[Faith-talk] FW: [BlindMen4Christ] A brighter tomorrow

[WESLEY BURDEN]

-----Original Message-----
From: blindmen4christ-bounces at morales-family.lljfm.net
[mailto:blindmen4christ-bounces at morales-family.lljfm.net] On Behalf Of Stu
(by way of Curtis Delzer <curtis at calweb.com>)
Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 11:30 AM
To: Blind men for Christ
Subject: [BlindMen4Christ] A brighter tomorrow

The Advantage of Having the Holy Spirit
What an incredible opportunity and experience the disciples had, getting the
chance to walk and talk with Jesus, God in the flesh in their very presence.
They could look into His eyes, touch His hands, and in the case of the
disciple John, even recline his head upon Jesus' chest (John 13:23). Jesus
had called His disciples friends (John 15:15). They had spent several years
together, learning and studying under this Master Teacher. But as the death
of Christ neared, He spoke to them about having to leave them. He understood
that this would bring them sorrow (John 16:6), but they needed to know
something very important. It would be to their advantage that He would leave
them. 
He says in John 16:7, "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage
that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you;
but if I go, I will send Him to you." The Helper is the Holy Spirit, the
Spirit of truth, as He is referred to in verse 13. This third Person of the
Trinity is of no less value to the disciples than Jesus having come in the
flesh. In fact, according to Jesus, it is an advantage for the disciples for
Jesus to leave and for the Helper to come. This is a potent realization that
is highly relevant for us today because, though we don't get to walk and
talk with a physical, tangible Jesus, we most certainly have the Helper
within our hearts if we have trusted Christ by faith.

I know that it can be tempting at times to wish for a physical Jesus to be
here with us. Then, after all, we could really find comfort. We could really
ask the hard questions of faith and life. We could really feel close to God,
and on down the list, or so we think. Jesus makes it abundantly clear that
we have an advantage because we have the Holy Spirit. We don't just get to
walk and talk with Jesus; we get something profoundly more intimate than
that.
He lives within our hearts through the Person of the Holy Spirit, God
Himself and one with Christ. We get Jesus as close as we could possibly get
Him, with all the accompanying spiritual power and authority to do His will.

Think of the disciples. They seemed very confused and at a loss throughout
their time with Christ to the point where Christ at times seemed to wonder
if they were ever going to catch on (though of course He knew they
would) (Matthew 15:16, Matthew 16:5-12). Yet Christ knew that it would be
the Holy Spirit Who would guide them into all truth (John 16:13). Jesus
taught them and taught them and taught them more still, yet it would be the
Spirit Who would come after His departure that would really begin to help
them get it. This Helper, God the Spirit, immediately and radically
transformed (Acts
2) the uneducated
disciples into powerful preachers, healers, evangelists, and bold, bold
witnesses. People who observed them could tell (now that the Spirit had come
to indwell them) that they had been with Christ (Acts 4:13). So, too, by way
of the Spirit's work in our hearts and lives, the world will be able to see
that we know Jesus, that we have "walked and talked" with Him through
reading the pages of Scripture. We truly have an advantage because Jesus
sent the Helper to us.

Let us never underestimate the power and help that the Spirit of God gives
to us. Scripture says that He empowers us with the ability to have joy,
peace, and hope (Romans 15:13). He teaches us what is ultimate true
spiritual wisdom and reality according to the Bible (1 Corinthians 2:13).
The Spirit leads us, giving us wisdom and direction as to how we should live
and what we should do (Romans 8:14). He helps us to be able to express our
prayers to God, interceding for us despite our weakness (Romans 8:26). He
also helps us to know for sure that we are indeed children of God,
testifying in our hearts to the fact (Romans 8:16). The work of the Spirit
is clearly a critical component of the life and ministry of a believer.
Without His guidance and help, we are powerless to accomplish anything of
lasting worth for the kingdom (Zechariah 4:6).

But the great news is that we do have the Spirit, so let us not devalue the
power, strength, insight, and ability that He can bring to bear upon our
lives.
We have a great Helper, God Himself indwelling our hearts (Romans 8:11), so
let us not be discouraged but empowered and filled with hope to do the work
of the kingdom with the King so very near to us in our hearts.


Prayer list!

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Our government and it's officials

All of god's church's

We need to always pray for the lost of this world

Sandra Cassidy and husband, Sandra has had some serious health problems, so
let's offer up a sincere prayer for her

Hurricane victims

Sandra's husband (Jim) serious health problems.

Teresa Kelly, serious eye problems

Stu
<mailto:K5stu at sbcglobal.net>K5stu at sbcglobal.net
Reading your Bible today will help prepare you for A Brighter Tomorrow!
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