Top photo by Seth Schwiet from Unsplash

Wind ruffling my hair created a carefree feeling when I was both a young child and a student crisscrossing campus for my next class. The otherwise moderate climate of California seemed boring to me. I longed for weather that changed with the seasons and stirred the spirit within me.

The sensation of wind the apostles experienced on that first Pentecost was from a different realm than fall breezes. Gathered together in an upper room, the apostles and some disciples were recalling the events that had transpired since Christ’s Resurrection. Suddenly, a rushing wind from heaven filled the room. This wind was not just a case of changing seasons or happenstance, but ushered in a change of hearts.

The roar of the Holy Spirit stirred the disciples spirits and the breath of God encircled the room filling each one’s heart. As an outward sign of the Spirit’s movement, tongues like a flame of fire appeared above each person in the room.

The Holy Spirit, often symbolized by wind, inspired the apostles and other followers of Christ in that room to speak about the Lord and how Christ, His crucifixion, and Resurrection fulfilled Old Testament Scriptures. Those passing by heard the rushing wind and stopped to listen to the disciples. The people outside, who had gathered in Jerusalem for the Feast of Weeks (also known as a harvest festival), heard the disciples speaking in each one’s own language (Acts 2:1-11).

Peter addressed these people, saying, “But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and daughter shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams…
And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.'”

We also have been promised the Holy Spirit when we receive Christ as our Savior. Peter explained that to those listening when he said, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38 (Read Acts 2:39 as well–it brings a blessed hope).

When the Holy Spirit pours His life into us, we are given a heart filled with a disposition that resembles that of the Lord. Scripture points out in Galatians 5:22-23 that we will grow in displaying love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. As we are still in these human bodies, we will have tendencies to slip up and fall short at times of acting on this new way of living. Do not lose heart. Remember that 1 John 1:9 tells us that when we sin (fall short of living according to God’s will and Spirit) we can confess our sin and be restored.

In addition to the fruits of the Spirit, there are gifts wrapped for us to discover. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 12 that each person receives a unique gift and in differing levels. That chapter is worth a read or review to see some of the ways the Holy Spirit can guide you to serve in your church community or in the world around you.

For example, you’ll see that I express the Holy Spirit through photos that often dot these blog posts. And I write, occasionally. Those may not be specifically listed in 1 Corinthians, but I use the abilities God has given me to draw others close to Christ through words and photos. Others may serve in various capacities in the church body from greeting to singing in the worship ministry or working with children. All are ways inspired by the leading of the Holy Spirit.

How do you see the Holy Spirit working in your life? I’d love to hear from you about how the Holy Spirit inspires you and draws you closer to the Lord. Drop a thought in the comment section under this blog post.

Spending time in God’s word each day along with prayer and talking with our Heavenly Father hones our abilities to hear the Spirit’s gentle voice leading us. Sometimes He leads through a word of Scripture; sometimes through a devotional; sometimes through a thought or a niggling to take some action that aligns with His word. As your closeness to the Lord grows, you’ll find yourself growing in joy, praising God as He leads you through your day, speaking in kinder tones to family members, and thinking of others first. Those are some ways the Holy Spirit works. He also gives us strength for our trials, endurance with hope, and faithfulness to the Lord despite our circumstances (a tough one to develop).

I hope this post has encouraged you to realize the Holy Spirit lives within you to assist you as you with the Lord. And, if you haven’t taken that step yet to repent and ask Jesus to forgive your sins, I hope you will consider how New Life in Jesus will bring blessings not just for this life but for eternity.

From My Heart to Yours,

Janis

P.S. I took advantage of the reference to the Jewish harvest festival to include photos of our desert blooms (wink).