HELP ME HOLY SPIRIT, I CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU!
- Key Verse
"And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance." (Acts 2:4)
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Central Truth
On the day of Pentecost, God's Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, was sent to earth for ALL believers to be our counselor, comforter, teacher, and closest friend. The same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells IN us and testifies with our spirit that we are God's children!
Reflections
I am honored to serve in our Celebrate Recovery ministry here at Grace. After working through the Twelve Steps and Eight Principles several times, I try to continually live Principle Seven: "Reserve a daily time with God for self-examination, Bible reading and prayer in order to know God and His will for my life and to gain the power to follow His will". (Bold type requires the Holy Spirit's help.)A few years ago, I had a life-changing epiphany when God spoke to me through His Holy Spirit. I was having a disagreement with my loved ones. I was upset, and due to my own insecurities, felt very defeated. I was on the riding lawn mower, pouring my heart and frustrations out to God. "I can't please them, Father; I will NEVER be able to please them!" As I was crying out to God, I heard an almost audible voice that gently said, "Please Me. You need to focus on Me and seek to please Me. I will handle the rest."
The only way that I can attempt to keep my focus on God is to spend time with Him daily, relying on His Holy Spirit to fill me, reveal the Father to me, teach me to know His will, and empower me to lay my own selfish ways aside and follow His will.
What do I mean by being "filled with the Spirit"?
One of the best illustrations I've heard on being "filled with the Spirit" is that we are not meant to be filled like a vessel is filled with liquid, poured in and filled once. We are filled as wind fills the sailboat's sail. We're continually filled and therefore guided by Him.
Since that day on the lawnmower, when I feel insecure, I get great comfort in knowing that if I'll turn my focus back to God and rely on His Spirit to fill my sails, He will direct me towards serenity. I can't do it perfectly, but as I'm frequently reminded at Celebrate Recovery, "It is practice, not perfection."
Thank You, Father, for your Holy Spirit!
Discussion Questions
- Have you stopped to ask the Holy Spirit for His direction on that difficult situation in your life?
- Who are you trying to please?
- Do you believe that God is easier to please than most people? He just wants your heart and offers you unconditional love and forgiveness--as well as eternal life with Him!
- Who can you encourage today? Ask God to show you through His Holy Spirit.
Comments
The views expressed under “Comments” are solely
those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Grace Community Church.
Lori Shepherd
January 4, 2010 02:25 PM
These are great words, Penny. Thank you for reminding me to continually be "re-filled" with His Holy Spirit and know that it's always practice, progress and not perfection!
Steve Newland
January 4, 2010 07:12 PM
Thanks Peggy. I liked your statements about focusing on God and pleasing Him rather than worrying about whether or not I have pleased people.
Bill
January 5, 2010 08:35 AM
Penny: Your imagery of the sail is great. Oswald Chambers describes being filled with the Spirit as 'internal martyrdom'. That is probably something of what God had in mind when he said "Please Me." A reminder I need almost hourly! Thanks.
Susan Miner
January 5, 2010 08:37 AM
Penny, you brought it home for so many of us. Thank you for your encouragement today.
Jeri Stewart
January 5, 2010 09:06 AM
Thank you, Penny, your devotion really touched my heart!
randy cummings
January 5, 2010 12:52 PM
Thanks for reminding us of this basic truth. He is willing to take us places we haven't even thought to ask for, if we would just let him go deeper into our hearts, and replace those dark places that we don't want to let go of with light. Holy Spirit I need you to do your work in me. Thank you Father for sending the comforter.
Melissa
January 5, 2010 01:53 PM
Really great reflections Penny! Thanks for writing!
Kim Newland
January 5, 2010 05:04 PM
I think too many times we get caught up in what others think - pleasing God is the most important thing and I appreciated your thoughts on this today. :~)
Doug Quinn
January 5, 2010 07:04 PM
Thank you for a very powerful devotion and your special witness!
Lynnette Gore
January 5, 2010 07:20 PM
Thank you, Penny, for the very encouraging devotional.
Julie Capranica Taylor
January 6, 2010 05:16 AM
As a Celebrate Recovery attender and a new Step Study graduate, I could relate very much to what Penny wrote. The questions after the reflection are great ones. One of the things that I have learned through CR, the word and through experience, about the Holy Spirit of God is that He comes and speaks to me in some of the most common activities (like riding mowers!)and also through His beautiful creation.....when I am open to Him. Letting God's Holy Spirit lead and letting go of my own self deception of having "control" has been a difficult journey, but such a blessed one. Trying to please others and gain their acceptance can lead to a road of hurts, bad habits and pain. Pleasing God has been a call to KNOWING Him more. I believe that is the most pleasing thing to Him....to know that He who made me and loves me more than I can imagine, wants me to know Him more. When I draw near to Him, open my heart to Him and allow Him to fill me, His strength in me is revealed through a changed life....the one He has planned, which is far greater and more of a blessing to others. Thank you, Penny, for your insight and inspiration!
Marnie Chitwood
January 19, 2010 09:52 AM
I know I'm late reading this but it was amazing! And I really DO need to spend a daily time with God. I keep asking for direction and guidence, yet I never take the time to "fill my sails". Thank you for this eye opening reminder that when I follow God, He WILL direct me!