Breaking Bread: Understanding the Holy Spirit

Breaking Bread: Understanding the Holy SpiritWe can only receive the Holy Spirit after our repentance. If we are not saved by God we will not be able to receive or understand Him.

by Vernon Cloete

22-08-2022 10:30

in Christian Connect

The Holy Spirit is the power of God at work, His working power. God sent His Holy Spirit out in this world to fulfil His will. Photo: Pixabay

It is written, Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. What a profound truth! A realization that eases the grip of life on man surrendering to God in all things. Partake in this feast as we consume food for the soul, nourishing the spirit in Breaking Bread. It is Monday, 22nd August 2022.

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HOW SHOULD THE HOLY SPIRIT BE UNDERSTOOD The Holy Spirit is the power of God at work, His working power (Micah 3:8; Luke 1:35). God sent His Holy Spirit out in this world to fulfil His will (Psalm 104:30). The Spirit is invisible but has a clear visible effect on our lives. The Spirit of God is like the wind, invisible but powerful.

We have many misunderstandings about the Holy Spirit. Some people see the Holy Spirit as some magic power''. Others see the Spirit as an impersonal power which God has given to the followers of Jesus Christ. According to the Bible, we must understand the Holy Spirit as God Himself (Acts 5:3-4) and as a person, someone with wisdom, emotions and an own will.

We can only receive the Holy Spirit after our repentance/conversion. If we are not saved by God we will not be able to receive the Holy Spirit (John 14:17). Paul blessed the people in Ephesus who adopted their faith in Christ so that the Holy Spirit could come over them (Acts 19:2-5). Faith and repentance is therefore a prerequisite for us to receive the Holy Spirit.

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When we as believers receive the Holy Spirit, we receive the power to be witnesses of the grace of God. As from the moment that we are saved by the grace of God into His family of believers, we become ready to receive His Holy Spirit. We must always remember that to receive the Holy Spirit is a gift of God and not a compensation because we gave our life to Him. We must always remember to listen to that soft voice'' in our deepest inner being when we become quiet before God.

PRAYER We pray to our Lord for your everlasting presence in our lives. We pray that You send Your Spirit to us to represent Yourself and Your Son Jesus Christ in our lives. Let Your Spirit come and take total control of our lives. We pray this in the powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

ALSO READ: Daily devotion | Here's your Bible verse and prayer

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Die Heilige Gees is daardie 'sagte stemmetje'' wat in ons innerlike spreek waarvan ons duidelik bewus raak wanneer ons stil raak voor God.Hierdie ontmoeting gaan altyd gepaard met innerlike vrede,warmte,ruse en openheid.

Ons moet die volgende besef aangaande die Heilige Gees

Die Heilige Gees ken ons beter as onsself, elke gedagte en plan van ons;

Die Heilige Gees verteenwoordig God die Vader en Jesus Christus op die aarde en word gestuur om ons te leer en te lei;

Die Heilige Gees woon in elkeen van ons wat Jesus Christus aangeneem het;

Die Heilige Gees verteenwoordig God die Vader en Jesus Christus in ons, as woning;

Die Heilige Gees woon in ons, nie liggaamlik nie, maar in eenheid met ons.

Ons is geneig om mismoedig te raak wanneer die Here in ons lewe teregwys wanneer ons Sy discipline gering ag. Deur dit te doen maak ons die Gees bedroef.Ons is ook te geneig om die Gees van God met ander dinge te verwar.Wanneer die Gees van God ons waarsku of huiwering gee wanneer ons verkeerde dinge wil doen, se ons dat dit beslis van die duiwel afkomstig is.

Kom ons kyk na die volgende twee aspekte wat ons verhouding met die Heilige Gees raak:

Moenie die Heilige Gees teenstaan nie

Ons moet die Here toelaat om ons te dissiplineer sodat Hy Sy plan met ons kan uitvoer. Hy is slegs besig om ons in die regte verhouding met God te bring (lees Thessalonisense 5:19).

Moenie mismoedig raak as die Heilige Gees jou teregwys nie

Ons raak kwaad en krapperig met God en gebruik verskonings soos ek kan dit nie help nie.Ons moet een ding onthou dat heiligmaking is nie ons idee van wat God moet doen nie. Nee, dit is God se idee van wat Hy met ons wil doen (lees Hebreers 12:5).

Dit is dus van kardinale belang da tons nie die Gees van God blus nie. Luister altyd na die stemmetjie . die fluistering in die windstilte.''

GEBED Here seen ons met U oneindige teenwoordigheid. Bly by ons o Heer, die nag se skaduwees daal. Omring ons soos die oseaan met U goddelike genade en beskerm ons soos U dawid teen Goliath beskerm het. Stuur U Gees o Vader sodat ons gelei kan word na U vrede en geregtigheid. Amen.

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