John 14: 15-31

December 13, 2019 | 4 minute read
Linda Gould

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Scripture Reading:

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[a] in you.  I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

“You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.

“Come now; let us leave.”


Devotional:

The greatest gift of my life is Jesus’ death on the cross for me. Like the disciples, Jesus knew I would need Him to live a godly and purpose-filled life on earth, as I wait to meet Him face to face. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would come to live within me, filling me with His presence, His peace, and His strength. I could not imagine life without the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a constant presence, One who never leaves us (John 14:16). The promise of His presence is a steady, uninterrupted, and lifelong habitation. Jesus has made me a carrier of His presence. I know I can count on the Holy Spirit every day, because Jesus promised that by His Spirit He would always be with me, go before me, and surround me. The presence of Holy Spirit increases my heart’s affection for Jesus.

Jesus said that the Holy Spirit brings peace of mind and peace of heart (John 14:27). This gift of peace is a divine peace that grounds my mind and heart during any circumstance and season. The peace that the Holy Spirit brings is a supernatural calm, stillness of heart when life is busy, and a heart revelation that it is well with my soul even when there is suffering or circumstances I do not understand.

The Holy Spirit has become the source of my strength (John 14:12). The Holy Spirit fuels my life with strength to be about Jesus’ mission in my daily life. The Holy Spirit guides my steps during the day as a wife and mother, using me to reveal His heart to those around me. The Holy Spirit helps do things I cannot do in my own strength or wisdom.

The promise and reality of the Holy Spirit living in me makes the words of Psalm 139 come alive:

“I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!

If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there.

If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand with guide me, and your strength will support me” (Psalm 139:7-10 NLT).

Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to those who accept Him and obey His commands. If you count yourself a follower of Jesus, one who has accepted Jesus as Lord and who seeks to obey and commands, then the promise of the Holy Spirit is also for you.

The Holy Spirit is unseen but is as real as Jesus—who walked on this earth. Imagine, for a moment, that you could see the Holy Spirit. Would seeing Him change how you live? How might you go about your day differently? Would you step out more to talk with others about Jesus? Would you actively engage with Him throughout your day? Jesus wants you to know that He has sent the Holy Spirit to be with you, to fill you, and to guide you. By faith, the Holy Spirit wants you to receive Him and all the gifts and power He has been sent to bring you.


Prayer:

Jesus, thank You for sending us the Holy Spirit to guide us, fill us, and be with us. We recognize that we often neglect to acknowledge You are always with us. We ask that You make us more aware of Your presence.


Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks
registered by Biblica, Inc.®

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Comments

  1. God never leave us because of the Holy Spirit that He sent to us. This Holy Spirit gave peace of mind and a pure hearts.

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