Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20: 21-22 ESV

I’m always thinking of and searching for a way to open a discussion about Jesus.  Each Tuesday, I have the opportunity to talk about Him with the clients I serve at our local Christian pregnancy center here in Huntsville. A lot of the gals I meet think that being a Christian is only about going to church. So, I try to find an approach that bypasses the church question. 

Reading in John what Jesus gave the disciples after His resurrection, I thought of a more pointed entry into a conversation about the Gospel. Maybe I could ask, “Do you have the Holy Spirit living in you permanently?” Of course, I’d have to explain what that meant.  But maybe they would be more curious than otherwise. 

God’s breath is something I think about every morning when I sit down with my Bible. I tell Him out loud that I know He as God is sovereign over every single thing that exists. Likewise, I acknowledge that He provides each of my breaths. He has my life in His hands. 

At night when I climb into bed, I think about each of those  breaths as I follow a series of three or four deep inhales, hold and slow exhales. As near as they are to me, being in my mouth, also think of God’s Spirit. I press my arms next to my body and say, “Thank You, Jesus, that Your Spirit is in me.  I have all that I need.  You will never leave me. You move with me continuously wherever I go. I am never alone or without resources.  Truly, I lack nothing.”

This morning, I saw some good news in Luke 11 that I might be able to share with one of my Tuesday clients.  Jesus, talking to His followers concludes an exhortation to keep praying and never give up: “So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” Luke 11:13 NLT

God’s granting of each breath and His Spirit are interconnected.  Receiving these good gifts is just a matter of asking and believing, for declares that He will honor that request.