“Purpose and Function of the Holy Spirit” Pt 2:
NOTE – Today (May 7th) is the National Day of Prayer. Many of you will open this email before going to bed tonight. If you haven’t already, I urge you to take some time to pray for our country, president, his advisors, all national, state, and local leaders, and the upcoming elections across the land. Pray for an outpouring of God’s Spirit upon our land. Revival doesn’t come by accident; it will come when God’s people pray (2 Chronicles 7:14). Revival in your home and perhaps your church, may begin with you. Missed the 7th? Take time today.
Today’s Devotional:
The Bible says when the people heard Peter’s message on Pentecost, “they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). When the Holy Spirit speaks, He calls for action. In this case, the people were being convicted of their sins. Peter answered, “Repent and be baptized!”
The Christian life begins at salvation. Our sins are forgiven; the old life is passed away and all things become new because we are a new creation in Christ Jesus. We’re new because we are different. The Spirit of Christ now abides within us, but this isn’t a one and done thing. God isn’t done with us and has so much more for us. He wants to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and make us holy for He is holy (I Peter 1:16).
The prayer of repentance brings forgiveness of sins which is God’s requirement for heaven. But He wants to use us to make a difference in an ungodly world. To make a difference in the lives of our loved ones, friends, and work associates. You’re thinking, this is a huge task, and I can’t live that kind of life – AND YOU’RE RIGHT – YOU CAN’T!
The best thing that ever happened to me was falling on my face in the middle of the night crying out to God confessing as a pastor, “God – I can’t do this! The church is getting too big and I’m not capable of leading it!” To my surprise an immediate peace came over me as the Lord said, “That’s what I’ve been waiting to hear. You can’t do this alone, but I can and will help you!” The Holy Spirit has come to HELP us become what God wants us to be. Let Him into your life.
We aren’t expected to limp along trying to be a good Christian. We need help. Jesus ascended to heaven and our HELPER; the Holy Spirit has come! The Helper draws us to God and gives us the power to live as God wants us to live.
Pastor Carnes
