And I asked the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever. John 14:16 (AMPC) Although God’s presence is available to us, sometimes it’s like an unopened gift left under the tree. According to John 14:16, God provides seven different gifts for you to unwrap and enjoy through your relationship with Holy Spirit. Over the next two days as we unwrap each one, meditate on what every gift means to you. 1. Comfort. We all go through painful times on this earth. Being a Christian does not make you exempt. However, Holy Spirit provides great comfort when we are hurting. There have been many times when I have experienced this incredible …
No Strings Attached
Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God’s gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there’s more life to come—an eternity of life! You can count on this. Titus 3:4-8 (MSG) One day as I was rushing through the airport to catch a flight, a man stopped to offer me a free gift. All I have to do is sign up for a credit card and I would get free air miles. We’ve all seen this kind of thing before—get a “free gift” with the purchase. Sometimes these deals are great, but they are not really free gifts. They come with conditions. You have to give something to get. A true gift is given without conditions. …
Accepting Imperfection
Love endures long and is patient and kind; Love never is envious nor boiled over with jealousy, it’s not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. 1 Corinthians 13:4 (AMPC) December is a month of giving and getting. As we make lists of things we would like to give others, we drop hints about what we would like to get in return. Gift exchanges can add so much excitement to the holidays! December is also a time when many people become fixated on perfection. They want to find that perfect Christmas tree, hosted perfect party and buy the perfect present for each of their loved ones. This desire for perfection often seeps into their expectation of other people. And when people fall short—as they …
Are You Lonely Tonight?
No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you will also live. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you. John 14:18-20 (NLT) Christmas can be a wonderful time to get together with family and friends, but it can also be a time of great struggle for many—a time of sadness and loneliness. The loss of a loved one, a divorce or having family move away can make it an especially lonely time. If you’re feeling lonely this Christmas, I’d like to encourage you. Everyone has moments and …
Time With Holy Spirit Is Noticeable
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 (NKJV) A common question many parents ask is: “How can we make sure we raise great kids?” There are so many principles in God ‘s Word about training the next generation, but one thing comes to mind immediately. Parents who spend time with Holy Spirit are leaps and bounds ahead before any other principle is applied. When you spend time with Holy Spirit, it is noticeable to those around you. People noticed a difference in Peter and John because they had been with Jesus. In exactly the same way, Holy Spirit brings us …