“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 certain long journeys to live behind specific instructions. Among these could be bills to clear in his absence or whom to expect to complete certain tasks. Like wise, when the Lord 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 where 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 and 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 also he convicts and helps us 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
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11/05/2024 - 12/05/2024 All day“Now God has caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel” (Dan 1:9)
It can be said with certainty everyone in life would like to be favored- especially from God. Favor brings opportunity and comes with blessings. The Bible has many people who were indeed favored and the blessings on their life is clearly evident.
We have Joseph who had favor upon him whether working for Potiphar (Gen 39:5); down in jail (Gen 39:21); and finally being elevated as prime minister of great Egypt. When Abraham was 99 the Lord appeared to him and blessed him, “I will establish My covenant between Me and you, And I will multiply you exceedingly” (Gen 17:1- 8). Mary was selected among all women as the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:28-33).
Perhaps here one may ask, but how does one receive favor from God?If we may look at the above and other examples of those who were greatly favored by God, like Noah from the Great flood (Genesis 6:8), or Moses to lead the people of Israel (Exodus 33: 12-17), it was not because there was anything remarkably good in these people. Neither was perfect yet God showed favor upon them. The reason is, “For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion” (Romans 9:15).
A clear characteristic of those who receive favor is humility. Isaiah 66:2 says, “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and those who tremble at my word.” As the preacher Charles Spurgeon once wrote, “God shows favor to those who seek his favor by loving Him, respecting Him, honoring Him, and by taking delight in His word.”
We can receive favor by asking God. Psalm 119 says, “I entreat your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise” (Psalm 119:58). And God is calling us to have our hearts in tune with Him, for, “the Lord bestows favor and honor, no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless” (Psalm 84:11).Today, pray and walk in that assurance of being favored of the Lord Almighty.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I come to you in humility to ask of your favor to bless me in all that I do, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
