We Believe: The Holy Spirit

Acknowledging that the topic of the Holy Spirit is very broad, Pastor Dave confined his teaching to the main points articulated in the sixth article of the EFCA statement of faith. One is that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of guilt. Perhaps you (like me) have a son or daughter, a grandchild, a sibling, a friend who was raised in the church, who possesses “head knowledge” of the Bible, but who is not a believer. Dave explained that the problem is not that we have failed to find the right words or the argument that will finally convince; the problem is that the person is in the dark. Ask the Holy Spirit to convict them of their guilt and to shine a floodlight on Jesus Christ, revealing who he is and what he has done for them. Acknowledge before God that you can’t save that person you care about so much but that His Holy Spirit can.

Walking in God’s statutes, living in obedience to Him, is not possible by human effort. It requires the work of the Holy Spirit in us. Dave pointed out that the hard part is choosing to walk by the Spirit instead of the flesh. We human beings naturally want to do things our way; we want control. Use the words of the song “Holy Spirit” we sang on Sunday as your personal prayer this week: Holy Spirit, You are welcome here, Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere … referring, not to our worship center, but to the temple that is your heart and your life.

The Holy Spirit indwells believers. If you are God’s child, His Holy Spirit is with you, closer than your own breath, all the time. Ask Him to remind you of that truth daily so that, when a problem crops up or a difficult trial or loss hits you, you will remember that the One you really need is right there. Remember that He works in all kinds of ways to provide comfort and practical help. Dave asked, “Can you imagine living this life, on this earth, without the Holy Spirit?” Twice, he exclaimed, “Praise God for the Holy Spirit!” Take time today to do that.

Calvary Family

The Lord poured out grace and mercy on little Aiden Gilbert and his family last week! The surgeon was able to completely remove the cavernous malformation from his brain without any serious complications. Join the Gilberts and Dees in thanking and praising God, and please continue to pray for Aiden as he recovers.

Lorraine Kratt has been experiencing shortness of breath and fatigue because her heart is not pumping efficiently. She sees a cardiologist today to hear the recommended treatment plan, which may be transcatheter valve replacement. Lorraine asks us to pray that any surgery could be scheduled soon; she does not appreciate being tethered to an oxygen machine. Pray for wisdom for her doctors, for effective treatment, and for full recovery.

Lift up our Christmas Eve service on Friday, December 23, and Christmas service on Sunday, December 25. Ask the Lord to use what is said and sung to illuminate the hearts of our children and of unbelieving visitors in our midst.

Over these next two weeks, many are anticipating parties and gift-giving and festive celebrations with family and friends. But not everyone. Some are lonely, estranged, ill, dying, addicted, empty, grieving, poor. (Can you add words to the list?) Others, like Ukrainian Christians, will observe Christmas in a dangerous war zone. Ask the Lord to meet people such as these in a special way this Christmas and care for them.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert

P.S. Wishing you blessed quietness and joy this Christmas season! Look for the next edition of the prayer blog in early 2023.