My Protector

Family, I feel in my spirit that tonight we need to talk about how we know when we are in the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Have you ever had an encounter so powerful, so good, that you walked away fired up—like you couldn’t contain it? That’s not just emotion. That’s a whole other level—that’s the Holy Spirit at work in you.

When Jesus died on the cross for us all and ascended into heaven, He didn’t leave us alone. He gave us a gift—His very Spirit. In John 14:16–17, Jesus says:

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.”

Let’s break that down. Jesus is telling His disciples, “When I leave this earth, I will still be with you. My Spirit will not only walk beside you—He will inhabit your hearts.”

Jesus didn’t leave us abandoned. He gave us another Advocate—the Holy Spirit, who is just like Him in nature and power. So wherever you go, you carry heaven’s presence inside of you.

But how do you know when the Spirit is present?

• Sometimes you feel a peace that makes no sense in the middle of chaos.
• Sometimes you feel conviction that pulls you closer to God, not shame that pushes you away.
• Sometimes you’re filled with joy that overflows, even when circumstances don’t look joyful.
• And sometimes it feels like fire in your bones, a boldness to pray, to speak, to worship with freedom.

That’s not you hyping yourself up—that’s the Spirit moving in you.

But here’s the truth: the Spirit doesn’t just come and go like a visitor. He lives in you.

• Sometimes His presence overwhelms us like a rushing fire.
• Sometimes it’s as soft as a whisper, guiding us in the right direction.
  Either way, His presence is real, and His indwelling is permanent.

So what do we do with this? We walk it out daily.

• Stay sensitive to His voice.
• Surrender our will to His leading.
• Let our lives bear the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

When you’ve truly encountered the Holy Spirit, you can’t walk away the same.

So tonight, ask yourself: Have I recognized the Spirit’s presence in my life? Maybe you’ve felt that fire. Maybe you’ve heard that whisper. Or maybe you’re hungry to experience Him in a deeper way.

The good news is this—He is already here. Not just with you, but in you. And when you walk in His presence, your life will never be ordinary again.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the precious gift of Your Holy Spirit. Thank You that You did not leave us alone, but You sent us an Advocate, a Comforter, and a Guide who lives within us. Tonight, we open our hearts and we say—Holy Spirit, we welcome You. Make us more aware of Your presence. Fill us with Your peace, Your power, and Your fire. Let our lives bear the fruit that shows we belong to You. And Lord, when we leave this place, don’t let this just be a moment—let it be a lifestyle of walking with You daily. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, Amen.