Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- December 22, 2011
“If you love me, keep my commands. 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.” John 14:15-17
Obeying the commands of Christ is tied to enjoying the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Comfort is made manifest from the gift of the Spirit in a fertile heart of faith. Conversion to Christ embeds His eternal Spirit in the heart of His disciple. A benefit of belief in Jesus is the gift of discernment from His Spirit. Unpacked at salvation and propagated in prayer—the Holy Spirit is the eyes and ears of heaven for all who walk faithfully with Jesus on earth.
It is not uncommon for some Christ followers to misunderstand or ignore this guarantor of the Godhead. Perhaps fear of a few corrupt charlatans keeps some Christians distant from the dynamic effects of the Spirit’s work in and through them. Indeed, the Holy Spirit seals new believers at salvation and secures their faith journey through the schemes of Satan. This gift from our heavenly Father is meant to lead us into Christ-like character.
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” Ephesians 4:30-31
The Holy Spirit is grieved when we do not represent Christ well to the world. When Christians assault each other with verbal barbs it deeply disappoints the heart of God. We are spiritually stuck if we grieve the Spirit by not going to the Lord in confession and repentance with our sins of omission and sins of commission. How can we ask our heavenly Father for a blessing when we have not been a blessing to fellow believers?
Fortunately, once you come clean with Christ and others, the Holy Spirit is unleashed to lead you into a revelation of truth. He shows a seeking spouse the next step to love their life mate well. He gives clarity to a team in need of direction, when all agendas are put aside in deference to what’s best for the organization. The Holy Spirit hunkers down in a humble heart and extends grace. The gift of the Spirit gives you wise guidance.
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” John 16:13
What is the Holy Spirit saying to my heart, regarding the way I need to relate to difficult people?
Related Readings: Isaiah 63:14; Luke 12:10; John 3:34; Galatians 5:22-23
Post/Tweet this today: Unpacked at salvation and propagated in prayer—the Holy Spirit are the eyes and ears of heaven. #Holy Spirit
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I loved this devotion. I have been the person a Christian has thrown the barbs at. I know we should pray for the person and I do, but what does one do when it doesn’t stop. Please pray for both of us.