"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love."
The Holy Spirit is in us filling our hearts and guiding our ways, are we putting the time in to listen? When we slow down in this crazy world the Holy Spirit is loud and clear, He is at work in us prompting us to seek God and live our lives as Jesus lived His. We never have to question what is right or wrong because He will show us what is right every time. Do we always listen and choose what is right, absolutely not, because our flesh is pulling us to satisfy ourselves. We slow our flesh down by praying and reading God's word and listening to the Holy Spirit. I love what Jesus says in Luke chapter 11 verse 13, "So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him." God doesn't keep the things we need from us, He wants us to have everything we need to live for Him, surrendering our will and desires.
When our hearts are full with the Holy Spirit we desire good and when our flesh tries to lead us astray we say, no and we lean on our faith which has made us right with God. When we believe in Jesus Christ and we accept Him as our Lord and Savior we are not slaves to our thoughts, we have been renewed and that renewal keeps us focused on good. Look at what Paul says in Romans chapter 5 verse 17, "For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God's wonderful grace and His gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ." Let me write it again; "...all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ." Now that is awesome and worth every effort I put into learning more about His life and hearing more of the Holy Spirit in my heart. He is alive in us working, I say lets work to hear Him and follow what He says. Amen