John 14:15, 16 - The Holy Ghost in Love and Obedience.
John 14:15, 16 - The Holy Ghost in Love and Obedience.
John 14:15, 16 (KJV) If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I
will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that
he may abide with you forever;
A tender and intimate scene unfolds in John 14. The disciples
did not understand everything that was going on, but they knew that
something big was about to happen. They knew that Jesus would be leaving
them. Their teacher, their mentor, their friend for the last three
years was highlighting his most important instructions as though he
was trying to squeeze in some "last words," and their hearts were
crushed with the burden.
Jesus spoke encouraging words to them. Their hearts should
not be troubled; he was going to prepare a place for them; and he
would come again to get them. And in the meantime the Father would
send them the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to help them and teach them.
In his hour of greatest turmoil, he was trying to relieve theirs.
[NIV Once A Day Bible]
Jesus was soon going to leave the disciples, but he would
remain with them. When Jesus said, "I will come to you," he meant it.
How? The Spirit of God himself - the Advocate - would come to care
for and guide the disciples after Jesus was gone.
The Holy Spirit has been active among people from the
beginning of time, but after Pentecost (Acts 2) he came to live in all
believers. To have the Holy Spirit is to have Jesus himself
The Holy Spirit is the very presence of God in every
believer. As we surrender our lives to God's Spirit, "God is working in
you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him"
(Philippians 2:13). This is the obedience motivated by love that Jesus is
talking about throughout this passage.
"The Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what
the sinful nature desires" (Galatians 5:17). God's Spirit cultivates
love, which forces out of our lives the "passions and desires" of our
"sinful nature" (Galatians 5:22, 24). "Since we are living by the
Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives"
(Galatians 5:25). [One Year NLT SB re John 14:15-18]
Imagine yourself alone with Jesus in a place where your
spirit and His freely commune. It can be anywhere: a beach, a hillside,
a living room, wherever. Ask Him to inspire your thoughts and fill
your heart with Himself. Picture His face - don't worry if you get
all the details right or not - envision His gestures, and hear the
tone of His voice. Ask Him questions. How does He respond? What do
you hear?
This is an exercise in Presence that bothers some people for
its subjectivity. But relationships are subjective by nature, and if
we're going to have one with Jesus, it will need to be so. Granted, it
takes practice; no one sees and hears completely in the Spirit. But
all are invited to meet Him there. In fact, He promised that we
would. He assured us we would have an Advocate or Counselor - a highly
relational term - and implied that we would be able to communicate with
this Counselor and He with us. Do we trust that He will speak to us
when we ask Him to? That He can fill our thoughts with Himself? Or do
we believe instead that when we ask this relational God for clear
communication with Him, He will ignore our request and abandon us to
deception? Clearly, Jesus meant for us to experience Him through His Spirit
who lives within us, not just in some abstract theological sense but
in real person-to-Person communication. We can trust Him to follow
through.
Spend ample time communing with Jesus - picturing Him,
listening for His voice, trusting His Presence. Measure what you see and
hear against Scripture, but be open to His personal touch. He wants
to give it. Meet Him in the secret place where His Spirit and yours
can freely commune.
Jesus, I envision Your Presence because You've assured me
it's true - that You speak, counsel, and commune with me. Make our
relationship rich and full with Your nearness and love. [The One Year
Experiencing God's Presence Devotional by Chris Tiegreen]
From The Heart Of God
"If you need an example of the simplicity of answered prayer,
notice what I promised: I will ask the Father, and He will give you the
Spirit. If you need a commitment that your relationship with Me isn't an
up-and-down ride, notice the Spirit's plan: He will never leave you. And if
you need assurance that you can hear My voice, notice the Spirit's
agenda: He will lead you into all truth. Do you see it? I have given you
a model of interaction with the Father, an unbreakable vow of
presence, and unwavering dedication to reveal everything you need to know
and more. The Father will give, the Spirit will never leave, and He
leads into all truth. I've left you little room to wonder.
"Why do I speak in extreme terms? Because those terms are
true. Casual words would not suffice. I've given you an extreme
calling and made extreme commitments to you. You may not experience the
reality of these words as tangibly as you would like, but you will if
you continue to believe them without compromise. Press Me on them.
Push Me to follow through. Persist in your asking. I invite you to be
unyielding, to pester Me to do what I've already said I'm going to do. I
take no pleasure in those who fall back and think perhaps they have
asked too much. Too much for Me? Do you realize how much I have to
offer? There's never 'too much' when you're talking to an infinite God.
''Accept the extremes of My promises. Take Me at My word.
Trust that I am fulfilling everything I said I would fulfill. I
haven't invited you to come tiptoeing up to the throne of grace. I said
to come boldly. Ask according to My greatest desires for you."
Jesus, Your dreams for me are even greater than my own, which
is saying a lot. Unveil them and fulfill them. Help me to think
big. I want everything You promised to the fullest. [The One Year
Hearing His Voice Devotional by Chris Tiegreen]
Gaze at Me; glance at problems - this is the secret of living
victoriously. Your tendency is to gaze at problems for prolonged periods of
time, glancing at Me for help. This is natural for someone with a
fallen mind living in a fallen world. However, I have called you to
live supernaturally, and I have empowered you to do so. The Holy
Spirit, who lives in all My followers, enables you to live beyond
yourself - to transcend your natural tendencies.
Ask My Spirit to help you fix your gaze on Me. Invite Him to
alert you whenever you get overly focused on problems so you can
redirect your attention to Me. This is hard work, because it is not only
unnatural but also countercultural. Moreover, the evil one and his demons
seek to distract you from My Presence. All these influences working
together put massive pressure on you to pay attention to your problems -
or else! So you need the assistance of My Spirit continually. Ask
Him to help you deal with difficulties as needed, while reserving
the bulk of your attention for Me - your constant Companion. (Heb.
12:2; John 14:16, 17; 2Co. 4:18) [Jesus Today by Sarah Young]
Trust Me moment by moment. This is all I require of you, and
it is sufficient to keep you standing firm in the midst of fierce
spiritual battles. Just getting through each day is a victory as long as
you stay in communication with Me. Search for Me in your moments.
Keeping your focus on My Presence is the best protection against
self-pity and depression.
I am calling you to trust Me in deep darkness. Take one step
at a time, clinging to My hand for help and guidance. I am always
near you, and I know exactly how much you are struggling.
Though the battle is fierce and you are weak, your resources
are unlimited. My Spirit is ever ready to help you; you have only to
ask. Remember that this Holy Helper is infinitely powerful and
infinitely loving. I also am eager to help you. Call upon My Name with
confident trust, for My unfailing Love surrounds you. (Psa. 62:8; John
14:16, 17; Psa. 32:10) [Jesus Today by Sarah Young]
I am the Creator of heaven and earth: Lord of all that is and
all that will ever be. Although I am unimaginably vast, I choose to
dwell within you, permeating you with My Presence. Only in the spirit
realm could Someone so infinitely great live within someone so very
small. Be awed by the Power and the Glory of My Spirit within you!
Though the Holy Spirit is infinite, He deigns to be your
Helper. He is always ready to offer assistance; all you need to do is
ask. When the path before you looks easy and straightforward, you may
be tempted to go it alone instead of relying on Me. This is when
you are in the greatest danger of stumbling. Ask My Spirit to help
you as you go each step of the way. Never neglect this glorious
Source of strength within you. (John 14:16, 17; 16:7; Zec. 4:6) [Jesus
Calling by Sarah Young]
ONE LINERS
To know God is to love Him; DA22
Grace is the gravel God places under your shoes of faith so you
won't stumble on Satan's slippery path of deception. Trust gives you
traction to follow Jesus. Do what Christ expects and you can expect His
energy to empower your actions. Obedience pays!
www.wisdomhuntersdevotional.com
Freedom is the fruit of following Jesus.
www.wisdomhuntersdevotional.com
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2009/20090223-2102.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT:
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Video Clip: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prophecies Decoded Sermon Series:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
