“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” - John 14:18 (NIV).
It is quite normal in many households when the head is about to depart on a certain long journey to leave behind specific instructions. Among these could be bills to clear in his absence or whom to expect to complete certain tasks. Like wise, when Jesus was about to depart he left one specific instruction. “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven” (Luke 24:29, NLT).
Fortunately, the disciples obeyed. Finally, the day of Pentecost came and “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” (Acts 2: 4). Subsequently, they began to spread out preaching the Gospel, fulfilling the command in Matthew 28:19-20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
The Holy spirit has many roles in the lives of believers, which made it a prerequisite for the disciples departure. One important one that has been noted is that: “The Holy Spirit convicts people of their sins and points them to Jesus’ atoning death.” If people come to faith and accept God’s offer of forgiveness, the Spirit testifies that they have received eternal life and are children of God (Romans 8:16). The indwelling of the Holy Spirit leads to conviction wherever believers fall astray and helps them become more holy as they grow in faith. Further, through the Holy Spirit, believers bear fruit. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).
Any vehicle needs to be powered to move out. Likewise the lives of believers need to be powered by the Holy Spirit to proceed wherever. More than that, the Holy spirit is a comforter we cannot do without, bringing cheer to us in difficult moments, just as he also convicts and helps us fall back in line, if we fall astray. “But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you” (John 14:26, ASV).
Today, as you move out, there is one instruction you must hear from the Master, which is pray to receive the Holy Spirit to guide you in all your steps.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I pray that as I start the day you may fill me with your Holy Spirit to lead me into truth and guide me in all my steps, this I pray in Jesus’s name
Related upcoming events
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23/04/2024 - 24/04/2024 All day“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31)
There are many instances we find in the scriptures where God came and told a person, “I will come!” It was quite difficult to comprehend then and the waiting took a bit of time, but the Lord came through.
We find so in Gen 18:10, how the Lord spoke to Abraham, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” And surely at the right time the Lord came through.
The prophet Isaiah did long before the birth of Christ prophecy, “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (9:6-7).
Well, it took a bit of time; but it surely came to pass. There is here a remarkable fact about knowing God which none of us should ever lose sight of. As He once spoke through the prophet Balam, “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” ( Numbers 23:19).There is a world of difference between God and man! If He has promised; He will fulfill. The Lord’s “Yes” is truly “Yes;” and His “No,” quite frankly, “No! “ Listen to God. If He has said, “I will come”, just wait, for as with the prophets, the Lord is not in the business of falling back on His own word!
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, as you word says, you are not a human that you should lie, and for this, I hold on to your promises over my life, as I wait on you, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
