Tina Tapp

How do we recognize the Holy Spirit? It begins with a change in us at salvation. We begin to receive revelation of the Word of God and wisdom regarding right and wrong. We see Him at work in our lives and the lives of others. As we grow, our relationship with him grows more intimate.

The most often misunderstood and neglected person the the Godhead is the Holy Spirit. One of His roles is to teach us the Word of God. If we learn to hear His voice, He will teach us how to live the kingdom life. It is crucial that we are lead by the Holy Spirit.

It's easy to grow hard with everything going on in our world. We must allow the love of God to tenderize our hearts so we can grow in our love for Him and man. We must guard our hearts against unforgiveness, bitterness and indifference. We must keep our focus on Jesus.

Our mission is to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. We must keep a sense of urgency as we are not guaranteed tomorrow nor know the day or hour of His return. We will be held accountable for our actions. It is our mission to take the gospel to the world.

Jesus gave us the power in His name to release the captive. We are to preach the good news. We have to ask ourselves, why aren't we? He has given us much responsibility and we will be held accountable.

We can say we know and love Jesus. However, there's something we tend to leave out, obedience. If we do not obey, do we really love Him? If we are not obeying God, who are we obeying?

It's time the church is no longer AWOL. Believers do not know the power available to them. We do not operate by the Holy Spirit. We are to be about the Father's business - proclaiming the Gospel, setting the captives free, healing the sick and being ambassadors of Jesus.

2 Timothy 3 states that in the last days dangerous, troublesome times will come. Men will be lovers of self more than lovers of God. When we look around, it's pretty obvious we are living in the last days. What keeps us from loving other things more than God?

The Word of God is the same no matter what language we speak. It unites all believers with the same message and power. It is through the Word we learn about who God is, who we are and the power available to us.

Make no doubt about it. Jesus is coming soon. There does not seem to be an urgency to tell the world. Christians are living for the here and now rather than preparing for the return of Jesus.