We Are Not AloneSample

Ask!

The Holy Spirit has been present through time, making the design of God for life real and tangible. During the process of creating ‘the heavens and the earth’, when the earth was ‘formless and empty’ and ‘darkness was over the surface of the deep’, Genesis 1:1-2 tells us that ‘the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters’.

Millennia later, at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit became personal. Suddenly the life-giving energy, love and personhood of God was released into the lives of people, both individually and in communities. It was God’s design for human beings all along. Jesus had said to his disciples, "Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you," (John 16:7).

The New Testament book of Acts tells the story of how the Spirit came upon individuals and whole groups of people who believed in Jesus. In Acts 10, Jewish Christians travelling with the Apostle Peter, were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles’ (Acts 10:45).

The Gospel of Luke records that the Spirit had filled Jesus’ life with everything he needed for his life and ministry, including to face his own personal challenges. ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me," he announced as he started out (Luke 4:18-19).

Subsequently, in Acts, we can see that the Holy Spirit’s power in Jesus was like a precursor for all of humankind. All of us are meant to do life in partnership with the Spirit of God.

The best remedy for the world’s ills today is personal and corporate renewal of our faith in Jesus and our experience of the Holy Spirit. We should take Jesus’ advice, ask and it will be given to you…how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

Prayer: Dear Holy Spirit, I am so grateful that you are my constant companion and friend. I pray that, like Jesus, every day you will fill my life and empower my contribution to making the world a better place. Amen.