The Holy Spirit is a Person, not some kind of force or power. Dr Stanley says, the Bible “ascribes to Him all the distinctives of personality….1- knowledge, 2- will 3- emotion.” (p18) “He is not a power to be harnessed and manipulated.” (p19) When we seek the help of the Holy Spirit, it is not in order for us to do our own will, but to be able to follow God’s Holy Will. It is to be able to stay away from sin, not run head first into it. It is to be able to display His Fruit and point others to our Savior, not just to keep living our lackluster life. We connect with the Holy Spirit in order to live this Christian, Abundant Life.
One more thing to note: the Holy Spirit does not indwell all of humanity, although He can certainly influence and encourage all humans to do God’s Will. The Holy Spirit can come upon people, as He did many times throughout the Bible, but He only indwells, or lives in, the believer. There is a good list of blessings the Holy Spirit will offer the believer to help us become followers too. (check out p15 in the book) As we learn to heed His leading, we will work with Him through these blessings to move forward, deeper into the Abundant Life, and everyone will get a taste of the victory Jesus won for us at the Cross and confirmed with His Resurrection.
Dr Stanley reminds us, “What needs to change is your awareness of his presence and activity.” (p21) I can remember at the beginning of my journey when I prayed, “Lord, all of a sudden You are everywhere in my life.” To which God gently replied, “Child, I have been here all along. It is just now that you are seeking Me, so you are finding Me.” Let’s continue seeking the whole Holy Trinity and watch how much more fulfilling our lives becomes.
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The First & Best Book Ever: The Bible
February: Love Is In the Air: “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman
March: Spring Growth: “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson
April: Living the Resurrected Life: “The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life” by Dr Charles Stanley
<>< Peace, Diane
