Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. 1 Corinthians 2:12-13

Jesus did not leave us to our own devices. God sent us a Helper, the wonderful Holy Spirit, to help with all the details of our lives (John 15:26; 16:13). There is a great deal at stake. That’s why it’s imperative we walk closely with God, crucify our flesh, be merciful, and cherish no other thought than to press on and flow with the Holy Spirit.

“This is the great day of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. You not only need to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit, but you need to know how to help others receive the Holy Spirit. You are living in the midst of a generation that has awakened. Never has a generation, since the day the church started, been faced with more hungry, desperate, thirsty people who desire help from God. If we ever needed to know how to help people, it is today.” –John Osteen*

God wants to do something through you. The Holy Spirit is available to pull you out of the ordinary into the divinely effective. You are equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:17): to lead your family members to Jesus before they die, to lay hands on the sick, to share the Gospel and break down walls.

We need to do everything we can to remove obstacles, increase our love walk, grow in the Spirit and go 100% with God’s will for our lives. God has a plan, and the gates of hell cannot prevail against what He’s about to do. Let’s deal with sin, get rid of hindrances and move to the next level. As we do so, we’ll be more effective than we’ve ever been.

We are equipped for every good work!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2009 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. *John Osteen, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Copyright 1980 by John Osteen.

But 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. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. John 16:7, 13

The Spirit who comes from God, who was hovering over the waters at creation, is the same Holy Spirit who was sent to be our Helper! He is someone who will guide you into all truth. “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God” (1 Corinthians 2:12).

When the Holy Spirit first came to the early church, He transformed Peter, who had denied knowing Jesus, into someone who boldly preached the gospel and led thousands of people to Jesus in one day! In the same way, the Holy Spirit activates us to be ambassadors for Christ, carriers of the presence of God to a lost and dying world. We aren’t navigating life alone; we have the Holy Spirit on the inside of us to say, “This is the way, walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21b).

It’s quite important that we learn how to rely on the Holy Spirit. The lost world needs people who know how to follow the Holy Spirit: people who stand in the gap and bring comfort to the hurting, light to the confused, good news to the afflicted, healing to the sick, and who push back injustice in the nations and address need and famine.

Don’t let the amusement and trivialities of the world prevent you from being a vibrant example of a follower of Jesus. There are hills to climb, mountains to conquer, souls to win, and miracles to experience. Since before you were born, God has prepared amazing things for you. Lean on the Holy Spirit; sensitize yourself to know His voice through the Word and prayer. He knows how to lead and guide through every step of life. He is “our God forever, who guides us till the end of time” (Psalm 48:14 The Message).

Pressing On,

Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2009 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.