AngelaPalmer; Monica Diya; Joshua Diya

Holy Spirit Power

Angela Palmer

HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT FUNCTIONS AND WORKS IN MY LIFE

I’ve been really encouraged by the messages on the topic of Holy Spirit Power, as they remind me that the Lord does work in mysterious ways (he can even use a talking donkey to get his message across)!

I am going to share briefly on how Holy Spirit functions in my life by directing my steps.

And in the words of The Proclaimers, from the movie Shrek (with another talking Donkey): “I’m on my way from misery to happiness today – aha (aha) aha (aha)….”

“…everlasting joy will crown their heads”, Isaiah says. “Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and mourning will flee away.” That feels like the story of my life’s journey!

It’s quite frankly frightening for me to stand in front of so many here today (and those watching in Moura and online) – welcome. But Holy Spirit is saying to me (and I believe to others here today too): Be Brave – Step Out….

My main verse today (and for guiding my life) is Proverbs 3:5-6, but I’d like to read from vs 3 through to

verse 7.

Proverbs 3:3–7 NIV

3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.

[5] Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; (this doesn’t say don’t think, just don’t lean on it) [6] in all your ways submit to him (or acknowledge him - ASK HIM), and he will make your paths straight.

Well I gave my life to Jesus when I was nine. Holy Spirit came to live in me at that moment and I became a born again believer.

Romans 8:14–16 NIV

14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

However the first time I had a real tangible, experience of Holy Spirit was when I was 17 on a Scripture Union camp. It was a hike in the NZ Southern Alps, walking up one river valley, crossing the mountains at the end and walking back down the adjacent valley. It took 10 days and *THIS PHOTO (Angela and Marlene) was taken around day 3. At day 6 we had crossed the Saddle and camped for the night.

I needed to get away alone, so I excused myself and went and sat on a log over a river. It was a calm, moonlit night but I felt unsettled. I desperately wanted to know God and his direction for my life after High School and I began to earnestly pray.

Suddenly there was a cyclonic wind. But I didn’t feel afraid, even though I was dangling over a river! In fact I started laughing with tears of joy rolling across my face, and then I realised that none of the trees around me were moving (it was still a calm night).

I felt such peace and joy, and when I returned to camp people instantly noticed a difference in me. But no one else had felt or heard the wind.

I started speaking in tongues and knew my life was never going to be the same.

I’d like to say that I was a perfect child of God from that point but as 1 Corinthians says, we are ALL works in progress.

Life wasn’t all plain sailing from then, but I knew that I knew that God was with me.

John 16:33 NIV

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

THIS IS THE WAY

John 16:13 says “But when he, the Spirit of truth comes, he will GUIDE you into all truth….

The Bible relates our lives as a walk along a path, a journey. When our kids were younger I read them the Little Pilgrim’s Progress. I recommend this version, as the original was written in 1678! It is an allegory of the Christian walk and it’s definitely worth checking it out.

The story follows the main character named ‘Christian’ who travels from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City

(so spoiler alert – he dies and goes to Heaven).

The book references Isaiah 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way; walk in it”.

I identify with this character ‘Christian’ and am reminded of Psalm 37 (23-24 NKJV ) The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall he shall not be utterly cast down for the lord upholds him with his hand.

I link Prayer to the way the Holy Spirit functions in me. Prayer is the key to communion with God. If I stay from this path I feel his prompting to get back into line.

Remember, Isaiah 30:21 …you will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way; walk in it”

I have chosen this morning to finish by sharing a very practical example of the Holy Spirit guiding my steps.

My mother-in-law, Gillian, is with us today and she may remember this one!

4 of us hiking

First day sunny day to first hut

Next day heavy snow. Hike should have taken 3 days, should have probably turned around. Show pic 2.

Tough going. Show pic 3 should have taken 6 hours to the next hut.

knee injury, freezing, 13 hour walk. Narnia to wardrobe boardwalk to safety. Show pic 4

Parents concerned. Nick and I went ahead next day after a rest day to get help. Took an extra day.

Group die next week.

There are so many other examples that I could share. But I know the Holy Spirit is encouraging someone here today to trust his guidance in their life. TRUST HIM – STEP OUT IN FATIH AND TRUST HIM.

May you be encouraged today to put your trust in God and don’t lean on your own understanding. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you as you walk through this life, knowing that as you do he will not only SHOW YOU THE WAY but he will DELIGHT in it and will uphold you with his hand.

Monica Diya

Lets Pray

Acts 1:8 NKJV

8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

The Holy Spirit dwells within us.

At any moment, I can communicate with the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit’s purpose encompasses teaching, guiding, counseling, protecting, and revealing the Father’s will to us.

Empowered and anointed by the Holy Spirit, we are equipped to navigate our daily lives.

Verse 8 speaks to me as four areas

My 4 areas

1. Jerusalem is my household

2. Judea is my church

3. Samaria is my community

4. And the end of the earth is my mission work.

My struggle

Sometimes I hear the Holy Spirit but doubt comes and I wrestle in my mind.

How do I navigate my doubt

The knowledge of the word of God

Faith in the word of God

Declaring the word of God

Declaration - learnt this from one of the speakers I listened to.

I have come to far to give up now , my due season is now and I will reap a harvest, my husband will reap a harvest my child will reap a harvest my children children will reap a harvest my family will reap a harvest my church will reap a harvest my friends will reap a harvest even anyone who is acquainted to me shall reap a harvest … because I am a child of God , a royal priesthood , I am the apple of my Lords eye, I am the first and not the last.

The Holy Spirit is within in and greater is he who is within me than one in the world.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)

He is able to do more than I can ask for. (Eph 3:20)

2 Testimonies

- Our Plot of land

- Our sons a month ago.

Two scriptures that helped me stay grounded.

Psalm 91:1–2 NKJV

1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”

Romans 8:26–27 NKJV

26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Encouragement

Continue to do good, for God remains sovereign and in control.

The Holy Spirit resides within us, ensuring our protection.

Step boldly in faith and fulfil your divine calling; fear not, for God is by our side.

Proclaim God's Word audibly and boldly in our lives.

Let us actively demonstrate the Love of God through our actions.

Joshua Diya

MT: This is what I carry

A couple weeks ago Ps Kevin shared and he reminded us of the scripture from Acts

where we see what Holy Spirit can do in our lives.

Acts 5:14–16 NLT

14 Yet more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord—crowds of both men and women. 15 As a result of the apostles’ work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter’s shadow might fall across some of them as he went by. 16 Crowds came from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil spirits, and they were all healed.

Main Focus

This is what I carry.

Holy Spirit plays a huge part in my life.

Link Monica’s message

Holy Spirit is within me. He is my councilor and protector. I will reel a harvest. He’s not just to read about. This is my new season.

Link Angela’s Message

The Holy Spirit guides me. Trust his guidance. Excess baggage.

One of the highlight testimonies of Holy Spirit. Is how he always remind me who my identity is in.

Understanding who I am.

Alpha Youth Quotes

“Find who you are outside what you do and you can do anything”

When I found my identity in Christ I can do a lot of thing and aren’t just limit to one.

For me Holy Spirit is always reminding me who I am and he brings people alongside who have confirm this.

Because what tends to happen when our identity isn’t fully in Christ our identity then becomes tied to what we do.

Teacher

Parent

Provider

Student

Whatever we do

Reminding myself of who’s in side of me

We all have the opportunity to have Holy Spirit in us. We have the same power within us that raised Jesus from the dead.

Because he is the spirit of truth and my bible tells me in

John 16:12–13 NLT

12 “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. 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.

Holy Spirit is the one who I carry

He guides me into all truth

He points me in the right direction for my future.

I AM SAVED

I AM COMPLETE

I AM CHOSEN

I AM FORGIVEN

I AM A NEW CREATION

I AM A CHILD OF GOD

I AM REDEEMED

I AM LIGHT

I AM JUSTIFIED

I AM FREE FROM SIN

I AM MORE THAN A CONQUEROR

I AM GOD’S TEMPLE

I AM ONE WITH CHRIST

I AM CALLED

I am carrying great power

Close Out with an alter call