Today’s Reading:
John 14:15-21 (16)
"And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor - Counsellor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever " (v. 16)
Jesus promised his disciples that he would ask the Father to send another Helper while he was gone. A helper is one assigned to stay beside one as long as it last, and this is for ever. The joy of it is that this promise extends to all who believe in Jesus Christ and has given their lives to his lordship.
At one time or the other we all must have suffered from separation anxiety, phobia and so on, from a loved one. It is even worse with toddlers in a new environment or school. They can cry for hours. But once they get used to that environment, it is joy all through. Jesus had been with his disciples for some three years plus and it is painful to have to be separated from them. But then as a loving Master, he promised them another Helper who would take on his role and more with them. If we also love him and keep his commandments when we do not see him; he promised comfort from five supernatural blessings that the world cannot give nor enjoy.
1) a supernatural Helper (vv 15-17)
2) a supernatural life (vv. 18-19)
3) a supernatural union (vv. 23-25)
4) a supernatural teacher (v. 26)
5) a supernatural peace (vv. 27-31).
The key to all these is wrapped in obedience to his commandments and loving Him, and loving our neighbour as ourselves. Again, we would notice that things get harder when we try to do things in our own way without leaning or relying on God's grace. If everything in life were to be that easy, we would not need another Helper in the person of the Holy Spirit. He is with us all the time to help us do ALL things. To empower us to do what we cannot do, and also to do it with ease, what we ordinarily cannot do. That is why He is supernatural. For we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
Also, the Holy Spirit, as the Spirit of Truth continually works with and in us, always to bring us into a new level of understanding of things of God. Always making the knowledge of Christ new in us. We must always continue learning, because He is there to teach, guide, encourage and empower us in everything divinely supernatural. But if we have not surrender our lives to Christ, he will not send the Holy Spirit to us.
Olufunmilayo Titilola Adekusibe
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Holy Spirit who lives in me, in Jesus name.
Father fill me with your wisdom, understanding, knowledge, insight, discerning spirit, and empower me to discern good from bad, in Jesus name.
Father create in me a pure heart, renew a right, teachable and humble spirit in me, in Jesus name.
Father, let every spirit of rebellion and disobedience flee from me, die, in Jesus name.
Father unite the Church, let there be peace and progress in building your Kingdom, in Jesus name.
We pull down the stronghold of the wicked in our nation and defend the cause of the poor, widows, and orphans, in Jesus name.
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