WALKING WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT: THE SECRET TO TRUE FREEDOM

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Every human heart longs for freedom — freedom from fear, guilt, sin, and the emptiness of life apart from God. Yet true freedom cannot be found by human effort, philosophy, or religion. It is found only through a living relationship with the Holy Spirit — God Himself indwelling the hearts of believers to guide, empower, and transform them.

“And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38

When we place our faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, something miraculous happens. The Father sends the third Person of the Trinity — the Holy Spirit — to dwell within us. Jesus promised this gift before His death and resurrection:

“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever — the Spirit of truth” John 14:16–17

The very presence of God takes up residence within the believer, marking us as His children and filling us with life.

But walking with the Spirit is more than a theological truth — it’s a daily relationship. The Apostle Paul urges believers:

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit” Galatians 5:25

That means aligning our hearts and choices with His gentle leading rather than following the desires of our own nature. When we do, we discover what it means to live in freedom — not freedom from obedience, but freedom in obedience. Sin no longer has dominion over the one whose life is yielded to God’s Spirit.

The evidence of this life is called “the fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22–23): “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control”. These qualities don’t come through human effort but by divine transformation. They blossom naturally as we stay connected to the Holy Spirit, much like branches drawing life from the vine.

The Spirit also gives us gifts (9 just like the fruit of the Spirit)— supernatural abilities for ministry and service — so that the Church may be built up and others may encounter God’s love through us. Whether teaching, encouraging, showing mercy, or praying in faith, every gift is given “for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7).

To walk with the Spirit is to live with eternity in view — understanding that every moment, every action, every choice is shaping us for eternal life with God. The Spirit is our Comforter in sorrow, our Teacher in confusion, our Strength in weakness, and the seal of our inheritance in Christ. He whispers truth into the noise of the world and reminds us daily that we belong not to ourselves, but to the One who died and rose again.

If you have placed your faith in Jesus, you possess this incredible gift. But perhaps the real question is: are you walking in step with Him? Freedom, joy, and peace are waiting — not in trying harder, but in surrendering completely to the loving guidance of the Spirit within. The secret to abundant life isn’t striving, but abiding. Scripture warns us not to grieve the Spirit or quench His work in our lives.

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30

“Do not quench the Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 5:19

Jesus is returning soon. How good it will be if you have already developed a close relationship with Him. Will you be ready to rule and reign with Him in Jesus Millennial Kingdom? If you want to know more about what is next on God’s agenda for planet Earth go to http://www.millennialkingdom.net

HOW TO BE HOLY SPIRIT LED

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How the Holy Spirit Speaks Through Scripture

One of the greatest gifts God has given His people is the ability to hear His voice through the pages of Scripture. The Bible is not simply a record of what God once said — it is the living Word through which He still speaks. And the One who makes that possible is the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit, Scripture would remain ink on a page. With the Spirit, it becomes a living conversation between God and His children.

Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would guide us into truth, remind us of His teachings, and reveal what we need to know. This promise is fulfilled every time we open the Bible with a listening heart. The Spirit takes the eternal Word of God and applies it to our present lives with precision, wisdom, and love. Understanding how the Spirit speaks through Scripture is essential for anyone who desires to walk closely with God. In total I will do three poste on the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit Illuminates the Word

The first way the Holy Spirit speaks through Scripture is by illuminating it. Illumination is the Spirit’s work of opening our spiritual eyes so we can understand what God is saying. Without the Spirit, we may read the Bible but miss its meaning. With the Spirit, truth becomes clear, personal, and powerful.

Have you ever read a passage you’ve seen many times before, only to have it suddenly come alive? A verse you skimmed over for years suddenly grips your heart. A story you thought you understood reveals a deeper layer of truth. That is the Spirit illuminating the Word.

The Spirit does not change the meaning of Scripture — He reveals it. He helps us see what was always there but hidden from our understanding. This is why prayer is essential when reading the Bible. We are not just studying a text; we are inviting the Spirit to speak.

The Spirit Applies Scripture to Our Lives

The Holy Spirit not only illuminates Scripture; He applies it. He takes the timeless truth of God’s Word and connects it to the specific circumstances of our lives. This is one of the most personal ways God speaks.

A verse about peace may come alive when you are anxious. A passage about forgiveness may confront you when you are holding a grudge. A story of God’s faithfulness may strengthen you when you feel weak.

The Spirit knows exactly what we need, and He uses Scripture to meet us where we are. This is why the Bible is never outdated. The same passage can speak differently at different times because the Spirit applies it according to our season, struggles, and spiritual growth.

The Spirit Convicts, Comforts, and Corrects

Scripture is God’s tool for shaping our hearts, and the Spirit uses it to convict, comfort, and correct us.

Conviction is the Spirit’s gentle way of showing us where our lives are out of alignment with God’s will. It is not condemnation or shame. Conviction is a loving invitation to return to God’s path.

Comfort comes when the Spirit uses Scripture to reassure us of God’s presence, promises, and faithfulness. In moments of grief, fear, or uncertainty, the Spirit brings verses to mind that anchor our souls.

Correction happens when the Spirit uses Scripture to redirect our thinking or behavior. God’s Word becomes a mirror that reveals what needs to change and a guide that shows us how to walk in obedience.

In all these ways, the Spirit speaks with clarity and love, using Scripture as His instrument.

The Spirit Forms Christ in Us Through the Word

The ultimate purpose of Scripture is not information but transformation. The Spirit uses the Word to shape us into the image of Christ. As we read, meditate, and obey, the Spirit renews our minds, softens our hearts, and strengthens our character.

This is why spiritual growth is impossible apart from Scripture. The Spirit forms Christ in us through the steady, daily intake of God’s Word. The more we allow the Spirit to speak through Scripture, the more we begin to think, act, and love like Jesus. The more the fruit of the spirit is manifest in our lives:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.“ Galatians 5:22-23

Listening to the Spirit Through Scripture Requires a Posture of Surrender

Hearing the Spirit through Scripture is not automatic. It requires a posture of humility, openness, and obedience. The Spirit speaks most clearly to hearts that are willing to respond.

Before reading, pray: “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word. Open my eyes. Guide my heart. I am listening.”

As you read, pay attention to what stands out — a phrase, a command, a promise, a warning. These moments of clarity are often the Spirit’s voice.

After reading, ask: “Lord, what do You want me to do with what You’ve shown me?”

The Spirit speaks not just to inform us but to transform us. When we respond with obedience, His voice becomes clearer and more familiar.

The Spirit Speaks Through Scripture Every Time We Open It

You don’t need a dramatic experience to hear God. You don’t need a special moment or a supernatural sign. Every time you open the Bible with a listening heart, the Holy Spirit is ready to speak.

He speaks through the stories, the teachings, the promises, the warnings, and the wisdom of Scripture. He speaks through quiet moments of reflection and sudden moments of revelation. He speaks through familiar passages and through verses you’ve never noticed before.

The Spirit is faithful. The Word is alive. And God is always speaking.

Jesus is returning soon. How good it will be if you have already developed a close relationship with Him. Will you be ready to rule and reign with Him in Jesus Millennial Kingdom? If you want to know more about what is next on God’s agenda for planet Earth go to http://www.millennialkingdom.net

PREPARING FOR THE COMING TRIBULATION

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This is a critical presentation by Nelson Walters for Christians on preparing for the coming tribulation before Jesus’ second coming. Nelson takes us to the Scripture where Peter first gets Jesus’ commendation for hearing from his Heavenly Father in answering Jesus’ question, “Who do you say I am?”, correctly, but then, shortly after, Jesus rebukes Peter with “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Mark 8:33

How could Peter go so quickly from hearing from God to hearing and acting on Satan’s word? This Scripture teaches an important lesson that we need to take to heart.

IT IS TIME FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD TO BE OBEDIENT TO GOD’S CALLING

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We are living in a time of moral, spiritual, and civilization polarization, where Western civilization is decoupling itself from the faith and the worldview to which it has been joined for nearly two thousand years. Its mainstream culture is purging itself of Judeo-Christian values, beliefs, laws, practices, worship, ways, and culture just as God prophesied would happen in His Word, the Bible before Jesus’ second coming to Earth.

Children that should be in school marching in Sydney, Australia: “Stop Israel’s Genocide Now”? Hamas had invaded Israel and killed innocent people including babies, women, children, and the elderly.

We see it, in its deification of the material world, its desanctification of life, its religious syncretism, its moral relativism, its sexualization of popular culture, its abuse of life, its worship of images, and its overturning of biblical standards, values, and precepts.

So, it was in the days of the man known in the Bible as Josiah. Josiah was born into a kingdom, Israel, that had known God but had fallen from His ways. It had come into existence for the purposes of God but had detached itself from those purposes. It became a civilization turned in upon itself and against the foundation of which it stood, an inverted kingdom, a civilization in a state of spiritual schizophrenia. It still invoked His name but lived in opposition to His ways. Such is the culture in which we now live. American civilization was founded on the reality of God and established for its purposes (In God We Trust on its bank notes). But, as with ancient Israel, it has fallen and now exists in a state of spiritual schizophrenia—as does its parent, Western civilization.

Josiah was not afraid or intimidated by the evil that had taken possession of his culture because he knew that the power of God was far greater. Spiritual darkness did not discourage Josiah from acting, rather it inspired him. He could never have accomplished what he did, had he sought the approval of man or feared the wrath of the majority. He broke customs, conventions, and the status quo. He did what others had thought to do, had felt to do, and believed to do, but of fear, did not do. 

The people of God must now make the most of every moment and circumstance to impact their world—in their homes, their workplaces, their schools, in their positions of power and influence, their skills and abilities, their experiences and resources, their coming and going, all times and places. They must use all means and resources at their disposal to fulfill the purposes of God. And they must always remember that their most powerful of means are not of this world but spiritual—that of prayer, the Word, the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. In times of repression or persecution, there may be no other power. If then, their only means are spiritual, it will be enough. For no instrument of man, no force of government, no power on earth is strong enough to stop the means given by the Spirit of God.

Post adapted from a section of Jonathan Cahn’s book The Josiah Manifesto.

DISCIPLESHIP IS MEANT TO BE RADICAL

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“Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.” Matthew 8:21-22

This hard saying of Jesus addresses our priorities and makes us consider our attachments to people and things. The request of the unnamed disciple actually seems quite reasonable. It could be argued that he was simply working out the biblical command to honour father and mother. In Jesus’ day, the duty to bury one’s relatives had become so important that it took precedence over all other religious commandments, so this saying of Jesus is even more striking.

As with several other statements of Jesus, hyperbole is used to make a point, but this saying was recorded to underline the fact that discipleship is meant to be radical – it requires that we are flexible in our attachment to things as they stand.

When God calls us to embark on a particular course we can usually find a good reason to be otherwise occupied. God may require us to embark on an actual journey or it might involve a new departure, a new venture. Whatever the call, a flexible attitude is needed; it also requires us to create those spaces of prayerful attentiveness, listening to the Holy Spirit so that God can redirect us. The combination of attentiveness plus freedom from attachments is key to effective discipleship.

John Wesley’s Covenant Prayer says it all: “‘I am no longer my own, but Yours. Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed for You or laid aside for You, exalted for You or brought low for You. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to your pleasure and disposal. And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You are mine, and I am yours. So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen”

Attaining freedom from attachments is often a very gradual process, completed over many years. This process is aided hugely by having a rhythm of prayer, which constantly redirects our gaze Godward and allows him to bring about the necessary changes in our lives.

It is important to remember that God goes before us and is working in people’s lives before any encounter we might have with them. All mission is really God’s mission. We are called to join him in what he is already doing. Even Jesus said that he can do nothing by himself; only what he sees the Father doing (John 5:19). When we believe that God is already working in the world, already fulfilling his mission, our task is then to keep in step with the Spirit.

Understanding these principles will be even more important as we get closer to the last seven years (the last week of Daniel’s 70 weeks prophecy given by the Angel Gabriel)

“Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks, it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end, there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week, he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.” Daniel 9:24-27

What an amazing prophecy. Concerning the prophecies given to Daniel, he was told “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end.” Now we are living in those days, we can see that the book of Revelation unpacks much of what Daniel was told would happen in the last days before Jesus returns to restore righteousness and rule and reign with the Saints for the prophesied Jesus’ Millennial Kingdom on this earth.

“They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.” Revelation 20:4-6

DO YOU REALLY KNOW WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN ACCOMPLISH IN YOUR LIFE?

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Jesus made it possible for our Heavenly Father to send the third person of the Trinity to indwell every believer to be our counselor, comforter, and teacher. Jesus said:

“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 that I have said to you.” John 14:26

“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness about me.” John 15:26

“For through Him (Jesus), we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.” Ephesians 2:18

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?” 1 Corinthians 6:19

“In Him, you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:22

Have you ever had trouble praying? Well, the following Scripture makes it clear that the Holy Spirit that indwells you will express what you cannot express with words as “the Spirit intercedes for the Saints according to the will of God.” Isn’t that good to know? The Spirit of God searches the hearts and knows what is in the mind of the Spirit and He can help us communicate to God what we can’t always put in words.

“And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for the Saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:27

Note: The Spirit intercedes for the Saints. All who believe God and place their trust in Him are called Saints. Being called a Saint is not new to the New Testament. The Old Testament speaks of Saints too, all who believe God and have placed their trust in Him are considered Saints, right now, even while they’re alive as the psalmist writes that God “will not forsake his Saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off” (Psalm 37:28).

“May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the Saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.” Colossians 1:11-13

God’s grace delivered us out of the darkness and brought us into the light and transferred us from the kingdom or domain of darkness into the kingdom of His beloved Son, Jesus Christ. He does that only for His Saints who’ve repented and put their trust in Him and that’s only because we’re qualified by Jesus’ redemption.

“To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be Saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours.” 1 Corinthians 1:2

The root word for “saints” comes from the word sanctified so those whom Jesus died for are the sanctified ones or saints. To be sanctified is to be “set apart for holy use” and that is what the Saints are. For now, we have been called out of the world to go back into the world to call others out of the world. However, prophecies being fulfilled in our time tell us that Jesus’ second coming is not too far in the future.

Do you know what our role will be when Jesus returns to earth with the Saints?

“And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the Saints of the Most High.” Daniel 7:27

“Or do you not know that the Saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels?” 1 Corinthians 6:2-3

PROPHESIED “END TIMES” PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS ESCALATES

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In Australia, Victorian Premier Dan Andrews said biblical views on abortion and sexuality are, “appalling, intolerant, hatred, bigotry, and just wrong.”

Daniel Andrews, the Roman Catholic Premier of Victoria, has not only defied the God of the Bible, turned a deaf ear to the wider Christian population, but has specifically rejected the teachings of his own Church.

How quickly what we saw as foundational human rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and association are clearly eroding under the Andrews government, and other governments nationwide.

We should not be surprised as Jesus warned us that persecution/tribulation will escalate in the last days and that we will be hated by all nations for standing up for Jesus and His values.

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:9-14

While this life is fraught with many trials and tribulations, the sufferings we experience are to be counted as incomparable with the glories to come. This anticipation for glory sustains us and brings forth one major reason why we persevere: we hope in the age to come rather than in this broken and fallen age.

Paul says, that in the same way, this hope for glorification sustains us, the Spirit sustains us, for He knows precisely how to intercede on our behalf before the Father.

Where words and utterances fail us in our prayers, the Spirit transforms them into prayers that match the will of God. The Spirit’s work of intercession on our behalf is part and parcel of our endurance; we endure not only for the hope of the age to come but specifically because part of the Spirit’s work is to bring about endurance in us.

Human suffering has a purpose that culminates in glory. To make that even clearer: the purpose of our trials and sufferings is to bring us to the final redemption, where we see God face to face, free from the pain, devastation, and destruction caused by the curse of sin, our adversary Satan, and death itself.

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

CHRISTIANS ARE ALWAYS ON THE MOVE BUILDING GOD’S KINGDOM

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When God called Abraham, he didn’t say, “You need to ascribe to these commandments, right principles, and correct beliefs.” Instead, God told Abraham, “Go from your country, your people, and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” How did Abraham respond?

“So Abram went, as the Lord had told him.” Genesis 12.4

He didn’t say a word. He got his feet moving.

When it came time for Jesus to assemble the men who would become His apostles and disciples, he didn’t command them to discern and discover all of the scriptural rules and laws to govern their conduct and learn what they should believe. No, Jesus called them and what was their response?

“Immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.” Matthew 4:22

They got their feet moving and so should we.

In the three short years that Jesus ministered on this earth, Jesus walked over 3000 miles. He was a man on the move. He was a man of imminency and intention.

Jesus took ordinary people, made by and in the image of, his Father, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, turned them into a community, a family, of fervent and dedicated apostles, disciples, and students, thereby launching the greatest social movement in human history.

By Jesus’ death and resurrection, He made it possible for our Heavenly Father to send the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, to indwell the Spirit of every person who repents of their past rebellion against God and given their life to Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. Submitting to baptism in water they have shown they have died to their old life and been born again by the Holy Spirit into a new life in Christ.

It is possible to be born again by the Holy Spirit and yet we quench His work in our lives thereby grieving Him.

The detailed message we are given of how Elijah heard from God is tremendously important.

What did Elijah hear after the wind, earthquake, and fire?

“And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.” 1 Kings 19:11-12

How did Elijah respond to the “still small voice“? He “went out..”. He got his feet moving.

“And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out…” 1 Kings 19:13

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30

It is obvious from this Scripture that it is possible to grieve the Holy Spirit and we are told that we quench His work in our lives when we ignore His “still small voice“. I know in my own life that I often am distracted by worldly attractions and miss God’s best for me which means I miss the joy that we get from serving Him.

Prayer is the way we stay in touch with God, Human beings were made to be in fellowship with God. Adam and Eve’s disobedience severed the link but thank God He asked His Son, Jesus, to restore the link. What does God do for those that relate to Him in love? The Psalmist puts it well when he said,

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence, there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalms 16:11

If we are obedient and get our feet moving when He asks us to go, He will guide our steps.

“Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him because we keep his commandments and do what pleases Him.” 1 John 3:21-22

GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT’S ROLE IN OUR SALVATION AND IN OUR LIFE

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“The Holy Spirit is how God quickens us to new life and births us from above.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” John 3:5-7

“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” Romans 8:11

The third person of the Trinity. All three have a role in your Salvation.

The Holy Spirit has a special role as He seals us for eternity. The Apostle Paul says,

“In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. ” Ephesians 1:13-14

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 that I have said to you.

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:16-17

“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 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 that I have said to you.” John 14:25-26

“But When He, the Spirit of truth, comes He will guide you into all truth” John 16:13

“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness about me.” John 15:26

“I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” John 16:7

It is the Holy Spirit’s role to convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgement. We cannot convert anyone unless the Holy Spirit has first convicted the person of their sin.

And when he comes, He will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” John 16:7-11

The Holy Spirit produces the fruit of the Spirit in your life.

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

He provides the gifts of the Spirit for ministry

“For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another, the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another, the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another, various kinds of tongues, to another, the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as He wills” 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

SUMMARY

He lives within you forever (John 14:16).

He directs your paths (Prov. 3:4-5, Romans 8:14, Acts 8:29, Acts 8:39)

He guides you into all truth (John 14:17, 16:13a).

He teaches you all things (John 14:26a).

He reveals to you things to come (John 16:13).

He reveals to you the deep things of God (1 Cor. 2:10).

He produces the fruit of the Spirit in your life. (Galatians 5:22-23)

He equips and empowers you for ministry. (1 Corinth. 12:7-11)

He freely gives you all things (1 Cor. 2:12).

He offers you the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16).

You cannot live a Christian life without the Holy Spirit. It is impossible. Make sure you do not grieve the Holy Spirit nor quench His work in your life but follow Paul’s advice that he gave to Timothy, “fan into flame the gift of God“.

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30

“Do not quench the Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 5:19

“For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:6

THE HOLY SPIRIT SUSTAINS US THROUGH TRIALS AND TRIBULATION

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“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified.” Romans 8:28-30

Coptic Christian martyrs for Christ

While this life is fraught with many trials and tribulations, the sufferings we experience are to be counted as incomparable with the glories to come. We groan, we wail, we suffer—yet with much hope as we persevere to the end, waiting for the redemption of all creation, and even our bodies. Yet in this, the tension that all mankind faces come to the forefront, and the reason for this is simple: we must wait. This anticipation for glory builds more and more anticipation the longer we must endure this life. This anticipation for glory sustains us and brings forth one major reason why we persevere: we hope in the age to come rather than in this broken and fallen age.

Paul says, that in the same way, this hope for glorification sustains us, the Spirit sustains us, for He knows precisely how to intercede on our behalf before the Father.

Where words and utterances fail us in our prayers, the Spirit transforms them into prayers that match the will of God. The very purpose of the Spirit’s intercession is not so we can feel good about His work in doing so, though we should have much joy in this fact. Rather, the Spirit’s work in transforming our failed prayers likewise culminates in us reaching the finish line, where we are ushered into the presence of our Triune Lord for all eternity. In other words, the Spirit’s work of intercession on our behalf is part and parcel of our endurance; we endure not only for the hope of the age to come but specifically because part of the Spirit’s work is to bring about endurance in us.

Here then is where we find our particular reference that God works all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. And what is that purpose? Paul says, the “good” that God is working all things together for, is explicit.

“For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.” Romans 8:29-30

Human suffering has a purpose that culminates in glory. To make that ever clearer: the purpose of our trials and sufferings is to bring us to final redemption, where we see God face to face, free from the pain, devastation, and destruction caused by the curse of sin, our adversary Satan, and death itself.

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

God sees to it, from eternity past to eternity future, that those who love God, that is, those who are in Christ, will one day be glorified, first to assist Jesus in His Millennial reign on this earth and then, after the White Throne judgement, to be ushered into a world free from the Fall and its effects. All of our groaning, all of our longing, all of our deferred hope for what is to come, shall be satisfied in the fullness and richness of God’s saving love through Christ.

Adapted from an article by Jason Gilbert “God Works All Things for Good” August 23, 2022, http://www.patheos.com