Dear Friends,
During the season of Pentecost our thoughts turn to God in the person of the Holy Spirit. The triune God through whom the world was made, sent Jesus to save us from sin and sends His Holy Spirit to remain with us as His continuing presence in the world. Our Book of Order states (W-1.0105)
“The Holy Spirit is “the giver and renewer of life . . who instils our faith and enables us to follow Jesus Christ. The Scriptures describe how the Spirit moved at the dawn of creation, anointed Christ in baptism, raised Jesus from the dead, and was poured out on the Church at Pentecost. The same Spirit is still at work in the life of the Church and the life of the world.” 1
And so when we speak of our relationship with God, it is His Spirit in our hearts that sustains that relationship and with whom we pray. He is our guide, our counsellor, or sustainer, inspirer, helper, and friend.
In the Old Testament, the translation from Hebrew for ‘spirit’ is the word ‘breath’. And this comes to mind when we sing one of my favorite hymns, Breathe on me Breath of God (GtG#286) and sums up for us the essence of the Holy Spirit in the world.
“Breathe on me, Breath of God;
Fill me with life a new,
That I may love what Thou dost love,
And do what thou wouldst do.” 2
Pastor Cliff
1 Book of Order 2023 – 2025, p78 W – 1.0105.
2 Glory to God The Presbyterian Hymnal #286.