True Living Is Empowered by the Spirit

John 14:16–18, 26–27

In His final days on earth, when Jesus had to tell His disciples good-bye, He made it clear that even though He was leaving, He was not abandoning them. He would not be leaving them alone to fight the lies of Satan and the evils of the world. The Holy Spirit — “the Spirit of truth” (v. 17) — would be sent to dwell with them, bringing His power and counsel and help for all that they would face. 

This promise is true for all believers. We get the gift of the Holy Spirit within us. Just as the Father abides in Jesus, the Spirit abides in us. Just as the Father is in close communion with the Son, so Jesus through the Spirit is in continual communion with us.

When life gets hard and the path is unclear, when difficult circumstances make the truth hard to see, we aren’t left alone to figure it all out on our own. We have a Helper,

the Holy Spirit, within us to lead us and guide us in the truth; we have the Comforter gently calming our troubled hearts and replacing our fear with His peace. 

Silence 

Begin with a time of silence.

Still your body... Slow your breathing... Quiet your mind.

Focus on being fully present in this moment, right here, right now.

Opening Prayer

My great and loving God,

You know my mind and my heart; You see the truth of who I am. Calm my anxious thoughts today. Clear my mind so I can focus  on what is true. I invite You to speak to me, to search my heart and shape my life. Show me what is true.

Open my eyes to see You.
Open my ears to hear Your voice. Open my heart to receive Your Word. Open my hands to accept whatever You give.

Draw close to me, Lord, as I draw close to You.

Amen.

Read & Meditate

Read through the Bible passage three times, taking time to pause and pray and quietly listen to the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart.

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 in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you...

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. — John 14:16–18, 26–27 NIV

Excerpted with permission from Present in Prayer by Jennifer Tucker, copyright Jennifer Tucker.

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Your Turn

Because the Holy Spirit lives within believers, God is always with us. We don’t have to figure everything out on our own. He is here to help! Listen to Him. ~ Devotionals Daily