Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – October 2, 2014
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 14:16-17
We all need the support of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The wind of His wisdom blows across our minds to show us the best way. The Spirit’s fire enflames our faith to burn brightly in our submitted souls. He satisfies our thirsty spirit, heals our broken hearts, comforts us in our concerns, leads us through uncertainty and empowers us to engage the enemy with God’s word and prayer. The Spirit supports us when we lack the support of another. He lives within us to be with us.
The path to receiving the Spirit’s support is belief, love and obedience. We believe in the cross and resurrection of Christ. We love Christ and we obey Christ. This trilogy of attitude and action on our part sets us apart to experience the fullness of the Spirit. A life surrendered to the Lord is a life empty of self and full of the Spirit. It is in His fullness that He has full control over our character. He purifies our motives, sanitizes our speech and cleans up our thoughts. Like the dove at Jesus’ baptism, the Spirit falls on our humble and obedient life as heaven’s validation.
“The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:14).
Whatever you need right now, the Holy Spirit has.. If someone or something has stolen your joy, ask the Spirit to fill you with joy. If you have lost faith in God, partner with your Paraclete (advocate) to come alongside you to re-discover the faith you once enjoyed. If you need comfort, the Spirit will console you like a concerned care giver. If you need understanding on an issue He will teach you as you study holy Scripture. He helps you in your needy state.
The Lord’s support is foreign to a self supportive world. They cannot receive the Spirit because they do not know God through Christ. We know the Holy Spirit lives within us because we know God. However as followers of Jesus, by faith–we must appropriate the work of His Spirit in our lives. Like a brand new but undriven automobile in a garage, we may admire the Spirit’s potential work in our life, but fail to personally experience His power. Thus, we simply trust the Holy Spirit to support us right now. We believe, love and obey. He comforts, convicts and leads!
“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).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I empty myself to be filled with Your Self. I receive Your support.
Related Readings: Luke 3:22; John 3:8; Acts 2:4; 1 Corinthians 1:18; Ephesians 5:18; 1 John 4:6
Post/Tweet today: The Holy Spirit supports us when we lack the support of another. #wisdomhunters
Additional Resource: 4 min video-Dr. Stanley: Indwelling Holy Spirit- http://bit.ly/1qL7PsO
Order our new book, The Way of Wisdom: A Journey Towards Spiritual Growth, just out October 1st! Boyd’s one minute book video- http://bit.ly/1nhZ2bt
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Boyd, another great installment today.
(a thought on your insights)
Jesus spoke what he was told by the Father (John 14:10) and was dependent on Abba’s indwelling presence.
The Holy Spirit speaks only what He hears (John 16:13)
We as followers of Jesus are to speak “the truth in love” and that must be controlled by the Holy Spirit who lives inside each believer in Jesus Christ.
Just a thought….
Pray you are doing well, my friend.
Another scripture to use would be Acts 2:38.
Dear Dave~
Thank you for your words of wisdom and encouragement. I know Boyd will appreciate your caring comments. Thank you Dave, for your reminder to us, as believers, to obediently speak “truth in love” as the Holy Spirit, our advocate, guides us.
Reading through your thoughtful comments, as well as, reading over the devotional, “God Supports You” a few times, we are blessed with the reassurance of the GIFT that God gives us with His Spirit. Boyd wrote the words “Whatever you need right now, the Spirit has..” Praise God!
We are so thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter and look forward to hearing from you again.
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
“I know that I abide in Christ, and He in me, because He has given me of His Spirit.” 1 John 4:13
Dear Janet~
Thank you for reaching out to us after reading the devotional, “God Supports You”. We always are so happy to hear from our Wisdom Hunter’s family. You are so right about Acts 2:38! The gift of the Holy Spirit is amazing, isn’t it? To think that God loves us much that He gives us this gift: Counselor, Advocate, Comforter! Praise God!
Janet, we are so thankful for you and look forward to hearing from you again. Blessings to you and yours.
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off- for all whom the Lord our God will call’.”
Acts 2:38-39