08 Hope and the Holy Spirit

HOPE AND THE HOLY SPIRIT
By: Alton Garrison

Faith and hope are similar but distinctly different. In addition to the measure of faith, Romans 10:17 (ESV) declares that faith can grow through the educational process of “hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” Faith is more educational  hope is more emotional. Faith is related to miracles; hope is more about morale.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
Proverbs 13:12 ESV

as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, "So shall your offspring be."
Romans 4:17‭-‬18 ESV

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Romans 15:4 ESV

Hope is a favorable, confident, happy anticipation of good things to come. Hopeful people are happy, generous, and positive. Hopeless people are negative, bitter, discouraged, and defeated.

Satan’s attack is more against our hope than against our faith. It is easier for him to discourage us emotionally than to defeat us Scripturally. Anyone who has experienced loss, sickness, tragedy, or pain will often hear Satan’s lie: “If God really loved you, why would He allow that to happen to you?”

When we lose our wealth, we are hindered. When we lose our health, we are handicapped. But when we lose our hope, we are emotionally paralyzed. When we look at our health, finances, relationships, family situations, or joblessness and all looks hopeless, we must not give up.

What is the Holy Spirit saying to me?

ACTIVATION

Recognize that God is your source of hope.

Believe you have not lost your faith.
roman 10:17

Write in your journal the emotions destroying your hope. Release those to God and let Him recharge the hope in you.

07 The Spirit upon you

“WITH”–– Or “IN” And “UPON”
By: Jack Hayford

Here is a lesson Jesus taught His followers about the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a resident counselor. The Greek word here is interesting: parakletos––“para” (beside), “kletos” (call)––one who is called alongside to help. There isn’t a single thing needed in the Christian life that He isn’t there to provide.

even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
 John 14:17 ESV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
 Acts 1:8

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
 2 Peter 1:3‭-‬4 ESV

Note the difference in the prepositions that are found in the passages before us today. Jesus said the Spirit was “with” them, but later would be “in” them and “upon” them. I take these prepositions to mean that the Holy Spirit was “with” them prior to Pentecost. Prior to Pentecost their lives lacked character and consistency. They cast out devils, but on other occasions they seemed to be somewhat influenced by them.

Simon Peter is a case in point (Matthew 16:23). The disciples were loud in their assertions of loyalty, and loud in their blunderings and misunderstanding. The Spirit was most certainly “with” them––helping, encouraging, and revealing––but He was most certainly not “in” them or “upon” them. When the Spirit came “in” and “upon” them at a later date, then their fitful living became faithful living, and their erratic loyalty became everlasting loyalty.

Today in the lives of many Christians, the Holy Spirit seems to be working on the outside rather than on the inside. Actually, of course, the Holy Spirit is resident “in” every Christian, but He wants more than just to be resident––He wants also to be president! How is it in your life and experience? Is the Spirit a passing guest or a permanent guest?

What is the Holy Spirit saying to me?

ACTIVATION

Think about the ways the Holy Spirit comes alongside you to help you.

Think about what it means to have the Holy Spirit living inside you, and what it means for the Holy Spirit to “come upon” you.

Thank God for the power and life that He gives you through His Holy Spirit.

06 anointed to be conquerors

ANOINTED TO BE CONQUERORS
By: Prince Guneratnam

God has empowered you to be an overcomer and a conqueror. No matter what your circumstances may be, they do not need to dictate your future. Because you are a child of God, His anointing on your life breaks every yoke of bondage. The Bible says that you are being changed from glory to glory and from faith to faith. You need merely to believe and do the will of God.

The anointing of the Holy Spirit is the key to being a conqueror because you do not have power on your own. Paul explains, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do …” (Romans 7:15, 19-20). God has promised you the Holy Spirit who anoints you and gives you the power to turn away from a life of sin, to live righteously for the glory of God and to have authority over Satan.

The New International Version translation of Luke 24:49 says that you have been “clothed with power from on high.” The anointing is like a garment that clothes you. A civilian who enlists as a soldier is given a military uniform that authorizes him to do the job. In ancient times, the uniform was like an armor which protected the wearer from the attacks of the enemy. Likewise, the Holy Spirit is given to you for that reason; the Holy Spirit equips you for battle to overcome Satan’s temptations and your old, sinful nature.

Therefore, it is important that you be filled with the Holy Spirit. Let the Holy Spirit fill you again and again. When the Holy Spirit comes and touches you, you will not be the same. You can be emancipated, delivered and set free!

But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.
1 John 2:27 ESV

What is the Holy Spirit saying to me?

ACTIVATION

Thank God for filling you with the Holy Spirit. Quiet your mind and heart so you can feel the Holy Spirit’s touch.

Remember times when the Holy Spirit has helped you overcome temptation and trouble in the past, and spend time thanking Him for His work in your life.

Pray for a fresh anointing to fully become all God created you to be, and to rise up as a conqueror!