The Blessing

Isaiah 44:3b (HCSB) - "I will pour out My Spirit on your descendants and My blessing on your offspring.

Are you seeking a blessing from God? Too often we seek for material things, however we find in the Scriptures that the real Blessing that God is willing to give is the Holy Spirit. He is the One who adds value to everything that you are and that you do. He is the One who will bless you and keep you as we find that great benediction in Numbers 6:24 - 25. Read it with me, “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you...."

So, how do we receive this blessing? Well, do you seek a financial blessing - yield your checkbook and money to Him. Seeking a blessing at work - yield your every moment and thought of business to Him. Want a blessing in your health - yield your body to Him. You should be getting the picture now. We often pray for God's blessing and we don't release it to Him.

Muse over this today, "Have I been asking God for a Blessing and not turning myself over to Him?" Ponder what areas of your life that you have been seeking God's blessing, and still wanted to handle everything your own way. If you are saved, you already have God's Blessing - the Holy Spirit - all you need to do is give Him control of your life.

He

John 14:26 - "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

Many refer to the Holy Spirit as an "it." Jesus refers to Him as a person. In this verse we see that Jesus uses the pronoun "he." Why? Was Jesus mistaken? Didn't Jesus know that the Holy Spirit was only a force, a concept, the power of God?

No, Jesus knew personally the person of the Holy Spirit. As you trace the Holy Spirit through Scriptures you can find references to all the components that make up a person. He had intellect, will, and emotions. He has the capacity to think infinitely - therefore He knows all about you. He has the infinite capacity for emotion, therefore He cares deeply for you. He has the divine power of will, therefor he will do great and mighty things for you when you choose to obey the commands of Scripture.

He is the Third Person of the Trinity. We can deny Him (2 Timothy 3:5), lie to Him (Acts 5:3), resist Him (Genesis 6:3), blaspheme Him (Matthew 12:31), obey Him (Hebrews 3:7 - 11), desire Him (John 7:37 - 38) and follow Him (Galatians 5:16, 25).

Today, pause and muse over this Third Person of the Trinity. Learn from Him, call to Him to help you worship and glorify the Father. Listen for His voice today.

The Spirit of Truth

John 14:16 - 17 - "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."

There is much error in the world today. In fact, since the Serpent Satan entered the Garden of Eden, there has been more and more error in this world. Jesus knew this truth, and He sent the Holy Spirit - the Spirit of Truth - to live in each believer to help us recognize and evade the errors out there. There are many who think they have the truth, and they will seek to lead you astray from the truth of God. when they deny Jesus Christ as God, or the Bible as the inerrant Word of God they do not have the truth. Jesus told us that He is the Truth (John 14:6) and God's Word is the Truth (John 17:17). Denying wither of these establishes that person as not having the truth.

The Spirit of Truth was sent to live in us, not periodically but every moment of every day. He is there to guide us, not some of the time but all of the time to know the Truth. When we ignore Him or deny His voice of instruction, we wind up living outside the truth. When we have trouble understanding the Bible, He is there to guide us into truth. He is there 24/7 - will we listen to His voice?

Today, muse over the truth that the Spirit of Truth is living in you (if you have received Jesus as your Savior), and that He wants to guide you into all truth. But, you must let Him do this. Pause and pray, "Holy Spirit, I know that You are in me because Jesus has promised it. Spirit come open my mind and heart to the truth of God. Reveal Jesus to me today in all of His Truth. Guide me today in the study of God's Word, the Truth. I ask this in accordance with the promise of Christ, Amen."

The Holy One

Job 6:10 - "Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One."

The Holy Spirit is called the Holy One because He is sent from God to help us live in a holy and godly manner. Holy means separated, set apart, to be pure and pristine. He is sent to us to help us as sinful people get ready to live with a pure and Holy God. Consider what Jesus said about Him in John 16:7 - 11 - "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged."

The Holy Spirit will convict us of our sin to help us live a holy life before God. He will give us a guide to walk and live in righteousness, and to be aware of the judgment on those who reject Christ. He will help us to be holy if we have a deep desire to live for God. He is sent to make us holy before God. Jesus removes our sin penalty before God, the Holy Spirit leads us into a right living before God.

Today, spend some time musing over the truth and power in the Holy Spirit being the Holy One, the One sent to guide us into all holiness in our lives. Let Him take control and lead you in the right way.

Oil of Happiness and Healing

"You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; this is why God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of joy...." Hebrews 1:9 (HCSB)

The Holy Spirit is the oil of happiness and healing. He is the Oil of Gladness spoken of in the Scriptures. Dr. Elmer Towns gives a number of ways that the Holy Spirit is Oil. Consider what he says:

1) He pours His presence on your discouragement and gives you new zeal and strength to live and serve God. You then rejoice!

2) He pours His presence on your failures, and you see new opportunities in your life. You then grow!

3) He washes away the infirmities that fester and breed germs. You are whole again!

4) He pours Himself into you to give you a second chance. You rejoice!

Muse today over how the Holy Spirit can challenge you today to grow, live and have joy in serving God today. Don't just look for what the Holy Spirit can do for you, look for ways to serve God and others in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Towns, Elmer (2004). 365 Ways to Know God. Regal Publishing Co. pg. 32

The Work of the Holy Spirit - Counsels

John 16:5-15 (NKJV) - “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 

12 I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into 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. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you."

We have looked at two of the three works of the Holy Spirit that Jesus speaks about in this passage in the Gospel of John. He tells us that the Holy Spirit comforts, convicts, and today ponder that this Holy Spirit counsels. Consider what Jesus said in verse 13 above - "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into 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" (bold mine). Jesus promised His disciples, and us today, that the Holy Spirit will guide one into truth - all truth. He is working to help you understand God's Word and  to live for the Lord.

The Holy Spirit will not take center-stage. when we see Him held up to the lime-light, it probably isn't Him. You see, Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would guide us into all truth. And then in verse14, Jesus goes on to say, "He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you." We must remember that Jesus spoke very decidedly when He proclaimed in John 14:6 - “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." He left no wiggle-room. He left no gray area. Jesus is all truth. Jesus is the only way. Jesus is the abundant life. And, today, the Holy Spirit glorifies and speaks of Jesus.

Ponder today, the full impact of Jesus' statement in John 14:6. There is no room for any truth other than Jesus. There is no allowance for any other way except Jesus. There is no living without the Life - Jesus.

The Work of the Holy Spirit - Convict

John 16:5-15 (NKJV) - “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 

12 I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into 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. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you."

Yesterday we pondered verse 7 - "the Helper" or the Holy Spirit comforts/encourages us. Today, let us muse over verse 8 where Jesus says, "And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment..." (bold mine). This is the work of the Holy Spirit among those who do not know Jesus Christ. He is the One who reveals God's existence to a person. 

In verses 9 to 11, Jesus goes on to explain what He is speaking about in verse 8. Jesus states that the Holy Spirit will convict the unbeliever - "of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged." In other words, the Holy Spirit shows lost people the reality of their sin and the impending judgment. And, He shows them their need to believe on Jesus Christ.

So, today, muse over this second work of the Holy Spirit that Jesus speaks about in this passage. The work of convicting lost and dying unbelievers. 

The Work of the Holy Spirit - Comfort

John 16:5-15 (NKJV) - “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 

12 I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into 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. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you."

For the remainder of this week, let us ponder what Jesus had to say about the work of the Holy Spirit. We will come back to this topic again in the future. The doctrine of the Holy Spirit is one of the most misunderstood teachings in the Bible. Some deny Him, others attribute too much to Him. We must keep our focus on the Father, but not neglect the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Today we will ponder on what Jesus said in verse 7 - "Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you " (bold mine). Jesus first says that the Holy Spirit comforts. He called him "the Helper" which comes from the Greek word paráklētos which means to encourage or comfort. [To get a little technical for a moment, this word is a singular, masculine noun. In the question that arises is the Holy Spirit a "He" or an "It" - we see that Jesus recognized Him as a He.]

Jesus is saying to His disciples in this passage that it was necessary for Him to go away so that they could get something special - the Holy Spirit. The comforter, or encourager lives in us when we receive the Son. This encourager works to help us live a proper spiritual life. The Holy Spirit is a "cheerleader" who lives in us, encouraging us through the trials and temptations of life. He is there to help us live the way we should.

Muse for a moment on whether you are living a life that is truly pleasing to God. If not, could it be that you are holding back the Holy Spirit from guiding and leading you? Today, let go and let Him take control. Listen to His words of comfort and encouragement. And see what kind of adventure He will take you on. Trust Him - He's always right.