In All Things
Jesus has given His disciples many great promises. Some pertain to this life, some to the next. Of all the promises that He made concerning this life, none compares with the promise of the Blessed Holy Spirit. During the last night that Jesus spent with His followers before His crucifixion He said to them: “It is to your advantage that I go away. For if I go away I will send the Holy Spirit unto you.” He further said, “I will not leave you as orphans, I will send to you the advocate (paraclete).
Having been given the Holy Spirit in His fullness at Pentecost, the disciples were empowered for bold testimony of the resurrection of Jesus. No one could intimidate them nor shut them down. In fact, it says they filled Jerusalem with their doctrine. Not only were multitudes converted to Jesus, but also the disciples found comfort during trial and persecution. They found strength for any adversity.
Sad to say, we disciples many time continue to live our lives relying on our own resources and power. We walk in the flesh instead of the Spirit. We fail because we fail to rely on Him for each need we might face.
I must confess that I have not attained to the riches of His indwelling that are available, but I have found that when I do yield to His promptings and allow His presence to fill me I find a peace and power that transcends all my burdens.
Today take some extra moments alone with Him, asking His forgiveness for times you failed to recognize His indwelling. Yield anew to His filling and make full use of the “Promise from the Father.”
Acts 1:4-5 4
While He was together with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “This,” [He said, “is what] you heard from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Because of grace,
Tim
