Holy Spirit - Breath of GodMuestra

WORSHIP

“There can be no substitute for that manifested presence of God which is always a biblical possibility for the people of God. When it is not being experienced, they should humbly seek him for it, not neglecting their ongoing duties, nor denying their present blessings, but recognising that there is always infinitely more with their God and Father who desires fellowship with those redeemed by the blood of his Son and regenerated by the work of his Spirit.”— Graham Harrison

The Holy Spirit deeply loves the church – the bride of Christ.

Thus, when God’s people gather, it’s a sacred occasion where the Spirit longs to lead, speak, reveal, convict, encourage, comfort, save, form, empower, and manifest his presence – in the hope that God’s people would respond with love, worship, and thankfulness in their hearts. Our God loves the chorus of the saints when they worship from their hearts.

The Spirit’s presence and love are more than doctrines – they are gifts to be experienced and felt. How the Spirit of God manifests himself, and how individuals feel and notice the Holy Spirit, will vary immensely. And, like all things with the Spirit, we are called to be discerning. We are not called to ignore the pursuit of God’s presence because saints have misrepresented or misunderstood it. Since the church began, mistakes about the person, presence, and power of the Holy Spirit (study 1 Corinthians!) have been made. And yet, mistakes should not discourage us or slow down our hunger to know and experience God!

“Worship is the arena in which God recalibrates our hearts, reforms our desires, and rehabituates our loves. Worship isn’t just something we do; it is where God does something to us. Worship is the heart of discipleship because it is the gymnasium in which God retrains our hearts.” — JAMES K. A. SMITH

PURUSE EXERCISE

• PRAY: Before church, during worship, during the reading, and the sermon, pray with your hands open: “Come, Holy Spirit, come, fill me with your presence and power.”
• SERMON: As you’re listening, keep your Bible open and pray: “Spirit, reveal your truth to me.”
• WORSHIP: As you’re praising Jesus with your lips, listen for the Holy Spirit. If he prompts you to smile, smile. If he prompts you to sing louder, sing louder. If he prompts you to put your hands up or even be silent, listen to him. Be led by him and trust him.