06/05/2026
Have we allowed God to live with us? Is His Holy Spirit within us now, and does it repair and revive our brokenness? When we first believed, we were inclined to wear our faith like a new suit of clothes; we felt good in them, and wanted to wear them all the time, but was it anything more than just a garment... did it ever go any deeper than our skin? Well, I can promise you that when the Holy Spirit truly falls upon us, and we breathe Him deep into ourselves, that something remarkable is going to happen... our faith will suddenly well up from deep within us like a fresh spring, and the external faith that we once put on, and took off with ease, will become who we are and not simply our clothing.
“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.”
Isaiah 57:15 ESV
This is one of the rare occasions in the Old Testament that speaks of God’s indwelling. In a way the Old Testament is more about the suit of clothes, and less about the inflowing of God into our innermost being. The Holy Spirit rests on prophets, priests, and kings, but even then, is only there for a time, and not as much about repairing the man as it is about bringing relief to the children of Abraham... to heal the wounds of a people, and a nation.
Then comes the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and He begins the process of healing the body and the soul of mankind. This healing culminates in His sacrifice on the cross, and in the resurrection and ascension that follows, but it goes beyond that. Jesus reaches into us and extracts sin and death so that the void which they left behind in the world when man fell in Eden can be filled...
“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”
John 16:7 ESV
Jesus opened the way for us to become changed completely, to become the vessel of the Holy Spirit so that the indwelling of God could be realized, and the healing of the brokenness we once carried within us could be made forever real.
“Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.”
John 20:21-22 ESV
You will notice in this scripture from John 20 that three preparatory things happened; Jesus greeted the apostles with His peace, He told them that they were about to become like Him, and He breathed the Holy Spirit onto them... but it wasn’t over yet because they had to receive the Holy Spirit that was offered... they had to take him in... they had to breathe into themselves the very breath of Christ.
This was an amazing transformation, and these men would never be the same again because God not only brushed by them, or blew about them like a mighty wind, but actually took up residence within them. This was the second installment of the breath of life, and it is for all those who God calls... all those who believe.
“For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself."”
Acts 2:39 ESV
I was at the hospital one night where my niece was in labor and preparing to give birth. Labor, and delivery are awesome in many ways, but they bring to my mind the very first event in every life... the newborn that has just been plucked from the womb must breathe into itself that first gasp of air, because without it there can be no life. This is what was happening at Pentecost. The apostles were taking their second breath of a new life which brought God... and life itself... to them. It did this just like it does to a newborn child as the hope of new life is placed into the hands of every midwife, or doctor, and then suddenly, and instantly, becomes real in that precious and desperate breath... and cries out.
So, I ask you; have you breathed in the breath of Christ that He has offered? And I ask again... Do you allow God to dwell with you? Is His spirit within you, and does it repair and revive your brokenness?
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your Son Jesus Christ who suffered, died, was resurrected, and sits at your right hand. I thank you for the sacrifice He made that I might be washed clean of sin, and set free from death, and made pure before you, but Holy Father I thank you further for the breath of life that He offers every believer... the breath that carries with it your Holy Spirit. Thank you Merciful Father for this second offering of the breath of life, and for your indwelling that comes rushing with it like a mighty wind into us. Thank you for taking what we once wore like a robe into the temple, and transforming it into the smoke of the sacrifice, the flesh and blood of the lamb, that flows forever into us. I thank you not only for the healing of our bodies, but for the healing and recovery of our souls. Now we carry within us your Spirit, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the good news for all the world to hear. In us resides the rebirth of Adam, and the death of the sinful man we once were. Praised be your name Gracious Father, for Holy, Holy, Holy are you, and Holy your Spirit which quickens me, brings you glory and honor, and becomes apparent to all those who witness my rebirth in you through Christ.
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6 ESV
“ In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 1:6-7 ESV
Amen!
Rich Forbes