Guidance of the Holy Spirit

Have you ever noticed the effect of the Holy Spirit on the Disciples. The Holy Spirit is not just with you but in you and the difference it made on that day of Pentecost to Peter. He had denied Jesus 3 times in the hours after Jesus arrest – why? Fear! After Jesus death, the disciples were in hiding, because they were afraid. Even after they knew Jesus was resurrected and alive again they were still fearful of the authorities.

But at Pentecost with boldness, they went out into the streets speaking the truth. . . . . Peter preached a sermon that brought 3,000 new believers into what was to become the Church. What happened to his fear?

A teacher like Jesus, a Rabbi, would normally pick from the best students in the best schools to be his followers, but Jesus picked those who had failed, who had returned to the family business, they were mostly fishermen, far from the best students.

Jesus had given them a taste of the Holy Spirit before, they had been sent out on mission trips into the villages of Israel, where they had been able to do miracles of healing, cast our demons and speak to the villagers about Jesus, all through the power of the Holy Spirit. Like new Christians they were on battery power, then at Pentecost they were "plugged into the mains" filled up with the power of the Holy Spirit and his full presence. Ordinary men, Peter, Andrew, James and John, fishermen. Matthew was a hated and despised tax collector, yet through the power of the Holy Spirit these men were changed and following the Holy Spirit, and they went out and changed the world.

A flat-mate upon over-hearing about some of the actions of the Holy Spirit in protecting Christians, warning them of danger remarked, "so you guys have "spidey-senses" (he was a Spiderman fan), why didn't you tell me that before, I'd have been more interested!" He started coming to the evening Youth Services with us.

There are times the Holy Spirit warned Paul and others NOT to go certain places or take certains actions, those smuggling Bibles and many missionaries tell stories of the Holy Spirit protecting them. If you listen and obey, it warns you when your in danger and will protect you. St Paul was boldly reckless, and the Spirit brought him back to life more than once saving him until it was his time. Even then it warned him.. . . that his actions would lead to his death....he chose to go anyway, he felt it was his time. Maybe the Holy Spirit told him that too! Word of Knowledge, healing, discerment, guidence and wisdom along with love for your fellow man, joy, peace, patience, kindness and goodness are all fruits of the prensence of the Holy Spirit, and all free for the asking!