The Holy Spirit is present and active in our lives, bringing about life. Or as the Nicene Creed says, the Holy Spirit is the giver of life. One image of the Holy Spirit in Scripture is the breath of God (Job 33:4). Picture that for a moment—God breathing His life into you. Take a deep breath right now. Remind yourself that it is the Spirit of the Living God who gives life to you in this very moment.
God’s life empowers us. Throughout Scripture, we see God present with His people by His Spirit, giving His people a strength that is not their own.
In Ephesians 3:20 the apostle Paul proclaims that God is able to do immeasurably more than all we could ever ask or imagine according to God’s power that is at work within us. Immeasurably more.
All this, all this strength and power from God, is given to us for a purpose.
As John 20 says, on the evening of first day of the week, after the death of Jesus, the disciples were huddled up together, behind locked doors, for fear of the Jewish leaders (v. 19). There had been some rumors of resurrection, but fear gripped these early followers of Jesus. But then the risen Jesus came into their midst. Jesus is alive!
Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you.”
John 20:20–22 goes on to say, “After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”
As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.
Like the first followers of Jesus, we too are sent out in the power of the Holy Spirit. Like the prophets in the Old Testament, like our Lord Jesus in the gospels and the early church in the book of Acts, we are sent in the power of the Holy Spirit to join God in His mission of redemption and restoration.
We are called to love and serve in the name of Jesus. God sends us to proclaim the gospel with our words and actions. To seek justice, to care for the widow, the orphan, to serve as witnesses to the goodness and grace of God. We are a people sent, but we do not go in our own strength. No, we go in the power of the Holy Spirit.
I have tried to talk with others but I am always cut off and they don’t want yo hear. I do have a very dear older lady whom I befriended when she moved above me when I lived in an apartment complex. I have given her my testimony and I have talked. Bout Jesus with her she says she believes but I am not really getting anywhere as I talk to her for everything I say she has a comment as to why-she can’t do something. I really want the best for her but I feel I am really not getting anywhere with her. It’s gotten to the point where we talk about the same things all tge time and I askGod daily please help me give me the words open her hearts that she sees the hand of God and love of Christ. It makes me sad as try to-talk with her but feel I am getting no where as well. I pray that you Heavenly Father would Divinely intervene in a way she sees YOU! I thank you Jesus in advance for answered prayers ??
God has been upon me to be more diligent and consistent in my prayers. to lay more of my worries at his feet. to have more faith and belief in that he will provide and handle what he has laid upon and vefore me if I ask and give up control.