Holy Spirit, One Who Empowers Us

I wrote last week about the Holy Spirit being our Helper.  We saw in scripture how Jesus sent another Helper, One just like Himself.  He gave us the Holy Spirit to indwell us that we would once again, as in the garden, take dominion of the earth and everything in it. 

Genesis 1:26-28, "Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

 The problem with a lot of the church today, is that, we have not allowed the Holy Spirit to rule in our lives.  Instead, we have relegated Him to be someone we "know about," but not someone we know personally or intimately.  Tragically, we have no personal relationship with Him. 

 Many times, I've heard believers quote I John 4:4 which says, "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."  There is tremendous truth in this scripture and yet....if only believers really believed it!  We have the miraculous working power of God in us and we barely recognize that He exists!

 Through the Holy Spirit, we have authority over all the power of the enemy and yet - we don't use it.  Luke 10:19, " Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

 We see that God, through His Spirit, has given us weapons.  2 Corinthians 10:3-6, "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled."

 He has given us power!  Acts 1:8, "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

 He has given us gifts to minister to the oppressed.  I Corinthians 12:1-11," Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 2 You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills."

 We have been given His armor.  Ephesians 6:10-18, " Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--"

 He has given us the fruit of the Spirit, so we can take on the nature of God.  Galatians 5:22-25, " But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

 2 Peter 1:1-4, " Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."

 Everything we need to be successful and victorious in fulfilling His plan and purpose for our life is available to us through His Holy Spirit.  We have been called to be faithful soldiers.  2 Timothy 2:1-4, " You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier". 

 Yet, the church is weak, and we find we are letting the enemy run over us as though we don't even exist.  It is time for the church to come alive, to wake up, to rise up, and to take back what is rightfully ours. As it was at Jericho, it is time for the church to blow the shofar (trumpet) and cause the walls of satan's deceptions to fall!  It is time for the people of God to learn who we are in Christ, to know what He has given us and to use those things to become the warriors He has called us to be.  Everything we need to know, He has given to us in His Word.  Hebrews 4:12, " For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."  Yes, His Word is powerful.

 Believers have become complacent, apathetic and lazy.  We have put the things of the world first place in our lives, rather that the things of God. 

 Friends, if you don't know the Word of God, you can not stand upon it, nor act on it.  We need to know the Word of God better than anything.  The Word of God should fill every part of our being. 

 You men, how many of you know all of the sports stats and know who plays on which teams?  How much time do you spend playing video games, learning all the "keys" to beating all of the levels?  Are you more full of useless worldly facts than you are of the Word of God? 

 You women, are you up on all the latest fashions?  Do you know all the details of what is happening in the soap operas?  What about reality tv shows?  Is your mind full of more useless worldly facts than the Word of God?

 Do you know the scriptures to lead someone to Christ?

Do you know what scriptures to stand on when praying for the sick?

Do you know what scriptures, or words of life, to speak to those who are hurting in other ways?

Can you stand against the attacks of your enemy as Jesus did, by rightly dividing the Word of God and saying, "Thus says the Lord...."?

Do you know who you are in Christ? 

Is your relationship with God becoming more intimate every day?

What is the thing that is most important to you?

 We are in one of the greatest spiritual battles we've seen in our lifetime.  It is not about going to war concerning politics, or political parties, or politicians.  This war is about believers taking up and using their God given authority, power and spiritual weapons, standing on, and the speaking the Word of God,  to destroy the schemes, plans, and work of the devil!

 Matthew 16:24-27, " Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 "For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works."

 What are you willing to do to gain the Kingdom of God?

 Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

 Church: Wake Up! Wake Up! Wake Up! Then Rise Up! and Take Your Place!

 As we continue, we will be looking at how the Father has equipped us with the power  of the Holy Spirit.

 I trust my words encourage and challenge you to become more fully who the Lord has called you to be.

 Please tell your friends and fellow believers about this blog.

 God bless you as you continue to grow and be filled with His knowledge.