03/13/2018
There are those today that are filled with the Holy Spirit and don’t realize it because they don’t know the Holy Spirit from any other part of their faith. If he had come to them with a jolt like he did to the apostles, and licked above them with fingers of flame, and filled them with tongues, then there would be no doubt, but for many he comes gently with joy and comfort. To those who receive him in this way, it is so subtle that they have a hard time realizing he is with them for they can’t separate him from the basic movements of their faith until one day they are awakened joyfully to the reality of his presence within them.
“If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”
John 14:15-18 KJV
When I first believed, and gave my life over to the Lord, I was in the living room of a man and woman who taught me bible school. We prayed together and I felt the presence of God, but when I left their house and rode my bicycle home something came over me... a joy I could not contain, and a sense of exhilaration that lifted me to the point that I felt as though I were flying. I didn’t know it at the time, because I didn’t know what to call him, or who he was, but this was the Holy Spirit infusing me.
As my life and faith progressed I would experience the overwhelming presence of the Spirit from time to time and gifts of the Spirit were added to me as I needed them, understanding, gentleness, courage, giving, patience, and all of these things came individually, subtly, as if they were a nearly imperceptible breeze, but come they did, and they were so intertwined into my faith that I couldn’t separate them from it.
The Holy Spirit manifests itself gently this way with most Christians, and could very well continue on in this manner... no Big Bang, no sudden outpouring, but a gentle breeze blowing through their faith that provides understanding, comfort, mercy, exceptional joy, and many things we experience right along with our growth in faith, and service to Jesus and God.
With obedience and Jesus Christ comes the Holy Spirit. We receive this promise because Jesus received it, and it doesn’t have to come in a clap of thunder, or a gushing spring of tongues, but can arrive even as Jesus arrives, softly with our belief, our faith, and the joy of a simple prayer; like the one I first prayed in a living room those many years ago... and that we all pray to begin our journey with Him.
“Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.”
Acts 2:33 KJV
Peter was asked what one should do to accept Jesus and to receive the Holy Spirit, listen to what he said:
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Acts 2:38 KJV
I know some who fear and are convinced that they must receive a particular gift of the Spirit as a sign that they have received an additional spiritual filling, the filling of the Holy Spirit, but Jesus comes with “batteries included” bringing with Him the Holy Spirit. Some are convinced that they must speak in tongues, and although that is a gift of the Spirit to some, it is no more a gift to all believers than mercy, exhortation, or any of the other gifts, and I have never witnessed tongues of fire dancing over anyone who has received it... including myself. Praying for, and waiting on, a particular gift should not be confused with the filling of the Spirit itself.
“Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?”
1 Corinthians 12:29-30 KJV
So if we are going to require speaking in tongues to be the absolute sign of the Holy Spirit, then shouldn’t the tongues of fire be required also? Never judge your faith or the faith of others by the gifts that the Holy Spirit has given. These spiritual gifts are given to edify the church, and to win souls for the kingdom, and each is glorious, and serves God mightily in its own right.
“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 KJV
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for Jesus and my faith in His being your Son, my Redeemer, my Savior, and He who instills the Holy Spirit in me. I thank you for the gifts that the Holy Spirit provides me so that I can increase your church, lift it up, and reach all people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Teach me Father to take full advantage of these gifts I have been provided. Whether I prophesy, show mercy, edify, or preach; let every gift find fertile ground as it plants the seed of faith in others. If perchance I am asked to speak in foreign tongues to those who would understand, or exercise one of the other gifts such as kindness, let your hand be upon me. Hear the groaning of my spirit in prayer with you, let the Holy Spirit guide me as I communicate with you in our secret place of communion. Reveal your will to me Father, and show me the proper use of the gifts I have received as I work within your will to fulfill your purposes. I praise you Holy Father, and lift you up in all I do. I sing of your majesty, and glory. Let your Holy Spirit flow through me as it gives me understanding, utterance, and as it guides me in comfort and joy in my service to you each day. Holy are you my Heavenly Father, and greatly to be praised, for your grace and mercy knows no end, and your gifts abound eternally.
Rich Forbes