The Holy Spirit: Our Strengthener
I have found that the Holy Spirit has a reputation for working with some real losers and making them champions! Smith Wigglesworth, said that with the power of the Holy Spirit, he was a thousand times bigger on the inside than he was on the outside. He said, “The Holy Spirit has power over your intellect and power over your voice. He has the power to magnify Christ in a way you never could without his help.” The Holy Spirit will take what Christ has done for you and translate it into your personal victory (John 16:13-15 AMPC).
There is an effective prayer found in Ephesians 3:14-21. Paul prays that God, through the Holy Spirit’s power, “...would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.” The Holy Spirit lives in you, the believer, and supplies strength to the things in your character that may be weak. His assignment is to take all Jesus has done for you and make it a reality in you.
Jesus said in John 16:7, “It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”
The Greek word for Comforter is parakletos. It not only means consolation, sympathy in sorrow or distress, but it includes much more. William Barclay describes the work of the parakletos this way: “The function of the Holy Spirit is to fill a man with the spirit of power and courage; which would make him triumphantly cope with life. The narrowing of the word “comforter” has resulted in the undue narrowing of the work of the Holy Spirit. He is called in to render service; to help in a situation with which a man by himself cannot cope; He will keep a man on his feet when left to himself would collapse. The Holy Spirit enables him to pass the breaking point and not break.”
One powerful way the Holy Spirit strengthens and helps us is by making intercession for us. Romans 8:26,27 says, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” P.C. Nelson explains the Greek meaning for that phrase is: “groanings that cannot be uttered in your articulate speech.” The Holy Spirit comes to our aid when we are at a loss as to what to say or how to pray. The Holy Spirit takes hold together with us when we pray.
Rick Renner gives this insight on the Greek meaning of the word “infirmities.” He explains that this is a crippling disease, mental oppression, a terminal condition, and reoccurring plague, which is incurable. It is as if a person has fallen into a pit with no way of escape. YOU MAY HAVE GIVEN UP, BUT HE NEVER DOES! This is when the Holy Spirit, who is your Helper, your First Responder, gets in the pit with you, makes intercession, and lifts you out of an incurable or hopelessly reoccurring situation.
One way to strengthen yourself spiritually is to build yourself up on your most holy faith by praying in the Spirit. The only way you can be defeated is if you are spiritually depleted. Jude 20 says, “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.” The New English Bible uses the words, “fortify yourselves.” The Amplified Bible says, “make spiritual progress.” You are actually enriching your faith when you pray in the Spirit.
For example, the substance Uranium-235 (U-235) can be compared to the substance of your faith (Romans 12:3; Hebrews 11:1). U-235 is used to make nuclear power and once U-235 is enriched; it becomes extremely powerful. Just one pound of highly enriched U-235 can be used to power a nuclear submarine or aircraft carrier for 25 years and is equal to about a million gallons of gasoline. When you consider the fact that a pound of U-235 is smaller than a baseball and a million gallons of gasoline would fill a container as tall as a five-story building, you get an idea of the amount of energy available in just a little bit of enriched U-235!
U-235 which is enriched to 2-3% is used for civilian use such as electricity. However, weapons-grade U-235 must be enriched to over 90% for it to have explosive amounts of power. Just as U-235 can be enriched, your faith can be enriched as you pray in the Spirit. Just a little mustard seed size of enriched faith can move a mountain. It will cause you to rise out of the pit you have been in. With the help of the Holy Spirit, your Strengthener, you will gain a tremendous advantage and win an overwhelming victory!
This month we would like to offer you our book, The Holy Spirit is a Genius, and our 4 CD set, The Holy Spirit: My Best Friend for your offering of $20 or more. We believe these resources will give further light and revelation of the help and strength that come from the Holy Spirit.
FAITH TO FAITH AND GLORY TO GLORY
We are thankful to be celebrating 50 years of preaching and teaching the Word of God around the world this year. We are also excited that our new MHM Conference Center is over 75% completed and will help expand our reach even further in 2023. We are so thankful for our wonderful partners who pray for us, give, and are a constant encouragement to us as we take this message of faith to many nations. We declare this blessing to you, “You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus,” Philippians 4:19 (MSG).
In Christ,
Mark & Trina Hankins