John 14:26

Have you ever been overwhelmed with new information yet tried to process it all as best as you could? No doubt, that’s how Christ’s friends felt. They had heard Jesus’s sermon on the mount. That was pretty upside down. Meek inherit the earth. Blessed are the peacemakers. Not warriors???  Deny yourself? Take up your cross?  Certainly they must have had private chats among themselves after Jesus downloaded kingdom principles for their “best life.” However, one of the more overwhelming teaching to process must have been about the Holy Spirit. That He, the Holy Spirit, would come to them and help them. Imagine their questions!  Their frame of reference for the HOLY SPIRIT was God anointing a select few Old Testament people to accomplish divine work on earth. Names like Elijah and Elisha most certainly came to their minds. But them? Common fishermen? Tax collectors? Dazed and confused might have described the disciples as they listened to Jesus tell them God the Father would send the Holy Spirit to them. That the HOLY SPIRIT would teach them all things and bring to their remembrance all Jesus said to them.  That the HOLY SPIRIT would empower them to live in a way that bore witness to Christ. (Acts 1:8)  HOLY. SPIRIT. Isn’t that what God knows we need? A Holy Spirit? So God did just that –  sent His Holy Spirit – the Who, not “it” to live in us. Are we treating His heavenly presence in us as a welcomed, Holy guest? Are we giving Him reign over our lives? Are we yielding to His prompts? Are we asking Him to overwhelm us so we glorify our Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ?

“But the Helper, the HOLY SPIRIT, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” John 14:26

Heavenly Father,  thank You for the incredible blessing of the Holy Spirit. We ask for the Holy Spirit to fill us, to overwhelm us so Christ is preeminent in our lives.   

Prior to Jesus’s crucifixion, He prepared His disciples for His departure; comforting them that the HOLY SPIRIT would come to them. Can you imagine their confusion? Their frame of reference for the HOLY SPIRIT was God anointing only a few Old Testament people to accomplish divine work on earth. The names Elijah and Elisha certainly came to mind. But them? “Dazed and confused” might have described the disciples as they listened to Jesus tell them about the HOLY SPIRIT. The HOLY SPIRIT would be their Helper. God the Father would send Him in Christ’s name. The HOLY SPIRIT would teach them all things and bring to their remembrance all that Jesus said to them.  The HOLY SPIRIT would empower them to live in a way that bore witness to Christ. (Acts 1:8)  HOLY. SPIRIT. Isn’t that what God knows we need? So He sent Him – The Who, not “it,” to live in us. Are we treating His heavenly presence as a welcomed, Holy guest? Are we asking Him to reign over our lives and yielding to His wishes?  “But the Helper, the HOLY SPIRIT, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” John 14:26

Heavenly Father,  forgive us for discounting the gift of Your Holy Spirit in us. Forgive our insolence for living without being mindful of Your divine presence. Fill us. Overwhelm us so Christ pours forth from us to serve others and glorify You.   

Prior to Jesus’s crucifixion, He prepared His disciples for His departure; comforting them that the HOLY SPIRIT would come to them. Can you imagine their confusion? Their frame of reference for the HOLY SPIRIT was God anointing only a few Old Testament people to accomplish divine work on earth. The names Elijah and Elisha certainly came to mind. But them? “Dazed and confused” might have described the disciples as they listened to Jesus tell them about the HOLY SPIRIT. The HOLY SPIRIT would be their Helper. God the Father would send Him in Christ’s name. The HOLY SPIRIT would teach them all things and bring to their remembrance all that Jesus said to them.  The HOLY SPIRIT would empower them to live in such a way they bore witness to Christ. (Acts 1:8)  HOLY. SPIRIT. Isn’t that what God knows each of us needs? So, He sent Him, a who, not an “it,” to live in believers. Are we treating His heavenly presence as a welcomed, Holy guest? Are we asking Him to reign over our lives?  “But the Helper, the HOLY SPIRIT, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” John 14:26

Heavenly Father,  forgive us for discounting the gift of Your Holy Spirit. Forgive our insolence for living apart from Your divine presence. Fill us. Overwhelm us so Christ pours forth from us to serve others and glorify You.   

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“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you” (John 14:26).

Prior to Jesus’ crucifixion, He prepared His disciples for His departure; comforting them that the Holy Spirit would come to them. Can you imagine their confusion? Their frame of reference for the Holy Spirit was the Holy Spirit anointing individuals for divine work. The names Elijah and Elisha certainly came to mind. But them? “Dazed and confused” might have described the disciples as they listened to Jesus tell them about the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would be their Helper. God the Father would send Him in Christ’s name. The Holy Spirit would teach them “all things” and bring to their remembrance all that Jesus said to them. Holy. Spirit. Isn’t that what God knows each of us needs? So, He sent Him, a who, not a what, to live in us. Are we treating the heavenly presence who abides in us as a welcomed, Holy guest?

We praise You, God the HOLY SPIRIT, sent in Christ’s name, to be with us forever.