New Beginnings: The Work Of The Holy SpiritSýnishorn

The Presence of the Holy Spirit 

Ps Sean said, “If we want to operate in the power of the Holy Spirit, we need to live in the presence of the Holy Spirit, being led by the Spirit.” Paul in Galatians 5:16-17 (NLT) said, “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

We end how we began; if you want to embrace the new, you need to be willing to let go of the old. The Spirit gives us new desires but we begin to respond to His leading by positioning ourselves in His presence. How could you make yourself more aware of the Helper, the One who is alongside you, in you in your daily routine?

Let us consider that if we want to walk in the Spirit’s Power, we have to die to the flesh. We have to let go of our agenda and embrace God’s agenda for our lives! Paul said, “Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace” (Romans 8:5-6 NLT).

How do I walk by the Spirit?

• Acknowledge there is a battle. Realise there is an enemy that wants to cloud your mind and distract you from God’s purposes for your life. If COVID-19 has got the better of you, today is the perfect time to repent and ask Jesus to help you.
• Surrender my will. We see Jesus pray in the Garden of Gethsemane asking the Father if He would take the suffering away. Jesus understands our struggle! But in the same breath He says, “not my will but yours be done” (Matthew 26:39).
• Pursue the life of the Spirit. This is done by feeding your spirit with God’s things. Get into the Word, get the Word into you, feed on it and then ask God to help you do what it says. Be intentional in worship and seek the presence of God. Be intentional in prayer, seek God and prioritise the community of believers!

Application: Evaluate how you’ve been doing in this lockdown. Have you been dominated by the sinful nature or controlled by the Holy Spirit? Choose today to take steps toward the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life. Take some time today to pray this prayer:

Lord, thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit. I am grateful for Your Word into my heart this week. Holy Spirit would You continue to work in me? I surrender my will to You today. I surrender my agenda, plans and goals. I hand over my concerns and burdens to You. I choose to trust You for may daily bread and accept with joy that you are working out good for my life. Amen.