Listening to God Ministry The Holy Spirit Gives Empowerment from God

Jesus told His disciples to stay in the city until they were empowered by the Holy Spirit and then they were to go forth to the ends of the earth telling what they had seen and heard from His teaching and healing.

As promised, on the day of Pentecost, tongues of fire came upon them, filling them with the Holy Spirit. Crowds gathered and Peter explained that God had raised the crucified Jesus to life as both Lord and Savior and the promised Holy Spirit has been poured out on the believers.

Peter told the people to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins and they also will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This empowerment of the believers is intended for every person the Lord calls, generation after generation. Rather than visible flames over our heads, our hearts become on fire to serve the Lord.

Read Luke 24:46-49 and Acts 1:4-8, Acts chapter 2 and John 15:26-27

Jesus explained that if we love Him and obey His teaching, God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit will come and live with us and in us. Refer to John 14:15-26

I Corinthians 3:16 and 6:19 teaches that our body is God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in believers.

We are no longer alone, trying to figure out things by ourselves, but His holy love, wisdom, comfort, and encouragement are present, calling for our awareness and willingness to work in harmony with His inner direction. For many people, becoming aware of the Presence of God happens when they are worshiping Him in song or prayer or activity where they are not focused on themselves but sincerely thanking and praising Him and are open to the love He radiates.

Psalm 89:15-16 states that those who have learned to exalt the Lord and walk in the light of His presence are blessed. The Lord is their glory and strength.

The dove is often used as a symbol of the Holy Spirit coming upon a person.

We are warned not to resist the Holy Spirit or grieve Him or put out the Spirit's fire. Jesus taught that God loves to give good gifts and we should ask, and keep on asking for more of the Holy Spirit to be working in our own lives.

Luke 11:13 and Acts 7:51 and Ephesians 4:30 and I Thessalonians 5:19

Faithfulness to God and courage to cooperate with Him are two of the signs of people filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts chapter 4 relates that Peter and John were commanded by authorities to no longer teach or speak in the name of Jesus. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter responded with courage that salvation is found in no one else and he would continue to obey God and speak about what he had seen and heard. The authorities knew Peter and John were not formally educated men and they were astonished at their boldness.

Act 6:3-15 describes Stephen as being a man full of faith, the Holy Spirit, God's grace and power. He did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. Men who argued with him could not stand up against his wisdom or the inspiration by the Spirit by whom he spoke.

Acts 11:22-24 explains that Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith. Many people were brought to a saving faith in the Lord by his encouragement.

Prayer

Thank You, Lord, that You have given Your Holy Spirit to help us understand Your love as well as Your expectations for us. Help us live as guided by Your Spirit, that we may turn from sin to the love and joy and peace and faithfulness You intend for our lives. Taken from Galatians 5:16-26 and I Corinthians 2:12-13

Application Suggestion:

When puzzled about how to proceed concerning certain choices in life, pray for God's help and expect the Holy Spirit to provide guidance and encouragement as You walk in faithfulness to Him. Receive and cooperate with God given abilities to serve Him and His people.

To each believer, the manifestation of the Holy Spirit is given in order that the ministry of Jesus Christ is continued on earth.

Study I Corinthians chapter 12

The Holy Spirit gives:

Enthusiasm

Enlightenment

Empowerment

Encouragement