Never Alone
Opening Prayer
Master of the Impossible, I bring all my worries and cares and lay them at Your feet now.
Read JOHN 14:15-21
[15] “If you love me, you will obey what I command. [16] And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever- [17] 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. [18] I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. [19] Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. [20] On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. [21] Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What did Jesus say is the badge of love?Death, divorce, separation can leave us struggling to feel secure and confident. Such feelings can last a lifetime.
As the disciples observed the mounting conflict between Jesus and the Scribes and Pharisees, they knew trouble was coming. Sensing their fear, Jesus assured them that after his departure they would not be alone. He will ask the Father to send the Spirit who will be with them and indwell them (16,17).
This is an amazing and mysterious truth. The Trinity is involved as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; all are part of this tremendous happening. On this Pentecost Sunday we think of the event which brought to fulfillment the promise of Jesus (Acts 2:1-13). They were baptized and indwelt by the Spirit. What happened to the disciples at Pentecost happens for the believer at conversion. Through the Holy Spirit, Christ is personally active with his people (20).
The Holy Spirit indwells our hearts by faith (Eph. 3:16,17) and does his transforming work there. We must work to defeat our sinful nature and yield to the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:24,25).
Apply
Christ, by the Holy Spirit, is within you. However, is he just resident, and not president, of your life?
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your presence within me by Your Spirit who is working through me today.
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