The Holy Spirit plays a major role in the life of a believer. He is the difference maker, change-agent, and piece of the puzzle to our faith. Many of us need to experience more of Him to live the abundant life Jesus promised. Without awareness and knowledge of Holy Spirit, we’re left to our own striving. As we make our New Year’s resolutions and goals for 2025, just imagine what would happen within us and to the world around us if we made it our goal to better know this third person of the Trinity.
For the past two years, we have studied the names of God and the names of Jesus. We studied God as El Roi, the God who sees, and Jehovah Jireh who provides. Jesus is our Redeemer, our Rock, and Immanuel, God with us. Those were just a few of the names and titles we studied. (I’ve put together printables available on my free devotional page if you missed them.) Yet, truly we can’t fully experience or understand the Father or the Son without awareness of the Holy Spirit in us and with us.
Who is the holy spirit?
Who is the Holy Spirit? Hopefully as we study His names and titles this year, we will have a better idea of who He is and what He does. His names include:
- Author of Scripture,
- Comforter/ Counselor/ Advocate,
- Deposit or Seal,
- Guide,
- Indweller of Believers,
- Revealer/Spirit of Truth,
- Spirit of God/ Christ,
- Spirit of Life,
- Teacher,
- Witness,
- Intercessor.
- Convicter of Sin
These wonderful titles and names will help us know Him, but when we ask who He is, quite simply the Holy Spirit is the spirit of God and Jesus present with us to help us. The Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit are One.
Holy spirit in the old testament
Though Holy Spirit made His powerful arrival on the day of Pentecost, His presence is not only in the New Testament. Holy Spirit can also be found before Jesus walked this earth, even before the earth was formed.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. (Genesis 1:1-2)
He also came upon leaders and warriors to empower them. He gave strength to Gideon, Samson, and Saul. Saul, however, lost the presence of the Spirit and David became the anointed king with the “Spirit of the LORD powerfully on him” (1 Samuel 16:13).
Holy Spirit in the New Testament Before Jesus
The Holy Spirit also came upon people in the New Testament before Jesus was born. Luke tells us John the Baptist was filled with the Spirit from birth. His mother experienced the Spirit too:
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” (Luke 1:41-45)
This is one of my favorite passages of Scripture. The beauty and power of the scene speaks volumes. Holy Spirit is not a respecter of persons–gender or age. He comes upon those whose hearts can receive Him, those humble in heart and open to His service. I don’t think that has changed.
Holy Spirit Today
Today we live on the other side of the Cross. The Spirit has come to this world for all who believe in Christ. He’s mysterious. Some shy away from this aspect of the Christian faith because it seems spooky or weird, but the Holy Spirit is the change-maker. He is the key. Yes, we need the Word. (You know how I feel about that!) The Word does change us, but it does so through the power of the Holy Spirit. He is present with you. He is within you and with you. Experiencing the Holy Spirit elevates our religion to a relationship. He is who whispers wisdom to our hearts, the One who brings peace when anxiety threatens, and He can help us know what to pray when we don’t know how. Jesus’s promise to the disciples as He prepared them for His death, really helps us know the role of Holy Spirit. He promised:
But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you (John 14:26 ASV italics mine).
The ancient word translated as comforter is Parakletos (par-ak’-lay-tos). The simplest Strong’s definition includes: “an intercessor, consoler:—advocate, comforter.” If you look up different translations of this verse, which I highly recommend when studying the Word (Biblehub.com is a great source), you will find many newer translations now use the word “helper.” Blueletterbible.com includes this definition:
- in the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider, assistant
- of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom.
He is a helper. The Helper. And as we study the titles and names of Holy Spirit this year, I believe we will better experience the different ways He helps us. Jesus did not leave us as orphans to figure this faith out all alone. We are changed, helped, comforted, strengthened, empowered, and enlightened by the third person of the Trinity.
20 Scriptures on Holy spirit as our comforter
Jesus was comforting His disciples when He promised the Spirit. And I know many who need the comfort of the Holy Spirit today, so I felt led to start with this name for Him. Unlike the reading plans of the past, this one only has 20 scriptures.
May I suggest one way to use this plan for the month of January is to read verses Monday-Friday. On the weekend you may go back through those 5 scriptures and journal thoughts, use them to write prayers, or study the entire chapter of that verse. Let Holy Spirit lead. (Smile). Part of becoming more aware of Him is to invite Him into your day and your time in the Word. I am excited about growing in the Holy Spirit, and I’m excited for you too. Let’s pray. Hold my hands.
Prayer to know the holy helper
“Dear Jesus, thank you for sending Holy Spirit to help us. I pray for all desiring to know you better to experience the reality of your Presence through Holy Spirit. Silence the fears, refute the lies, and lead us to the truth of this very important aspect of our faith. May our religion become a daily, hourly, minutely walk with you. May we experience you with every breath, every worry, sorrow, and joy. For those who need your comfort, I pray they experience the Comforter as never before. Wrap your arms around them. Thank you Holy Comforter. We love you. We believe in you. Amen.”
One day I’ll write about the dark, lonely night I felt His arms. Until then, I do pray you will experience them too. See you next month!
Living Abundantly,
Andy
