The Holy Spirit is mentioned many times in the Bible.  The Holy Spirit is referred to by various other names, such as "the Comforter", "the Spirit of God", "the Spirit of truth", "the Spirit of life", "the eternal Spirit", "the Helper", and others.  The Old Testament speaks of the Holy Spirit at the very beginning of the Bible in Genesis where it states, "The earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters."  He is mentioned other times in the Old Testament where He ministered to believers and prophets.

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When Jesus started His ministry, He was baptized by John the Baptist.  Matthew 3:16-17 says, "As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water.  At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”"  Then before Jesus ascended to heaven, he told the disciples in John 14:26, "But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."  Jesus also stated in John 16:7, "But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you."

 

Billy Graham once said, "The Holy Spirit illuminates the minds of the people, makes us yearn for God, and takes spiritual truth and makes it understandable to us." 

 

The Holy Spirit is a person.  There is God, there is Jesus, and there is the Holy Spirit.  The three are separate but equal and work together in perfect harmony. 

 

Just like God, the Holy Spirit sees and knows everything that goes on with us and within our hearts and minds.  He helps us in so many ways:

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1.  When we come to know Jesus Christ and accept Him as our Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to live within us.  Without the Holy Spirit, we are dead.  When we accept Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit gives us new life.  He will fill our hearts with His Spirit and make us a new person.

 

2.  He helps us to grow closer to God.  He does this by guiding our prayers, helping us to have more faith, and convicting us of our sins.  When we have no idea how to pray or what to pray for, the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf.  We can pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help us!  He also convicts us of our sins (when we do wrong) so we can repent (change our ways) and helps not to yield to temptation. 

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3.  He replenishes us.  When life wears us down and wears us out, or we feel like a failure, the Holy Spirit will lift us back up.  He is our Helper.  When we feel powerless, He IS the power that will sustain us.  He is our Comforter when life has knocked us down.  He will help us throughout life's challenges and through our trials and tribulations.  All we have to do is ask.

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4.  The Holy Spirit is a teacher.  He is a guide that helps us to navigate whatever comes our way.  When we read the Bible, the Holy Spirit will help us to understand what we are reading, and will speak to us through God's Word.  We may have trouble remembering scripture, but at a time when we need it, the Holy Spirit will provide it.  If we ask, He will reveal to us what is right and true.  How does he do this? He uses the Bible, prayer, the church, people (friends and family and others) and our circumstances to guide us along God's path.  He wants us to be free from sin and do God's will!  He will guide us and point us in the right direction as we seek God's will in our lives.  He wants to help us be more like Christ! 

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5.  The Holy Spirit helps us minister to others.  He fills us with hope and love.  He fills us with a love for others and a concern for their salvation and helps us to tell them about Christ.  He will give believers the gifts they need.  One person's gift may not be the same as another person's gift, but it will be the gift WE need for whatever God is calling US to do.  The Holy Spirit will empower us so we can be God's instrument here on earth.  

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The Holy Spirit does not have to be confusing.  Simply put, the Holy Spirit is God and He lives within our hearts once we accept Jesus Christ.  He is all-powerful and He is everywhere and He is with us forever, so we are never alone.  He wants us to grow close to God and have a loving relationship with Him.  

 

Will you ask the Holy Spirit today to help you live for Christ in everything that you do? 

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If you have not accepted Jesus as your Savior, please do so today! Here is a prayer to help you:

 

Salvation Prayer:  Dear Lord, I know that I am a sinner.  I ask that you forgive me for my sins.  I believe that Jesus is your son, and that you sent him to die on the cross for my sins, and that he was resurrected and is alive today!  I want the Holy Spirit to come into my heart and into my life.  I pray that you change me.  I want to become the person you would have me to be and live a life pleasing to you.  I want you to be the center of my life.  I thank you for saving me and for answering this prayer.  In Jesus' name, Amen!

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