The Promise of the Father

Some have thought that the gift of the Holy Spirit was just for the disciples, but we see in the Bible that the promise of the Father is for us. ‘For the promise is to you and your children and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call’ (Acts 2:39).

John the Baptist proclaimed that he baptized with water, but Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit. It is Jesus Himself, who does the baptizing with the Holy Spirit (John 1:33). The Holy Spirit is gentle, like a dove, and is called ‘the Comforter’. He is given to teach and equip us to live the Christian life and become more like Jesus.

As we give our lives to the Lord and ask Him to cleanse our hearts we can go on to ask Him to fill us with the Holy Spirit. This is the promise of God the Father. But unless we glorify Jesus in our lives, we can’t receive the Holy Spirit. I have noticed that it’s mostly when we’re worshipping and praising the Lord and glorifying Him that the Holy Spirit comes. We may ask to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit by the ‘laying on of hands’. We read how the apostle Paul did this in Acts 19:6.

There are times that God chooses, when our hearts are right, that the power of the Holy Spirit comes and ignites our spirits, making us ‘alive to God’ and baptizing us in His love. And Jesus said ‘If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!’ (Luke 11:13).

"Where is the sure, the certain seal, that ascertains the Kingdom mine?
The powerful stamp I long to feel, the signature of love divine;
O shed it in my heart abroad, fullness of love, of heaven, of God!"
Charles Wesley

Prayer: Dear Father, thank You for the promise of the Holy Spirit to help us live for You. Thank You for the wonderful gifts You give to Your children that we may carry Your blessing to others. We stand in awe of Your love, grace and mercy. Amen.