The best way I can explain the workings of the Holy Spirit is through personal experience. I was taken to church by my mother when I was ten days old. Mother never missed a service and of course neither did I. I grew up with much knowledge about what the Bible says. I knew about the Holy Spirit and understood it dwelled within me, but how it worked I had no understanding.

One day my husband, children and I were camping at Sequoia National Forest. One of the no-no's of camping where there are bears, is to never leave food out at night. But one night we forgot and left a can of Nestle's powdered chocolate sitting on the table. The tin box was totally destroyed during the night. The next night our camp was as clean as a whistle. Robert, my husand had walked to the restrooms and the children were all asleep in the tent. I had a few precious moments to myself. I sat at the table and in the dark, watched the firelights of the other campers. I could hear them getting their little one's off to bed. It was a pleasant feeling and I was enjoying it.

Then a small voice in my mind whispered, "Get up and go into the tent." I, not knowing who the voice belonged to, thought it was my own thoughts, so I answered, "I like it here." The voice came again only stronger, "Go into the tent." Again I answered, "It's peaceful and lovely and I don't want to get into the tent yet!" Then the voice became a roar, "Get up, go into the tent!" I suddenly realized this was someone telling me that I was in danger. I immeditaley got up and went into the tent, zipped it and sat on the edge of a cot and peaked out. A huge bear, seven feet tall on hind legs walked into our campsight looking for more chocolate. My heart began to pound so loudly I wondered if the bear could hear it.

The animal checked the table, crawled all over the car and finally ambled off.

God had kept me safe and I had learned about the voice of the Holy Spirit and I began to act upon what I was told.

Another time I was used by the Holy Spirit and it was the thrill of my lifetime.

I was the speaker at a weekend women's retreat. My program was prepared and I had studied what I wanted to say. It was my last night and I was a bit weary. In the afternoon I went to my room to nap. I wanted to be fresh for the next session.

The Holy Spirit began to speak. He wanted me to change my message. I began to write down all that was given to me. I had learned through the years to be obedient. That night as I gave the message a revival broke out among us. We cried, we repented, we praised the Lord and rejoiced. The service started at 7:00 and was scheduled to end at 8:30 - it lasted until eleven o'clock, before we could bring oursleves to leave. We went home refreshed and empowered to change our lives with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Through the years, as my heart and mind was opened to any and all messages from my Comforter, they came almost daily. My life was changed, my faith walk became more sure and I learned to trust God in everything.

Please dear christian, listen for the Holy Spirit to speak to you. The more you are obedient, the more he will speak and you will learn what great blessings the Comforter has for you.