Becky Austin

All The Help We Need (John 14: 16-28)

2:02 AM


John 14:16-28 

The Christian life is exhilarating and fulfilling but it certainly is not easy. Knowing that the challenges of being a Christian would be overwhelming and difficult for the early church, Jesus didn’t just disappear from the face of the Earth and leave his followers on their own to struggle and fail. Instead, He promised and provided help in the form of a very special person. 
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,” (v16) 
  
Forever help....how wonderful is that! In the OT, the Holy Spirit was an important helper but He was not always present with man. His influence and presence would come and go. But present He was. He was there in the beginning of Genesis. He was there guiding the words proclaimed and the words penned by the OT prophets and believers. He was there with Christ during His earthly ministry. And now, He is present with you and I.  
  
We have the hope of Christ returning for us someday. ““I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (V18). But, what about the here and now? How are we supposed to live a victorious Christian life as we battle our flesh and muck our way through the spiritual battles of daily life in a sin-infested world? By recognizing and embracing the ever-present help of the indwelling Spirit of God.  
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”(26-27) 
  
When we become believers, we are given all the help we need. The Holy Spirit indwells us, to convict us, teach us, reveal God’s truth to us, and empower us to apply these truths to our lives.  
“All we need to live the Christian life has been deposited within us. If we are willing to yield ourselves to Him, we may freely draw on the resources of God’s Spirit. Our divine Helper is always there to attend to us in our need. At no point since trusting Jesus as our Savior have we ever been alone or helpless, even if that was how we felt. He is always present and actively working in our lives.”-Charles Stanley 
  
It amazes me to see the Holy Spirit at work in my life. He shows me things daily. He transforms my understanding and my perspective. He molds and shapes me through my experiences and encounters with others. He draws me in, filling my heart with inspiration, wonder, and amazing comfort. I am also amazed when I see Him at work in the gathering of Christians collectively such as in this group. There is such beauty in the unity of believers seeking truth together. I have grown spiritually from each of you being part of my spiritual journey.  
Spurgeon penned a similar experience: ”whenever I find a man in whom there rests the Spirit of God, the spirit within me leaps to hear the spirit within him, and we feel that we are one. The Spirit of God in one Christian soul recognizes the Spirit in another.”  I think that is part of the reason God puts such emphasis on Christians being in fellowship with one another.  
  
Be encouraged today that if you love God, you can count on His help and presence.  “Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” (V23). We are not alone. We are loved and we are given abundant resources. We are blessed for God has provided us with all the help that we need! 

Active

The Other Helper {Hebrews 4}

12:00 AM


Monday April 1


Never once are we told that the life of a Christian will be easy. In fact God says just the opposite. “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Tim. 3:12) Although it might be discouraging to hear that troubles will indeed come our way, Paul tells us it will all be worth it in the end saying, “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Rom. 8:18). And until that glorious day when He calls us home, God promises to help us every step of the way. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Is. 41:10) 

Many are the ways and forms in which God sends us help, and one of the most powerful is His Word. Not only does the Bible contain the history of creation, the Good News of Jesus Christ, and the wonderful promises of God, it is also a blueprint for life, giving us valuable advice and practical applications for any and all situations. The writer of Hebrews describes the Word of God as, “living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul, and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (vs. 12) But what exactly does that mean?

Living-The Bible is the inspired Word given to us by our living God. It contains both the power of life and the power of transformation. Written centuries before, it is still relevant today and able to guide, counsel, comfort, and empower all who read it. 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”

Active-The Word of God is not just profitable, but purposeful. It is intended to do things. Not only to make us more like Jesus, or a way in which God ministers to us, but also to achieve whatever God sends it to do. In Isaiah 55:11 God tells us , “My word which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to me empty without accomplishing what I desire and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” The Bible contains the power of God Himself and as such can create, destroy, or sustain all who hear and believe its message.

Sharp and Piercing-The Word of God, like a sword, is sharp enough to slice through our souls and spirits, piercing our hearts down to our innermost self. It is able to penetrate any stronghold, and has the power to not only convict, but to change. For God is the greatest of Surgeons, and uses His Word as a scalpel to cut out malignancies in our souls. As J. B. Lightfoot put it God’s Word, “heals most completely, where it wounds most deeply; and gives life there only, where first it has killed”. 

Able to Judge-The word of God is able to discern every area of our hearts and lives. What we hide from others, cannot be hidden from God. 1 Samuel 16:7 reminds us, “God sees not as a man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Every thought, every desire, and every sin is known by God. His Word is able to judge our thoughts and intentions, convict us of our sin, and bring to light any darkness within us. And if we let it, it will conform our hearts and minds to be aligned with God’s.

Abraham Lincoln is quoted as saying, “I believe the Bible is the best book God has ever given to man. All the good of the Savior of the world is communicated to us through the Book”, and I couldn’t agree more. No matter what I’m going through, it is there. It is the first place I turn to when I am afraid, when I am weary, when I am lost, when I am happy, and most of all, when I want to be close to God. It fills me with joy, nurtures my soul, heals my wounds, and protects me from the Enemy’s attacks. As the psalmist says, “Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” (Ps. 119:105) So the next time you need help, turn to the Bible. More than just a book, it is God’s life preserver to all and instruction manual for life!