The Holy Spirit.
Day 4 of the #21DaysOfGratitude. Today I'm grateful for the Holy Spirit.
John 14:16 "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper {Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor, Counselor, Strengthener, Standby}, to be with you forever - the Spirit of Truth".
When Christ was leaving and He was talking to the disciples who were downcast and worried cause Christ was leaving. Christ encouraged them and told them He will not leave them as orphans but will ask the Father to send them a helper who will abide with them forever. That is the heritage of every born again believer - The Holy Spirit is the gift that Christ promised. The Holy Spirit lives on the inside of us - 1 Corinthians 6:19 "Have you forgotten that your body is now the sacred temple of the Spirit of Holiness, who lives in you? You don't belong to yourself any longer, for the gift of God, the Holy Spirit lives inside your sanctuary". The Holy Spirit is such an amazing person - He is a Counselor, a Comforter, an Advocate, a Strengthener, an Intercessor & a Helper. The journey with the Holy Spirit is an every day journey. Every single day you wake up, you have to be intentional that you want to have and cultivate a relationship with Him.
There was a sermon I was listening to by Apostle Joshua Selman - he was teaching on the Holy Spirit and he said something that has stuck with me since then. "Knowing the Holy Spirit is a HARD thing". The other I was having a conversation with a friend and was telling them that the Holy Spirit is very hard to know because once you get Him, you in essence get God. The Holy Spirit searches the deep things of God. 1 Corinthians 2:10 "For God has unveiled them and revealed them to us through the [Holy] Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things [diligently], even [sounding and measuring] the [profound] depths of God [the divine counsels and things far beyond human understanding]". Imagine a healthy and vibrant relationship with the Holy Spirit - He who searches the mind of God. What makes you think that you will not know the mind of God on so many things.
My journey with the Holy Spirit is an everyday deliberate journey. Good Morning Holy Spirit by Benny Hinn has been such a great help - Benny Hinn in the book says that when he gets up in the morning, he will greet the Holy Spirit and give Him control of the day. Apostle Arome Osayi also preaching said something very profound on the Holy Spirit - every single day when you wake up, purpose to allow the Holy Spirit to have control of your day and also be intentional about obeying Him. Allow me share a prayer that has become part of my morning routine - "Good Morning Holy Spirit, how are you? How has your night been? Today I'm intentional about obeying you. Give me opportunities where I can learn to obey you and listen to your voice and trust. I can assure you the days I pray this prayer, a lesson is coming up where my resolve will be tested. Will I ignore or come through and obey His voice. The Holy Spirit gets really excited when we follow His promptings. Be deliberate about the Holy Spirit.
I'm enjoying my relationship with the Holy Spirit. Is it an easy one? No. I'm continually deliberate. When you are dealing with the Holy Spirit, remember that there is only one sin that will not be forgiven - blasphemy against the Holy Spirit - Matthew 12:31 "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy [every evil, abusive, injurious speaking, or indignity against sacred things] will be forgiven people, but, blasphemy against the [Holy] Spirit will not be forgiven".