When you spoke, light overwhelmed the darkness;
when you spoke, the heavens gained their hue;
when you spoke, creation echoed, singing;
Lord, speak to me and I will follow you.
Lord, you spoke, through stone and fire and rainbow;
Lord, you spoke, through angels, dreams and dew;
Lord, you spoke, through prophets, kings and children;
Lord, speak to me and I will follow you.
Open my ears, so I can truly listen,
Open my mind, so I may understand.
Open my heart, so I can truly love you,
and live to follow You.
When you spoke, your words commanded healing;
when you spoke, the wind and waves withdrew;
when you spoke, the twelve left all to follow;
Lord, speak to me and I will follow you.
Lord, you speak in power through your Spirit;
Lord, you speak by scripture’s words of truth;
Lord, you speak through prayer and song and teaching;
Lord, speak to me and I will follow You.
by Lesley Kennedy, Worship Song Writer
The Holy Spirit is fundamental to the Christian life.
The Holy Spirit is the name of the third person in the Trinity, sometimes called the Holy Ghost. The Holy Spirit is first mentioned in Genesis 1:2, “The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.”
We can’t see the Holy Spirit with the naked eye, but as Christians we are “transformed by the renewing of our minds.” Romans 12:2, which means learning to think God’s way instead of the world’s way. This is where the Spirit of the Lord comes in to help us. It’s the Spirit that transforms us and gives us the understanding to change our lives and other’s lives. Helen Keller once said. “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched — They must be felt with the heart.” I feel this way about the Holy Spirit. How beautiful to have a Helper walk with us through all that we do every day… helping us to keep our tongue when we need to; helping us to see someone in need that we can help; helping us to walk with Jesus by the choices we make between right and good and passing on wrong and evil. We are accountable for our doings, but the Holy Spirit can help lead us to doing the right thing. That wee small voice. When our hearts are right with God and Jesus is our Saviour, then we have all of the Trinity walking with us daily. With God’s instruction book, the Bible, and Jesus’ everlasting love and the Holy Spirit giving us the mind of Christ, we are totally covered.
Jesus promised the disciples that he would send the Holy Spirit after his crucifixion and resurrection: John 14:26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”
In Christian theology “Holy Spirit” comes from the Greek word, pneuma meaning “wind,” “breath,” or “spirit”. This includes the personality of the Spirit, the deity of the Spirit, and the work of the Spirit. The roles of the Holy Spirit are evident in both the Old and New Testaments. Most evident is his work in the life and ministry of Jesus. Today he is seen clearly in the work of salvation and sanctification of each believer.
The Holy Spirit isn’t present to those who do not believe. It is only present to us when our lives are surrendered to Christ, to those who deeply love Him. 1 Corinthians 2:10 says, “But God has revealed them (the glories of God) to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.” and v. 13 “These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” An unbeliever can study the scriptures and learn certain facts about God and Christ, but only through the illumination of the Spirit does true understanding come.
God doesn’t pick and choose who will follow Him. He wants everyone, everywhere to come to Him, through His Son, Jesus Christ.
The Bible says, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25 Walking in the Spirit leads to helpfulness and service, not to provoking each other, pride or conceit.
The Bible says, “Be filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18 One who is filled with the Spirit gives total control of their life to the Spirit, not a one time thing but a continuous one.
The Bible says, “For as many a are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” Romans 8:14. Following the Holy Spirit’s leadership, allowing ourselves to be led is a reminder that God isn’t just watching over us, we are being trained like a good father, helps us to grow and mature for service.
It is the Holy Spirit who lives the life of Christ through us and who achieves the work of Christ through us. The Spirit of God is given to us to empower us in our walk, to be master over our actions and reactions in our life of service.
Holy Spirit, hear us, as we thank and praise each day
Holy Spirit, prompt us, in all we think and say
Holy Spirit, shine through us, a light to others
Holy Spirit, give us, a mind as gentle and pure as Jesus
Holy Spirit, help us, to conquer wrong and choose the right.
