September 1 - The Holy Spirit

John 14:15-31

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, (John 14:16 ESV)

Jesus' time with his disciples was drawing to an end. Soon he would no longer be with them in the common way we think of when we talk about companionship. Instead, Jesus said that the Helper was going to come. That actually by him leaving it would empower the disciples to serve God in even more incredible ways. The Helper Jesus was speaking of is the Holy Spirit.

Traditional (Orthodox) Christianity has always held the belief of a triune God, that means God expressed through three persons. It is all rather complicated sounding, but it is actually really simple. There is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

There are a ton of varied beliefs that revolve around the Holy Spirit. Some movements have very exuberant ideas about what is involved as we interact with the Holy Spirit, while some try not to acknowledge the Spirit at all. There are a few things that are quite clear about the Spirit.

All throughout scripture we see God performing powerful deeds. The Holy Spirit is always at work in these stories. Jesus performed miracles by being filled with the Spirit at his baptism. Many Old Testament heroes did mighty and amazing things under the power of the Spirit of God.

Salvation is a work of the Holy Spirit. After salvation the Holy Spirit continues to urge us toward personal growth in Christ. The Holy Spirit assists us in the ability to better fight temptation. Awareness of the Spirit makes us more sensitive to the way God sometimes chooses to communicate with His kids. The Holy Spirit empowers us to demonstrate fruitful Christian lives. The Holy Spirit sometimes works through us to do the miraculous.

Those are all incredible things. They make life with God outstanding. Indeed, I can not imagine trying to live this God-life without the instruction and influence of the Holy Spirit.

August 31 - Jesus the Way

John 14:1-14

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 ESV)

We live in a time when people proclaim that there are many paths to heaven. For some people the only acceptable explanation of death and the after life is one that is an all inclusive possibility. Based on his own words, it is impossible to follow the teachings of Jesus to the fullest human degree possible and not discount the idea of an all-paths-lead-to-heaven belief system.

Jesus boldly and plainly declared that he was the only way to heaven. Why? Because he is the path to God. He is the connection point. He is the intermediary, the advocate, the sacrifice, and the King. We are coheirs with Christ only because he was first an heir of all that God has in store for us.

There is no secret spell. No hidden agenda. No duplicitous schemes in the story of Jesus. He lived perfect. He died meaningfully. He rose again assuredly. For you, and for me. That he might be the way, the truth, and the life for all that would seek after a way to the Father.

May 8 - Heaven

Read: John 14:1-14

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (John 14:3 ESV)

Jesus promised that heaven is a reality. Not only that, but he declared his intentions to gather his followers to himself at some appointed time. That in calling the redeemed he would bring us to his heavenly home. He would and will take us to the place for which he departed physical time and space to prepare.

Heaven is for real. It is a place. As much as we can either imagine or fathom it is a location. It is somewhere than can be arrived at, departed from, and dwelled in. It is the capital city of the Kingdom of God. The headquarters of the heavenly host of angel armies. The garrison for God's servants, messengers, and gathered children. In short, heaven is home.

It isn't limbo. There isn't a waiting list. It isn't purgatory, it isn't hell, it isn't Texas, and it isn't the mall. It's not Jerusalem, Mecca, or near the Wailing Wall. The bible paints a picture of golden streets, pearly gates, and rainbow foundations. It is going to be a breathtaking display of grandeur that in truth we may barely even notice as we turn our fullest undiminished affections toward God.

There we will experience peace in full. Joy in earnest. Knowledge unadulterated. Love unfettered. Time unending. God Almighty. The Spirit in Fullness. And Jesus our Savior.