Daily Bread

By this we know that we abide in God and God in us, because God has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Saviour of the world. God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. So we have known and believe the love that God has for us.

God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.

As we approach Pentecost Sunday, our readings continue to reflect on how the Spirit abides in those of us who confess that Jesus is the Son of God.

The question that keeps coming up is, "How do we know if we are filled with the Holy Spirit?" Well, no-one can truly confess with their whole heart that Jesus Christ is Lord of their lives and that they trust in God through Jesus without the Spirit! So... if you can do that, well, then the Spirit is in you!

Often, when people first become a Christian and they experience the presence of God, they feel emotional. This can be an overwhelming sense of freedom, release, or gratitude, and sometimes they don't know why they are in floods of tears! Often, when I pray with people, especially those who don't normally pray, they well up or begin to cry, and I think this is because they are experiencing the loving presence of God — the Holy Spirit — a comforting warmth and peace that defies explanation.

When we become a Christian we become plugged into God, and God's spiritual 'electricity' can flow in us and through us. Of course, God never overrides our wills, and like a switch, we can choose to disconnect the flow. The trick is to continually check our switch is in the 'on' position!

We do this by spending time each day with God, or tuning into God at regular intervals, bringing to mind our confession that Jesus Christ is Lord, and giving permission for the Holy Spirit to fill us, transform us, speak to us, and use us.

Why not take a moment, right now, to do just that?

Holy God
I know and believe in
the love that you have for me,
and I confess with my mouth
and trust in my heart
that Jesus is the Son of God.
My your Spirit so fill me
that your love overflows
from me to the world.