Sunday, July 12, 2009

The Holy Spirit Guide

Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2009 David Raets



It is hard to argue the fact that no matter what the point of debate, whenever any subject regarding religion is approached there is a real tendency for argument. Bear with me because there is a very real correlation to the subject of this text with the way we raise to the defense of our beliefs. These arguments are not simply against non-believers, or those who do not share our particular faith... these arguments can spring up between the closest of those sharing the same faith. Any point of faith is an extremely personal emotional trigger that has as much of a defense in our core as the need to protect our family and home.

Of all the debates and arguments revolving around belief none is quite as confusing as that surrounding the Holy Spirit. It is easy for people to accept that the Holy Spirit is the word of God handed down to those in ancient times and that the Bible is a resource of those encounters. What is hard for many to truly grasp and accept, even when their minds recite the concept, is that the Holy Spirit is more than just ancient words on a page. The Holy Spirit lives and breathes today as much as centuries ago. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are alive within each of us if we choose to accept this most gracious gift from God.

In fact, the fullness of the Holy Spirit cannot be contained in the written word. Anyone who feels the overwhelming satisfaction of being filled with the Spirit of God knows that. It can hardly be put into words even though we try. We try because we are compelled to share the joy we feel within us and even as we attempt to explain the feeling we have it can be frustrating because we know we fall short. Take heart, however, because you do not have to live up to the feeling through your words. No one can and only those who are touched by the gifts of the Holy Spirit will ever completely understand. You are compelled by the Spirit within you to share the news that God is with us and within us, but you are not expected to change anyone's mind. That is for God himself, and that person to undertake.

One of the reasons so many people have a hard time accepting the presence of the Holy Spirit inside of them is how we live in the hectic world today. Everything is so full of commotion it is hard to "be still". It is hard to listen to that voice that speaks softly to us, guiding our steps and actions. The blessing from God is that if we accept the gift in baptism of the Holy Spirit we can never be separated from it. It can't be taken by any means of man. Nothing can tear it from us - nothing but us ourselves. The only way the Holy Spirit can be taken from us is for us to intentionally deny it, and send it away from us. This is a lot harder too than it sounds, because it takes more than a disgruntled anguished statement of anger towards God made in pain or distress. Some think that because they have cursed God during hard times he is no longer with them but nothing could be further from the truth. God does not leave when things get tough. His Holy Spirit hangs in there even when we are not listening, even when we are angry and in pain, and unless we actually say get out, it will never leave.

Think about that. Even in the deepest despair and pain it is rare for someone to actually say those words. They may ignore the voice inside or be unable to hear it when life is so hectic and crazy that the noise from without drowns out all within, but people who are not completely turned to Satan do not actually say those words.

And the most blessed news of all is that even if someone does say those words God loves them so much that all they have to do is say please forgive me, I believe, and he will rush back in with the strength of a million tides and replenish that broken soul.

The fact that the Holy Spirit is always at work in the world and seeking to reconnect with those who are lost is one of the reasons we are so compelled to share with others how we feel and what we believe. The fruits of the Holy Spirit are always being sown. It is present in the Word of God, it is present in our words, and it is present in our actions. We present a living proof that God exists in the world and is ever caring and loving.

Know that no matter how you present it, whenever you speak of your love and the fulfillment of God's presence in your life, whenever you read from the Holy Bible or others read the Word of God, the Holy Spirit rains down upon them. This Holy Spirit rain will flood their soul and they will hear your words with all of the resonance of God's own voice if they are willing to let it enter.

Keeping that in mind will allow your spirit to flow freely and give you the ability to share the Word of God without argument. Knowing that the greatest Gift from God is that nothing can ever take his Holy Spirit from you and that all you have to do is share what you feel and he will do the rest.


About the Author:
Written by David Raets. For more on the gracious Gift of the Holy Spirit and how it can enter your life or how you can share it, visit The Holy Spirit Guide (http://www.HolySpiritGuide.com)


Read more Articles written by David Raets.

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