PARAKLETE
Who doesn’t love a delicious meal? The food tingles our taste buds and sometimes even the presentation looks inviting. Sharing food with others moves eating to a whole new level. As we get together this Easter, may we experience that togetherness.
The bible tells us that we can experience God by inviting the Holy Spirit to live in us.
It’s all Greek to me when I see the word, “Paraklete”. The translation is “one called to come alongside.” I know when I’ve been through a tough stretch, I am thankful for people to come alongside and support me. We love to have our family and friends or others give us a helping hand but we can be blessed when we help others as well.
Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as our advocate, counselor and comforter or helper. In John 14: 15-31, Jesus shares with his disciples before His death, how to experience God. In verses 15 - 17 Jesus tells them:
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 in you.
The world only offers us circumstantial peace and often times our “train goes off the tracks”, but when we have the Holy Spirit living in us - even in the midst of chaos, confusion and conflict - we can find peace.
When faced with tough decisions, the Spirit is our guide. This Spirit of truth is our advocate and as we grow in our faith, He is at work in us. We can grow closer to Him through prayer, scripture, encouragement and accountability; trusting that He will lead us in every season of our lives.
Jesus told us He would never leave us. Obeying Him is not always easy, but excuses don’t count. When we reveal our love to others, we are demonstrating the love of the Father. There is a peace beyond all understanding. Maybe our circumstances don’t change, but we are changed within.
Jesus knew that he was going to die, but He went to the cross for us, so that we could have life. He kept his promise of never leaving us, by giving us the Holy Spirit. Oh that I could be courageous and faithful in all my circumstances. Happy Easter! He is Risen!