Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Let’s continue our recognition tour, in preparation for Thanksgiving, by recognizing the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Today’s scripture, Acts of the Apostles 2:38 (NLT) says…
[38] Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Consider…
A lamp will not work until it’s plugged into an outlet. Although the power comes from the power plant/source (God the Father), through the power line (Jesus the Son), it can’t be experienced until it’s connected by the plug.

Or think of an flashlight. According to AI Overview, A flashlight works by creating an electric circuit that powers a light source, such as an LED or an incandescent bulb, using energy from batteries. When the switch is pressed, it completes the circuit, allowing electricity to flow from the batteries, through the light source to produce light, and then is directed by a reflector and a lens.

Notice light is produced when electricity flows from the batteries (God the Father and Son) through the light source (Us) by a completed circuit (Holy Spirit). Said another way, the Holy Spirit connects the Omnipotent God to powerless us to produce light. But notice the process doesn’t just stop with the connection, there’s also direction for reflection.

These two light examples makes me hear Jesus speaking in Matthew 5:14-16 (ERV)…
[14] “You are the light that shines for the world to see. You are like a city built on a hill that cannot be hidden. [15] People don’t hide a lamp under a bowl. They put it on a lampstand. Then the light shines for everyone in the house. [16] In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.

The first thing God wants us to recognize is the Holy Spirit completes our relationship and power connection with Him.

Speaking of the power connection, Romans 8:1-2 (NLT) tells us…
[1] So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. [2] And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.

The Holy Spirit just showed me a picture of two outlets. One is a dead, non-functioning outlet which is sin. And the other outlet has life/electricity flowing through it. When we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit unplugs from the dead outlet of sin and plugs into the live power source connected to God. Said another way, the Holy Spirit does a redirection connection.

The redirection connection thought made me look for the definition for connect. Oxford Languages defines it as an action to bring together or into contact so that a real or notional link is established.

The Holy Spirit creates our real link to God. I like how Romans 8:15-16 (NLT) explains…
[15] So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” [16] For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.

You see, the Holy Spirit is the one who finalizes our adoption with God the Father, through via the Jesus Christ adoption agency.

That visual should help us recognize, the Holy Spirit seals our relationship with God.

Ephesians 1:13-14 (NIV) confirms…
[13] And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, [14] who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

That let’s me know we should recognize the Holy Spirit is also our confirmation.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (NLT) affirms…
[21] It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, [22] and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.

Reflecting on our lamp and flashlight examples, the confirmation of the Holy Spirit is evidenced by the light coming when engaged. So what does that look like in practical terms?

Well Jesus said in Matthew 5:44-45 (NLT)…
[44] But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! [45] In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.

The Holy Spirit confirms we’re God’s children when we love and pray, rather than hate and slay.

Also, the Apostle Paul Ephesians 4:21-30 (NLT) provides some additional practical examples…
[21] Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, [22] throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. [23] Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. [24] Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. [25] So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. [26] And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, [27] for anger gives a foothold to the devil. [28] If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. [29] Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. [30] And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

The Holy Spirit is confirms our new nature by helping us to stop doing old stuff.

Recognizing the Holy Spirit…

• Completes our Connection with God
• Confirms our relationship to God

… leads us to the most challenging (for us), but pivotal role of the Holy Spirit…

• Facilitates Control by God.

It’s my hypothesis that we don’t have a sin issue, we have a control issue.

Before you pull out the pitchforks, lighter fluid and matches, hear me out.

Romans 8:5-6 (NLT) explains…
[5] Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. [6] So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

You see it what or who we let control our minds that gives us our direction.

It’s why the Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 5:16-17 (NLT)…
[16] So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. [17] The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

As I am writing this, I hear Jonathan Traylor singing…

I be tryna make it into Heaven though
But you be tryna knock me off my course though
Voices in my head screaming YOLO (yeah)
But you only die once too

My flesh be like I’m gonna do what I wanna do
But once this life is over, there ain’t no re-dos
Either go up or to your eternal tomb
You either go up or to your eternal doom

Those lyrics rushed me back to Genesis 3:4-6 (NLT) which reads…
[4] “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. [5] “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” [6] The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too.

Although not explicitly stated, the underlying tactic of the serpent was to encourage the woman to take control of her own life. That should sound familiar, because it’s the same tactic the devil still uses today.

1 John 2:16 (ERV) points out the three temptations for sin…
[16] This is all there is in the world: wanting to please our sinful selves, wanting the sinful things we see, and being too proud of what we have. But none of these comes from the Father. They come from the world.

And James 1:14-15 (ERV) expounds…
[14] You are tempted by the evil things you want. Your own desire leads you away and traps you. [15] Your desire grows inside you until it results in sin. Then the sin grows bigger and bigger and finally ends in death.

Do you see it, we want what we want and ultimately sin to get it. But it all starts in our minds. That’s why Paul warned…
Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things

It’s also why he followed with Romans 8:9-14 (NLT)…
[9] But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) [10] And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. [11] The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. [12] Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. [13] For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. [14] For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

You see the Holy Spirit takes control of our minds and transforms us. That just made me recognize the Holy Spirit is also a transformer.

Staying with our electricity example, AI Overview says a transformer is an electrical device that transfers energy between circuits by using electromagnetic induction to change voltage levels, either increasing (“step up”) or decreasing (“step down”) it. It consists of two or more coils of wire, and it is essential for transmitting power efficiently over long distances and for converting high voltage to safe, usable low voltage for homes and devices.

Recognizing the Holy Spirit as a transformer also made me hear the theme song…

Transformers, More Than Meets the Eye

That’s because, although not always recognizable, we’re continually being transformed into the image Christ.

1 John 3:2-3 (NLT) explains…
[2] Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. [3] And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.

And Galatians 6:15-16 (NLT) emphasizes…
[15] It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. [16] May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God.

You see salvation is a transformation ignition. Meaning, salvation is just the beginning of transformation, not the completion.

That’s why 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT) declares…
[17] This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

And it’s why Paul tells believers in Romans 12:2 (NLT)…
[2] Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

You see it’s God who changes us, we change by ourselves.

Philippians 2:13 (NLT) affirms…
[13] For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

Also, it’s why 2 Peter 1:3-4 (NLT) says…
[3] By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. [4] And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

So today let’s recognize that we need the Holy Spirit to…

• Connect us to God
• Confirm our relationship with God
• Control our minds for God

Let’s make Lamar Campbell’s declaration ours too…

I need Your Spirit , for me to survive another day
I need Your spirit, He gives me strength and comfort

And this is why I say
I need Your spirit, where would I be If
I didn’t have You?
I need Your spirit, I need it to make it though

Because like Jesus Culture sings…

There’s nothing worth more
That will ever come close
Nothing can compare
You’re our living Hope
Your presence, Lord

I’ve tasted and seen
Of the sweetest of love
When my heart becomes free
And my shame is undone
Your presence, Lord

Let us become more aware
Of Your presence
Let us experience the glory
Of Your goodness
Let us become more aware
Of Your presence
Let us experience the glory
Of Your goodness

God gives us His Holy Spirit to help us recognize Him and be recognizable for Him.

There’s so much more I could have written, but the Holy Spirit told me the three ‘Cs’, Connection, Confirmation and Control are what He wants us to recognize as He speaks to our hearts.

Today’s song is…
Speak To My Heart

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)