God's Holy Fire: 'Filled with Joy!'

Soup and sandwich. Love and marriage. Horse and carriage. These things go together according to a couple of old songs. But there are two things that go together far better than any of these. No, I am not talking about ham and eggs - or even Dr. Seuss' famous book Green Eggs and Ham.^© I am talking about the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit within us and the deep rivers of lasting joy. When you find the Holy Spirit present in a person, you will also find joy. This joy is part of the irrepressible grace of God's presence within us through the Holy Spirit, bringing us assurance that our future is in him. The Spirit leads us and guides us in the present moment. The Spirit is at work conforming us to Jesus throughout our lives. The Spirit intercedes for us when we pray and fills us when we sing. The Spirit is the reminder of our future glory as we are molded with ever-increasing glory into the likeness of Jesus. Yes, the Spirit brings joy. Sometimes this joy is the giddiness of delight in experiencing God's presence. Sometimes it is comfort in the worst of disasters. Other times it is just that gentle assurance that we are not alone. But underneath it all, like the heartbeat in our chests, is the joy of the Spirit reminding us that we are God's children.