“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come” (John 16:13).
It is normal for any head of family just about to take on a long journey to gather all to pass on some very important message. So, when Jesus was about to return to his Father in heaven, he gathered the disciples and asked them, “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).
It was not the first time that Jesus was bringing up the matter. On an earlier occasion he had reminded the disciples, “But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you” (John 14:26). Jesus knew that his followers were going into a mean world. More than anything they needed a power to guide and protect them as well- the Holy Spirit!
It is written once the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus’s followers they were totally different. All who looked at them were amazed ( Acts 2). It is thereafter that the disciples went out to share about Jesus. They would do so with “power and conviction” because of a greater power.T
The disciples by waiting to receive the Holy Spirit had made the best decision. The Holy Spirit is a friend who enables us overcome challenges beyond our power. Haven’t you ever faced a personal challenge beyond you! Ask for the Holy spirit for his guidance and protection!
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I ask for the power of the Holy Spirit to come and guide me in all I do, for He is a protector and comforter, this I pray in Jesus’s name!
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
