Prayer Journal
Wednesday, October 8, 2003
"Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified." John 7:39b
When we consider the fact that God is triune, our minds are challenged and we find it difficult to understand how God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit can be one while also being distinctly different entities. Add to that the fact Jesus became like us and became 100% God and 100% man, it's easy to understand why some people walk away shaking their heads in frustration, refusing to believe it.
Today, most people believe in some form of God and can even comprehend an invisible Spirit who is the essence of the same. But the Holy Spirit gets bad press because a lot of people contribute everything supernatural to him, even those things done by evil spirits. Understand that the Holy Spirit has a specific purpose and mission from God. He reminds us of what Jesus said, gives us hope of redemption and empowers us to live as overcomers in the world. (John 14:16-21)
The Holy Spirit came to live with men when Jesus finished his earthly ministry and will remain here until Jesus comes back. Paul referred to the Holy Spirit as an earnest payment that guarantees God will complete what Jesus started in the lives of those who are being saved.(Eph 1:14)
Incarnation, propitiation, manifestation, salvation, sanctification, glorification and redemption; big words but such is the work of the Holy Spirit in those who are covered by the blood of Jesus. The Spirit came at a specific time, is doing a specific work and will remain until it's complete. As a young boy, Jesus told His parents, "Don't you know that I must be doing my father's work?" If the Holy Spirit were to tell us about his work, He would say He is continuing the same work God started and Jesus finished.
Has the Holy Spirit been given to you? Don't think He is a "hocus pocus" kind of power that mysteriously makes you righteous. Only the blood of Jesus makes us righteous. However, the presence of the Holy Spirit in our life is all the proof we need to know we're saved. The fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) is the evidence other people need to know we're saved and the Spirit living in us is the only evidence of salvation the Father needs to know we're saved.
Do you have proof of your salvation?
Just Thinkin'... WebServant
Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society
Copyright © 1998-2003
James R. Green and Prayertower Ministries
All Rights Reserved
I'll pray today for...
* My spouse
* My children
* Their friends
* My friends
* My employer
* My city
* My country
* Civic leaders
* Schools
* Teachers
* The sick
* The lost
* Those in despair
* The hospitalized
* The grieving
* Widows
* Orphans
* My church
* My pastor
* Church leaders
* Other churches
* Persecuted church
* Missionaries
* Myself
