"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you, " (John 14:16,17).
*With the cross only hours away, the Lord Jesus spoke these needed words of assurance to His men. By returning to the Father, the way was cleared for the Holy Spirit to begin His ministry of permanently abiding with, and within, believers. Unknown by the world system, the Spirit of truth nontheless abides with Christians forever.
*In the original language, the word translated "Helper" carries the idea of One "called alongside to help." The Holy Spirit, the Lord Jesus promised, takes up permanent residence in the life of the truly regenerate person, providing immeasurable help through His continual inner ministry.
Although the world has no use for Him, to the Christian the Spirit of truth is his whole source for comfort, conviction, instruction, and security.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Bits & Pieces: His Promised Presence
"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing, " (John 15:4,5).
* An important proof of the Lord's presence in a person's life is spiritual fruit. The character qualities of the Lord Jesus are made evident as we practice His presence, and obey His promptings. We are in constant need of thanking the Savior for His permanent abiding, and determining to maintain a sensitive heart to His leading.
* It is clear from these verses that the Lord Jesus desires for every child of His to be a fruit-bearing believer. As we abide in Him, His promised presence produces spiritual qualities of godliness, purity, and Christ-likeness. The pivotal question is: are we abiding in Him?
* An important proof of the Lord's presence in a person's life is spiritual fruit. The character qualities of the Lord Jesus are made evident as we practice His presence, and obey His promptings. We are in constant need of thanking the Savior for His permanent abiding, and determining to maintain a sensitive heart to His leading.
* It is clear from these verses that the Lord Jesus desires for every child of His to be a fruit-bearing believer. As we abide in Him, His promised presence produces spiritual qualities of godliness, purity, and Christ-likeness. The pivotal question is: are we abiding in Him?
Bits & Pieces: His Promised Presence
"And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age,'" (Matthew 28:18--20).
* On the basis of the authority which He had been given by the Father, the Lord Jesus commissioned His disciples to make other disciples. And, along with this awesome assignment of world-wide witness, He promised His powerful presence. What an encouraging thought, to realize that our every evangelistic effort is accompanied by our Lord's presence.
* The disciples must have felt overwhelmed when the Lord Jesus spoke these words. World-wide evangelism and discipleship represent a commission impossible to accomplish apart from the Lord's empowering presence. There was, no doubt, great relief in the group when the Lord promised His enabling presence.
* On the basis of the authority which He had been given by the Father, the Lord Jesus commissioned His disciples to make other disciples. And, along with this awesome assignment of world-wide witness, He promised His powerful presence. What an encouraging thought, to realize that our every evangelistic effort is accompanied by our Lord's presence.
* The disciples must have felt overwhelmed when the Lord Jesus spoke these words. World-wide evangelism and discipleship represent a commission impossible to accomplish apart from the Lord's empowering presence. There was, no doubt, great relief in the group when the Lord promised His enabling presence.
Bits & Pieces: His Promised Presence
"Then Moses called to Joshua and said to him, 'Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance. The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed,'" (Deuteronomy 31:7,8).
* With the awesome prospect of leading more than a million Israelites into the Promised Land, Joshua certainly needed these encouraging words from Moses. And although our enemies are not physical armies, as were Israel's, we too need the Lord's promised presence for spiritual battles. How good to know that He will never fail or forsake us.
* In his final words of exhortation and encouragement to his successor Joshua, Moses (a) commands his courage, and (b) promises God's presence. As he faced the Lord's enemies, Joshua would need to know that the living God was with him.
We,too, can feel overwhelmed, lonely, and abandoned. In such times, may the Lord bring to our remembrance this promise of His presence, granting grace to know that it is so.
* With the awesome prospect of leading more than a million Israelites into the Promised Land, Joshua certainly needed these encouraging words from Moses. And although our enemies are not physical armies, as were Israel's, we too need the Lord's promised presence for spiritual battles. How good to know that He will never fail or forsake us.
* In his final words of exhortation and encouragement to his successor Joshua, Moses (a) commands his courage, and (b) promises God's presence. As he faced the Lord's enemies, Joshua would need to know that the living God was with him.
We,too, can feel overwhelmed, lonely, and abandoned. In such times, may the Lord bring to our remembrance this promise of His presence, granting grace to know that it is so.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Bits & Pieces: Prayer Promises
"Oh, that You would rend the heavens and come down, That the mountains might quake at Your presence--- As fire kindles the brushwood, as fire causes water to boil --- To make Your name known to Your adversaries, That the nations may tremble at Your presence! For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear, Nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him," (Isaiah 64:1,2,4).
* While praying that the Lord would manifest His power toward Israel's enemies, Isaiah mentions a proof that the Lord God really lives --- He acts on behalf of the one who waits on Him. In our day, waiting is viewed as weakness at best, and stupidity, at worst. Yet, as believers, His Name is at stake in our lives --- oh, that we would want His timing as much as His will.
* To the Lord's adversaries, waiting upon Him makes no sense, whatsoever. What makes sense to an unbelieving world is to take control of one's life as much as possible, since there is no help outside one's self. For the Christian, however, the Lord's timing is to be as important as His guidance. And He is worth the wait.
* Because of the persecution Israel was receiving at the hands of her enemies, Isaiah prays that the Lord God would demonstrate His awesome power in their sight. For, he knew that God's uniqueness as the only true and living God is found in His acting in behalf of those who wait for Him.
He yearns for us to want His timing just as much as His direction.
* While praying that the Lord would manifest His power toward Israel's enemies, Isaiah mentions a proof that the Lord God really lives --- He acts on behalf of the one who waits on Him. In our day, waiting is viewed as weakness at best, and stupidity, at worst. Yet, as believers, His Name is at stake in our lives --- oh, that we would want His timing as much as His will.
* To the Lord's adversaries, waiting upon Him makes no sense, whatsoever. What makes sense to an unbelieving world is to take control of one's life as much as possible, since there is no help outside one's self. For the Christian, however, the Lord's timing is to be as important as His guidance. And He is worth the wait.
* Because of the persecution Israel was receiving at the hands of her enemies, Isaiah prays that the Lord God would demonstrate His awesome power in their sight. For, he knew that God's uniqueness as the only true and living God is found in His acting in behalf of those who wait for Him.
He yearns for us to want His timing just as much as His direction.
Bits & Pieces: Prayer Promises
"Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving And pay your vows to the Most High; Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me," (Psalm 50:14, 15).
* In the verses leading to this passage, the Lord makes it very clear that outward religious actions without inner commitment, are worthless. What He values most is a thankful-hearted son or daughter who follows through on commitments made to Him. And, He loves to show Himself strong on our behalf in times of trouble.
* The commands in these verses, 'offer thanksgiving', 'pay your vows', and 'call upon Me,' speak of humility, commitment, and dependence. We are told by God to be grateful for everything, follow through on promises we make to Him, and lean on Him in times of trouble.
* We honor our Lord when we express a grateful heart, when we fulfill our promises to Him, and when we call upon Him, thereby demonstrating our dependence. But when we walk in prideful independence, and rescue ourselves, then we get the credit, and He receives little or none.
It's a sign of maturity to be more concerned with our Lord's honor & reputation than our comfort.
* In the verses leading to this passage, the Lord makes it very clear that outward religious actions without inner commitment, are worthless. What He values most is a thankful-hearted son or daughter who follows through on commitments made to Him. And, He loves to show Himself strong on our behalf in times of trouble.
* The commands in these verses, 'offer thanksgiving', 'pay your vows', and 'call upon Me,' speak of humility, commitment, and dependence. We are told by God to be grateful for everything, follow through on promises we make to Him, and lean on Him in times of trouble.
* We honor our Lord when we express a grateful heart, when we fulfill our promises to Him, and when we call upon Him, thereby demonstrating our dependence. But when we walk in prideful independence, and rescue ourselves, then we get the credit, and He receives little or none.
It's a sign of maturity to be more concerned with our Lord's honor & reputation than our comfort.
Bits & Pieces: Prayer Promises
"Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand. Some boast in chariots and some in horses, But we will boast in the name of the LORD our God," (Psalm 33:6, 7).
* If one word were to be written over these verses, it would be "confidence." Because of the Lord's past unfailing faithfulness, David knew that He would certainly answer in the present and the future. Do we have such joyful confidence in God's response?
* The joyous confidence these verses exude stems from knowing the character of God. From past experience, David knew the he served a promise-keeping God. And, if others want to depend on physical means for their source of strength, we will rather rejoice in the mighty name of our God.
* We, like David, are in continual need of inner strengthening and encouragement by our Lord's response to prayer. Unlike David, however, we often lack the joyful confidence by faith to believe in His future provision. May we continually meditate on the past times when His answers were very obvious... and then thank Him for future faithfulness!
* If one word were to be written over these verses, it would be "confidence." Because of the Lord's past unfailing faithfulness, David knew that He would certainly answer in the present and the future. Do we have such joyful confidence in God's response?
* The joyous confidence these verses exude stems from knowing the character of God. From past experience, David knew the he served a promise-keeping God. And, if others want to depend on physical means for their source of strength, we will rather rejoice in the mighty name of our God.
* We, like David, are in continual need of inner strengthening and encouragement by our Lord's response to prayer. Unlike David, however, we often lack the joyful confidence by faith to believe in His future provision. May we continually meditate on the past times when His answers were very obvious... and then thank Him for future faithfulness!
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