…Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?"
And they said, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."
Acts 19:1-2

Paul could see that something was missing in the lives of this group of disciples. They believed in the Lord Jesus but they lacked that personal experience of God’s indwelling presence and power.

The Bible teaches that it’s impossible to believe in Him without the Holy Spirit awakening faith in us; faith is a gift of God. So He was at work in their lives, but they had not consciously received Him. They didn’t know what it was like to have God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit come into their heart and take control.

Many people have an intellectual faith in God. They believe the doctrines of the faith, and yes, that’s evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work. They might be in a church. But they still need to know Him.

Jesus was speaking to church members when He said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me.”

Let Him in! Receive Him into your heart and surrender the control of your life to His guidance, His power and His authority. Don’t be satisfied with an intellectual, merely doctrinal faith. Get to know the Lord!

Lord Jesus, thank You for coming in to me as I open the door. Thank You for coming in to stay, not just a passing visit. Take over! Lead, guide, and empower my life by Your Holy Spirit, dwelling in me. Amen.

Pastor Dan Giles