relationship more deeply than with the Holy Spirit. He is a person — a divine member of the Godhead — and He was sent by the Father and Jesus Christ to be intimate with every saint. We were renewed and reborn out of sin and the old broken life by His wonderful work in our heart. Not only did He rebirth us to our Savior and God, but He sealed us into the new fellowship of His saints. When we were born again, He put His seal upon our heart and soul that says to the devil and sin, “Keep your hands off, this is the property of Jesus Christ.” It was the Blood of Jesus and the Word of God that the Holy Ghost applied to our spirit, soul, and body in the redemptive miracle. The Spirit is immediately the Comforter and Guide of the new child of God.
Our spirit receives the witness of God by the action of the Holy Spirit in our life. Apostle Paul said, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:16-17). This is why the face of a repenting sinner immediately reflects the wonderful work of salvation. A born-again person does not become a new creature weeks later. The miracle of the new birth makes them a new creature that very moment. Drug addicts, drunks, harlots, etc. are miraculously delivered from the old habits on the spot. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new” (II Corinthians 5:17). This is the miracle of the Holy Spirit coming to totally transform the individual and then becoming the guide to their life. A new-born believer is no longer alone.
The reason many new Christians are so on fire for the Lord at the beginning of their Christian life is because of this wonderful work of the Holy Ghost. The sad story is how few Christians maintain this relationship with the Spirit for the long haul of Christian living. This is why we are warned not to “quench the Holy Spirit” or “grieve Him.” Look at these great truths. “Quench not the Spirit” (I Thessalonians 5:19). “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30).
The Bible says “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14). When you are no longer led by the Spirit, you are in the process of backsliding and will soon be backslid and out of fellowship with Jesus Christ. You have no right to call yourself a Christian unless He is your comforter, Teacher, and Guide; and you are surrendered to His perfect will.
The church world is full of men and women that once walked with God but they have rebelled against His Holy Spirit. Now, the Spirit is turned to be their enemy. Listen to a prophet of God, “But they rebelled, and vexed his Holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them” (Isaiah 63:10). All you need to do to be in rebellion is to resist, quench, or grieve Him. Your joy will be gone, and your close relationship will be impossible because He alone is your link with the Father and the Son.
Return today! David cried out for God to renew a right spirit within him. “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit” Psalm 51:10-12). Your future is in the balance until the Holy Spirit once again is the miracle worker in your daily life. There is no hope apart from His presence. Welcome Him, nurture His closeness, and rejoice in the joy of His wonderful witness in your heart. The only thing He does or knows is Jesus Christ. He never speaks of Himself. The Holy Ghost is your companion and friend.
Richard
Joseph I wish it were as easy as you described. Sadly I disagree. I have turned my life over to christ with passion. I pray daily for guidance from the holyspirit and I pray for deliverance.
I have struggled with drugs and depression and continue to stuggle. I cant imagine anyone loving the Lord any more than I do. Unemployment, divorce, bankruptcy, wordly events keep me stranded in a world of hopelessness and depression. Sure I know the Lord could return today and as a student of bible prophecy I pray “Maranatha” that he does. I also know I am saved by Grace and I know I receive Grace but the reality is each day is a struggle to stay positive.
When you have the majic prayer send it to me. I will focus in prayer on II Corinthians 5:17
even though its not really a prayer. Joseph I would love to receive the majic instant delieverance you speak of because I know it has nothing to do with amount of times you pray or truely asking for it because I have done that for years.
I pray daily for proverbs 3.5-6
God Bless
Renee
Richard, bless your heart!! Brother, many genuine Believers are going through so many trials right now it’s mind-boggling to say the least. With all the things you are struggling with, all the passion in your post, you are certainly in the process of being tested and tried. In spite of all these things you are still praying and focusing on certain promises in the Scriptures??? AMEN BROTHER!!! That in itself is a testimony! You’ve brought me encouragement knowing that you too, are going through fires of trials, and yet you too, are continuing on in prayer. Brother, please allow me to beg you to continue to follow hard after the Truth. Seek the Truth alone. He has given His word that, if you continue in His Truth, desiring His Truth, seeking after His Truth, you WILL come to KNOW that Truth and that TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE. You have His Word on it. Hang in there. He will do what He said He would do even if sometimes, He “bears long with his Elect,” before He moves.
RJ
This is to Richard: and pls. take this to heart; I say nothing here lightly. I celebrate with you the opportunity you have to praise and worship the Lord IN SPITE OF your problems! Whether or not your circumstances immediately turn around and get “better”; I pray that you do not become “bitter”.
No one ever said this Christian route would be “easy”. Regardless of how we may perceive it to be; Scripture said that we would have MUCH “tribulation” in this world. Through it all and again in spite of it, you can thank God, and choose to go forward, and in the end know that you will come forth like fine gold.
I know you feel let down ~ you, no doubt, expected life to be “idealistic” ~ Ward Cleaver style! … a nice, dependable career, going home at the end of every day to a lovely wife & orderly home, a chocolate cake all baked & set on the counter…(wink!) Sadly, (though that may’ve been far from reality to start with!) but that seems to be much a thing of the past. Yet, I expect you to put on your GARMENT OF PRAISE, and to praise the Lord ANYWAY!! (sound like “Atilta the caring hun” here, don’t I?) Why? Because He inhabits the praises of His people, and as long as you are FOCUSED on praising Him – then satan cannot be anywhere near! ~ because satan is an egomaniac, prideful & arrogant, wanting all the praise for himself. You resist the devil and he will FLEE from you!! As you draw near to God, He will draw near to YOU!
When the thoughts of bitterness, anger, resentment, and sorrow creep in ~ and even depression, you cast them DOWN in the name of Jesus!! Stomp on them and all such thoughts that exalt themselves above God ~ and then bring EVERY thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus. Satan will continue to hammer you good, so every time he brings these thoughts to you – you one-up him by praying for someone’s salvation! Or by praying for the peace of Jerusalem! Or by praying that, God willing, others will be released from their earthly trials.
Richard, the Lord is ALWAYS thinking about you & cares about everything that concerns you! When you read this, here is your “homework” ~ remember that Job was released from his trials AFTER he prayed FOR his friends! I want you to pray for people who the Lord brings to mind – perhaps ones who are in the same boat as yourself. Then, I want you to read the Matt 13 & Mt 17 about how we are to have faith at least as much as a mustard seed & say to the mountain to be “cast into the sea” in the Lord’s name ~ then you ARE to believe that the “blockades” WILL be cast into the sea!! No, this is not wof hocus-pocus; this is Scripture!
Richard
I appreciate the words of encouragement from both of you.
RJ if I had nickle for everytime I have rebuked satan with the blood of jesus I would be a millionaire.
The truth is I dont think any us understand God’s Grace. I dont, that’s why I hold to “Lean not on my understanding” Prov 3.4.
My Dr’s said I was lucky to survive the three suicide attempts that I had in 2007 and 2008 that left me in comas. Lucky? My counselor always asked why the repetiveness in your suicide attempts? My response I want I go home to papa. I get it. Heaven is where I want to be. Not in this fallen world. I have no fear in death. I know where my salvation lies. I’m starting to sound like my favorite song “In Christ Alone”
That is how much I yearn for his return. Maybe that is why I study bible prophecy with such an addiction. The thought of the rapture excites me. Its my hope.
Until that day comes my heart will yearn for the new jerusalem. It isnt called the “blessed hope” for nothing. Amen
RJ maybe you are right. I’m not focussed in prayer for my friends. I tend to be to wordly in my prayers. Starvation in North Korea, Niger, Afghanistan etc.. I will try with hope in your words of wisdom. I will read Matthew 13 and 14. Thank you
Prayers are always appreciated as well as a job.
Please understand though I have made my own bed. I look forward to those brief moments shortly after my Bema Seat of Judgement.
God Bless RJ and Renee Thank You
kim Segar
I don’t know you Richard, but I am going to be praying for you. The L-rd tells us joy will come in the morning and this old earth is like a quick breath..So many are having a horrible time, but we know the only answer is our G-d. You will make it to the top of the mountian.Remember our L-rd let us know He will be back in two days,,1000 yrs is like a day to the L-rd. Time is up and Satan is running to and fro to see who he can make misserable. Satan love the breakup of the family, and is winning many souls. but remember Satan doesn’t have the power to break the everlasting seal G-d put on you when you were saved. and the L-rd said: No one can take out of my hand anyone the Father gave to Me. He also said, don’t worry about who can kill the body but can kill the body and the soul. He promised to be with us to the end. Look up Richard, HE is coming very soon. We all feel lonely, broken, for many reasons, but tho we hate the misery we will be overcomers, HOW, by the blood, he won the fight at the cross. this war is not us against Satan, it is between G-d and satan and Christ won it at the cross. Try to think good thots to start your day, one that you ae saved, He loves you and so do we. NOthing can seperate us from the love of G-d in Christ Jesus. Nothing. we all sin in deed and thot each day and as long as the flesh is on us we will, THAT is why HE died for us..paid the full price. because He knew we could not do it. He is the only perfect one. I see the killing of so many all over the world. so many have it worse. stop and think of the blessings you have thot maybe few..and count yourself worthy to escape the things coming down on the world, HE is with you every second of the day. start worshiping HIm and giving HIM the glory and never give up. our day is coming soon..love and blessings to you. we are all in your shoes one way or the other. Shalom
Dr. Donn Parker
The Holy Spirit is so overlooked. Without Him, there is no salvation…there is no Christ. He opens the door and allows one the ability to come in. He brings you to the Savior. He takes an Orthodox
Jews from the Pulpit at Yom Kippur and introduces him to Jesus. He brings one to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. May everyone who reads your essay come away with a better and stronger relationship
with God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit. May the Lord bless you and keep you, my friend. May you continue to be a beacon of light in a very dark world.
Dave
Dear Brother Chambers. The Holy Spirit always and ever will direct us to the works and words of The Lord Jesus Christ, “Jesus said so” He is so amazing. If we took more notice to The Holy Spirit as He leads us through life, there would be a great decrease in our lives were problems, situations, circumstances, sin, the works of satan, and anything else that interfears with our lives before God. Let us change our words from sadness and problems, “satan loves those” to, I can do all thing through Christ Jesus who strengthens me, and the joy of the Lord is my strength, “satan hates those”. Let us keep our eyes on Jesus, He is the sum total of our lives, in Him there is and always will be great victory, God is glorified, Jesus is honourd, and The Holy Spirit has His place in our lives day by day. Looking around us, we fail, satan wins, looking up, there can never be failure at all no matter what the situation. Thank you Lord Jesus. David Day
R.B.
Just keep looking up. Keep looking up! We are almost there and before we know it that Trumpet Blast will sound and we will be gone in the twinkling of an eye! Keep the faith and one way I motivate myself each week is to go to raptureready.com and read Nearing Midnight and all the new articles from Rapture Ready.Todd and Terry, Jack Kelly, Joseph Chambers,Ron Graham all my new brothers in Christ. I have never seen them but someday eternity in fellowship through our common bonds in Christ will be reality! R. B.