Come Spirit Come
Come Spirit Come
One of the comments I hear every month is about the presence of the Holy Spirit at the Well. I always find this an intriguing statement, as I know that the Holy Spirit dwells inside all who repent and profess the name of Jesus as Lord of their lives. Acts 3:38 shows us this: "And Peter said to them, 'Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. "
So then, why is it that some feel the Holy Spirit more intensely than others? Why do some feel it at the very same event and others do not? I, for one, long to have an encounter with the Holy Spirit as often as possible, and my soul longs for it. This is an intensely debated theological discussion that many disagree with, but the scriptures all point to some form of the Helper.
John 14:26 says he is our Helper, "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. " I long for more help to be a better husband, father, grandfather, and Pastor.
When I feel lost in life and have no idea how to pray I remember that Romans 8:26 says "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. " and a peace comes over to me that I can cry out to the Holy Spirit to help me.
Just when life gets hard and I feel trapped and have no idea what to do in life's hard lessons, I remember 2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. " and I have already been set free and I have nothing to worry about if I look to Him and study His word of truth.
When I struggle to sense the Holy Spirit, I recall certain aspects of God's character.
1. God will never leave me, as the author of Hebrews quotes from Deut 31:8
2. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Heb 13.8
3. The holy Spirit gives me everything I need to understand His word. 1 John 2:27
So if I am in a place where He feels distant, then I have to remember that God never changes, and I might be the one who has changed. Am I distracted by the world? Am I being obedient to His word? Have I spent time with Him in word and worship? Have I set myself apart? Often when I have an honest reflection, I see the very thing Romans 13:14 warns me of: "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. "
What sets the Well apart from Sunday or any other day with the Lord is that we have to walk through the consecration room before we enter the worship center. That means I have set myself apart from the desires of the world. I cannot help but wonder what would happen in a church if we set ourselves apart before we even arrive on Sunday?
I will send out a straightforward way to prepare one's heart for meeting the Holy Spirit on Sundays, before we arrive at church. I am by no means claiming this is the only way, but just offering "a" way to set oneself apart. This Sunday is communion, and it is my prayer that the consecration prayer, the worship, and the word of God will lead all closer in relationship with the Holy Spirit. See you at 9 am or our new 10:45 time.
In Him,
Pastor Chris