Latest / First15 Devotional / A Constant Companion
Transcript
- 0:04[SPEAKER_00]: Today, we're wrapping up our weeklong series of stirring up our affections for God.
- 0:10[SPEAKER_00]: By looking at what it means to have friendship with the Holy Spirit, the nearness of God's Spirit, the reality of His voice and leadership is our deepest connection to God on the Earth.
- 0:24[SPEAKER_00]: And like any other relationship, any other connection, it takes time to develop a true friendship with the Spirit.
- 0:33[SPEAKER_00]: So today, we're embarking on a journey with one simple goal in mind, growing a little bit closer to the spirit in friendship.
- 0:43[SPEAKER_00]: May God guide us and empower us today and reveal Himself in a fresh way.
- 0:50[SPEAKER_00]: Welcome to the first 15 podcast.
- 1:06[SPEAKER_00]: Our Scripture for today comes from Romans chapter 8, verses 26 and 27, Scripture says,
- 1:24[SPEAKER_00]: Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.
- 1:29[SPEAKER_00]: For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with grownings too deep for words.
- 1:39[SPEAKER_00]: And He who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
- 1:54[SPEAKER_00]: At Salvation, you were given the gift of God Himself, the Spirit of Christ dwelling within you.
- 2:04[SPEAKER_00]: Ephesians chapter 1 verses 13 and 14 says, in him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it to the praise of His glory.
- 2:32[SPEAKER_00]: and with the entwelling of the Spirit, friendship with God has been made available to greater depths than you can imagine.
- 2:41[SPEAKER_00]: He longs to spend time with you, like a friend.
- 2:45[SPEAKER_00]: He longs for you to know how he feels, what he thinks is best, and your heavenly Father's heart for you.
- 2:54[SPEAKER_00]: Scripture teaches us a lot about the character of the Spirit.
- 2:59[SPEAKER_00]: Acts 13 2 teaches us that the Spirit speaks.
- 3:04[SPEAKER_00]: Scripture says, while they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, a part for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.
- 3:17[SPEAKER_00]: In Ephesians 430, we learned that the Spirit feels emotions like grief.
- 3:23[SPEAKER_00]: It says, and do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God by whom you are sealed for the day of redemption.
- 3:32[SPEAKER_00]: Romans 8, verses 26 and 27, teaches us that the Spirit is our helper and praise for us.
- 3:41[SPEAKER_00]: It says, likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.
- 3:46[SPEAKER_00]: For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
- 3:56[SPEAKER_00]: and He who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints, according to the will of God.
- 4:08[SPEAKER_00]: Friendship with the Spirit is one of God's greatest gifts to us.
- 4:13[SPEAKER_00]: He speaks to us, is emotionally invested in our lives, helps us in our weakness and praise for us when we don't have the words.
- 4:26[SPEAKER_00]: So great is God's love for you that He sent His Spirit to dwell with you.
- 4:33[SPEAKER_00]: So great is his desire for continued relationship with you that in his grace he has given you himself as a constant companion.
- 4:44[SPEAKER_00]: Another important characteristic of the spirit, however, is that he will not force relationship on you.
- 4:52[SPEAKER_00]: He speaks when you listen.
- 4:55[SPEAKER_00]: He gives you revelation as you open your mind to receive it and he leads you as you ask for his guidance.
- 5:04[SPEAKER_00]: The Spirit is full of incredible power, but also incredible meekness and humility.
- 5:12[SPEAKER_00]: He is both powerful and respectful.
- 5:16[SPEAKER_00]: If you ask for a deeper friendship with the Holy Spirit, you will find he is the best friend you have ever known.
- 5:23[SPEAKER_00]: Take time as you enter into guided prayer to get to know the Holy Spirit like a friend.
- 5:32[SPEAKER_00]: In his book, The Pursuit of God, A.W.
- 5:35[SPEAKER_00]: Tozerrites, religion so far as it is genuine, is in essence the response of created personalities to the creating personality God.
- 5:49[SPEAKER_00]: The Holy Spirit has a personality.
- 5:52[SPEAKER_00]: He has a likes and dislikes.
- 5:55[SPEAKER_00]: He feels, thinks, enjoys, likes,
- 6:03[SPEAKER_00]: May your time and prayer be filled with new levels of friendship with the spirit of God dwelling within you.
- 6:38[SPEAKER_00]: As we begin, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal His nearness to you.
- 6:44[SPEAKER_00]: Take time to acknowledge His presence.
- 6:49[SPEAKER_00]: Ephesians chapter 1 verses 13 and 14 says.
- 6:54[SPEAKER_00]: In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation and believed in Him, we're sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it to the praise of His glory.
- 7:36[SPEAKER_00]: And next, give thanks to the Spirit for who He is, thank Him for His presence in your life.
- 7:58[SPEAKER_00]: Thank Him for His desire to speak to you, lead you, help you, and pray for you.
- 8:06[SPEAKER_00]: Romans chapter 8, verses 26 and 27 says, likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness.
- 8:16[SPEAKER_00]: For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
- 8:26[SPEAKER_00]: And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
- 9:19[SPEAKER_00]: and last.
- 9:21[SPEAKER_00]: Ask the spirit how he's currently feeling.
- 9:25[SPEAKER_00]: Ask him his perspective on anything in your life or the world around you.
- 9:31[SPEAKER_00]: Listen and pay attention to any inclination you feel brought to mind.
- 9:37[SPEAKER_00]: If you can, journal what he says,
- 10:15[SPEAKER_00]: Friendship with the Spirit is like any other friendship in that it develops over time.
- 10:22[SPEAKER_00]: Like a new friend, you must get to know his character and personality.
- 10:28[SPEAKER_00]: Spend time just talking with him, listening to him, and allowing him to work in your heart and life.
- 10:37[SPEAKER_00]: He is an incredible gift given to you.
- 10:41[SPEAKER_00]: He is your gateway to experience the things of God.
- 10:46[SPEAKER_00]: walk in relationship with him, follow his guidance, and make a new best friend in the Holy Spirit.
- 11:18[SPEAKER_00]: Thank you so much for listening to today's podcast.
- 11:21[SPEAKER_00]: I'm Josh Miller with first 15.
- 11:24[SPEAKER_00]: If friendship with the Holy Spirit is an entirely new concept for you, I pray that today the Lord would soften your heart to the idea of what it might look like to live actively in step with his.
- 11:38[SPEAKER_00]: As you embark on that journey with the Lord, I pray he reveals to you just how personally devoted to you he is.
- 11:46[SPEAKER_00]: And as a quick reminder, first 15 is a completely donner-funded ministry.
- 11:52[SPEAKER_00]: If God has been using first 15 in your life, would you consider making a donation?
- 11:57[SPEAKER_00]: You're one of the millions of people being impacted by first-to-team this year, and we could use your support to continue helping even more people around the world.
- 12:06[SPEAKER_00]: Draw closer to God.
- 12:08[SPEAKER_00]: To give head over to support first-to-team.org, where you can make a one-time donation or become a first-to-team monthly partner.
- 12:17[SPEAKER_00]: Thank you so much for your generosity and simply for being a part of what God is doing here for 15.
- 12:24[SPEAKER_00]: Have a wonderful rest of your day and may God bless you as you see Kim.