Day 6
Start with Posture of Silence and Solitude (2 minutes)
Read Scripture: John 14:15-27
“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”
Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Devotional:
Jesus calls the Holy Spirit “another counselor.” The context of counselor literally means to “come alongside and help”. It’s a weighty word in the Greek meaning having many identities: comforter, healer, advocate, intercessor and friend. The Holy Spirit continues the role that Jesus had while he was on earth. When Jesus went to be with his father, the disciples learned to rely on the Holy Spirit to give them direction, to comfort them and to further their ministry. The Holy Spirit is also called the “Spirit of truth” because he is the Spirit of Jesus who embodies the truth. Sometimes one can believe that the most important thing about the Holy Spirit is his power but the most important thing is that he is Holy. His holy character is manifested in the lives of those who are believers and that is what matters most.
Questions to Ponder:
Have you seen the Holy Spirit work in your life? In what ways?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, I praise you because you are holy. Thank you for working in my life. You guided me to salvation, renewed my dead spirit, and you opened my eyes to the truth. Help me to see you more clearly – to recognize your movement in my life. Make me more sensitive to you so I can follow you more closely and recognize your leadership. Let me walk with you and grow good fruit in my life. You are the one who produces these in me: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I cannot live out these things on my own. Amen.
End with Posture of Silence and Solitude (2 minutes)