This Week’s Memory Verse…
But
when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy
Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have
told you. John 14:26
The Holy Spirit. Most people—Christians I know—don’t focus much of their
emphasis on the Holy Spirit. Oh, they pray to God the Father and to Jesus…but
barely acknowledge the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is part of the Triune God, coexisting,
coequal and coeternal together with the Father and the Son (see the description
of the Holy Spirit in the Strong’s Lexicon of the Blue Letter Bible.) In the
Old Testament there are actually only three times that the Holy Spirit title is
specifically used.
Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take
your Holy Spirit from me.
Psalm 51:11
But they rebelled against him and grieved his Holy
Spirit. So he became their enemy and fought against them. Then they
remembered those days of old when Moses led his people out of Egypt. They cried
out, "Where is the one who brought Israel through the sea, with Moses as
their shepherd? Where is the one who sent his Holy Spirit to be among
his people?"
Isaiah 63:10-11
Jesus promised all His followers, including us, that if He left earth and
went back to be with the Father, in heaven, that the Holy Spirit, also called
the Comforter would come…to each of
those who believe in Him… to teach (John 14;26, John 12:12, and 1 John 2:27), to remind (John 14:26), to console, gives
spiritual birth (John 3:6), to encourage (Acts 9:31),
Also see
Jesus’ description of the Holy Spirit’s responsibilities.
But in fact, it is best for you that I go away,
because if I don't, the Advocate won't come. If I do go away, then I will send
him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of
God's righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The world's sin is that it
refuses to believe in me. Righteousness is available because I go to the
Father, and you will see me no more. Judgment will come because the ruler of
this world has already been judged. There is so much more I want to tell you,
but you can't bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you
into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has
heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory
by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is
mine; this is why I said, 'The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from
me.' John 16:7-15
One of my
favorite promises about the Holy Spirit involves prayer. He helps us. He is
there for us…our Advocate. Groanings. We don’t know what to pray…but He does
and He intercedes for us. I’ve been there…done that…and relied on the Holy
Spirit to get me through some rough days.
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For
example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays
for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. Romans 8:26
The Holy Spirit is more than an Advocate.
Like Jesus, He is our friend…knowing us better than we know ourselves. Praying
for us…showing us the way to go…teaching us what to say and when to say it. I
don’t know about you…but I need the Holy Spirit, daily filling me with God’s
love, mercy, joy, peace, strength and understanding. Without Him I would be
tossed about on a wave…lost and alone.
 |
| The Holy Spirit as a Dove. |
When I visited the Western Wall, known as
the Wailing Wall, where many people gather to pray in Jerusalem, I thought I
saw a white dove. I was so awed…but it was probably a pigeon, not a dove. Oh
well. It reminded me of verses in the Bible where the Holy Spirit came down in
the form of a dove, like at the baptism of Jesus. What an awesome experience
that must have been to see a beautiful dove appearing as the Holy Spirit as He
rose out of the Jordan River.
As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw
the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove. Mark
1:10
Glory be to Father, to the Son, and to the
Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is mine…is He yours?
Prayer ~ Lord, reveal to me an even greater depth
of knowledge of the Holy Spirit. I am calling on You and asking You for more
wisdom and understanding, too, that my prayers would be powerfully answered and
bring You glory and honor.
Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 4-6
© 2019 Text and
painting by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All
scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
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