“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:14
The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity—God living in and with us. He is not merely an impersonal power. The New Testament reveals the Spirit to be a person with will, mind and emotions. As well as empowering us, the Holy Spirit communicates and fellowship with us. He guides, teaches, helps, assures and comforts us (you read that in yesterday’s devotional.)
The Holy Spirit is God up close and personal, and you should get to know Him.
How can you develop intimacy with the Holy Spirit?
If an intimate relationship with the one who is God is not present with you, then the Holy Spirit is what you want. Here are some steps to help you move closer to Him:
- First, remember that if you’re not a Christian, intimacy with the Holy Spirit comes through salvation (believing and accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and saviour). If you are a Christian, it comes through surrendering your heart and life to Him—those are the first steps. In believing and accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and saviour, and surrounding your heart and life to Him, you are then able to know the third person of the Holy Trinity. You cannot be intimate with someone you don’t know
- Hunger and thirst for intimacy with Him. Those who hunger and thirst shall be filled.
- Learn all you can about the Holy Spirit. Use the scripture to study His role, purpose, names, likes and dislikes. Being grounded in Scripture ensures that we have a strong foundation for developing an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit. You can only be intimate with someone you know.
- Pray—ask to know Him more and for Him to fill you.
- Decide to go deeper in your relationship with God—to be more available to Him. May your prayer be, “I’m available to you.”
- Desire sensitivity to the Holy Spirit—and begin to practice it. Every relationship requires communication, and intimacy grows when we have special times together. Our relationship with God will benefit from learning how we relate best to Him. Ask Him to speak to you, and show up in ways you can understand. When He does speak to you and when He does show up, acknowledge Him.
- Create a space— a home, and live a life that is always welcoming to the Holy Spirit.
- Remember that ‘praying in the Spirit’ is one of the most intimate encounters you can have with the Holy Spirit. In those moments of prayer, you unite with the Holy Spirit to establish Father’s purposes for your life and those who are on His heart. (Jude 1:20, 1 Cor 14:2, Rom 8:26)
I pray that as you try those steps, your relationship with the Holy Spirit would blossom into something very beautiful and authentic.
Angelisa is a Jesus enthusiast, Worship leader & Christian youth leader. She considers herself to be the old-fashioned type of girl who loves spicy food and belly bottom laughter. Among her passions are singing, working with children, and encouraging others.