Led By The Spirit

Most of my life I have been in church. That is not to say that most of my life I was following Jesus with my life, but just that I was attending church somewhere. Some of those years were more active than other and some of those years I really did try hard to live a life that was pleasing to God. The problem was, it wasn't until recently (the last 2 years) that I really understood my personal relationship with Jesus...and how it doesn't stop with just Him.
All of my life I heard mention of the Holy Spirit, but that was really about it. I knew what The Spirit was and I knew how the people in the bible had experienced The Spirit when it came down on them (Acts 2), but again, that was about it. Just some head knowledge and nothing in my life or heart to show that I was connected to the Holy Spirit. That is until a few years ago.
Exactly 2 years ago in Feb. of 2014 I was at a service desperately crying out to God. I was at what I would consider my rock bottom at this point in my life. It wasn't because of drugs or alcohol or anything like that, but it was because of sin. And it was because of how much I had taken God for granted and lived to serve my flesh. I was at a place where I was really disgusted with my life and what it was producing....bad fruit. And it was in the very time of crying out...a time when I would have expected God to also be disgusted with me too...that He met me where I was. And He didn't just meet me, but He picked me up, He loved on me, He showed me how I looked through His eyes, He forgave me, He cleansed me and He set me free. And all of that was way way more than I expected considering the way that I had been "serving Him". But the beauty in my story is that I also received something else for the first time that night. I was baptized in the Holy Spirit. Now I know to some people those sound like very "religious" words, but I'm here to tell you that what I experienced that night was far from just a "religious experience". What happened to me that night was very personal, very special, very eye opening and filled my heart in a way I had never felt before. It was like God reached down with His own hand and touched me....literally touched me. And I knew in that very moment that nothing would ever be the same again.
As much as that experience was absolutely amazing, I don't want anyone to get caught up in just the story of the experience. What I do want you to get caught up in is how much my life changed after that. Being led by The Spirit is not just an expression, it's real! And when you are being led by the spirit there is a peace, a joy, a sense of purpose to your life that was not there before. I would notice that my circumstances couldn't change how I felt on the inside anymore. I would notice that doors in my life were opening and closing so much easier. I would notice that God was putting it in me to serve others in ways I never had before. And He was showing me that I had gifts on the inside of myself that I had never tapped into. Gifts He put there. I would pray and see things happen. I would lay my hands on someone in the name of Jesus and see them get set free. I would ask for help and instantly receive it. And the main reason for this is because I was not alone anymore. I had invited The Spirit to come and live inside of me and now He was. He was with me all the time. He would help me with the smallest and the biggest things. I had a helper. (John 14:26) And at a time when the enemy wanted me to feel so alone because of what was going on in my personal life, I did not. In fact, I felt the opposite. I felt like I was never alone. I could hear God's voice clearly and I had begun to pray more clearly, especially when the Holy Spirit would pray through me. (Romans 8:26). And this friend, this helper, this guide, that God has touched me with that night in Feb. 2014, and put inside of me, has never left my side.
I know to some my story is going to sound a bit strange. Why, because the church doesn't talk about the Holy Spirit like they used to, or need to. But to others, who have been touched like this by God, you will smile as you read this. But what I want everyone to know that reads this, is that the Holy Spirit is for EVERYONE. God gave us this helper until Jesus returns and the only reason you might be without is because you have not asked or allowed God to baptize you with the Holy Spirit. If you want to experience God more intimately, passionately, and feel His presence with you ALL the time, then I suggest that you talk to someone about what I am writing about today. Someone who can lead you to this place of prayer. The Holy Spirit is a gift from God, and being led by The Spirit will bring new life into your life.
God, Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Thank You for what You have done in my life, and it is my prayer today that others will experience what You have for them. Lead hearts into a place of desire with You God and touch them just like I felt Your touch. And let the light that You place inside of them be seen by all so they too can tell their Holy Spirit story to those who need to hear it. In Jesus name, Amen.