RENEW

 “And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Release the

Eternal 

Nature

Encounter 

Wholeness 

Where does the Holy Spirit fit into our lives? How do we minister to a lost and dying world without the life-giving power of God’s eternal nature at work within us?

In the Old Testament the Spirit of God covered specific individuals for a specific purpose. Prophets spoke the message, Priests proclaimed the blessing, and Levites led in worship. Everyone experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit and the anointing as an outward expression.

“Then the Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded, and he went out to meet King Asa as he was returning from the battle. “Listen to me, Asa!” he shouted. “Listen, all you people of Judah and Benjamin! The Lord will stay with you as long as you stay with him! Whenever you seek him, you will find him. But if you abandon him, he will abandon you.” 2 Chronicles‬ ‭15:1-2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Under those conditions if you were chosen, you could not hold back the message. There are a few who tried to avoid speaking the message, or hanging the blessing into a curse, but none were successful. Even when God spoke judgement and punishment His goal was returning people to a place of blessing and wholeness.

“But if I say I’ll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭20:9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In the New Testament, Jesus invited all believers to experience the Holy Spirit from within. That same eternal nature flowing from God would, can and does transform us into the “priesthood of believers”. Our faith opens up the opportunity to release God’s eternal nature into the lives around us.

“Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)” ‭‭John‬ ‭7:38-39‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Have you ever encountered a jar with the lid screwed on too tight? No matter what you try, that lid is not coming off! That jar is a representation of most of us at one time or another. We all have our reasons to deny the release of God’s life-giving Spirit: fear, anger, feeling unworthy, the thought “someone else will”, all of these and any others that keep the lid on our jars are attacks on our faith. Believe and Speak, God will accomplish the task.

“Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. … I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3:2, 5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

People cannot teach us to be prophetic. There is no “How To” class that teaches tongues and interpretation, or any other operation of the Gifts of the Spirit. The only way to encounter wholeness is faith. The boldness to step out and act on our beliefs will renew our commitment to bring wholeness to others as well as allowing the healing power of Jesus Christ to work in us. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is reconciliation and wholeness.

“Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:16-18‬ ‭NLT‬‬