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Encourager-Winter web

The Coming of the Holy Spirit
The account of the Holy Spirit coming on the day of Pentecost in the Acts of the Apostles is a very familiar one. When the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples a few days later, their transformation was immediate and lasting – changing from a cowering, frightened group of men hiding in the upper room into a band of confident evangelists, telling everyone the good news about JESUS. JESUS had promised them that the Spirit was coming. The Spirit, unlike JESUS, would always be with
them – and by extension, with us.
But the Spirit also brought the inward effects of helping, teaching, convicting of sin and peace-bringing. This outpouring was not just for a select few disciples – it was for all people of every language and race. In the book of Genesis, for example, we are told how people of the world were scattered and confused after trying to become like GOD. At Pentecost,
we see people coming back together again in GOD’s way and in GOD’s timing.

The Spirit – who was involved in the creation of the earth – now returns to renew the face of the earth. In doing so He gives courage to JESUS’ followers to ‘declare the wonders of GOD.
JESUS’ work on earth was complete; but the Spirit came, not as a replacement for JESUS, but to perform a parallel role as guide, comforter and counsellor – so that all of us down the centuries could have the benefit of GOD’s presence in our lives. The Spirit is given equally to everyone – all of us are filled. The Holy Spirit is a gift of love to everyone who calls on the name of the LORD.
This year’s Gospel for Pentecost – from John 14: 8-17 – provides us with a toolbox of reminders of how the Holy Spirit helps us:
• The first item in our toolbox is a pair of working boots – they help us to be strong and protect us from harm. They help us to walk boldly. The Holy Spirit gives us the strength to do whatever GOD requires.
• The next item is a wedding ring – when a couple get married, the exchanging of rings signifies a promise made to be always faithful to each other. JESUS promised that the Holy Spirit wouldn’t just come and visit occasionally to see how we are getting on. Instead, He promised that the Holy Spirit would always be with us.
• The third item in our toolbox is a map and a compass. Like a map and a compass, the Holy Spirit shows us the right way to go; and helps us to know the truth about GOD.
• The next item is a heart – that lives in us. JESUS lived on the earth as a human; so, it wasn’t physically possible for Him to be with everybody all at the same time. By the Holy Spirit, JESUS is always inside us – prompting us to do things GOD’s way and to follow His example.
• The fifth item is a textbook – that can teach what we seek to learn. The Holy Spirit teaches us everything we need to know to follow GOD. He helps us understand what we read in the Bible. He helps us to be obedient. Without the Holy Spirit, we would struggle to do things GOD’s way; but He teaches us everything.
• The final item is a diary – to remind us of what JESUS said. The Holy Spirit reminded the disciples of what JESUS taught them and He reminds us of the things we’ve learnt. I think most, if not, all of us would have experienced this at some time during our lives. The Holy Spirit also reminds us of GOD’s love at times when life is tough; and He encourages us to do the right thing when we’re tempted to go wrong.

This is what the Spirit does for us.

This is why GOD gives us His Spirit. But what effect should the Holy Spirit have upon us?

On the day of Pentecost, the disciples couldn’t help but talk about GOD. They told others of the wonderful things GOD had done. In fact, they couldn’t keep all this amazing news inside them. It was a case of it just bursting out of them. The Holy Spirit helps us respond excitedly to the wonderful things GOD has done. He will help us tell others the news – just like the first disciples.
The presence of the HOLY SPIRIT was heralded by the breath of JESUS, the sound of a mighty wind and the appearance of tongues of fire. Like fire, the Spirit both destroys and creates. Being the Spirit of Christ, which is a Spirit of love coming from the Father, it burns the sins of humanity through forgiveness. From Pentecost, the Church took on its missionary role. The timid and frightened Apostles, transformed by the Spirit, burst forth onto the streets and fearlessly preached the Good News about the mighty acts of
God. Ever since, the Holy Spirit has been a permanent presence and a tower of strength in guiding, guarding and directing the Church.

The Holy Spirit is a gift of the Father and of the Son to us this Pentecost.
De Colores
Fr Steve

I think we’ve all seen someone’s face light up – usually when they see someone they love and that someone loves them.

Consider Moses who has just come back through the “I’ve been to Mount Sinai” door. Moses’ face was radiant after He had spent time with GOD.

The people could clearly see GOD’s presence in Him. How often do we spend time alone with GOD? Although our faces may not light up a room, time spent in prayer, reading the Bible and meditating should have such an effect on our lives that people will recognise that we have been with GOD.
If we claim GOD as our Father, we need to live worthy of this family name – respecting GOD’s name and giving Him praise by both our words and our lives.
GOD’s holiness is terribly frightening for non-believers; but a wonderful comfort for believers.

GOD is morally perfect and is set apart from people and sin. He has no weaknesses or shortcomings. For sinners this is frightening because all their inadequacies and evil are exposed by the light of GOD’s holiness. GOD cannot tolerate, ignore, or excuse sin.

For believers, GOD’s holiness gives comfort because, as we worship Him, we are lifted from the mire of sin. As we believe in Him and humble ourselves before Him, we are made holy.

When anyone becomes a Christian, Christ removes the veil – giving eternal life, and freedom from trying to be saved by keeping laws. And without the veil, we can be like mirrors reflecting GOD’s glory.

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the 10 Commandments, his face glowed from being in GOD’s presence. Moses had to put on a veil to keep the people being terrified by the brightness of his face. In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul adds that this veil kept them from seeing the radiance fade away. Moses and his veil illustrate the fading of the old system and the veiling of the people’s minds and understanding by their pride, hardness of heart and refusal to repent. The veil kept them from understanding the references to CHRIST in the Scriptures.

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Dancing with JESUS – the idea is simply wonderful – and to do it when life seems to be throwing plenty of curve-balls is even more appealing. In the book of Ecclesiastes chapter 3:4 it says:  
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
In Psalm 149:3 Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!
And in Psalm 30:11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.

AB Facey has certainly inspired many with his book “A Fortunate Life”. As Lyn suggested: do we dance or sit it out? She also said that While Facey was not a religious man, he did have a strong faith. How richer are we who believe in GOD our heavenly Father, and call JESUS our friend; and can feel the strength of the Holy Spirit working in and through us.

Whether we have a good day or a bad day, we still need to give thanks to GOD for it. We need to continue to trust GOD that, everything that happens, happens for our good. As Christians we need to spend time with GOD and pray daily, read our bibles daily, listen to Him; and give thanks to Him for our faith and His love that we can share with others.

Lyn also spoke of the trust she has in GOD and how it has seen her through many difficult experiences – and will do so in the future. Like Lyn, we can all listen to GOD better, stick to the path GOD would have us take and accept that His guidance is 100% correct. Thankfully He loves us and when we look at the footprints in the sand and see only one set, acknowledge that He carries us through many more situations than we realise.

Martha and Mary provide us with a great example of how we should prioritise our lives. We need to keep things in balance as best as we can. There are times when we need to sit at the feet of JESUS and soak up all He has to offer; and, of course, there are times when things have to be done.
The 3 passages Lyn mentioned from Paul’s letter to the Romans are significant here today:
Chapter 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

The Apostle Paul divides people into 2 categories – those who are dominated by their sinful nature; and those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit. All of us would be in the first category if JESUS hadn’t offered us a way out. Once we have said YES to JESUS, we will want to continue to follow Him – because His way brings life and peace.
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