Good Morning Holy Spirit - Chapter 9

Good Morning Holy Spirit

Chapter 9: Room for the Spirit

1. What is the most overlooked message of the church today?

That the Holy Spirit is real, living and active, powerful and mighty, we need to make a place for Him in our lives.

2. Were the gifts of the Holy Spirit meant for us to use today? Explain the reasoning behind your answer.

Yes, The Holy Spirit came to be our comforter and teacher, after Christ ascended into heaven.  God has sent His Spirit here to dwell not only among us, but to live in us, working in our lives everyday.  

3. What does the author mean when he says, "God is not weak - His people are"?

God is not weak! God is all knowing, all powerful, and everywhere all at once...God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are one...all three are equally powerful and are constantly united together.  It is not God that is weak, He is not the problem...We see Christians today with no power or victory in their lives, not because their God is weak, No, the problem is that we (humans) are weak and we have failed to make room in our lives for the Spirit of God to work.  If we made room in our lives for God to work, if we stopped putting God in a tiny little box, if we would trust in His Word, and actively lean on God, depending on Him to supply our every need, we would find ourselves living victorious lives full of power and authority.

4. Explain the anointing. Name at least five people who have it.

The anointing is when an ordinary person does amazing things, through the power of the Holy Spirit.  I know many people who are anointed by the Holy Spirit...Preachers, musicians and singers, drama teams...you don't have to be a biblical scholar to know when someone is anointed... they stand out, and after they are done preaching, teaching, singing or whatever it is the Spirit has anointed them to do...you can only stand in awe of the awesomeness of God, and the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Five people I know who are anointed:

1. Dave Morris

2. Jim Boyd

3. Jimmy Weaver

4. Derek Micka

5. Debbie Conley

5. What is the purpose of the anointing of the Spirit?

The anointing gives believers power to effectively and powerfully proclaim the message of the gospel.

6. Describe how you can grow in the Spirit.

Just as you grow more intimate with your spouse over the years of spending time together, and working together, going through the ups and the downs in life...so it is with the Holy Spirit.  When we spend time daily in His presence, in His Word, and listening to His gentle whisper, nudge, or tug, when we trust Him through the good and bad times, we grow closer and closer to Him...we learn what hurts Him, what pleases Him, what delights Him, and makes Him sad.  We develop a close relationship with Him, and the closer we grow to Him, the more we become like Him...it is then that we start to see the fruits of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patients, forgiveness, gentleness, self-control, - in our lives.

7. Was Jesus dependent on the Holy Spirit? In what ways, and why was it necessary?

Yes, Jesus was lead by the Spirit in everything He did.  He did not move without first making sure that it was the Father's will, and He was connected to the Father through the Spirit.  Jesus was here on earth as a man, He willingly gave up His position in Heaven for a time, so that He could save us.  So as a man, a weak human, it would have been possible for Him to sin, but He didn't! And the only way He was able to keep pure and sinless, was by constantly listening to what the Father was speaking to Him, through the Holy Spirit.  

8. What is scriptural proof that you shall have eternal life as Christ has eternal life?

Romans 8:11

"But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you."

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 

Good Morning Holy Spirit Chapter 8

Good Morning Holy Spirit

Chapter 8: A Mighty Entrance

1. Do you have an answer in your heart to the personal question, What does the Lord have in store for me?

Yes, I know that God has great plans for me, plans to prosper me, plans for a hope and a future.  But I also know that God desires that in all things we grow to become more like Christ daily.  We were made to be a refection of Him...everything we go through, whether good or bad, all works out for good, it all brings about God's plan in our lives, and there is nothing better than God's plan for us.

2. How can you find the answer to the previous question?

The only way to know what the Lord has in store for you, is to know Him personally.  Spend time in His Presence, and in His Word, ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and to lead and guide you...it won't be long before you see that every promise in God's Word is for you, and all God's promises are true, He hasn't failed yet and He never will...He is faithful at all times in all things.

3. What is the Father's great desire for us?

The Father's greatest desire is to have a personal relationship with us, to see the reflection of His Son in us.  You see without Jesus in us, we have no place in God's Presence, without Jesus' refection we are not good enough, nothing we do will ever be enough...that is why we needed a Savior, and still need a Savior today...It is only through Jesus that we can boldly stand in the presence of the Most High God.

4. Read the complete book of Acts. In your own words, write down God's plan for us.

I believe that God's plan for us is this...To be cleansed and forgiven through the sacrifice of Jesus, to walk daily in His presence, to be lead by the Holy Spirit, to change from glory to glory, becoming more like Jesus everyday.  We are to live victoriously, boldly, and righteously. We are to have faith, not fear, to love and serve others with meekness and humility, and to make our relationship with God our first priority, then all of the other things will fall into place. God has taken care of everything, He is so good!

5. What is the purpose of the signs that follow in the Holy Spirit's presence?

I believe the purpose of the signs that follow the Holy Spirit's presence is to build believers faith, and to show the non-believer that God is real.  The signs are to bring God glory, not man. They always lead people directly to Christ.

6. Is the Holy Spirit for everyone? Is He here today for you? How do you know? Read Acts 5:32; 

10:44-46.

Yes, He is for everyone! Yes, He is here today for all of us! I know these things because of what I've read in the scriptures,  but I also know through experience, the Holy Spirit has touched my life, and I will never be the same.  

7. What is the foundation and authority for all of the work the Holy Spirit was sent to do?

The foundation and authority for everything the Holy Spirit does is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Good Morning Holy Spirit - Chapter 7

Good Morning Holy Spirit

Chapter 7: Wind for Your Sails

1. Describe in your own words what a Spirit-filled life is.

A Spirit-filled life is life full of the Joy of the Lord, love, forgiveness, humility, and complete surrender to God.  The Spirit-filled life is a life of power through the inner-working of Holy Spirit.  

2. What are the four main functions of the Holy Spirit when He is working in our lives?

The Holy Spirit working in our lives can be seen in multiple ways, but a few of the tell tell signs are these...

1. Your speech and focus will change, no longer does the world revolve around you, your wants, your needs, your desires...You start focusing in God, - instead of self-centered, we become God-centered.
2. A new song...When we are filled with the Spirit, we receive a new song in our heart...a song of joy, praise, deliverance!!
3. A thankful heart! When the Spirit dwells within you, in all things, good and bad, you will find yourself thankful!
4. A servant heart - just as your focus is no longer on yourself, your heart will now long and desire to love other people through serving, and helping.    

3. What is the author's answer to people who ask him, "Am I filled with the Holy Spirit?"

If you don't know, then you're not!

4. At what point does the Holy Spirit become available to us personally?

When we accept the gift of salvation.

5. Have you found it difficult, or impossible, to surrender yourself to the Lord? Try to pinpoint what is holding you beck?

At times I have found myself wrestling with the Lord, and most of the time it is when I come up with my plan and I expect God to make it happen.  The Holy Spirit has spoken to me on this, and it always come back to whether or not I trust Him.  It seems to me that I finally surrender one part of my life and think I have made progress only to turn around and realize there is a different part that needs surrendered. It is an ongoing thing, that all of us deal with, that is why Paul describes it as surrendering your life as a living sacrifice. A living sacrifice can get up off of the altar...so we have to daily and even multiple times a day surrender again and place our life back on the table, so that it is Jesus living in us.  

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God,who loved me and gave Himself for me."

Galatians 2:19-21

6. Write down the seven steps to meaningful prayer on a little piece of paper.  Carry it with you and refer to it when you pray.  Try to include all seven steps until they become automatic.

I am going to sit down and write these steps out, and I encourage you to do so as well.  Just a quick glance at my prayer life, I can see all of these steps at this time or that time, but not necessarily all at one time.  This is definitely something I want to work on.

7. If your prayers incorporate the seven steps, what is likely to come about in your prayer life?

When we incorporate all seven steps in our prayer lives, we will find that when we pray, the Spirit intercedes for us, and we really aren't doing most the prayer...it is the Spirit praying for us, which means our prayers are filled with more power and authority.

Good Morning Holy Spirit - Chapter 6

Good Morning Holy Spirit

Chapter 6: Spirit, Soul, and Body

1. Complete this sentence: "I want to walk with the Holy Spirit, but I can't because I..."

There are many different ways I can think of to end this sentence...but thankfully I know that I can walk with the Holy Spirit, He is with me each and everyday. :o) 

2. How does your church view the Holy Spirit? As an active or passive influence in our lives? Either way, what is the scriptural proof for that belief?

My Church views the Holy Spirit as an essential and powerful part of everyday life.  Our services are often filled with people praying in the Spirit, we regularly hear words of knowledge, and messages in tongues with their interpretations. Our Pastor encourages the congregation to be in the Word, studying and growing in their spiritual walk, and that is only possible by listening to the Spirit as He teaches you what the Word of God is saying, what it means, and how it applies to your life.

  

There are many scriptures that talk about the Holy Spirit being an active part of the lives of the believers in the new testament.  Here are just some of them...

For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

Luke 12:11-13

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 2:3-5

And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Acts 4:30-32

And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

Acts 5:31-33

who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.

Acts 8:14-16

So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us,

Acts 15:7-9

For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:

Acts 15:27-29 

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:12-14

3. Of what form or substance is God?

According to what I have read in God's Word, God has many of the same physical attributes as us.  In the Word He is described with hands, a face, eyes, a mouth, a back, feet, etc.  Also, We are created in God's image, so I imagine that He look similar to what we as humans look like, with the exception of the fact that He is perfect, holy, glorious and more beautiful than words can describe. 

4. Explain what the author means when he says the Holy Spirit has a mind of His own.

When Benny Hinn says that the Holy Spirit has a mind of His own, He is talking about the fact that the Holy Spirit searches out the mind of God and then reveals/teaches what He finds to us.  The Holy Spirit though He is one with the Father and the Son, has His own mind and will.  Just as I am one person made up of a  body, soul and spirit...My body may be telling me I need food, while my spirit, which is supposed to be lead by the Holy Spirit, may be telling me to fast, and it is up to my soul to decide which one I am going to listen to. The difference is that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, all work together, completely united, they are one, where the Spirit is... the Father and Son are, where the Son is... the Father and Spirit are, and where the Father is... the Spirit and Son are.  Together the three personalities or parts make up the one and only God!

5. What is the temple of God as described by Paul in the New Testament?

We are the temple of the Holy Spirit! Heaven is God's throne and Earth is His footstool, but God through the Holy Spirit resides inside of each and every believer.

6. Should the Holy Spirit be worshiped? Why, or why not?

This is one of those questions that really makes you think.  Even though I was raised in church, taught that the Holy Spirit is equal to God the Father and the Son, and that He is a part of the Godhead, I do not remember ever being taught to pray to or worship the Holy Spirit.  It was always taught that the Holy Spirit living in us would help us as we prayed or worshiped, that He was there with us, but not the one we were worshiping.  So as I study this out, and think about all I've been taught, all I believe regarding the Holy Spirit, I have to say that, yes, we should pray to and worship Him.  As I sit here contemplating this I realize that we always have prayed to Him and worshiped Him.  We pray asking Him to come fill us and to lead and guide us, we sing songs about Him, but for some reason, we don't discuss it as much as we do worshiping God the Father and God the Son. I guess we just need to start talking about it and realize that it is just as important as praying to the Father or to Jesus.

7. What does it mean to vex the Spirit? How would we do that? How might we avoid doing it?

I looked up the definition to the verb VEX -- "Distress, bother"  Synonyms include "Aggravate, agitate, disturb, embarrass, exasperate, get under one's skin, pester, harass, upset, and torment."  These words give us a pretty clear picture of what vexing the holy Spirit does to Him.  When we vex Him, we cause Him grief, and pain.  He is gentle and quiet, He will not force us to follow His leading, so when we hear what He is telling us, and we choose to do the opposite, we vex Him.  We can avoid hurting Him in this way by working to always listen to His voice, to being open to His leading and being thoughtful of what is pleasing to Him and what is not, He is your friend, so treat Him with respect, work to always honor and protect Him...The things we do and say are not the only things that can vex Him,  the things we allow to go on around us, the things we put up with that just should not be...those things can effect your relationship with the Holy Spirit too.