Sweet Spirit

When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning. John 15:26-27 

The Helper was identified earlier in Jesus final discourse to the disciples. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. John 14:26. The Holy Spirit is spoken of 92 times in the NASB version of the Bible, including three times in the Old Testament. One of my favorites is…Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Psalms 51:11. We know that God promised that He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5 and Deuteronomy 31:6), so I rationalize that as God, the Holy Spirit will never leave us or forsake us either. What a comfort. The Helper, the Spirit of Truth, will always be with us. He lives within us. We are directed to be filled with the Spirit in a couple of passages in the New Testament.

 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit…. Ephesians 5:18

And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:52

Be filled…overflowing with the abundant life that Jesus promised... I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10. Live life to the fullest—filled with the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus wants you to, producing that fruit of the Spirit…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control….Galatians 5:22-23. 

RSVP: Jesus is telling His disciples and us that He will send the Holy Spirit. What will you do with that knowledge today? Are you filled with the Spirit? Are you producing fruit? 

Prayer ~ Come Holy Spirit, I need You. Come Sweet Spirit, I pray. And now may the God of hope fill you, who read this, with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13) May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14). 

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

This call for something sweet to remind us of the sweet, sweet Spirit of the Lord—and the Fruit of the Spirit. 

Minted Fruit Salad

3 cups (1 pint) whole strawberries, washed and hulled

3 kiwi fruits, peeled

1 medium cantaloupe

1 medium honeydew melon

A handful of fresh mint leaves, finely chopped, plus a few left whole for garnish 

Dressing –

¼ cup fresh-squeezed orange juice

¼ cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice

3 Tbsp white sugar or 2½ Tbsp honey 

Cut up the fruit into bite-sized pieces, or use a melon baller for the melons. Reserve some of the kiwi in slices for garnish. In a large bowl mix all the fruit together. Add the chopped mint.  

In a small bowl whisk the dressing ingredients together and pour over the fruit. Garnish with the kiwi and mint leaves. Chill for 2-3 hours. Serve and enjoy the fruit of the summer season.   

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.