Boo! The Holy Ghost Wants You!

Scarey! That's what it was when a retreat committee asked me to speak four times on the Holy Spirit. Who is this guy anyway — the third Person of the Trinity? I went away for a month to pray, read nine books from respected theologians, and meditate on every scripture on the Holy Spirit. With a bit of fear and trembling I  prepared four messages on the subject of the Holy Spirit.

Ha! The Holy Ghost is not to be feared. He is to be embraced. It's true. He wants you more than you want Him and He'll hound you until He gets you.

What should you fear? Life without Him. Now that is scarey. Here's why:

1. If you are a believer in Christ, the Holy Ghost lives in you. He will never leave you (Eph 1:13). Trust me, you don't want Him to ever leave you. Because

2. He empowers you for service by giving you spiritual gifts (Acts 1:8, 1 Cor. 12:4). He leads your life (Eph 2:10). He reveals truth to you (John 14:15-17). He comforts you (John 16:7). He strengthens you (Eph 3:16). He convicts you of sin (Jn 16:8). He fills you with the fruits of the Spirit which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self-control, faithfulness, and gentleness (Gal 5:22).

The Holy Ghost wants all of you. He wants to fill you with Himself. Scripture says be filled with the Holy Spirit  (Eph 5:18).  So how do we receive this power and filling?

1. Believe in the Lord Jesus as your Savior and Lord (Eph 1:13).
2. Confess your sin (1 Jn 1:9). The Holy Spirit cannot fill a dirty heart (1 Jn 1:7).
3. Renounce sin. You can't confess your sin and then keep doing it (Ps. 66:18).
4. Daily surrender yourself to Christ (Romans 12:1-2).
5. Obey God's commands (Acts 5:32).
6. Believe. If you confess, renounce sin, surrender, and obey, then you will be filled with the Holy Spirit.

One day I stood at my kitchen window and I received the Holy Spirit. My marriage was a mess, my life was a mess. I cried out to God and all the anger and sadness and evil flew out of my heart and the Holy Spirit flew in. No more filled with fear, my heart filled with love for my Jesus and my husband. My life and my marriage have never been the same.

BOO! I hope the Holy Ghost gets you!

I wrote this as simply as I could. If you have any questions, please ask me privately or comment on this blog.

The Holy Spirit is the water that brings Splashes of Serenity to your life.

Enjoy your walk with Him!

A Passion for Christ

The passion of Christians who loved God a generation or two ago challenges me. A.B. Simpson, A.W. Tozer, R.A. Torrey, Hannah Whitall Smith, Amy Carmichael, and Elizabeth Prentiss are a few of my favorites authors. They had a commitment and a depth that I lack and I want.

I've heard the old-time Camp stories of the Holy Spirit moving and people placing their jewelry, wedding, and engagement rings in the offering plate. Where did those days go? Why are my rings still on my fingers? Does the Holy Spirit speak to hearts today as He did 100 years ago? Absolutely!

Soon jewelry will be missing from the hands of Mary Jo Kowalewski and Lesley Paparone. They traveled to Bosnia; saw the empty eyes, the hopeless faces, and the need to tell the lost sheep in Sarajevo that there is a Shepherd who loves them. Selling their engagement rings and giving the money to fund a Community Center in Sarajevo was their response. They talk of having their husband's names engraved on their wedding ring fingers. Yes, God is at work in my generation. You can read about it at http://jewelsforbih.blogspot.com.

Hearing this story brought Amy Carmichael to my mind. She wrote, "God never wore a chain of gold. He wore a crown of thorns. His hands and feet were not jeweled, but pierced." Yes, God's hands are pierced not just with nails, but with a tattoo. He said, "I will not forget you! See I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;" Isaiah 49:16

I pray that Lesley and Mary Jo will gaze at their tattooed fingers and be blessed by the One Who has them engraved in the palms of His Hands.

As a Christ follower, I need to be alert to the Holy Spirit's leading. Jesus has not yet directed me to sell my engagement ring, but He does desire I be sold out for Him. This Lenten Season I ask myself, "Do I love Jesus? Do I truly love Him? Would I give to Him anything He asks of me?" I pray my actions and words say, "I do, Jesus, You are engraved in my heart."

Splashes of Serenity that comes from a heart surrendered to Jesus is wished for you,

Elaine