Peace With God

When Jesus was about to ascend to heaven after the crucifixion and resurrection, He told His followers that He must go so that the Holy Spirit could come. (Acts 1:1-9) The book of Acts is full of references to the Holy Spirit coming upon those who believed : 

“We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” (Acts 5:32) (NIV)

“When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.?” (Acts 8:14-17) (NIV)

“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, “Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.” (Acts 10:44-48) (NIV)

“As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God? When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.” (Acts 11:15-18) (NIV)

“God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.” (Acts 15:8-9) (NIV)

Having the Holy Spirit in our lives is what gives us Hope and a peace in God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son, assuring us of eternal life. Without this presence, Hope is lost or non-existent.

God gives us the Holy Spirit to strengthen us, grow us and mature us. Through the Holy Spirit, we are equipped with all we'll ever need.

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8) (NIV)

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) (NIV)

We are equipped with so much that it overflows if we allow it to. The more we allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, the more it transforms us into a new creation in Christ.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17) (NIV)

This kind of thinking, this kind of faith, this kind of love, it changes the way you think and the way you live and the way you love yourself and others.  (1 John 4:7-21 )

When God is allowed to reign in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. There is peace.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)