Okay, I realize that a few of my last postings have had a negative subject line… but really the truth behind all that seems “negative” is quite encouraging. In all of our failings, sufferings, fears and doubts, God never intended for us to do all of this alone. In my shortcomings, struggles, and fear of God asking me to live uncomfortably I have been reminded of one of God’s promises to all of us… I’m not talking about the warm and fuzzy grace and love either (well, not in the sense our minds are conditioned to think). I’m talking about the promises of the Holy Spirit.
While I am in the process of strengthening my relationship with the Holy Spirit and better understanding His gift, I usually fail to recognize one important truth. The Spirit is God in us. Really, He is in us and he never leaves, and He is always there to help guide me in my decisions (that is, when I let Him) and he is always there to convict me when I am not living out God’s will in my life.
We have been promised so much strength and comfort it’s hard to believe I have spent any time at all worrying and stressing over things that are really quite insignificant. If you haven’t read what we have been promised by the Holy Spirit I urge you to read the Gospel of John, chapters 14-16.
The quick list God has promised me (and you):
· Anyone who has faith in Jesus will do even greater things than He did, can I get an amen? (John 14:12)
· He has given us the Holy Spirit to be with us forever! He will live with us and in us! (John 14:16-21)
· He will teach us and remind us of all that Jesus told us, this is something I need constantly. (John 14:26)
· If we remain in Jesus, and intentionally live out his teachings, we can ask whatever we want and it will be given us. I believe as we live intentionally for Him, our dreams and passions begin to line up more closely with God’s will for our life. (John 15:7)
· He will testify the greatness of Jesus, through us. I love it when “I” say or do things that are unexplainable, things that can only be explained by the power of God… and the only explanation is the Spirit in me. (John 15: 26)
· He will convict the world of guild in regards to sin and righteousness. While this seems like the gloom of what we have been promised, conviction is a good thing! Without conviction we have no longer allowed God to work on our hearts. (John 16: 8)
· He will guide you into all truth. If this doesn’t comfort you I don’t think anything will. At a time in my life where I am very unsure of what is coming next, I am confident that God will remain faithful in this promise and look for (John 16: 13)
· He will reveal to us the glory of God, even though I don’t think I can fully grasp this concept the thought of it excites me. (John 16:14)
What does all of this mean for me? It means that I will never have to struggle, fall, or make tough decisions on my own. It means that when I ask God for wisdom and guidance he will give it, and he will encourage me towards truth. It means that even though I may become distracted, I will be convicted in the areas of life I need to remove sin. It means that when I struggle to make the connection that I can never escape God’s presence (Psalm 139) that the Holy Spirit will be there to remind me how to live like Christ.
It always sounds so simple on paper; just remember Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit. And hopefully the simple realization of God’s promises to me through the Holy Spirit will change things… I am confident they will. Even though these struggles and distractions will never fully go away, I will never have to deal with them alone. How’s that for a positive thought?
Verse of an undetermined period of time:
John 14:15-17
“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him or knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”
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