Category Archives: Holy Spirit

Reflections on John 14:15-31: Knowing the Holy Spirit

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“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:16-17 ESV

Never underestimate the value of having relationship with the Holy Spirit. He is our Helper, the Spirit of Truth, our Teacher, and so much more. He is with us forever.

““These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:25-26 ESV

Jesus says we will know the Holy Spirit. To know is to “take, receive or hold” or “to not be a stranger with or to be familiar with.” Knowing the Holy Spirit is be intimate with Him. The Holy Spirit desires to be relational with us or to put it simply in relationship with us. We can talk to Him in prayer, and He loves to speak to us. We can ask Him for help to understand God’s truth. He longs to teach us God’s ways if we only listen to His still small voice. He continually draws us in closer and closer to Jesus and the Father.

Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you every time you open the scripture (the Bible) and begin to read. He will! Ask the Holy Spirit to give you power to live as God designed for you to live. He will! Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you to overflowing with Himself. He will!

Christmas in Luke (Day 13)

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Today’s reading is Luke 13.


As we have seen, Jesus often spoke in parables. Todays reading has a parable that describes God’s heavenly kingdom. Jesus compares it to a mustard seed that is planted in a garden. It grew and grew to be a tree. The birds even found a place to rest in it. (verses 18-20)

God’s Kingdom had what seemed to be a tiny beginning. How could a baby born to a poor couple in an insignificant town two thousand years ago be a King? Not just a king, but THE King of Kings! What are the odds of such a small beginning becoming such a large influence on the world? Pretty slim. Consider the likelihood of the message the King proclaimed throughout His life being proclaimed through centuries. It was not a message of political dominance of His kingdom, or a powerful rebellion to the oppressive Roman government of His time, but a message of spiritual freedom instead, freedom within.

Jesus was right to compare the mustard seed and the tree it produced to His Kingdom and it’s influence. What started in a manger in Bethlehem with His birth, endured a burial (much like a seed) in a borrowed tomb, followed by a resurrection. The plant had come up from the ground. Then 50 days later during the feast of Pentecost the tree’s size multiplied greatly with the coming of the Holy Spirit to dwell in us and fill us to overflowing! (The church was born). That “mustard seed plant” GREW! Now centuries later it still stands growing larger and larger! Against all worldly odds the Kingdom grew and it remains!

But let’s take this down to a smaller scale. Jesus’ Kingdom planted within our hearts can grow and grow as well. Influencing every area of our lives. It brings freedom, joy, peace, hope, and love! The same small “seed”, that as a Baby born in Bethlehem, has changed our world. It can be planted in our hearts changing our lives! May we let the “mustard seed” of the Kingdom be deeply planted within us, and may it grow!

Christmas in Luke (Day 4)

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Today’s reading is Luke 4.


I would like to think I would believe in Jesus a little better than the people of His time, but I have struggled just like they did. With all the events surrounding His birth, the words spoken by Anna and Simeon at His dedication at the temple, the voice from heaven at His baptism, and the Holy Spirit descending on Him like a dove, it would seem like a no brainer to believe. Still the people did not understand who He was…

In today’s reading Jesus goes to the synagogue. He is asked to read the reading of Scripture for that day. It just “so happens”that the reading for that day is from the prophet Isaiah, and it just “so happens” the words are a prophecy of Jesus, Himself. After reading it, He tells them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” He wanted them to understand who He was and why He had come.

Jesus came to our world to “proclaim good news to the poor”-those who lack God’s riches in their life; “freedom for the prisoners” -caught in sin’s death, darkness, and destruction; “recovery of sight for the blind” -those who can’t see God’s goodness all around; “set the oppressed free”- those the enemy has beat up on all their lives. Jesus proclaimed “the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Jesus wants us to understand who He is and why He came. He has given us His Word so we can KNOW Him! God’s favor is still towards us.

From the first Christmas until now, His favor goes on and on! The question is: Will we believe what He has said and receive Him as King of our lives?