John 14:15-17 says, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you." The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity. Although we cannot see Him, He is present in us because our God the Father sent Him to live in us through our Lord Jesus. We receive the Holy Spirit the moment we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. The Holy Spirit is the one who guides us into all the truth. He helps us understand God through the Bible. He never contradicts the will of the Father and our Lord Jesus because He is one with them. Our God the Father, God the Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are three different persons, but they are one as God. They work together as One to accomplish the same purpose and plan. The Holy Spirit carries the very presence of God in us. He is the one who convicts us of our sins. He is the one who encourages us when we are discouraged. He is the one who guides us into all truth when we are confused.
As believers of our Lord Jesus, we do not need lucky charms or amulets that carry magic power to help and protect us against evil. I remember helping a Hindu family from Bhutan. The father always wears a string around his body to protect him from evil. Another example is a baseball player wearing the same gloves, a pair of socks, or lucky jewelry to have a good game or win a game. We do not need any of those things because we have the Holy Spirit in us. He is God Himself and more powerful than any magic charms or amulets. The Holy Spirit is the one who can calm our storm in life. He is our counselor in the midst of chaos. He is our direction in the midst of confusion. When I was going for an interview a few years ago, I was very nervous for not knowing what the manager would ask me. As I asked the Holy Spirit to give me words and wisdom to answer the interview questions, He helped me answer them, and I got the job.
Let us be confident because we have the Holy Spirit living in us. We can always pray and rely on Him to give us the strength and wisdom to go through the day. We don't need lucky charms and amulets for luck and protection. The Holy Spirit gives us assurance that no matter what we face in life, He is there to help and sustain us.
Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Who is the Holy Spirit? How does He minister to me? Why don't I need charms and amulets anymore?
Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them up to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.
Prayer:
Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to live in me through my Lord Jesus. Holy Spirit, thank you for being my counselor and guide. Please give me the strength and wisdom to go through the day and help me to walk in God's ways. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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