Holy Spirit You are Welcome Here

“When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened ²² and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” -Luke 3:21-22

Do you remember the day you were baptized?  It was September 19, 1981 I was 9 years old and my father stood next to me getting baptized as well.  I remember being so excited.  I wanted God to have control of my life.  I saw him as my protector, someone I could go to with anything. 

It's funny, I still feel that way today, but those feelings really stand out in my memory on that day.  Our scripture passage today tells us that, “When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too.”  Why?  Jesus was perfect.  He did not need to repent.  He did not need his sins forgiven.  He was living a perfect life without need of a Savior.  He was the Savior!

So why was he baptized?  I believe it was an act of obedience.  The father wanted him to be baptized to show us what to do and to be introduced from Heaven.  Scripture says, “heaven opened up and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove.  And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well please.’”

Did you know, the Holy Spirit did not fill many people in the Old Testament the way he does today. When we read the Old Testament, we see a few people such as Joshua, Saul, David and limited others who God said the Spirit was in.

The Holy Spirit was sent after Jesus resurrection, to help us communicate with God. Now when we accept Christ into our heart, it is the Holy Spirit who takes up residence.  When you pray, it’s the Holy Spirit who takes those prayers to the throne of the Father. 

It is the Holy Spirit who we feel moving in us comforting us, directing us, and convicting us of sin; leading us to repentance.  Just as the Holy Spirit came down and rested on Jesus, he has come down to all who believe in Christ and confess him as Lord.  

We can trust that God will be there for us.  He knows what is happening in our lives and we have a counselor guiding us everyday.

You Do Not Have to "Go It Alone"

Were you ever assigned a task that you were not prepared to do?

Many years ago (more than I care to admit) I was asked to be on a church stewardship board. I knew very little about Biblical stewardship and I would have to ask people for money (gasp!). I accepted, but I felt totally inadequate for the job. I had neither the skills nor the training.

The apostles must have felt like this shortly after Jesus death. Just before ascending to heaven, Jesus told them to “Go and make disciples of all nations and … teach them ...” Jesus had previously told the apostles he would be leaving, but would have God send an advocate (or counselor) to be with them. Most likely the apostles forgot about this promise, but even if they remembered, did not understand what it meant.

Today’s reading (Acts 2:1-4) is about the arrival of that counselor, the Holy Spirit. What an awesome event that was!

Today the Holy Spirit comes in a less dramatic, yet equally effective, manner. Through our baptism, because of Jesus death, He makes us Holy and acceptable to God. We also become members of Jesus’ Heavenly Kingdom. A blessing indeed!

Members of the kingdom have the privilege of carrying out Christ’s work in this world. We are to worship God, care for people and “Go and make disciples”.

Being asked to serve in the church made me realize I had an active role to play in the Kingdom. Before that, I suppose I thought that all I had to do was sit back and enjoy God’s blessings.

I survived my role on the stewardship board. I met a lot of people, I learned a lot about God’s plan and with God’s help, the board even raised enough money to build a new sanctuary for the church.

Later it dawned on me. The counselor, that is the Holy Spirit, provided me with everything I needed to carry out God’s work.

The counselor is with me. I do not have to go it alone. What a relief!

John 14: 1-7, 32-29

Heaven

John 14 contains all the reminders we need. It holds comfort, guidance, truth and the promise of salvation in the words of Jesus.

Jesus Comforts His Disciples

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my house there are many rooms; if it were not so I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you may be where I am.”

Jesus the Way to The Father

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

“If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”

“The Counselor, 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.”

“You heard me say I am going away and am coming back to you. If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.”

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Each of these verses deserves a separate blog entry, for the power within them is immense. They do however, speak for themselves. I feel honored to be able to share so many powerful words of Jesus on one page.

Recently I attended the funeral of a friend's mother. The experiences reminded me of the grief I felt when I lost my parents, brother, and oldest son. Though the sorrow was at times overwhelming, I felt a peace knowing they were resting in the arms of God. I long for others to feel that sense of love and peace that comes only from knowing of, and trusting in these promises of the Lord delivered through Jesus.

Read/Listen to John 14

John 14:15-31

Jesus promised his disciples that He would never leave them.  Even following His death and Resurrection when he left this world to sit at The Father's right hand, His Spirit, the Holy Spirit came to reveal more to them and to us.

John 14:15-17 (NIV)
"If you love me, you will obey what I command.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to 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."

As Christians, we have the privilege of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus called him Counselor.  He is also referred to as advocate, supporter and sponsor. It is the Holy Spirit I turn to when I can't make sense out of life.  It is this Spirit I cry out to when I need direction and am seeking a meaning for my pain.  The Holy Spirit gives me wisdom and hope when my life is the darkest. He is my nightlight.

This person of the Trinity is the great Enabler who, when asked, will enable us to fight Satan with the Word, who will regenerate, reveal, and renew us every day. Come Holy Spirit is a daily prayer.

Read John 14:15-31 here

Listen to John 14:15-31 here