If you wonder how to encounter the Holy Spirit, the answer is simple. It’s all about a relationship with Him. Fellowship with the Holy Spirit is spending your life allowing Him to guide you, direct you, and help you see the heart of the Father.
We are so blessed to serve a living, breathing God of action, life, and movement. Have you ever really thought about how alive Jesus Christ is in our lives?
In recent weeks, it has become increasingly evident to me because I’ve been in one of the most challenging seasons of my life. Yes, indeed, it has been so obvious how “present” God is.
My sweet heavenly Father speaks, talks, and actually does “life” with me as I go through all these trials. It’s so comforting to know He’s not a dumb statue or an ethereal idea. He’s G-O-D in three splendid PERSONS. In fact, this concept is exactly what I want you to ponder in this GodsyGirl post: the concept of Him being with you…near you…in you. How is He with you? It’s through fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
FULL DISCLOSURE: I’ve poured my very heart into this blog post, so digest it gradually. It’s not short. I didn’t intend for it to be. But, I promise it will change your spiritual life… if you take it in and put it into practice in your own life.
With that said, let’s get started talking about the beautiful Holy Spirit and how we can fellowship with Him in our day-to-day lives.
“When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning” (vv. 26–27).- John 15:18–27
The work of the Holy Spirit and fellowship with Him guide me through the “ups and downs” of day-to-day life. I’ve come to need Him so intensely. He talks to me in prayer, He speaks when I’m driving or doing something else mundane or rather “normal”. He is present.
It’s hard to explain, but His communications are comforts, encouragements, or admonitions I hear in my depths. No, they are not audible sounds, yet, they are almost louder because they ring and vibrate in my spirit man.
“Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.” Acts 16:6
I love when He speaks little whispers to me. Sometimes things as simple as “Don’t say that” or “Don’t go there.” There are even times He says “beware of that person, she’s not what she seems.” Later down the road, I often find He was so right about those people. Other times, I never find out, but I’ve learned to trust Him anyway.
Holy Spirit Warnings…
It’s always better to listen to Him and obey Him. During my rebellious times when I didn’t listen, I eventually got hurt or wounded.
He really does guide us into all truth like in John 16:13. “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future” John 16:13
Fellowship with the Holy Spirit also means He reminds me of God’s goodness in the present moments of my life as well as in the “big picture” of it.
The Holy Spirit helps me remember how blessed I am – regardless of what I’m going through.
He also speaks personal, private sentiments that touch me in real and personal ways. It’s wild. He always knows what I need to hear, ponder, and remember about the Lord.
The Holy Spirit reminds us how blessed we are. Click To TweetDuring the deepest, darkest moments of my life, He’s always spoken in that still, small voice.
Always.
I don’t remember Him ever being silent when I needed to hear from Him. Even if all He said was “Wait” or “Be still.” He always spoke.
The problem is … US!!!!
Many times, we cannot hear Him because our lives are so cluttered.
Or, perhaps, it’s because we have allowed sin to reign in our lives. Unconfessed and “continuous lifestyle sin” separates us from close fellowship with the Father and Holy Spirit.
I have got to remind ya, that no one is perfect. We will all fall. With that said, the key is not to make it a habit or neglect confessing it to the Father.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
Assuredly, the busyness of life gets me all the time. Do you fall victim to being overly “busy” too?
Certainly, God’s goodness will still present itself in your life when you’re busy. But, you WILL NOT be able to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit until you quiet all the “busyness”.
“If Satan can't make you bad, he'll make you busy.” Pastor Adrian Rogers Click To TweetYou just won’t.
It’s like when you’re in a loud place, like a concert. You may try to talk to the person next to you, but you can’t really hear what they are saying without almost yelling.
The Holy Spirit is not a “yeller.” You won’t find Him in the loud stuff. He’s still, tranquil, calm.
He’s quiet. He’s “Shhhhhhhhhhhhh”
I love how the New American Standard Version describes Him as being in the “gentle wind.”
Check out this scripture:
“Then the LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD. Behold, the LORD is about to pass by.”
And a great and mighty wind tore into the mountains and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind.
After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.
12 After the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire.
And after the fire came a still, small voice. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” I Kings 19: 11-13
To fellowship with Him, you gotta get still.
No matter what anyone says, in order to hear Holy Spirit, you must silence the noisy “outer” stuff so He can tell you how to navigate your life and Who He is to you inside it.
Fellowship with Holy Spirit takes many forms for me personally. Here are some powerful ways He’s shown up in my life. Let me know in the comments below if you can relate to any of them:
Music and worship connect me with the precious Holy Spirit.
Wow, these two are amongst the most powerful ways to get close to Holy Spirit.
This is why I cannot stand it when churches don’t focus on or teach about worship.
Some churches rush it or ignore it altogether. They mistake worship for being “emotional” or for being something designed to make them feel better.
No, for me, worship is actually the art of shrinking. It’s making myself (and the struggles of life) smaller as I magnify the Lord in praise.
It’s closing my eyes and taking a deep breath.
Lifting my hands in spiritual surrender.
It’s losing myself in a melody the Holy Spirit uses as healing, strengthening salve to minister to my soul.
Do you know what I mean? I so hope you do.
If not, please learn to worship. Challenge yourself to worship. Discipline yourself to worship.
It’s then the Holy Spirit whispers. It’s then He pours love into your dry, parched spirit.
Sometimes, music is a part of worship, other times, you could just get an inkling to worship. No music is required.
Have you ever been somewhere and just needed a praise break to worship and thank the Lord? That’s what I call an “Oh yeah” moment.
2. He comes in those nondescript “Oh Yeah” moments.
The Holy Spirit is a real person. I cannot stress that enough.
He’s electric and alive. He can drop into your day at any given time.
If you don’t know Him, you may not recognize Him when He tips into your day. For that simple reason, you’ve got to pray often and read your Bible, so you’ll know Who He is when He arrives or beckons.
You’ll have times when you’ll sort of sense Him in your own “oh yeah” moments. Isn’t that cool?
You’ll say to yourself as I often do, “He’s here.”
Yeah, you’ll know when to stop what you’re doing and just take a moment to be alone with Him. I’ve had moments when I’ve left my desk at work, gone into the bathroom, and just sat with the Holy Spirit in quiet worship and fellowship.
That’s an “oh yeah” moment. Do you have “oh yeah” moments?
3. Scripture reading and Bible study is a huge part of fellowship with the Holy Spirit!
I know.
I know.
This part is so hard every so often. I get it.
I, too, have been guilty of neglecting my Bible study time, and I’ve suffered for it too. I regret not keeping the “most important thing” the most important thing.
My spirit goes dry when I neglect it. How about you?
I could even get overwhelmed and depressed when I don’t have it. Worse, I get a little “snippy” too when I don’t keep God’s word super fresh in my life.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God …” 2 Timothy 3:16. Click To TweetWant to know the most embarrassing part of neglecting your personal Bible study time?
Girl, you can forget the scriptures! You ACTUALLY FORGET THEM!!! They grow dull in your mind. You can’t remember a scripture you may need when you need it. No good. It’s frustrating.
Without a doubt, we have to keep the Word of God fresh in our minds.
While we are spiritual beings, we are also physical beings. This means we must, need to, have to keep the Word in the reticular activating system of our minds. That part of our minds that keeps and monitors important information and brain responses.
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ Matthew 4:4
So. If we are supposed to live by every word that proceeds out of His mouth, how can we neglect it? Again, I’ve been guilty too. Please don’t feel bad if you have. At the same time, don’t be comfortable in failure either.
I’m committed to turning that around in my own life. I can do better. God’s Word has to be a very close part of my life or I will misstep down the road. Hey, I know me. I need His Word like a drug addict needs a fix. I crave it and require it. This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very word spoken to me And I …I’m desperate for you
And I …I’m lost without you This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very word spoken to me And I …I’m desperate for you
And I… I’m lost without you And I …I’m lost without you
And I…I’m desperate for you And I …I’m lost without you
I’m lost without you
I’m lost…
Breathe by Michael W. Smith
4. He prays for me when I fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
I’m not going to get into my prayer practices nor tell you how you should pray and utilize the Holy Spirit in that realm.
Embark on your own journey. But, for me… He prays through me and it’s supernatural bliss and ease.
Romans 8:26-27 says it all!
Check out this scripture:
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
I wish I could find the words to explain how powerful it is when He prays through me. However, I can’t or maybe the words don’t even exist. Still, it’s a powerful thing when He intercedes with “groanings which cannot be uttered”.
One thing I can say is while He’s “driving” the prayer time, I hear other things, I see mini-clips…it’s like a download. I can’t explain it.
Ask Him to pray for you and through you too.
Again, I’m not going to speak of my prayer practices. You do you. I’ll do me. The Holy Spirit tends to be controversial among modern-day Pharisees/ Sadducees, uneducated Christians, and immature Christians. I’m not here for that.
Christians will argue about the Holy Spirit and what He does, doesn’t do, and should never do. I think that’s a trick of the enemy to divide us. It works and I will never be part of that.
Well, that’s it. That’s how I experience fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Please share how you do! How does He manifest in your life?
Scriptures about the Holy Spirit
I pulled these straight from Bible Study Tools.com.
Romans 8:11 (NIV) (He gives life and strength to our bodies)
11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of[a] his Spirit who lives in you.
Judges 3:10-14 (He helps you be who you’re supposed to be!)
10 The Spirit of the LORD came on him, so that he became Israel’s judge and went to war. The LORD gave Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram into the hands of Othniel, who overpowered him. 11 So the land had peace for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died.
Luke 24:45-49 (He opens your mind so you can understand)
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Romans 8:2-6 (He gives life, power and governs our minds)
2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
Acts 2:1-5
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.
I John 219-27 (He’s our anointing!)
19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us. 20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 21 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. 22 Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 24 As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is what he promised us—eternal life. 26 I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. 27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.
"Do not quench the Spirit." 1 Thessalonians 5:19 Click To TweetEphesians 1:13 (He’s our seal!)
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…
Dr. Charles Stanley describes the Holy Spirit so beautifully.
Anointing fall on me
Ron Kenoly
Anointing fall on me
Let the power
Of the Holy Ghost
Fall on me
Anointing fall on meTouch my hands my mouth
And my heart
Fill my life Lord
Every part
Let the power
Of the Holy Ghost
Fall on me
Anointing…
I’m so sorry if you get this twice. I dried to reply and had a tech challenge. Wow! Praise God for the power of His Holy Spirit. I want you to know you’ve blessed me beyond words. I have every confidence He will strengthen you to get through this season. Diane, your best days are ahead of you and not behind you! As you re-connect with the Lord through worship, His word and prayer, you’ll get stronger and stronger in Him. He’s restore all that the enemy tried to steal from you. Your joy will be fresh, your peace will feel new. One day, you’ll help someone get through the exact sort of struggle you are in and you’ll know how to minister to them better than anyone else! <3 Again, thank you for commenting and I praise God for you today.
Oh Diane, you have blessed me beyond words. Everyone knows exactly what you are talking about as we have all been there. I have every confidence God is going to use this season to strengthen you and equip you to help someone else one day. Your best days are ahead of you and not behind you, Sis. He loves you so much and is so glad you’re re-connecting with Him in a new, fresh way. Thank you so so SO much for your comment and may God continue to bless you and draw you closer to Him by the power of His sweet Holy Spirit. I love you! <3
Thank you Terri for this post.I have been living a life of disobedience with the Lord for a very long time. I so identified with what you said if we don’t stay in the word, scriptures that used to mean so much to us you forget or when you quote them they don’t have the same impact and meaning to you. I was up this morning crying out to God about how do I come back into right fellowship with him again after being out of fellowship for so long. He led me to read your blog and it has so encouraged me and reminded me that the Holy Spirit is hearing my prayers. I love the Lord he heard my cry and pitied every groan. He is a good good Father and I am so grateful he used you today to strengthen me and encourage me. Your post gave me practical steps to help me with my daily walk. Please continue your blogs and podcast. God is using them to bring dry bones back to life.????❤
Awww, thanks, Sis. Praise God. I just love the Holy Spirit and His beautiful work in our lives. Thanks for the encouragement and for reading. It means so much more than you likely know. 🙂 You’ve blessed me. <3
Wow! I had tears complete with a snotty nose as I soaked this in. The Holy Spirit and His presence is everything! No amount of exclamation points can emphasize that point enough.I couldn’t make it through one day without Him. I’m needy!
I say “ditto” to everything you wrote. My weakness is neglecting time in the word, but I am grateful you I have so much hidden in my heart. Call me crazy, but should the Lord tarry and His return isn’t soon, who knows what kind of persecution will call on the American church? I actively try to memorize the word so that it will always be with me. Always. Even though my church doesn’t practice speaking in other tongues, that is a precious gift that I have and I utilize that as another way to stay connected to His power. I believe perilous times are coming and I will stand through the power of the Holy Spirit. “Let the power of the Holy Ghost fall on me…” . I’m just one little defective woman grateful for the all consuming mercy of God.
You are an excellent wordsmith. Write on and Right on Sister in Christ. Thank you!