Thought for the Month - July 2019
"The Dove from above" by Barry Adair
(Holy Spirit help)
I don't think I have written directly about the Holy Spirit before, but I was prompted to do so just this month. This was after reading a humorous article on the BBC website. I'm also hoping that I was prompted by the Holy Spirt too!
So, who is the Holy Spirt, what help can He offer and what had He to do with an article on the BBC website?
The article in question concerned a German motorist who had been caught speeding by one of those fixed speed cameras. However, whenever the speed camera photograph was examined, a "snow-white dove interceded on his behalf", obstructing the face of the driver! Without being able to identify the driver, the 105 Euro fixed penalty fine couldn't be issued. We have all heard of "saved by the bell" before, but "saved by the bird" will be a new one for most of us.
The BBC website goes on to note that a light-hearted police statement suggested that perhaps "it was no coincidence the Holy Spirit" intervened - a reference to the dove as a symbol of that aspect of God in Christianity. "We have understood the sign and leave the speeder in peace this time." But the officials in Viersen, near Germany's western border, added: "We hope that the protected speeder likewise understands this 'hint from above' and drives appropriately in the future."
It seems the driver had been travelling at 54 km/h on a stretch of road with a 30 km/h speed limit. And the police statement went on to suggest that the dove should have received a fine for moving so fast in that restricted zone!
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him. (Mark 1:9-10, emphasis mine)
So, Who actually is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is God, in fact, He is the third person of the Holy Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is also referred to as the Holy Ghost in some Bible versions, but I was never fond of that name. The Bible gives the Holy Spirit another name, and this one is my favourite - "Helper"
"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you." (John 14: 16-17, emphasis mine)
It is the Holy Spirit who comes to reside within every true follower of Jesus Christ. At conversion, every new believer is sealed with the Holy Spirit and He provides help from that moment on. When we read the Bible, it is the Holy Spirit who helps us understand what God is actually saying to us. When we go through various trials in our life, it is the Holy Spirit who we can sometimes helpfully hear as that "still small voice" (1 Kings 19:12). And whenever we are too far gone even to even pray to our Father in heaven, it is the Holy Spirit who intercedes for us "with groanings too deep for words"…
In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (Romans 8:26)
Therefore, the Holy Spirit is not some vague ethereal shadow, or some impersonal ghostly presence. He is a person equal in every way with God the Father and God the Son. He is a Helper and a Teacher to every true child of God.
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 said to you. (John 14:26)
And it is the Holy Spirit who builds into our lives 'the fruit of the Spirit' - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22,23). Is it any wonder that Christians are told to 'walk in the Spirit' and to 'be filled with the Spirit'?
And the Holy Spirit also has a very important role for non-Christians as well. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts people of their sin and of their pressing need of God's forgiveness. If you are not a Christian, I pray that you will have an encounter with the Spirit of God today. Only the Holy Spirit can give us true life…
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I (Jesus) have spoken to you are spirit and are life. (John 6: 63, emphasis mine, addition mine)
As Christians, we are only truly alive through the Spirit who indwells us. The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth, convicting us of sin, of righteousness, and judgement. The Holy Spirit helps us in our daily walk with God. The Holy Spirit gives us life and He marks us out as being the very children of God!
The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. (Romans 8:16)
It is only a short Thought this month but I hope and pray that it focuses your mind a little more on the Spirit of God. We tend not to think so much about the Holy Spirit but due to all the things that He does for us, we really should!
'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord of hosts. (Zachariah 4:6)
Holy Spirit, breathe new life in Me!
Holy Spirit, living Breath of God,
Breathe new life into my willing soul.
Bring the presence of the risen Lord
To renew my heart and make me whole.
Cause Your Word to come alive in me;
Give me faith for what I cannot see;
Give me passion for Your purity.
Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me.
(Keith Getty & Stuart Townend)
Until next month (DV)…
Are you SURE that you have your place booked in Heaven? Read this if you're not!