God's Spirit is both powerful and practical. It is powerful for it comes from God; it is a part of Him. God, through the One who became Jesus Christ, created the universe through His great Spirit of power (Hebrews 1:1-3). The Holy Spirit is God's divine Spirit of power (Acts 1:8).

God's Spirit is also practical. Through the Holy Spirit, human beings can live in a more productive and fruitful way.

So just what does the Holy Spirit do for us and in us?

• It is the medium by which God comes to dwell in us (Ephesians 2:22; Isaiah 57:15)

• It helps us grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).

• It gives love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

• It gives us wisdom (James 1:5).

• It gives us God's peace, gentleness and willingness to yield to the needs of others, fills us with His mercy, helps us act godly toward others, teaches us to be impartial and helps us avoid hypocrisy (James 3:17).

• It helps us overcome our sinful nature (Romans 6:13).

• It helps us resist and overcome Satan (James 4:7).

• It is the "earnest" or down payment of eternal life residing in us (Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Corinthians 5:5; 1 John 5:11).

• It makes us immediately recognizable to Christ (2 Timothy 2:19).

• It helps us in our weakness and helps us pray effectively (Romans 8:26).

• It helps us to love God above all and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40).

• It reassures us that we are the very children of God (1 John 3:2).

• It guarantees that one day we will be glorified children of God even as Christ is (Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 15:49; 1 John 3:2).