What should your journal look like? That is entirely up to you. A simple notebook can do, as can any blank book with lines sold everywhere from local dollar store to high end leather bound variety at upscale bookstore. Pick something that you will treasure and want to write in, but not so intimidating that you fear your writing in it will ?ruin? it. Some of you may be tempted to use your computer. This can work fine if you resist urge to use ?delete? key at every turn. This is not supposed to be a grammatically perfect and spell-checked document but rather an honest look at one?s life. If you do use a computer, however, I would suggest printing out your entry to keep someplace else. Computer files are notorious for getting lost or destroyed and you may want to look back on those pages years from now to see where you have been and how far you have come!

In any case, a journal should be a record of journey. We come to know God through our experiences of daily life. A spiritual journal offers a place for reflection and can be a very useful tool in fostering your relationship with God.

Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur has a Master of Arts Degree in Applied Theology, is editor of Spiritual Woman Newsletter (http://www.spiritualwoman.net) and author of ?Letters to Mary from a Young Mother? (iUniverse, 2004).

© Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur 2004

Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur has a Master of Arts Degree in Applied Theology, is editor of the Spiritual Woman Newsletter (http://www.spiritualwoman.net) and author of ?Letters to Mary from a Young Mother? (iUniverse, 2004).

Here are 5 good verses telling us that Holy Spirit now literally lives on inside of us and that our bodies are now considered actual temple of Holy Spirit.

• "Or do you not know that your body is temple of Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Corinthians 6:19
• "Do you not know that you are temple of God and that Spirit of God dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16)
• "If anyone defiles temple of God, God will destroy him. For temple of God is holy, which temple you are." (1 Corinthians 3:17)
• "But you are not in flesh but in spirit,if indeed Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have Spirit of Christ, he is not His." (Romans 8:9)
• "But if Spirit who raised Jesus from dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." (Romans 8:11)

When Holy Spirit initially comes to us - He will literally take up residence in our human spirits. However, I believe that there is a second experience that can occur where Holy Spirit will release from your human spirit to come up into your soul area. This second experience has been called by many "Baptism of Holy Spirit."

Our spirits are baptized with His presence at moment of salvation, but our souls can also be baptized with His presence. For a detailed explanation on what this second experience is all about and how to go about actually receiving it - go to my article titled "How to Receive Baptism of Holy Spirit" under "Bible Basics" page.

3. Sealed with Holy Spirit

As a result of having received presence of Holy Spirit Himself at moment of our conversions, Bible tells us that we have now been "sealed" with His presence. Here are 3 good verses all using word "seal" in reference to Holy Spirit now living on inside of us and a fourth verse that says that Holy Spirit has been given to us as a "guarantee."

• "And do not grieve Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:30)
• "Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also sealed us and given us Spirit in our hearts as a deposit." (2 Corinthians 1:21)
• "In Him you also trusted, after you heard word of truth, gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with Holy Spirit of promise, who is guarantee of our inheritance until redemption of purchased possession, to praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:13)
• "Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us Spirit as a guarantee." (2 Corinthians 5:5 )

Conclusion

But for right now, for those of you who have not received Baptism of Holy Spirit where He is now residing up in your soul area, I would highly recommend that you go to my article titled "How to Receive Baptism of Holy Spirit".

If you are willing to take this extra step and receive this second gift that is available to all believers - your whole life will take a major turn in Lord.

Article written by Michael Bradley of Bible Knowledge Ministries. Their website is a resource of Bible Knowledge, articles, commentary and teaching. They currently have over 100 Bible articles.