And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. — John 14:16-17
This week we have looked at the unconditional love of God, the nourishment you get through reading God’s Word, Christ’s presence, power, and pruning in your life, salvation by grace through faith in Christ, and abundant life here on earth. When these things are on your plate, they truly satisfy you. When you embrace the things God gives you, you will be full but also fulfilled.
This sounds wonderful, but you still will make bad choices at times, or will be walking along one day and realize you have fallen back into bad habits. There is no way you can do this on your own.
The good news is, you do not have to. In the days before Jesus was crucified, he had a long conversation with his disciples. One of things he told them was that he would ask God the Father to send an Advocate to be with them: the Holy Spirit. His disciples would recognize the Holy Spirit because he would abide with them and would dwell in them.
Romans 8:11 reminds us that the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives within us. Stop and think about that for a moment. This is the Holy Spirit who lives within you. This is the Holy Spirit who teaches you and reminds you of everything Jesus said to his disciples and therefore says to you. The Holy Spirit has power!
As you have journeyed through Lent, looking at all the things you put on your plate that have left you unsatisfied, it probably feels a little overwhelming. How in the world do you make these changes? How do you stop choosing the bad things, or making them too big in your life, and how do you start choosing the things God offers?
The good news is, the Holy Spirit who dwells within you will help you. Next week, we delve into how to choose the good spiritual food.
To Think/Pray About Today
We are never alone in our faith, but sometimes we feel that way. When you get discouraged, remind yourself that the Holy Spirit dwells within you and is there as your advocate.
Prayer Focus: Orion’s
Cedarville United Presbyterian Church 