16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. 18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
John 14:16-18
How would you react if I tell you that I am going to send someone to live in your house and be by your side 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
You might say: I want to live my own life and don’t have people around me bothering me!
Or some may say: Whatever you arrange. But my life is too busy, and I don’t have much time to care about him!
Have you ever asked the Lord why he sent the Holy Spirit to live in you? Or are you still busy with your own life? Live the life that you want in your own way?
Many Christians do not live an abundant life because they neglect the Holy Spirit given by the Heavenly Father! Many live only according to his/her own flesh, experiencing not the presence of the Holy Spirit, paying no attention to the work of the Holy Spirit, relying not on the power of the Holy Spirit!
The word “HELPER”, παράκλητος, occurs only five times in the New Testament, meaning helper, encourager, comforter, someone who intercedes for us and defends our interests. Four times in John 14-16, it is translated as HELPER or Comforter. Once in 1 John 2:1 translated as Advocate, Jesus Christ is our intercessor with our Heavenly Father, the one who speaks, defends, and intercedes for us. Jesus introduced this HELPER so that we would get closer to our HELPER!
Have you noticed that we call Jesus Christ “Lord”? We honor the Lord, obey the Lord’s command, and serve the Lord. But the work of the Holy Spirit is to serve the saints! He was so gentle, kind, encouraging, and full of support! How many times are we unaware of the touching, encouragement, and work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts?
The Holy Spirit moves us to convict and repent. The Holy Spirit sympathizes with our weakness and always intercedes for us. Please don’t grieve the Holy Spirit!
The Holy Spirit guides us into the truth, reveals the heart of God, and makes us understand spiritual things.
The Holy Spirit moves us and pours God’s love into our hearts!
The Holy Spirit gives us confidence and assurance of our salvation. He confirms that we are the children of God, and He even becomes the hostage of our inheritance!
The Heavenly Father gave us the Holy Spirit, asking us to live a victorious life by the power of the Holy Spirit! And the Holy Spirit gives us the greatest support and encouragement so that we are not afraid of all our weaknesses, not afraid of all the difficulties of the world, and not afraid of all the attacks of the devil! Jesus Christ rose from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. Similarly, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can live a new life every day and overcome the world!
Starting today, let’s pay attention to the Holy Spirit, be mindful of the Holy Spirit, and rely on the Holy Spirit! Try a short prayer to the Holy Spirit:
Prayer
Holy Spirit, let me experience your presence and pay attention to your touching!
Reveal the words of God, and let me understand!
Move me to understand God’s love!
Let me bravely pray and praise you!
Teach me to choose what is after God’s heart!
Strengthen me!
Prepare my friend’s heart!
Make a way for me!
Let me live the life of an overcomer by your power!
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