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Let me share with you about experiencing more of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives—something we all desire, even though we haven't always reached our expectations.


Isn't it true that the more ice cream you eat, the more you want to eat? And isn't it true that the more money you spend, the more you want to spend? The same is true with our hunger for God and His manifest presence in our lives. The more time we spend with Him, the more time we want to spend with Him.

Not long ago, I held various meetings while I was in the States. The meetings were good, and I was grateful for God's presence and for the anointing to minister in those meetings. But something within me was just not satisfied.

I believe this dissatisfaction I felt was from the Holy Spirit. He wasn't satisfied, either! It actually made me a little angry with myself—but it was a "good anger," because it caused me to have a new hunger to pursue a greater depth of fellowship in His presence. It also spurred me on to take more time to really hear His voice.

Have you ever felt that way?

As a result of this inner dissatisfaction, I began getting up earlier to seek God and to just sit in His presence. (I had to get up early because it's the only time our house is quiet.) And as I sought Him during those quiet times, I began to hear the Holy Spirit's voice afresh and anew.

As I spent extra time waiting before the Lord, the first thing I learned was that our spirits, where the Holy Spirit lives, are filled with peace. I didn't say our minds or emotions were always filled with peace—but our recreated spirits are, and it's up to us to yield to the divine peace that abides in our hearts.

As I first began to sit and listen with renewed fervency to what the Holy Spirit was saying, the first thing I heard from Him was this simple statement: "I am not upset about anything—NOTHING upsets Me." (If you were to get very quiet and push all the busyness of life aside, you would hear the same thing from the Holy Spirit.)

Just hearing those words alone can make your shoulders relax and bring a great sense of calmness and well-being to your life. After all, if God is not upset, why should you be? He completely understands everything about you. He knows what you're going to say even before you say it! He understands your thoughts afar off, and He also knows how many hairs are on your head (see Ps. 139:2, 4; Matt. 10:30; Luke 12:7). So you can be 100 percent certain that He already knows about your financial situation, your marriage, your children, your body, and your every weakness and need.

The fact that God knows us so well and that He's for us and not against us is a powerful reason for us to rejoice in hope! Now let's look at First John 2:27.
But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing [the unction of the Holy Spirit] teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it [He] hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
(1 John 2:27, KJV)
Since the Holy Spirit already knows you perfectly and lives inside you as your Teacher, you don't need to walk around depressed, fearful, and uninformed. He is right there with you to teach, guide, and comfort you. The Holy Spirit wants you and me not only to have our questions answered, but also to know Him! So let's make the time to quiet our hearts and listen until we hear His voice in our hearts.

It's a growing relationship with the Holy Spirit that we seek as we learn to listen for and hear His still, small voice. And we don't just want to hear—we also desire sweet fellowship with the Holy Spirit that will bless and change us as we abide in His presence.

First John 2:28 says, "…Little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming." Do you need confidence? Confidence comes from abiding in the presence of God.

I want to encourage you to make more time to fellowship with the Holy Spirit. If you have to get up earlier in the morning to do it, I promise you that whatever sleep you lose will be gained back in strength and joy throughout your day! I discovered that giving up a little sleep was well worth the extra power the Lord gave me to conquer my own flesh during the day.

You will never be sorry for spending time with God. Just look at the benefits that fellowship with Him brings (see 1 John 2:27, 28):
  • Being taught by the Holy Spirit Himself.
  • Receiving perfect teaching.
  • Receiving absolute truth.
  • Having confidence in and before Jesus.
  • Having no shame before Him when He returns.
I don't believe the world is going to become a more peaceful place to live as time goes on. Instead, according to Second Timothy 3, there will be more and more reasons for people to fear. But those who are learning to seek God's face and recognize His voice will become more prepared and more filled with divine peace and power to enable them to face these hard times victoriously—all because they're spending time alone with God.

Rick Renner Ministries
All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Author Biography

Denise Renner
Web site: Denise Renner
 
Denise Renner is a minister, author, and classically trained vocalist. Alongside her husband Rick Renner, Denise spent more than a decade ministering stateside before they co-founded their international ministry. Together they have proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the former Soviet Union and around the world for more than 30 years. Denise is the author of books published in both Russian and English, including her book "Who Stole Cinderella?" and "Unstoppable".
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