Pastor’s Ponderings: Embrace the Holy Spirit ( Oct. 2024)

Pastor Mike submitted the following thoughts for publication in the October 2024 issue of Steeple Notes (PUMC’s church newsletter).  Rev. Mike Chapman became PUMC’s pastor back in July (2024), and we are now approaching the first Halloween of Pastor Mike’s tenure.  Halloween is a mysterious time; a time when finite humans like us try to grasp the infinite.  Part of that mysterious infinite is death and spirits.  As Christians, how can we discover the truth of where God is when we’re confronted with the mysteries that we know as “Halloween”?

It is that time of the year when the streets of Pitman will be filled with little ones finding candy at every corner. I understand that Pitman is a wonderful place for the tradition of “trick or treat” and our church holds a huge interest in the community for our annual “trunk or treat.”

Although I do not enjoy or celebrate the idea of fear or horror, there is a spirit that we can celebrate as Christians, the HOLY SPIRIT!

In John 14, Jesus tells his disciples that he must go and tells them not to fear or worry for He will provide the Holy Spirit. Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the advocate, or helper and we all need that. Although there is much mystery to the Holy Spirit, let us embrace him as the third person in the trinity; our helper; the one who brings conviction; the one who brings miracles and helps us daily.

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit,

whom the Father will send in my name,

will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Jesus, in John 14:26

Here’s another passage where Jesus taught us about the Holy Spirit…

“If you love me, keep my commands.

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you Forever – the Spirit of truth.

The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him.

But you know him, for he lives with you  and will be in you.”

Jesus, in Mark 14:15 –17

Thanks to Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives in us as we accept Jesus as our personal savior and empowers us to live for the glory of God and to fulfill his will for us in our lives. You will hear me talk a lot of the Holy Spirit because he is with us now. Do not be overwhelmed by the mystery of the Holy Spirit, be empowered by the truth of the Holy Spirit.

God is with us, through the Holy Spirit.

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