The Holy Spirit – the Difference Maker
Have you ever wondered why you don’t make any spiritual progress? You’ve been diligent with spiritual practices and attended faithfully church functions but nothing happens? Sometimes we are lead to desert and that’s ok. There are different seasons in faith life too. But make sure that you don’t ignore the most important aspect of your spiritual life: the Holy Spirit.
This is how we know we’re living steadily and deeply in him, and he in us: He’s given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit. Also, we’ve seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father sent his Son as Savior of the world. Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God’s Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we’ve embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God. (1 John 4:13-16, MSG,*)
The Holy Spirit is the difference maker. If you don’t abide in the Holy Spirit, it does not matter how hard you work towards spiritual growth, it’s not going to happen. It’s not us creating spiritual growth. It is the Holy Spirit in us who does the work. We just need to create time and space for the Holy Spirit to move in our lives.
This does not mean that spiritual practices would be in vain. Not at all. This means that we need to do those practices in the Holy Spirit. Because the Holy Spirit is the difference maker here, not us. When we live in the Holy Spirit, the spiritual reality is more true than the visible one. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, spiritual growth is natural part of our lives. When we we abide in the Holy Spirit, we will bear spiritual fruit in due time.
The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to all the Christians. Spirit-filled life is just a prayerful life. The Holy Spirit is always with us, we just need to acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit and let him run our lives. The Holy Spirit is the difference maker: Our stagnant spiritual life becomes robust, when the Holy Spirit breaths life into it. If you want to make a difference in the world, start by cultivating an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit. Do you dare?
Gracious God,
You’ve given us a tremendous gift: the Holy Spirit.
Forgive us for ignoring the Holy Spirit
and forcing our way alone and then wondering what’s wrong.
Lord, I surrender to you and let you run my life
according to your plan.
I want to have an intimate relationship
with the ultimate difference maker.
Show me how joyful it is to abide in you.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Q4U: Does the Holy Spirit make a difference in your life?
Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you let the Holy Spirit run your life!
Photo courtesy of Aleisha Knight, design Mari-Anna Stålnacke. Linking up today with Sharing His Beauty, Unforced Rhythms, Playdates with God.
8 thoughts on “The Holy Spirit – the Difference Maker”
the blood applied~tuck in our <3 & mind it's not about us, but ALL about HIM in us, recognizing the sweet Spirits presence as we beat our selves back from taking control of every situation…ty, sis! Holy Spirit, help us in this, in Jesus, we ask Ur blessings for & in the Abundant Way of Life :)))
God is more than happy to help us to surrender and live in the Spirit! Thanks so much, Crystal! Blessings to you today and always!
For years I think I ignored the Holy Spirit because he was not mentioned often in my church. So I came to discover him more through my individual experience and through the writings of others who had experienced him. Now I know he is MY very spirit too. Thanks for sharing this, Mari-Anna. Always a blessing being here!
Yes, it is way to easy to ignore the Holy Spirit. But what a blessing it is to know him intimately. Thanks, Lisa. Spirit-filled Blessings!
Well said!
I recently finished reading Francis Chan’s book, “Forgotten God”. It deals with living a Spirit Filled life.
Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve commented, I was away from blogging for the summer.
Good to see you, TC! Hope your summer was refreshing and blessed! Thanks for stopping by and reconnecting. 🙂 Bountiful blessings to you and yours!
This makes me think of listening, the way the spirit requires us to learn to listen deep within, this wasn’t something I was taught growing up in church, I was taught the “do it in your own strength” path, but I’ve been slowly learning to listen over the past decade and it makes all the difference. Thanks for linking with Unforced Rhythms.
Yes. Exactly. We don’t dare to think that God would personally want to interact with us. But He does! How wonderful is that! Thank you, Kelly! Abundant blessings on your way!