Almost twenty years ago, I knelt down next to my bed and prayed for more of the Holy Spirit. I prayed for my ears to hear Him as my friend heard Him. If the Lord had more of Himself to give me, more gifts of the Holy Spirit, I wanted more. I knew people who walked with confidence and power in their faith. I wanted that, and from what I could tell, their confidence came from intimacy with the Spirit of Jesus.
On that day, as I prayed fervently, I felt my ears begin to burn. I’m not sure if the burning was answer to prayer or due to the intensity in which I prayed. But I knew this, as soon as I said, “Amen!” and got up from my knees, I noticed a direction from a voice within.
“Go get the clothes out of the dryer.”
I was a little disappointed. Was that my thought or God’s?
Holy Spirit Organization
It wasn’t anything grand, but I took that thought as His order, and that’s how I began my walk with the Holy Spirit. I began living a conversation with God, and no matter how trivial the instruction, I followed through (most of the time). I knew He was in the small details of my life as well as the big if I paid attention.
When I began to do this I discovered my day was better organized as I listened for cues and nudges from the divine. Practicing His Presence helped me hear His voice better. Now, I walk with confidence of His leading. But it took daily practice and trust. It took Faith.
We need the Fellowship of Holy Spirit.
The other day, I was reading through my One Year Bible, which is a great way to read the Bible through the year because you read a section of the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. Anyway, on that day I was finishing 2 Corinthians. I loved Paul’s closing. I know I’ve read it before, but this time it was highlighted. I noticed it included Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit. Not very many scriptures involve all three persons of God.
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Cor. 13:14.)
Isn’t it beautiful?
Imagine what our lives would be like if we walked this journey fully aware of:
- The grace of Jesus.
- The love of God.
- The fellowship of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
partner with god
The word “fellowship” was translated from the Greek word Koinonia (koy-nohn-ee’-ah). It means partnership, participation, communion, distribution, and fellowship (The Complete Word Study New Testament).
It makes me ask myself, “What kind of God is willing to partner with people like us?” Messy, confused, fearful, rebellious, ______________ (fill in the blank) people.
Yet, the God who wants to partner with us is a God who knows we can’t be holy on our own. He knows we need His Spirit to help us, change us, lead us, pray for us, and be with us. So, He made a way. He distributes Himself to those who trust in Jesus.
We can commune with Him.
Partner in the Kingdom work.
Participate with the divine.
I use to think the Holy Spirit was something kind of scary, but the Holy Spirit isn’t scary. He is simply and profoundly God available 24/7 to help us and change us.
Prayer for the holy spirit to govern
Paul prayed this incredible prayer for the Ephesian church:
I pray out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power with all the saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:16-19
It’s beautiful just the way it’s translated above, but come dig deeper with me. Take a look at these definitions of the ancient Greek words penned by Paul. I’ve bolded meanings I want us to consider. (All Strong’s definitions from blueletterbible.org.)
Riches
Greek: Ploutos (ploo’-tos)
wealth (as fulness), i.e. (literally) money, possessions, or (figuratively) abundance, richness, (specially), valuable bestowment:—riches.
Dwell
Greek: Katoikeō (kat-oy-keh’-o)
to house permanently, i.e. reside (literally or figuratively):—dwell(-er), inhabitant(-ter). metaph. divine powers, influences, etc., are said to dwell in his soul, to pervade, prompt, govern it
Filled
Greek: Plēroō (play-ro’-o)
to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.:—accomplish, × after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply.
Changed and completed
The Holy Spirit dwells in believers. But these definitions show us that when Jesus moves into our hearts, he doesn’t just rearrange the furniture or simply write his name on the mailbox. He begins to influence and govern.
He does this because of his active, benevolent, loving-kindness. He makes a connection with our spirits, and then he changes our hearts little by little, so they begin to beat with his. As he does this, we are made complete, filled up, satisfied fully with the abundance of God. It makes me want to pray, “Take over! Fill me up and make me whole!”
Paul’s Prayer refreshed for us
Here’s Andy Lee’s refresh of this familiar passage using these new meanings. Does it go down deeper or quicken in your spirit? Don’t rush. Read it several times.
I pray out of his glorious abundance he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may influence and govern your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in benevolent kindness, may have power with all the saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the charity of Christ, and to know this merciful kindness that surpasses knowledge that you may be made complete and perfect to the measure of all the wholeness of God. (Ephesians 3: 16-19 additions mine.)
Oh my friends, this is His abundance. Kindness. Mercy. Grace. He has given us everything–even His living, beating heart. He doesn’t just fellowship with us, organize our day, and tell us when to get the clothes out of the dryer, but the Holy Spirit lives in us to make us like Him. We were never intended to do this faith in our own strength.
Living with the indweller
The Word can help us focus on His work in us. Join me this month as we read a scripture a day on the Indweller.
You’re invited
You can click on the image to download and print the reading plan, or simply save the image on your phone. Join me on Instagram @wordsbyandylee for our Faith Friday gatherings to unpack these verses and be encouraged in your faith journey. If you’re not a “Grammer,” subscribe to my YouTube channel where you can find the teachings too.
Today practice His presence in you. Be still in a quiet place and ask Holy Spirit to direct your heart and actions. Pray for His influence. Ask Him to govern. When we live this way, our purpose will leave fingerprints of eternity.
