A fine greeting to all reading this!! :)
Ok, so in this post i want to look at how and why we should hunger for God's presence. It has become a thirst and desire for many churches worldwide, and through the presence of God he is doing amazing things! Stories of healing, and miracles left right and centre, truly amazing to see what God can do!!
- Who is the Holy Spirit?
Well, looking biblically, the word talks about the Holy Spirit as being God. There is the trinity; The Father, The Son and the Spirit, three-in-one all powerful creator God. This in itself is hard to get our heads around! Imagining how God can be three beings in one being. For me, anything like this which makes my mind want to explode is actually a CAUSE for worship, and not a stumbling block. If we could perceive how God works, and who he is... he would not be God!
- Why should we seek the Holy Spirit?
The anointing of God comes from the Holy Spirit, and this is what breeds a fruitful ministry. In Galatians 5:22-23 it says this:
'But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law'
Notice, these are the fruits 'of the Spirit'. The word fruitful is by definition 'causing or assisting in prolific growth' I love that word prolific, it's a powerful word! If we want to see our friends and family and cities turning to God's throne of grace then we need to seek the spirit so we can bear this fruit, so that God's goodness will shine from us. Not in our strength, but in our weakness his strength is made perfect.
- How do we welcome the presence of God?
Quite simply, ask for it, and seek it! God is so ready to pour out the fullness of his love and affection upon us, and he rejoices when we seek him whole heartedly. Take the words from Matthew 7: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. The word always speaks of God's promises, this is a promise and if we ask he will fulfil this promise. God also promises us 'where 2 or more are gathered, there my presence will be also' So gather together to seek after God's spirit together.
- What if i'm afraid?
My honest answer is that having a fear of God's presence is natural, and actually a right thing to fear. God in all his perfection, glory and righteousness makes us aware of how sinful and shameful our lives are. However, from this state of conviction and awareness of our wrongdoing we realise what is cost the Father to give his one and only, sinless, perfect son to take our punishment. Think of Isaiah who was so overwhelmed in God's presence that he cried "Here i am! Send Me!" This wasn't a British.. well..... go on then.. It was a cry from deep in his heart. When we encounter the presence of God we are left with the same reaction of utmost devotion and love for our saviour, and it is this which promotes fruitful mission.
Hope this has been helpful!
Any questions please send me an email at:
r i c h . k . w a r d @ g m a i l . c o m
