THE MOVING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Part 2

"Quench not the Spirit"
(1 Thessalonians 5:19).

Because the Holy Spirit's job is to actively work in our hearts, we dare not quench His working. How careful we have to be, especially when there are 48 different ways the Holy Spirit moves in our hearts. Yes, you've yet to discover 48 ways! Isn't that amazing?

Here are some other translations of this Scripture:
"Do not stifle the Holy Spirit" (NLT, HCSB).
"Do not extinguish the Spirit" (NET).
"Do not quench (suppress or subdue) the Holy Spirit" (AMP).
"Do not hold back the work of the Holy Spirit" (NCV).
"Never damp the fire of the Spirit" (JBP).

Let's continue to look at more. He is the...

7. Comforting Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the Paraclete, the One who comes on the behalf of Christ to help us, to speak cheerfully to us, and to encourage us. Jesus said in John 14:26, "I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever." No matter what you are going through, the Holy Spirit resides within you to comfort you. Oh what a treasure. Read also John 14:16; 15:26; 16:7 and Acts 9:31. And of course, He is not only in you to comfort you, but to comfort others through you.

8. Creating Spirit

Psalm 104:30 says, "Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth." The Holy Spirit was involved, along with the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, in the creation of the world. He is still involved in creation. He loves to create new life. He loves to create new babies, each one a new creation that has never been created before and will never be created again--a creation that will reveal the image of God Himself. Read also John 26:13.

9. Convicting Spirit

The Holy Spirit brings comfort and encouragement, but He also reproves us when we walk out of line. It's not always pleasant to receive reproof, but I am very glad of the convicting power of the Holy Spirit in my life. It is proof that He dwells in me and is working in me. If I never felt His convicting me of sin I would have to doubt that He dwells in me.

John 16:8-10 NLT says, "And when he (the Holy Spirit ) comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God's righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The world's sin is that it refuses to believe in me. Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged."

We can trust the convicting power of the Holy Spirit to work in those we are praying for. You may be trying to change your husband, but it is only the Holy Spirit who can convict and convince him. You can't even change your children's hearts; it is only the power of the Holy Spirit. My trust is constantly in God's promise in Zechariah 4:6 which says, "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord of hosts."

10. Emboldening Spirit

Don't you long for boldness to speak God's Word to people wherever you go? I'm not talking only at church, but when you are shopping, in the market place, or with family members who may not understand your walk with God. You can't do it in your own strength, but the Holy Spirit will give you boldness to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, to contend for the faith, and to speak God's truth in the face of deception, threatenings, and opposition.

Acts 4:29-31 tells us how the disciples cried out to God for boldness and God answered, "And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with ALL BOLDNESS they may speak thy word... And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness."

11. Empowering Spirit

Christ's intention for us as believers is to witness for Him, but we can only do this effectively when the power of the Holy Spirit comes upon us. Jesus said in Acts 1:8, "But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

Our witness begins right where we live before we go out to other places. For us wives and mothers, it begins right in our home! In the daily challenges of training children. This is where we need the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives more than anywhere else. We can't manage in our own strength, but God has promised to give us the power of His Holy Spirit to enable us. The word Greek word "power" is dunamis meaning "miraculous, abundant, powerful." God does not want you to live an ordinary life in your home, but a supernatural life, a life where He lives through you and speaks through you.

Romans 15:19 tells us that Paul wrought "mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God."

Love from Nancy Campbell
www.aboverubies.org

PRAYER:

"Oh God, please help me to never quench the moving of your Holy Spirit in my life. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

I give free reign to the Holy Spirit to work in my life in whatever way He wills.