There is a depth to our relationship with the living God that includes an awareness of the Father, an awareness of the Son, and an awareness of the Spirit. In order for our ongoing life with God to be healthy, we must be attentive to who we are talking to.
We must address these questions.
• Does the Father want to have a relationship with you?
• Does the Son want to have a relationship with you?
• Does the Spirit want to have a relationship with you?
Can you imagine having a relationship with someone and never having a conversation with them?
The first week our prayer conversations were centered around the Father and going to Him for our provision as well as others either physical or spiritual.
Last week our prayer conversations are centered around the Son and speaking to Him about the things we struggle with and forgiveness.
This week our prayer conversations are centered around the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 New American Standard Bible 1995
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Paul speaks of the fruits of the Spirit. Notice that it is not your spirit, but the Holy Spirit’s fruit. This is not about you trying harder to be more patient, or more loving, or more kind, or having more self-control. If there is any deficit in any of these areas spend time talking to the Spirit about allowing the Spirit’s fruit to flow through you.
1 Corinthians 12:7-10 New American Standard Bible 1995
7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith [a]by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of [b]healing [c]by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the [d]effecting of [e]miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the [f]distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.
Paul speaks of the gifts that the Spirit offers to us for ministry. Would it be wrong to talk to the Father about giftedness for ministry? No! Would it be wrong to talk to the Son about giftedness for ministry? No! Who might be the right one to speak to? The Holy Spirit.
When you look in Acts:
• The Spirit speaks to Phillip about a ministry opportunity.
• The Spirit speaks to Peter about a ministry opportunity.
• The Spirit speaks to Paul about a ministry opportunity.
There is a pattern we see in Acts. It is the Spirit that leads us into empowered ministry. Read through the book of Acts this week and see how the disciples experienced a life empowered by the Spirit. Ask the Spirit to allow his fruit and giftedness to be experienced this week as you pray.