This week, we sang songs of praise and worship to God focusing on His Greatness and our need of Him as our anchor in times of both calm and in the storms of life. We were led by Debbie Fiddy singing, together with Natalie and Jackie, also playing the keyboard and accompanied by Jon and Dave on guitars. Pastor Jon Fiddy then brought an important message about God the Holy Spirit and His work. We are told in Isaiah 40 v18-26 that there is none like our God. He is unique, all knowing, always present and all powerful. There is also evidence throughout the Bible that God is three persons, all different and yet one in unity. In Genesis 1, we read that God the Father presided over the creation of the heavens and the earth. The Spirit of God hovered over the waters and Jesus, known as the Word of God, spoke the world and all living creatures, into existence. In Genesis 1 v 26, God said: "Let us make man in our own image" referring to the fact that despite being one in essence, God was actually three personalities, each having a mind and will of their own and yet always working in perfect unity. Jesus the Son of God, walked on the Earth as all man and yet all God. He conquered sin and death by rising again and is living in us today by the power of His Spirit. God, the Holy Spirit who is one with the Father and the Son is a person, not just a form of Divine energy. Jesus asked the Father to send His Holy Spirit to continue His work. Churches are again becoming aware that the Holy Spirit is a living presence bringing life. The Holy Spirit is a servant who points to Jesus as our living Lord and Saviour and is there to do the bidding of the Father. He moved when God spoke at the point of creation. As believers, we have been given the authority of God the Father and Jesus the Son to become sons and daughters of God, but we also need His power by submitting to the power of the Holy Spirit. Miracles take place where God touches physical bodies and changes hearts in meetings when the Holy Spirit is present. The impossible in man's eyes, can happen! When we submit to the Holy Spirit who (as believers) is already in us and ask for His anointing to come upon us we become empowered by God. When His presence is over us it is wonderful and we move into a realm where all things are possible. Acts 10 v 38 speaks of the time God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power. In the Old Testament (Covenant), the Priests were anointed with Sacred oil as they were consecrated to be set apart. Today, under the New Covenant, when the oil of the Holy Spirit is there, something happens inside us, making us truly alive. 1 Peter 4 v 10 tells us that everyone has gifts which should be used to the Glory of God whether they be speaking as oracles of God or simply encouraging one another or showing God's love. The Body of Christ is made up of many parts, which when submitting to the Holy Spirit function together as one. The Holy Spirit is sensitive and can be grieved. He likes us to put Jesus as the centre. A Church where Jesus is there, should have the two experiences of: 1) New Birth which needs the Holy Spirit in order the take place. In John 4 v 10 Jesus speaks to a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well telling her that when we come to Him, He gives us living water to drink causing us never to be thirsty again. 2) We should receive power by being Baptised or filled with the Holy Spirit. The disciples were baptised in the Holy Spirit, became empowered and turned the World upside down. The Holy Spirit brings the Word of God alive and He is the light which shows us the way forward. John 7 v 37 On the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus said in a loud voice: "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink, whoever believes in me, streams of living water will flow from within him." By this, He meant the Holy Spirit who was yet to come. We need to receive the Holy Spirit today for He speaks to us and we need to listen to what He says. God knows the end from the beginning, meaning we can be safe with Him even in a hostile environment. We pray to be open to the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts, bringing us life and touching us at the point of our needs. Emmanuel Gospel Church, Manorbier meets every Sunday at 10.30 am, finishing with a time for tea/coffee and an informal chat. Bible study is on Monday evenings at 7.30 pm. For more information or a pastoral visit, please phone (01834) 871975. Recordings of our meetings are available on CD and by visiting our website http://www.emanuelgospelministries.org">www.emanuelgospelministries.org