Tag: The Holy Spirit

The Replacement

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

            “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.  However, 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 things that I said to you” (John 14: 25-26.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

                The Lord informed his disciples that he would soon be taken away from them.  In his absence, he promised to send them a replacement; a helper; someone to guide and direct them; a spiritual entity that would remind them of all of his teachings.  After the crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus ascended in to heaven; having reached his eternal position, he sent the Holy Spirit in to the hearts and minds of every believer (on the day of Pentecost.)  The disciples began to speak in foreign languages; they were given the power and authority to forgive sins; to cast out demons; to raise the dead; and to heal the sick.  The indwelling of the Holy Spirit was, and is, proof that Jesus Christ did reach his destination; the work of the Spirit today confirms that he is still seated at the right hand of God; a place of honor from which he continues to guide and direct his church.

                In the early 20th century a bold and daring explorer named Roald Amundsen set out to reach the remote poles of the earth.  He succeeded in reaching the South Pole in 1911, and the North Pole in 1926.  As the story goes, during his northern journey, he took along a homing pigeon (homing pigeons mate for life; in turn, when separated from their mates they have a unique ability to return to their nests from anywhere in the world.  Before leaving for the North Pole, Amundsen, not wanting his wife to worry, promised to release the pigeon when he reached his destination; when the bird arrived at its nest in Norway, his wife was elated.  The pigeon was a symbol; a message proclaiming that although the explorer had arrived in a distant land, he was very much alive.

                The Holy Spirit is also a symbol; it is a message and a reminder that Jesus Christ still lives.  Many have received the message, many have not.  Those who have opened their hearts to God’s messenger have acknowledged that Jesus is their Lord and master.  That he is a living God; that He currently guides and directs His church through the power of the Holy Spirit.  If you have never received His gift, go somewhere quiet, and ask God to provide you with the Spirit of truth.  The Lord never withholds this good thing from those who genuinely ask Him.

                “Lord Heavenly Father, we believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son, and that he is seated at Your right hand.  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit; guide and direct us; teach us, and remind us of Your ways.  May we be faithful believers; may we never waiver; may we never grow weary, and may we never turn away from Your truth.  May You continue to use us to fulfill Your will in this place, until the time when we will see You, face to face.  We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things in Jesus Christ’s name.  Amen.”  God bless all of you.

The Holy Spirit

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

                “I still have numerous things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.  However, when He, the Spirit of Truth has come, He will guide you in all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.  He will glorify me, for He will take of what is mine and declare it to you.  All things that the Father has are mine.  Therefore I said that He will take of mine and declare it to you” (John 16: 12-15.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

                Shortly before Jesus was crucified, he foretold of the arrival of a mysterious entity known as the ‘Holy Spirit;’ after the resurrection he ascended in to heaven and fulfilled his promise to every believer by sending “the Spirit of Truth.”  For nearly 2000 years, Jesus has been seated in glory at the right hand of God; and for 2000 years there have been countless genuine confessions of faith.  With every confession received, a gift has been given; the faithful obtain the indwelling of the fullness of God’s Spirit. Through the Holy Spirit, the desires of Christ become intuition; his path becomes transparent; evil is exposed by the divine light of the living God.  Finally able to distinguish the truth from the lies, the newborn child of God recognizes counterfeit prophets and artificial religions; the inner Spirit also boldly declares the authority and authenticity of a single book; the Holy Bible.  Ignorance is no longer an excuse, as God Himself directs the steps of His Faithful followers.    

                Many years ago, a friend invited me to attend a church service.  Near the end of the service, there was an opportunity to approach the stage and publicly profess a faith in Jesus Christ; I chose to accept the invitation.  Afterwards, I was given a bible; however I was afraid that the church might be a cult.  Therefore I didn’t trust the accuracy of the bible they had given me.  So I made my way to the local bookstore and asked one of the employees where I could find the “original bible.”  With a confused look she replied, ‘Let me get another employee who’s a Christian; she’ll know more about this than I will.’  When the Christian girl returned, I explained my situation to her; “I want the original bible.”  She replied, ‘Well it doesn’t really work that way.  The original bible is in a different language’ (a language I did not understand.)  [Note:  She did impress upon me that the English translations were very accurate.]  After our discussion I had one of my first experiences with the Holy Spirit.  A voice suddenly spoke from my heart; a voice I didn’t hear with my ears; and yet my mind clearly comprehended what was said; the voice said, “You’ve always been too smart for your own good; just read the bible I gave you.”  God had communicated with me through the Holy Spirit.  I began reading the bible He wanted me to read; the bible I had received at my conversion (being easy to read and understand, it proved to be exactly what I needed.)  With every flip of the page I grew closer to God.  Without the Holy Spirit I might have fallen victim to my own arrogant pride.

                The Holy Spirit is an essential component of our faith; without it we are blind, ignorant and lost.  But God, in His great wisdom has said, “I will not leave you orphans.”  The Spirit proclaims God’s desires on this earth; He testifies of what is true and helps us to choose what is good and avoid what is evil.  Believe in Jesus Christ, and you will enter in to fellowship with the living God.  Receive His Holy Spirit and you as well can share in the knowledge, power, and love of your Eternal Father, and His only begotten Son.

                “Lord Heavenly Father, we love You, and we thank You for sending the Holy Spirit.  Continue to speak to us and to guide us in the ways of righteousness.  With every breath, may we draw nearer to You.  Lead us, that we might do Your will in this place, and bring glory and honor to You and to Your Son.  We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name.  Amen.”  God bless all of you. 

The Holy Spirit

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

            “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.  However, 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 things that I said to you” (John 14: 25-26.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

                Jesus informed his disciples that he would soon be departing; leaving them behind, but not alone. In his absence, he promised to send a replacement; a helper; a person to guide them; a spiritual entity that would remind them of every word he had ever spoken. After the crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus ascended in to heaven; having been glorified, he sent his Holy Spirit in to the hearts and minds every believer (on the day of Pentecost.) The disciples were granted the authority to forgive sins; cast out demons; raise the dead; and heal the sick. Similar acts of service and love currently reveal the presence of the Holy Spirit living within the believer; irrefutable proof that Jesus Christ did indeed arrive at his destination. Even today, he sits at the right hand of God; a position of honor, from which he continues to guide and direct his church.

                In the early 20th century a bold and daring explorer named Roald Amundsen set out to reach the remote poles of the earth.  He arrived at the South Pole in 1911, and the North Pole in 1926.  As the story goes, during his northern expedition, he carried along a homing pigeon. Homing pigeons mate for life; and when separated from their mates, they have a unique ability to return to their nests from anywhere in the world. Before journeying North, Amundsen, not wanting his wife to worry, promised to release the pigeon upon arriving at the North Pole. When the bird reached its nest in Norway, his wife was elated. The pigeon was a symbol; a message proclaiming that although the explorer had arrived in a harsh and distant land, he was still very much alive; and would undoubtedly return someday.

                The Holy Spirit is also a symbol; it’s a message and a reminder that Jesus Christ is alive.  Many have received the promised helper; others have not.  Those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their lord and savior, have also opened their hearts and embraced his messenger. If you’ve never received the Holy Spirit, go somewhere quiet, and ask God to give you this free gift. The Lord never withholds His Spirit from those who genuinely ask Him.

                “Lord Heavenly Father, we believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son, and that he’s seated at Your right hand.  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit; guide and direct us; teach us; and remind us of everything that You have said.  May we be faithful followers; may we never grow weary; may we never waiver; and may we never turn away from Your truth. May Your will be done in our lives always; and in the lives of our fellows. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You; and we ask and pray all of these things, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you.