This year the church will celebrate Pentecost Sunday on June 8. A traditional Pentecost reading is found in Joel 2:28a which reads, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people.” You might ask, “Does that include me?!” My response is, “Yes, you!”                   

Romans 8:9 tells us, “You are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you.” The writer of Romans makes it clear that if we belong to Christ (confessed with our mouth and believe in our heart that Christ is our Lord and Savior), we do indeed have His Spirit - that Counselor, Comforter which was promised by the Father through the Son.

The Spirit enables us to do those things which we feel incapable of doing. You know those things for which you say, “I just can’t . . .” (you fill in the blank). Those things after which you do them, you are filled with an overwhelming sense of joy knowing that our Lord has invited you to be part of His greater plan - for nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37).

Have you ever been filled with great joy when you are in the midst of a very “dark night of the soul?” You may be depressed, feeling lonely, overwhelmed due to a loss, or are experiencing a deep sadness that consumes you when all of a sudden peace, and sometimes even joy, replaces that dark feeling. That is the work of the Holy Spirit as your Comforter.

Have you struggled to make a decision then prayed about it? Maybe you decided that there was not a good solution to the quandary that you were facing when all of a sudden (or maybe days later) you were presented with an answer that exceeded your wisdom? That is the work of the Holy Spirit as your Counselor.

What are the signs that the Holy Spirit lives in us? We read in Galatians 5:22-23, “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness (generosity), faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” These are the traits and characteristics that reflect the presence of the Spirit within us.

Our goal as a Christian is to be part of a Holy Spirit filled and led church. Let us embrace the gifts of the Holy Spirit: joy in times of despair; wisdom in times of ignorance; and to those who are shy, boldness to speak of the glory of God! Let’s do ministry together!

You are loved,

Pastor Karen