The Spirit - God's Gift To Us

Beads of Joy 04-26-10

The Spirit - God's Gift To Us
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO

Life In The Spirit 1/5
Hello Everyone,

This week we are going to be focusing on the Life in the Spirit; that is the "Holy Spirit", truly one of the best gifts we have ever received. There is a prayer we pray at Mass, it's called the Nicene Creed in that prayer we pray, "We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets." Do we really live a life that embraces the Holy Spirit as vibrantly as the prayer states? Jesus said, "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:26. And in Catechism of the Catholic Church it states, "Through his grace, the Holy Spirit is the first to awaken faith in us and to communicate to us the new life, which is to "know the Father and the one whom he has sent, Jesus Christ." CCC#684. Is the Spirit of God alive inside you? If so, is that Spirit ready to love, honor and cherish our Lord? From my vantage point, this can only be answered in a simple yes or no way. When the Holy Spirit is alive and excited inside you, believe me, you know it.

Can you see the wisdom behind this entire thought? God's wisdom far exceeds anything, anyone can ever imagine. Check this out: God, the Father Almighty who loves us so much, sent His only Son to save us; then once death was defeated, He left us with part of Himself so that we can continue to draw ourselves ever so much closer to Him. Each of us by God's will has been given a most precious gift. Let us see what we can do in our lives to bring this Spirit to life. Do you remember what John The Baptist use to say, "John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." John 3:16. In our spiritual walk with Jesus, the Holy Spirit will play a most significant role. Through prayer, and silence before the Lord and much time spent in scripture; we will grow to know Him whom through God, Jesus has given us, namely the Holy Spirit. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13, this is the same overflowing excitement I constantly feel in my heart and soul every single day.

Throughout scripture we are guided with so much telling us and sharing with us how important the Holy Spirit is in each of our lives. "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;" 1 Corinthians 6:19. Now that scripture is probably one of the most exciting, direct statements about the Holy Spirit. The more we grow to learn and experience the power that is in the Holy Spirit, the more we will want Him in our lives. Depending on your version of the bible, there are about ninety seven references to the Holy Spirit; some overlap in the gospels, but for the most part, they all direct us to the importance and purpose of the Holy Spirit in our lives. I challenge everyone to awaken that magnificent, exciting, powerful part of God that is within you.

In the midst of my studies, I came across a book written by Rich Cleveland, and he said, "The Acts of The Apostles" has been called the 'gospel of the Holy Spirit'" It says because in Acts, we are shown how vibrant and exciting the church truly is when the Spirit is at work. It has been by the life in the Spirit that the church has been able to grow. Let also look at the gifts that the Holy Spirit brings into our lives. Yes the Spirit itself is exciting and it draws us so much closer to Jesus; but even just as exciting as that, know that the Spirit itself bears gifts for us in our lives. I will end with a scripture that will share all the gifts the Holy Spirit has. I hope that this week ahead gives you a whole new insight, a vibrant exciting feeling that awakes the Spirit of God within in. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5:22-25


Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO