Good Morning, Holy Spirit

1. The Holy Spirit is a Person, Not Just a Force

He was no longer a distant "third person" of the Trinity. He was real.

Beyond an Influence. The Holy Spirit is not merely an abstract power or influence, but a distinct person with a mind, will, and emotions. This understanding shifts the relationship from a distant concept to a personal connection.

• The Spirit can be grieved, loved, and obeyed.
• He is the power of the Godhead, the power of the Father and the Son.
• He is the one who brings into action the performance of the Son.

A Personal Relationship. Recognizing the Holy Spirit as a person allows for a deeper, more intimate relationship. This relationship is characterized by fellowship, communion, and guidance, moving beyond a transactional view of faith.

• He is a friend, counselor, and companion.
• He is the one who fellowships with you.
• He is the one who helps you in your prayers to the Father.

The Spirit's Role. The Holy Spirit's role is to bring into being the commandments of the Father and the performance of the Son. He is the power of God, the one who makes the work of the Father and the Son real in our lives.

• He is the power of creation.
• He is the power in the life of Jesus.
• He is the power in the life of believers.

2. Personal Encounters Transform Spiritual Life

From that very moment the Holy Spirit became alive in my life.

Life-Altering Experiences. Personal encounters with the Holy Spirit are transformative, shifting one's understanding of faith from a distant concept to a vibrant, living reality. These encounters often involve powerful emotions, spiritual insights, and a deep sense of God's presence.

• The author's encounter in his room changed the course of his life.
• He experienced tears of wonder and joy as the Spirit revealed the Scriptures.
• His room felt lifted into the hemisphere of heaven.

Beyond Intellectual Understanding. These encounters go beyond intellectual understanding, creating a deep, personal connection with the divine. They are not just about knowing about God, but about knowing God personally.

• The Spirit becomes a close friend, guide, and comforter.
• He is no longer a distant "third person" of the Trinity.
• He is real and has a personality.

A Call to Intimacy. These experiences are not meant to be isolated events but rather a call to a lifelong relationship with the Holy Spirit. This relationship is characterized by ongoing communion, guidance, and a deepening understanding of God's will.

• The Spirit is waiting for you to meet Him personally.
• He yearns for a lifelong relationship.
• He is waiting to bring you closer to Jesus.

3. Tradition Can Hinder True Spiritual Growth

As the son of an immigrant family from Israel, I had humiliated the household by breaking tradition.

The Trap of Ritual. Over-reliance on tradition, ritual, and dogma can hinder true spiritual growth by prioritizing form over substance. This can lead to a lack of personal connection with God and a misunderstanding of the Spirit's role.

• The author's family was more concerned with tradition than his personal faith.
• Their faith was long on form, ritual, and dogma, but short on God's anointing.
• They had virtually no comprehension of what it means to hear from the Lord or to be "led by the Spirit."

Breaking Free. True spiritual growth requires breaking free from the constraints of tradition and seeking a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit. This involves being open to new experiences and allowing the Spirit to guide one's understanding of faith.

• The author's conversion was seen as shameful by his family.
• He was ridiculed and harassed for his newfound faith.
• He had to choose between family tradition and his personal relationship with Christ.

The Power of Personal Experience. Personal experience with the Holy Spirit is more powerful than adherence to tradition. It is through these experiences that one truly comes to know God and understand His will.

• The author's personal encounter with the Spirit transformed his life.
• He learned what it meant to be "led by the Spirit."
• He realized that he couldn't do it by himself.

4. Hearing and Obeying the Spirit's Voice is Key

I must obey the Lord!

The Spirit's Guidance. The Holy Spirit communicates the voice of God, guiding believers in their daily lives. This guidance is not always dramatic but often comes as a gentle prompting or a deep sense of conviction.

• The Spirit is the one who communicates the voice of God.
• He takes the voice of the Father and the Son and makes it quiet, lovely, and perfectly clear.
• He is the one who leads you in the will of the Father.

Recognizing His Voice. Learning to recognize the Spirit's voice requires spending time in fellowship with Him and becoming sensitive to His promptings. This involves being open to His guidance and willing to obey His instructions.

• The more you fellowship with Him the deeper the relationship becomes.
• You become familiar with His voice.
• You recognize it. You respond to it.

Obedience is Essential. Obeying the Spirit's voice is crucial for spiritual growth and fulfilling God's purpose. This involves surrendering one's own will and following the Spirit's leading, even when it is difficult or uncomfortable.

• The author told his father, "I'll obey you on anything you want, but on the matter of going to church I will not obey you. I must obey the Lord!"
• He knew that everything that happened in his life was for one purpose—to preach the gospel.
• He said, "I will preach the gospel on one condition: that you will be with me in every service."

5. The Spirit Empowers and Guides Believers

The Holy Spirit became my teacher.

Power for Ministry. The Holy Spirit empowers believers for ministry, providing them with the gifts and abilities needed to serve God and others. This power is not for personal gain but for the advancement of God's kingdom.

• The Spirit is the power of the Lord.
• He is the power of the Father and of the Son.
• He is the one who brings into action the performance of the Son.

Guidance and Direction. The Spirit guides believers in their daily lives, providing them with wisdom, discernment, and direction. This guidance is essential for making decisions that align with God's will.

• The Spirit is the only teacher of the Bible.
• He is the one who leads you "into all truth."
• He is the one who will guide you.

Transformation and Growth. The Spirit transforms believers from the inside out, changing their character and enabling them to live a life that is pleasing to God. This transformation is an ongoing process that requires a willingness to surrender to the Spirit's leading.

• The Spirit transformed the author's daily Christian life.
• He replaced his natural instincts and reactions with the leading of the Spirit.
• He learned what it meant to "crucify the flesh."

6. Fellowship with the Spirit Deepens Faith

I began to wait for the Holy Spirit before I prayed.

Communion and Intimacy. Fellowship with the Holy Spirit is characterized by communion, intimacy, and a deep sense of connection with God. This fellowship is not just about prayer but about spending time in His presence and allowing Him to speak to your heart.

• The Holy Spirit is the one who communes, who fellowships with you.
• Fellowship is much more personal. "How are you today? Let's have breakfast together!"
• There are no selfish requests in fellowship—just friendship, love, and communion.

A Prayer Partner. The Holy Spirit is a prayer partner who helps believers communicate with the Father. He intercedes on their behalf, guiding them in their prayers and helping them to understand God's will.

• He literally guided the author to his knees and made it easy to communicate with the Father.
• He helps you in your prayers to the Father.
• He is the one who communes, who fellowships with you.

A Source of Strength. Fellowship with the Spirit is a source of strength, comfort, and encouragement. It is through this fellowship that believers are able to endure trials and overcome obstacles.

• The Spirit is gentle, and yet He is mighty and powerful.
• Like a child, He wants to stay ever so close to those who love Him.
• He stays close to those who love Him.

7. The Spirit's Presence Manifests in Various Ways

The moment I jumped into the front seat and shut the door, Jim began to weep.

Tangible Manifestations. The Holy Spirit's presence is often manifested in tangible ways, such as physical sensations, emotional responses, and spiritual gifts. These manifestations are not meant to be the focus of faith but rather a sign of God's power and presence.

• The author felt a vibration in his body.
• He felt a warm blanket of God's power wrapped all around him.
• He felt as if he had been translated to heaven.

Diverse Expressions. The Spirit's presence can be expressed in diverse ways, including speaking in tongues, prophecy, healing, and other spiritual gifts. These gifts are given to equip believers for ministry and to build up the body of Christ.

• The author spoke in a heavenly language.
• He received a fresh infilling every time he spent time in prayer.
• The Holy Spirit became real. He became his friend. He became his companion, his counselor.

A Personal Experience. The manifestation of the Spirit's presence is a personal experience that is unique to each individual. It is not something that can be forced or manufactured but rather a gift that is freely given by God.

• The author's friends began weeping because of the presence of the Holy Spirit.
• His mother was thrown back by the power of the Spirit.
• His brothers felt something unusual when they came near him.

8. Surrender and Obedience Unlock Spiritual Power

I must obey the Lord!

Total Surrender. Total surrender to the Holy Spirit is essential for unlocking spiritual power and experiencing the fullness of God's blessings. This involves giving up control and allowing the Spirit to lead in every area of life.

• The author said, "I'll obey you on anything you want, but on the matter of going to church I will not obey you. I must obey the Lord!"
• He surrendered to the Lord, and the Spirit came upon him.
• He was like a glowing ember that never stopped burning.

Obedience to the Spirit. Obedience to the Spirit's leading is crucial for maintaining a close relationship with God and experiencing His power. This involves being willing to follow His instructions, even when they are difficult or uncomfortable.

• The author said, "I will preach the gospel on one condition: that you will be with me in every service."
• He reminded the Lord, "Lord, you know that I can't talk."
• He worried continually about his speech problem and the fact that he was going to embarrass himself.

A Continual Process. Surrender and obedience are not one-time events but rather a continual process of yielding to the Spirit's leading. This requires a daily commitment to seek God's will and follow His instructions.

• The author spent hundreds of hours alone with God.
• His Bible was always open. He prayed. He studied. He worshiped.
• He feasted on heavenly manna that he would need in the years to come.

9. The Spirit's Anointing Breaks Yokes

The instant I opened my mouth, I felt something touch my tongue and loosen it.

Power to Overcome. The Holy Spirit's anointing is a powerful force that breaks yokes of bondage and enables believers to overcome obstacles. This anointing is not just for special occasions but is available to all who seek it.

• The author felt something touch his tongue and loosen it.
• He began to proclaim God's Word with absolute fluency.
• The stuttering was gone. All of it. And it has never returned.

Freedom from Oppression. The anointing brings freedom from oppression, enabling believers to live a life of victory and purpose. This freedom is not just from external forces but also from internal struggles and limitations.

• The Spirit gives you power and a boldness that makes you feel ten feet tall.
• He began to baptize the author with a love for people.
• He replaced his natural instincts and reactions with the leading of the Spirit.

Equipping for Ministry. The anointing equips believers for ministry, providing them with the gifts and abilities needed to serve God and others. This anointing is not just for pastors and evangelists but for all who are called to serve.

• The Spirit is the one who called the author, and He is the one who controls his meetings.
• He is the boss of the service.
• He is the one that was sent to be with you—and in you—forever.

10. The Spirit's Grief Reveals God's Heart

"Please. . . don't grieve the Holy Spirit."

A Heart for the Lost. The Holy Spirit grieves for the lost and longs for them to come to know Christ. This grief is a reflection of God's heart for humanity and His desire for all to be saved.

• The author felt the Spirit was quietly weeping.
• He felt a weight of grief.
• He was weeping at night and could not sleep.

A Burden for Souls. The Spirit's grief can lead to a burden for souls, motivating believers to share the gospel and reach out to those who are lost. This burden is not just an emotional response but a deep sense of responsibility to share God's love.

• The author's grief was transformed into a burden for lost souls.
• He knew that he must preach the message of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
• He has not stopped doing it since.

A Call to Compassion. The Spirit's grief is a call to compassion, urging believers to have empathy for those who are suffering and to reach out to them with love and kindness. This compassion is not just a feeling but a call to action.

• The Spirit is so special that when He finds a person that He can use, He allows them to feel His heartbeat.
• When you have felt the pain that the Holy Ghost feels, it clings to your consciousness and will never leave you.
• You not only see the needs of mankind; you feel those desperate needs as never before.

11. Blasphemy Against the Spirit is a Deliberate Rejection

But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.

A Willful Act. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is a deliberate act of rejection, not an accidental slip of the tongue. It involves a conscious decision to reject God's grace and to insult the Spirit's person and work.

• Blasphemy is a willful act.
• It is an act of volition, a choice you must exercise.
• It is a deliberate act of rejection.

Rejection of Grace. This sin is unforgivable because it represents a complete rejection of God's grace and mercy. It is a refusal to acknowledge the Spirit's work and a deliberate choice to turn away from God.

• Blasphemy is cursing Jesus and saying, "I don't care what He did!"
• It is saying, "Who cares how precious the blood is?"
• Blasphemy is insulting what God did and doing it willfully.

A Warning to Believers. This warning is not meant to cause fear but to encourage believers to remain faithful and to avoid any deliberate act of rebellion against God. It is a call to humility and a reminder of the seriousness of sin.

• The author said, "The very fact that you are worried means that you did not blaspheme the Spirit."
• You will not commit that sin as long as you never want to commit it.
• If you are working for Christ, you do not fall into the category of His warning.

12. The Spirit's Power Brings Heaven to Earth

I believe that heaven can be no greater than that.

Manifesting God's Kingdom. The Holy Spirit's power brings heaven to earth, manifesting God's kingdom in the lives of believers and in the world around them. This power is not just for personal benefit but for the transformation of society.

• The author felt as if he had been translated to heaven.
• He said, "If I open my eyes, I'll either be in Pittsburgh or inside the pearly gates."
• He honestly didn't believe heaven can be any greater than that.

Miracles and Healings. The Spirit's power is often manifested through miracles, healings, and other supernatural events. These signs and wonders are not meant to be the focus of faith but rather a confirmation of God's presence and power.

• People who were deaf suddenly could hear.
• A woman got up out of her wheelchair.
• There were testimonies of healings for tumors, arthritis, headaches, and more.

A Foretaste of Glory. The Spirit's presence is a foretaste of the glory that awaits believers in heaven. It is a reminder that God's kingdom is not just a future hope but a present reality that can be experienced in this life.

• The author said, "I'd rather have this than anything the world can offer."
• He said, "Whatever it is, don't let it quit."
• He began to understand more fully Paul's desire for "the fellowship of the Holy Spirit."

Last updated: January 14, 2025