Presence & Power보기

## THE HELPER What is His presence? The Bible tells us that God’s presence dwells in us through the Holy Spirit and that indwelling presence comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus’ disciples were upset when they realized that Jesus was leaving them, yet Jesus himself told them, “it was good for Him to go,” so the Holy Spirit, the mediator of His presence, would come on His behalf. Jesus was the eternal image of His Father, but the Holy Spirit is the eternal love of the Father, providing an intimate connection between us. We call the three the Trinity, one God in three persons, and the Holy Spirit is the person who resides within every believer. Upon Jesus’ death, the rocks split, and the very curtain in the temple that separated us from His presence was torn from the top down. It is the perfect picture of our Father tearing the separation from heaven down so that we can access His very presence and power. When Jesus is baptized, we see the clouds part, and John tells us, “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on Him.” In the same way, the Spirit remains with us as our comforter, counselor, helper and truth (John 14), a gift (Acts 2), the author of scripture (2 Peter), converter of sin, and our guide (John 16), the seal of believers (Ephesians 16), indweller and intercessor (Romans 8), Spirit of life, (John 1), Spirit of God (Hebrews 2), great power (Acts 1) and our teacher and witness (Acts 21). Throughout the Bible, the Holy Spirit is represented as fire, river, wind, blessing like oil, cleansing like water, and clothing us with power! We are aware of the reality of His presence as we pursue Him daily. The Holy Spirit presence guides and teaches us as we read the Word, impressing on our hearts what we need to hear, nudging us back to the Father when we stray, comforting us in hard times, and giving us the power to be bold and to be His witness. He comforts but also empowers us to advance God’s Kingdom. Did one of those words stand out to you? Why not meditate on one of the aspects of the Holy Spirit today and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal more of His nature to you? Thank God for His Holy Spirit. Finally, thank the Holy Spirit for being with you each day, teaching you, and speaking God’s truth.