As I have been studying the Bible this week, I came across a portion of the Bible that really stuck out to me. The verses are talking about Paul teaching the people about why he has become a follower of Jesus. It's found in Acts 28:24-27:
Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. 25 They
disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this
final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when
he said through Isaiah the prophet: 26 “‘Go to this people and say,
“You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
27 For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.
I think it is very interesting to see that the people who lived during the lifetime of Paul had immense trouble believing that Jesus was really the Son of God, the Promised One. They struggled believing in Him for who He is! Many of these people never became Christians because they were too hard headed and stubborn! They were looking at the Savior of the world, but didn't recognize HIM!
I began to wonder if they were foolish people, or if they were just like us? Many times we profess to be wise before God, but yet have trouble grasping onto the basic concepts that He wants us to see or hear. He sent us a Comforter known as the Holy Spirit to help us live our lives. However, I think we have missed a very important part of why Jesus left us with the Holy Spirit. We have inadvertently closed our eyes, ears, and hearts to the truth. I believe that one thing we don't do enough of as Christians today, is pray for the Holy Spirit's leading and direction in our lives. We are often times, guilty of quenching the Holy Spirit of God. We only allow Him to do as much as we want to allow Him to do. To us it is sin. We think that by talking about the Holy Spirit we may be labeled as crazies or something! The Holy Spirit was given to us by Jesus! He is not crazy! We became Spirit-filled when we accepted Jesus into our lives, but now, it is just as important that we ask to be Spirit-led.
A Spirit-led Christian, is one who daily asks for the Spirit of God to lead, guide, and direct them in every decision that they make. The Holy Spirit has a function and it is important that we allow Him to play a very significant role in our lives. I often times wonder if we are more like Pharisees or Jesus? Do we think that we are doing good in our lives and living out the purpose that God has for us, or are we really just blinded from living the true life God wants and desires for us to live.
If there is one thing I am certain of, we will never see a "REVOLUTION" take place in our world, until we embrace the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Here are a few verses concerning the Holy Spirit:
Psalm 51:11
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Mark 1:8
I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Luke 1:35
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the
power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born
will be called the Son of God.
John 14:26
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 4:31
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Acts 7:51
“You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!
Acts 9:31
Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of
peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and
encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
Ephesians 4:30
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
1 Thessalonians 5:19
Do not quench the Spirit.
Are you stopping the Holy Spirit from doing amazing things in your life? Stop whatever you are doing right now and sincerely pray that the Holy Spirit would lead, guide, and direct you in your life. Trust me, living life with the Holy Spirit is much more enjoyable than living it without Him!
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