Christian Living : Looking for a Spiritual Breakthrough? 10 Things You Should Know About the Holy Spirit

A Message from FA Memphis

You can experience a spiritual breakthrough by welcoming the Holy Spirit as God’s personal presence in you, surrendering daily to His leading, and taking faith-filled steps that match what Scripture teaches. As you seek Jesus, the Spirit strengthens you, heals what’s broken, and empowers real change.

Acts 1:8 (NIV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

John 14:16-17 (NIV): "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever, the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you."

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

I know what it feels like to hit a wall in your spiritual life. You’re praying, you’re reading, and you’re trying your hardest, but it feels like you’re just spinning your wheels. We’ve all been there, longing for a breakthrough that feels just out of reach. But here’s the beautiful truth: breakthrough isn't something you have to manufacture on your own. It is a gift of the Holy Spirit.

In our journey at Boundless, we focus heavily on divine healing and the Holy Spirit baptism because we know these aren't just theological concepts; they are lived experiences that change everything. When we talk about these things, it’s important to remember that the Assemblies of God worldview IS the guardrails. This means we stick close to the Word, ensuring our experiences align with the heart of God as revealed in Scripture.

Here are 10 things you should know about the Holy Spirit as you seek your own spiritual breakthrough.

1. The Holy Spirit is Jesus Alive in You

Sometimes we treat the Holy Spirit like a "vibe" or an impersonal energy. But the Spirit is a Person. More specifically, the Holy Spirit is Jesus present within the believer. When you ask for a breakthrough, you aren't calling down a bolt of electricity; you are deepening your relationship with a Savior who already lives inside you. Breakthrough starts with intimacy.

2. His Power Exceeds Your Capacity

I’ve realized that my "best effort" usually falls short of what God wants to do. The Holy Spirit accomplishes what human strength cannot. Think about the Red Sea or the walls of Jericho. Those weren't feats of engineering; they were divine interventions. The Holy Spirit can do more in one second of a "divine moment" than you could do in a lifetime of striving. If you are exhausted, stop trying to do the Spirit’s job with your own muscles.

3. Salvation is the Foundation

You can’t experience the full baptism of the Holy Spirit or a major spiritual breakthrough without first having a foundation in Jesus. Calling on His name for salvation is the gateway. If you haven't made that first step of faith, everything else will feel like you're trying to build a house on sand. Jesus is the door; the Holy Spirit is the power within the house.

4. Presence Before the Word

If you look at the creation story in Genesis, the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters before God spoke. There is a pattern here: Presence moves first, then the Word manifests. If your prayers feel like they are hitting the ceiling, take a moment to stop talking and just invite His presence. Often, we want the "answer" (the Word) before we have sat with the "Answer-Giver" (the Spirit).

5. Spiritual Disciplines Stir the Gift

The Holy Spirit is a gift, but like any fire, the flame needs to be stirred. Daily prayer, worship, and meditating on Scripture are ways we "fan into flame" the gift of God within us. I highly recommend making your home a sanctuary. If you’re watching movies or shows, use tools like VidAngel or “Enjoy Movies Your Way” to keep your environment clean and family-safe. Guarding your eyes and ears helps keep your spirit sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading. For your digital life, I always suggest accountability tools like Bark or Covenant Eyes to ensure your online spaces remain places of peace rather than distraction.

6. Faith Requires Action

Breakthrough isn't a passive event. You don't just sit on the couch and wait for it to hit you like a lightning bolt (though God can do anything!). Usually, breakthrough happens when we step out in faith. If you feel prompted to pray for someone or to give or to change a habit, do it. Prayer must be paired with obedient action. When you move, the Spirit moves with you.

7. Continuous Infilling Sustains Growth

The Holy Spirit baptism isn't a one-and-done trophy you put on a shelf. In the book of Acts, the believers were filled, and then later, they were filled again! We leak. Life is hard, and the world is draining. We need a continuous, daily infilling of the Spirit to sustain our growth and keep our breakthrough fresh. Ask Him every morning: "Holy Spirit, fill me again today."

8. Create an Atmosphere of Expectancy

The disciples were all together in one place, expecting something to happen when Pentecost arrived. Do you go into your day expecting the Holy Spirit to move? Or are you just hoping to survive? Cultivate expectancy by surrounding yourself with other faith-filled believers. When you're in an atmosphere of faith, it’s much easier to see the miracles God is already performing.

9. Surrender Your Cycles and Patterns

We all have "cycles", habits of thought or behavior that keep us stuck. Breakthrough often requires us to surrender these patterns. Ask the Holy Spirit to shine a light on the things you’re holding onto that are blocking your progress. It might be an old grudge, a secret sin, or just a spirit of fear. Once you name it and hand it over, the Spirit provides the wisdom to walk a new path.

10. Jesus Must Remain the Focus

Finally, remember that the Holy Spirit’s primary job is to glorify Jesus. If your search for a "breakthrough" is all about your personal success or comfort, you might be missing the point. Real breakthrough happens when Jesus becomes the total focus of your life. When He is elevated, everything else, your health, your finances, your relationships, starts to align with His perfect will.

You are never forgotten, never alone, and deeply loved by God. He wants this breakthrough for you even more than you want it for yourself. Trust Him, lean into the Spirit, and watch what He can do.

A Prayer for Your Breakthrough

Holy Spirit, I invite You into this moment. I thank You that You are the power of God at work within me. I ask for a fresh infilling today. Break the cycles that have kept me stuck and lead me into the divine healing and spiritual freedom that only You can provide. Keep my eyes fixed on Jesus. I surrender my plans and my strength to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Go to the Boundless website and join the Bible Study Club. Connect with Christians around the world to discuss these studies, pray together, and grow closer to God and each other.

If you have questions about the Holy Spirit, baptism, or if you just need someone to stand in faith with you for a miracle, please reach out to us at www.boundlessonlinechurch.org. We would love to pray with you on our Prayer Wall or chat with you about your journey.

— Dr. Layne McDonald

www.famemphis.org www.boundlessonlinechurch.org