The Holy Spirit
I grew up in a church which taught me a lot about Jesus and Father God but not so much about the Holy Spirit. It is so important to give new believers the whole picture of who God is so they can experience the fullness of God.
Each part of the Trinity has a role to play and wants to bless us. In the last few years God has restored balance to my understanding of Him by helping me get to know the third person of His Trinity: the Holy Spirit.
It has been an amazing journey as I have come to understand the Holy Spirit is the one who brings revelation of God and helps us enter into God's glory realm. 1 Corinthians chapter, verse 9–10 says, "...as it is written: 'What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived'—the things God has prepared for those who love him—these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God". The Holy Spirit reveals the deep secrets of God. We need to know His Holy Spirit otherwise we miss out on the fullness of life with Him.
Freedom in the Church
Without the Holy Spirit the Church can easily become religious and stifling. The Holy Spirit breathes new life and brings freedom to God's people: "Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom" (2 Corinthians chapter 3, verse 17).
Many churches are stuck in lifeless tradition and need to embrace the Holy Spirit and give God free reign again. God's Spirit enables us to exercise spiritual gifts and through the Holy Spirit's work comes salvation, healing and creative miracles.
When was the last time someone came to salvation in your church? When was the last time someone was healed? Take down the walls and barriers you have put up, stop relying on your own strength and let God flow. As it says in Zechariah chapter 4, verse 6, "Not by might, nor by power but by my Spirit says the Lord". God's Spirit is powerful. Let Him move. Invite all of Him in. He'll come.
He has so much for all of us, for God gives his Spirit without limit (John chapter 3, verse 34). Start thanking Him for His love and His presence. Thank God for giving you the gift of His Holy Spirit and open up before him. Soak in His warmth and love. Ask Him for his refreshing rain to fall on you. Ask Him to dismantle the boxes you have placed Him in and ask Him to renew your mind to a right view of God.
Our home fellowship
In our home fellowship we have invited the Holy Spirit to lead each gathering and I have been amazed at how different every week is. It's definitely not stale or predictable! A freedom comes which allows the priesthood of all believers to be outworked.
Each week different people will contribute to the night by sharing a song, a prayer, a poem, a testimony, a vision or a dream. Some people have created something on the night such as a drawing, painting or a new dance before the Lord.
We let God take our own ideas, we put them on the altar before we start and He speaks to us and ministers to us in powerful ways. We find surrendering to Him allows us to experience the Spirit's life and vitality in our fellowship.
God also weaves and knits us together in unity like a family, and just like the early church in Acts we try and help support each other and fill practical needs. It is not limited to our times of home fellowship but we try and do life together. For I believe this is what God wants us to learn: to love and be loved.
Liana Monaghan lives in Goolwa, South Australia and is a songwriter for the Lord. Liana runs a home fellowship with creative worship house with her husband Justin who is a prophetic artist and minister.
Liana Monaghan previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/liana-monaghan.html