But God promises to be close to those who are brokenhearted. In fact, these things will still cause us great sorrow and pain. This doesn’t mean we won’t endure trials and tribulations. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27 We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. Paul reminds us in Romans: “ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. This is part of the reason He gave us the Holy Spirit. God knew our ability to articulate our thoughts, feelings, and response to life would be impossible without the help of someone in our lives. We don’t always know how to pray or how to respond. He gives them to each person, just as he decides.” I Corinthians 12:4-11 If you don’t know your gifts, talk to your pastor who can help you in discerning your gifts. All of the gifts are produced by one and the same Spirit. And to still others he gives the ability to explain what was said in those languages. To others he gives the ability to speak in different kinds of languages they had not known before. To others he gives the ability to tell the spirits apart. To others he gives the ability to prophesy. To others he gives the power to do miracles. To others that one Spirit gives gifts of healing. To others the same Spirit gives the message of knowledge. To some people the Spirit gives the message of wisdom. The Holy Spirit is given to each of us in a special way. But the same God makes it possible for all of us to have all those different things. But they are all given by the same Spirit. Paul shares about these gifts in his first letter to the Corinthians: “ There are different kinds of gifts. When we decide to follow Christ, we are promised gifts. These are specific gifts just for you and just for me. It has set me free from the law of sin that brings death.” Romans 8:1-2 That law gives me life because of what Christ Jesus has done. I am now controlled by the law of the Holy Spirit. Paul tells us in Romans: “ Those who belong to Christ Jesus are no longer under God’s sentence. But there is good news for those who make Christ the head of their lives. Since we are all sinners, this means we are destined to punishment in hell. Without the Holy Spirit in our lives, we are under the curse of the law. Jesus tells us in John: “ But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.“ John 14:2 I love the word advocate here. I am amazed when God’s Word comes to me during these times. There are many times in my life when I have gone through challenges. The Holy Spirit reminds us of God’s Word.6 Ways the Holy Spirit is Active in Our Lives The Holy Spirit is quite active in our lives, and I think it’s important to see how the Holy Spirit takes action today. We don’t talk about the Holy Spirit very often, yet this is the gift we have been left by Jesus Christ when He left the earth. I am so thankful he his open to God’s voice. His confession was prompted by the Holy Spirit in his life. It was obvious the Holy Spirit had spoken to him. Isaac was speaking to me out of a spirit of conviction. This conversation has haunted me (in a good way) ever since. We exchanged a few more words before he informed me he needed to get back into the evening program. And I reminded him a few times how much he his loved by us. He can be moody sometimes, and he could be more prompt in obeying his parents, but he’s generally a good kid. I asked him how he was doing, and he quickly responded by apologizing for not always talking nicely to Leanne and me. I could sense from his voice he was tired and a little emotional. In the middle of this past week, I received a phone call at 8:15PM from our son. I know it was a life changing experience for both of our kids, and I’m excited to hear more stories about their adventures during this week. Last week, they were both away in Tennessee at Milligan College to attend the CIY Move youth conference with the high school youth group from our church. They aren’t perfect, but they are still pretty great in our eyes.
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