Is there something missing?

In Acts 19 we see Paul performing great miracles in the name of Christ Jesus, but none more powerful that where he placed hands on the men and they were baptized in the Holy Spirit. One of the really interesting things here is that Paul came out and asked them the question "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" What exactly prompted Paul to ask this question? He must have identified that there was something missing in these men. Despite the fact that they believed, there was something that they didnt have.

Have you ever left home on a trip, but in the back of your mind you have that nagging feeling that you have forgotten something, that you are missing something. Despite the fact that you believe we have packed everything we need...we cant shake the thought in the back of our mind that there is something we are lacking. There are times in life where we believe that we have it all planned out, we have all the right ingredients...but at the same time we feel something is missing.

The Holy Spirit is one that can be easily neglected...we think of it as an additional extra...but we fail to realise that we are designed to run on the power of the Spirit! Just like you can have a fancy car with all the additional extras...unless you fill that car with petrol...its not going anywhere! We must come to the point where we realise that trying to live without the Spirit is impossible.

By the Spirit, we have an assurance that we are saved, we can walk confidently knowing we are guided on the path that God has set before our feet. It is when we being to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit that we genuinely feel the sense of overpowering joy. This is mentioned in Rom 15:13 -

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

It is highlighting the point that we will overflow when we are driven by the power of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus was preparing to depart, the disciples were quite upset, but Jesus reassured them by telling them that he was to leave His spirit with them.

The power of the Holy Spirit is an amazing gift in our lives. In my life alone...there are times when I am praying to God where my vocabulary just isnt enough...where I am not able to coherently express how much I am grateful to God and how much I love Him. But the power of the Holy Spirit allows us to go beyond our constraints and praise Him at a higher level, as we read in 1 Corinthians 14:2-4 -

For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 

 I think this is a topic that needs to be continued on...but I want to finish up by just reiterating how important it is to live our lives by the Holy Spirit. We can give our lives to God, we can join a Cell Group, we can being Serving...we can tick all the boxes, but unless you allow yourself to be baptized by the Holy Spirit, unless you allow the Holy Spirit to dwell within you and guide you in life...you will be doing things the hard way. Galatians 5:18-23 speaks of the fact that we are empowered to replace ungodly habits with godly fruit such as love, patience, and self-control! But most of all...the Holy Spirit is a constant reminder of how much we are loved, that God would send the Holy Spirit to be with us constantly and strengthening us in times of need.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)