Today’s focus is on understanding the Holy Spirit—who He is, what He does, and why His presence is essential in the life of every believer. The Holy Spirit, or “pneuma” in Greek and “ruach” in Hebrew, is not just a force or energy, but a person—God Himself—who desires to be intimately involved in our lives. Many have misconceptions about the Holy Spirit, often underestimating or misunderstanding His role, which leads to missing out on the fullness of life and power God intends for us.
Jesus, in His final conversation with the disciples before His crucifixion, emphasized that it was actually better for Him to leave so the Holy Spirit could come. While Jesus’ physical presence was limited to one place at a time, the Holy Spirit is present everywhere, drawing, convicting, and empowering people across the world. The Spirit’s work is not just about making us better people, but about making us alive—moving us from spiritual death to life, from lost to found, and from powerless to empowered.
Salvation itself is impossible without the Holy Spirit. We are not simply bad people in need of improvement; we are spiritually dead and need to be made alive by the Spirit. When we respond to the Spirit’s conviction and receive Christ, we are sealed—marked as God’s own—and given new life. But the Spirit’s work doesn’t stop there. He continues to sanctify us, shaping us to look more like Jesus, and He desires to empower us for ministry and mission.
There is a distinction between the Spirit “in” us (indwelling for salvation and transformation) and the Spirit “on” us (anointing for power and service). Just as Jesus was anointed by the Spirit for His ministry, we too are invited to seek the Spirit’s empowering presence. This is not a luxury for a select few, but a necessity for all who want to live out God’s purpose. We are encouraged to ask, seek, and knock for more of the Holy Spirit—not to be strange or super-spiritual, but to be effective, fruitful, and alive in God’s kingdom. There is no limit to how much of God we can desire or receive; the invitation is open to all who will ask.
John 16:5-15 (ESV) — > 5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 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. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
John 3:1-8 (ESV) — > 1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Acts 1:4-8 (ESV) — > 4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
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