Inspired by the Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 2:4

And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.

Why is it that when we pray in public we are so concerned about how we sound?  This pride can limit the power of the Holy Spirit.  We can actually block the movement of the Holy Spirit by putting ourselves in the way.  In an effort to impress man, we can hinder the movement of God in their lives and our own.  

It is part of our ongoing spiritual maturation to learn to let go of our desires to please man in all that we do.  We must learn to let the Holy Spirit help and guide us as we seek to please God first.  We must learn to trust that supernatural power can be released through us simply by following the urgings of the Holy Spirit.  We must humbly accept that all the good work that comes from what we do is the result of the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for equipping us through the Holy Spirit to please You in all that we do.  We pray that the Holy Spirit will show us how to let go of our old nature - the desire to please men - and will enlighten us to put You first in all things.  May we see the release of fruit in our lives as we allow the Holy Spirit to inspire us to do Your good works.