By Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel

2 Corinthians 13:14 “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. “

The term “fellowship” signifies a close partnership, communion, or sharing in common with the Holy Spirit. Let’s examine a few reasons why it’s advantageous to nurture a connection with the Holy Spirit:

1. 1. You can do nothing without Him. This means absolutely nothing. John 15:5 says “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing”.

   2. The Holy Spirit serves as your life coach and guide. 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.” 

      Following the example of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who lived His life entirely dependent on the Father, we are encouraged to do the same (John 5:30). 

   3. The Holy Spirit works through us, not the other way around. He executes the will of God on our behalf, using us as vessels. Similar to how Jesus lived His life with the Father working through Him. John 14:10  “Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me.”

   4. The Holy Spirit was sent to teach us everything about God, Jesus, and the kingdom of God. He is the only one who can help us understand the wisdom of God, the Word of God, and the details of our salvation (1 Corinthians 2: 12-13). The Holy Spirit’s has an essential role in the live of every Christian so we should endeavor to walk in close partnership with Him as our guide, teacher, and life coach.

The following practices will help you cultivate intimacy with the Holy Spirit and experience the abundant benefits of a life guided and empowered by Him. Rather than struggling and toiling in vain, you can live a life that consistently witnesses supernatural occurrences under His guidance. 

• • Embrace a humble heart and readily acknowledge your faults, following the example of David rather than Adam. Quick repentance and humility attract God’s favor, as He loves those with meek hearts. (1 Peter 3:3-4 )

  • Practice forgiveness, both towards others and ourselves. The enemy of our soul often tries to stir up resentment and unforgiveness, bombarding us with reminders that do not align with the Holy Spirit’s guidance. We can use a checklist inspired by Philippians 4:8, examining whether our thoughts are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. By prioritizing forgiveness, love, and mercy, we embrace virtues that lead to spiritual growth and fulfillment. Resisting the temptation to hold onto grudges is crucial, as it ultimately works against us. Letting go of grievances frees not only the other person but also ourselves. Genuine forgiveness, offered from the heart, is key. Think of instances where you may have acted similarly towards others, or even identically. If we expect forgiveness from God, shouldn’t we also extend it to others? Pondering on this can deepen our intimacy with the Holy Spirit, whose essence is divine love and who bestowed forgiveness upon us through Jesus Christ.

  • Be quick to believe in God’s words, as doubt grieves Him and casts doubt on His character. 1 John 5:9-10 reminds us that questioning God’s testimony is tantamount to accusing Him of lying. 

  • Be mindful of God’s presence within you. The Holy Spirit is not an abstract concept but a real, living entity that communicates, feels, and loves with divine affection. He resides within you, offering unparalleled care, trustworthiness, and love. Make it a habit to connect with Him personally, engaging in private communion where you can freely converse and seek guidance, just as you would with a trusted mentor. Approach Him with love and openness, devoid of fear, knowing that His love for you is unconditional and unwavering. Cultivate a daily awareness of His presence within you, recognizing that you are His chosen dwelling place. Avoid seeking Him externally, as He dwells within you and communicates with you from within according to His Word.

  • Do exactly what He tells you to do.  Take notice of this Scripture right here.

Mark 4:24-25 Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more. 25 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.” 

If you disregard God’s words and instructions, He may cease communicating with you because of the lack of regard for His word and disrespect for His guidance. However, if you genuinely desire a deep intimacy with Him, commit to obeying His commands, and your communication with Him will likely become more frequent. In some instances, He may even initiate the conversation Himself. Moses experienced profound intimacy with God because of his meekness; he obediently followed God’s instructions without hesitation or argument, displaying a childlike heart. A humble heart is highly valued by God, as evidenced in His interaction with Moses: In Numbers 12:5-8, God descended in a pillar of cloud at the entrance of the Tabernacle and summoned Aaron and Miriam. He then addressed them, highlighting Moses’ unique relationship with Him. Unlike other prophets who receive visions or dreams, God spoke to Moses face to face, clearly and directly. God trusted Moses above all others and questioned Aaron and Miriam’s audacity in criticizing him despite this special relationship. God seeks individuals who are obedient and willing to carry out His will, rather than those who think they know better and engage in arguments with Him.

Acts 13:22 “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will.”

May we aspire to have the same intimate relationship with God as Moses did, speaking with Him face to face and as a friend speaks with his companion. Let us actively pursue intimacy with the Holy Spirit, as there is no greater alternative.