I look forward to the evenings that my husband and I put on our walking shoes, grab each other’s hand, and step outside. As we enjoy the companionship of each other, we point out nature’s beauty, discuss the day, and share our dreams, disappointments, struggles, and hopes. My husband is my lifelong friend, servant leader, and lover of my soul.
We have another walking companion – a constant Companion in the Holy Spirit. This is the Companion Anne Graham Lotz has revealed in Jesus in Me: Experiencing the Holy Spirit as a Constant Companion.
“In some ways, our lives are like a symphony. And the Holy Spirit is the conductor. He is the one who brings forth the beautiful music of a life that glorifies God. Like the conductor pointing his baton, the Holy Spirit quickens us, guides us, ignites us, shapes us, and equips us until our lives resound with the glory of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18, & p. 108).
Seven P’s of the Holy Spirit
Writing as a friend to a friend, Anne presents seven key principles that we need to understand about our Constant Companion.
- The Person. In the Amplified Version of John 16:7, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor – Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him (the Holy Spirit) to you.” Seven chapters follow with personal illustrations and everyday descriptions of the Holy Spirit working in Anne’s everyday life.
- The Presence. “You will fill me with joy in your presence.” Acts 2:28. Have you taken time to notice the ever-present One who is Jesus in you? The Holy Spirit is present with us in eternity, in history, and in humanity. He is present with you today, if you have accepted Jesus. Take time to become aware of His presence, and be filled with joy.
- The Power. From creation to His work in everyday disciples like Peter, the Holy Spirit’s power to transform nature and men and women is evident. Like Peter, we struggle with a pattern of failure, much like “trying to cut down a large tree with a chain saw without first yanking the starter rope to fire up the engine and activate its power” (p. 81). We try and try until we realize we can’t accomplish our desired outcome without the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
- The Purpose. “We, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18. The Holy Spirit is the One who guides us as He transforms us into the likeness of Jesus. That’s His purpose, praise the Lord.
- The Precepts. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 1:16. We peek into the family life of Anne as her mother and father teach her in uniquely different ways how precious the Bible is to her Christian walk. I was delighted to learn that her first “real” Bible was a King James Version, Scofield edition. I still cherish my Scofield Bible.
- The Purity. “Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12. Anne tells of a time that she spoke at an evangelical seminary. A professor told her, “I teach here. But I learned something tonight. I had never before thought of the Holy Spirit as holy” (p. 158). This holiness requires judgment.
“God’s entire reason for the Cross is His hatred and intolerance of sin. His holy, just, righteous nature demands judgment. Equal to His holiness is His love and grace, which prompted Him to step in and take His own judgment for our sin when Jesus was crucified in our place” (p. 162).
We are called to repentance and revival. - The Providence. “The Spirit helps us in our weakness … the Spirit himself intercedes for us … in accordance with God’s will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose Romans 8:26-28. We can’t earn God’s love. Anne urges the reader to relax. “He wants to make you holy – because He loves you!” (p.187).
Jesus in Me is an easy-to-read, friend-to-friend conversation about the Holy Spirit’s love and work in the Christian. Anne fills the book with Scripture, practical application of the Bible, and personal stories about her family, joys, trials, and hopes.
She includes appendices that give deeper reflections upon certain aspects of concepts like the gifts of the Spirit.
She even included an overview of the Bible – the best overview I have ever read.
I received a complimentary copy of Jesus in Me as a launch team member and for my honest review.
My prayer
Father, I thank You for Anne Graham Lotz and this book. Bless its readers and bring them into a closer relationship to the Holy Spirit. Bless Anne and the readers with an ever-increasing awareness of who You are and the Holy Spirit working in them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
How are you experiencing the Holy Spirit as a Constant Companion?
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