2007 04 April

Comforter John 14:16-18 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
In vs. 16 we see the words another Comforter and this alerts us that Jesus is also our Comforter. There is no Comforter in the world and we often wonder just how people without hope in Christ, for both now and eternity, can accept the loss of a loved one who did not know the Lord as their Savior. We sorrow as others do, but we also know that our loved ones are no longer suffering and that they are in the presence of the Lord. They have entered into their rest and they now understand a blessed peace and relationship that we also are looking forward too. "Comforter," and who points back to a Paraclete. Very often, if not always, means "consolation;" but the word is passive in form, and denotes "one called in," or "called to the side of another," for the purpose of helping him in any way, but especially in legal proceedings and criminal charges, so that the word "Advocate," Pleader for us and in us, is the translation that most generally is accepted by almost all modern expositors. "Another" implies that Christ had already stood in this position while present with them, helping with tender care their first efforts to stand or serve. John (1 John 2:1) distinctly says, "We have now a Paraclete with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous." And in this place (Vs. 17) the coming of the Paraclete was his own true return to his disciples.
Vs. 17 gives us another name for the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth. Jesus said earlier in this chapter that He was the Truth and the Life. It is interesting that both the Holy Spirit and Christ have the same characteristics therefore they are both part of the Trinity, or Godhead.
Vs. 18 was fulfilled when Jesus appeared to His Disciples after the resurrection and commanded them to go into all the world (Matt. 28:19-20) and continue His earthly ministry through them. RJS

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And this he did "through the eternal Spirit." This expression, which comes first in order, has an important bearing on the meaning of the whole passage, and calls for special consideration. Be it observed, first, that the words are "the Eternal Spirit," not "the Holy Spirit." It is not the usual designation of the Third Person of the Holy Trinity. What, then, is meant by "the Eternal Spirit," through which Christ offered himself spotless? There are three notable texts in which the Spirit of Christ is opposed to the flesh: Romans 1:3, 1 Timothy 3:16, 1 Peter 3:18, In all these passages the Spirit is that Divine element of life in Christ, distinct from the human nature which he assumed of the seed of David, in virtue of which he rose from the dead. The higher principle of life within us, by virtue by which we can have communion with God will be influenced by his Holy Spirit. Any act of acceptable oblation that we might be capable of would be done through the spirit that is in us, to which the flesh is subdued. Corresponding to this in Christ was "the eternal Spirit" a truly Divine spiritual Personality, conjoined with his assumed humanity. Through this he overcame death, it being impossible that he should be held of it; through this, too he offered himself a willing sacrifice, submitting to the full penalty of human sin in obedience to the Father's will. Thus is prominently brought to view the spiritual aspect of the atonement. Its especial virtue is said to lie, not in the mere suffering or the mere physical blood-shedding and death upon the cross, but in its being a voluntary act of perfect obedience on the part of him who was the Representative of man, and in whom "the eternal Spirit" triumphed over the weakness of humanity. The agony in the garden is illustrative of this view of the virtue of the atonement. There we perceive "the eternal Spirit" in the Savior completely victorious over the old human nature. The same view appears in the reference to Psalm 40 in Hebrews 10, where "Lo, I come to do thy will, O God" RJS

Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me.
Free Spirit, Psalm 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Ver. 11. - Cast me not away from thy presence. To be "cast away from God's presence" is to be altogether cast out of his covenant, made an alien from him, deprived of his favor and the light of his count-enance (see Genesis 4:14; 2 Kings 13:23). The psalmist deprecates so terrible a punishment, although he feels that he has deserved it. And take not thy Holy Spirit from me. God's Holy Spirit had been poured upon David when he was first anointed, by Samuel, to the kingly office (1 Samuel 16:13). His great sins had undoubtedly "grieved" and vexed the Spirit; and, had they been continued or not repented of, would have caused him to withdraw himself; but David's sins had not "wholly quenched the Spirit" (1 Thessalonians 5:19). David was therefore able to pray, as he does, that the Holy Spirit of God might still be available to him, and not "taken away," as from one wholly unworthy. Ver. 12. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation. Give me back that "joy" which was mine when I was conscious of thy favor, and felt that You were my Strength and my Salvation (Psalm 18:1; 62:2, etc.). And uphold me with thy free spirit. There is no "thy" in the original; and it is his own spirit, not God's Spirit, of which the psalmist here speaks. "Uphold me," he says, "preserve me from falling, by giving me a "free," or "generous," or "noble" spirit - the opposite of that "spirit of bondage" which the apostle says that Christians do not receive (Romans 8:15-17). For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; [The spirit of bondage is the satanic spirit that bound us before we were saved and cannot re-enter our bodies because we were bought with the Blood of Christ]. But ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 8:16, 17 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. RJS

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost (Spirit) shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Again the angel makes use of the term "Highest" when alluding to the Eternal Father. The expression of Gabriel, "the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee," reminds us of the opening words of Genesis, where the writer describes the dawn of life in creation in the words, "The Spirit of God moved [or, 'brooded'] over the face of the deep." "The Word (Christ) was conceived in the womb of a woman, not after the manner of men, but by the singular, powerful, invisible, immediate operation of the Holy Ghost, whereby a virgin was, beyond the law of nature, enabled to conceive, and that which was conceived in her was originally and completely sanctified." The New Birth is related to the above in that the Holy Spirit broods in our hearts as a mother hen broods over the eggs that are about to hatch. This brooding is a moving of the breast muscles in the hen that keeps the eggs moving under her otherwise they would just rot and there would be no life in them. The Holy Spirit broods in our hearts the same way, moving us toward making a decision that leads to our salvation. The Spirit woos and wins us much like a young man woos and wins the heart of the young lady he loves and leads to marriage. The Blessed Holy Spirit woos us and we follow His leading to a life lasting commitment as we trust in Christ as our Savior and Lord. By the way, Christ must become Lord of our Life is we expect to grow and develop into a mature Christian! It is not a healthy relationship if we remain babes in Christ, we must grow from the milk of the Word to being able to masticate the meat of the Word. We knew a couple years ago that had a boy that was in his teen years and growing a beard, but the child was still in the cradle and needed the attention of a baby in all his physical needs. What a tragedy and heart ache it was for the family as well as the boy, who could not feed himself or speak. Let us not remain spiritual babies, but grow in the Lord by reading and heading the Word of God. RJS

April 5
Titles or Names of the Holy Spirit
Spirit of Adoption, Romans 8:15 & Ephesians 1:5

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The first spirit mentioned in the above verse is the spirit of Satan. The word "Spirit is recorded 20 times in this chapter and 18 refer to the Holy Spirit and 1 to Satan and 1 to our spirit. May we suggest that you read this chapter several times along with your devotional, because it needs to be well instilled in your heart and mind, just what the Holy Spirit has done for you and will do if you let him take over in your life.
Let us next note the words Spirit of adoption The Greek word for adoption is "huiothesia" and it means that adopted child of God shares the same rights and privileges as one born into the family. We have become a new creation in Christ Jesus, by the New Birth into God's family and are no longer under the spirit of bondage. The spirit of bondage controls the world and all who have not been born again. When Nicodemus came to Christ by night and was instructed in being born again he was confused because that elderly Pharisee could not understand being born again. He was only thinking about a natural birth and his mother was long dead, and it was impossible for him to be born again. Later in the context of John 3 we believe that Nicodemus understood that it was a spiritual birth and not the natural one and became a believer that night. The reason we believe that Nicodemus was a believer is because of what is recorded in John 19:38-42, where Joseph of Arimthaea and Nicodemus did for the body of Jesus after the crucifixion in preparation for the tomb.
Ephesians 1:5 gives us more insight into the adoption and predestine-ation, or being foreordained to the adoption of children into God's Heavenly Family. God does not force any one to become His child, but rather He knew before the foundation of the world and before we were conceived in our mother's womb that we would respond to the Spirit's wooing. I think the most misunderstood teaching from the Bible is predestination, because we cannot understand the foreknowledge of God nor how He could know all things millenniums before they came to pass. RJS

9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
Ver. 9. - Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Salvation is present as well as future. "By grace ye are saved through faith" (Ephesians 2:8); "According to his mercy he saved us" (Titus 3:5). God's elect receive it now, but its blessed fullness it will be manifested hereafter. Ver. 10. - Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently; rather, prophets inquired and searched. Peter illustrates the glory and greatness of our salvation. St. Peter was a diligent student of the prophetic books. The scheme of our salvation was only partially revealed to the prophets. The revelation was real, but it was not complete. As miners seeking treasure; they prayed, and thought, and meditated, and exercised all their intellectual energies in the effort to comprehend the revelation. Daniel was a remarkable example of this searching (Daniel 7:16; 9:2, 3). The revelation came to the prophet from God; the prophet received it, but could not comprehend it in all its depth and height - he searched diligently. Ver. 11. - Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify; or, as the Revised Version, "did point unto." The apostle says that the Spirit of Christ dwelt in the prophets. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ (see Romans 8:9; & Galatians 4:6). He is not only sent from the Father by the Son, but also he came from the Father and the Son. This important statement involves also the pre-existence and the Divinity of Christ. They knew that the mysterious voice which filled their souls was his voice. Its utterances were not always clear; they were sometimes obscure and mystical, but the heart of the prophets was stirred to the utmost; they sought with earnest prayer and devout thought into the purposes of God announced in these revelations. RJS

April 7
Titles or Names of the Holy Spirit
Spirit of Glory . . . . . . . . . 1 Peter 4:14

If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
Ver. 14. - If ye be reproached for the Name of Christ, happy are ye; rather, if ye are reviled in the - Name of Christ, blessed are ye. There is, again, a manifest quotation of our Lord's words in Matthew 5:11. The conjunction "if" does not imply any doubt: the words mean "when ye are reviled." Compare, Acts 5:41 For the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you. The form of the sentence in the Greek is unusual. Men revile them, but God glorified them. The Spirit of glory, the Spirit which hath the glorious attributes of God, the Spirit which proceedeth from the Father who dwells in the glory, in the Shechinah Glory, that Spirit rested upon them, and He sheds on them the glory of holy suffering. The glory which hung around the cross of Christ. Two of the most ancient manuscripts, with some others, insert the words "the Spirit of glory, and of power, and of God." The Spirit is power from on High. Those who reviled the suffering Christians really blasphemed the Holy Spirit of God. The Shechinah Glory, The Spirit, filled the Tabernacle and the Temple at their dedications.

And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Who was declared (so Authorized Version) the Son of God with (literally), in power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection of the dead. He was the Son of God in eternity past and He became the God-Man by the supernatural virgin birth. He died as the God-Man in order that He might save all who would call of His Name. He was raised the God -Man to deliver us from the grave and in fulfillment of John 10:17-18 … My Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. RJS

April 8
Titles or Names of the Holy Spirit
Spirit of God . . . . . . . . . . . Genesis 1:2

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. Clearly the earth referred to in vs, 2 is not the present terrestrial globe with its atmospheric firmament. It is a sound principle of exegesis that a word shall retain the meaning it at first reference and possesses till either intimation is made by the writer of a change in its significance, or such change is imperatively demanded by the necessities of the context, neither of which is the case here. Without form and void, literally, "waste and empty." The words are employed in Isaiah 34:11 and Jeremiah 4:23 to depict the desolation and desertion of a ruined land, and which the chaotic condition of our planet was the wreck. Delitzsch argues, on the ground that waste and empty implies the ruin of a previous cosmos. Thus vs. 2 presupposes the fall of the angels, in support of his view Job 38:4-7. "He created it not in vain he formed it to be inhabited;" i.e. the Creator did not intend the earth to be a desolate region, but an inhabited planet. There can scarcely be a doubt, then, that the expression portrays the condition in which the new-created earth was, not innumerable ages, but very shortly, after it was summoned into existence. It was formless and lifeless; a huge, shapeless, objectless, tenantless mass of matter, the gaseous and solid elements commingled, in which neither organized structure, nor animated form, nor even distinctly-traced outline of any kind appeared. And darkness was upon the face of the deep. The "deep," from a root signifying to disturb, is frequently applied to the sea and here probably intimates that the primordial matter of our globe existed in a fluid, or liquid, or molten form. Only one spark of hope might have been detected in the circumstance that the Spirit of God moved (literally, brooding) upon the face of the waters. That the Ruach Elohim, or "Breath of God," was not "a great wind," or "a wind of God," is determined by the non-existence of the air at this particular stage in the earth's development. Some one has said, "God the Father was the Divine Architect, God the Son was the Divine Builder, and God the Holy Spirit was the Divine Energizer." RJS

April 10
Titles or Names of the Holy Spirit
Spirit of Judgment and Burning, Isaiah 4:4-6

When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.
Vs. 4. - When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion (see Isaiah 3:16-24). Sin must not be merely repented of and pardoned; it must be put away. There could be no Jerusalem, in which all should be "called holy," until the moral defilement of the daughters of Zion was swept away. Purged the blood of Jerusalem from their midst. It is possible, however, that the murder of infants in sacrifice to Moloch may be in the prophet's mind. Ahaz "burnt his children in the fire after the abominations of the heathen" ( 2 Chronicles 28:3). Manasseh did the same (2 Chronicles 33:6): and the practice was probably widespread among the people long before Isaiah's time (see Isaiah 57:5). By the spirit of burning; or, by a blast of burning; i.e. a fiery blast which shall destroy everything (comp. Isaiah 1:31). Vs. 5. Upon every dwelling-place Mr. Cheyne translates "upon the whole site," and takes the "site" to be especially the temple, seems certainly never to be used for anything but "God's dwelling-place" (Exodus 15:17; 2 Chronicles 6:2, 30, etc.; Recalling that of the pillar of fire and of cloud which rested in the wilderness on the Jewish tabernacle ( Exodus 33:9; 40:34-38, etc.). A cloud and smoke by day. The "pillar of the cloud" is never said in the Pentateuch to have been one of" smoke;" but Sinai "smoked" when God descended on it (Exodus 19:18; 20:18), and the psalmist speaks of a "smoke" as issuing
out of God's nostrils ( Psalm 18:8). In the poetry of Isaiah," smoke, no less than "cloud," symbolizes God's presence (see Isaiah 6:4). Upon all the glory shall be a defense; rather, as in the margin, a covering. Over all the glory of Zion, its purged temple and its purified assemblies, the presence of God shall rest like a canopy, protecting it. Vs. 6. - And there shall be, etc.; rather, and it shall be a tabernacle, or bower, a shelter from the sun's heat by day, and from storm and rain both by day and night. The metaphors need no explanation. RJS

April 11
Titles or Names of the Holy Spirit
Spirit of Life . . . . . . . . . . . Romans 8:2

The Greek says, For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus freed you from the law of sin and death. The tense refers to the time when the Christian became possessed of the Spirit of life in Christ and freed from the law of sin and death.
"No condemnation." As in some great musical work, we can tell its character from the opening bars. The apostle, having been treating some of the darkest human problems in Chpt. 7, delights to emerge into the brightness of the new condition achieved for our fallen humanity by Christ Jesus. The preposition "in" denotes an altered state, men no longer reckoning themselves according to their genealogy from Adam, but as in the new relationship with Christ. Or, as the apostle puts it in Ch. 7, we are "married to" Christ, made "members of his flesh, of his body and of his bones." The relationship is in effect on God's side by his Spirit, on man's side by repentance and faith. No other religion claims such an intimate association to exist between its founder and its votaries
"No condemnation." The Saviour said, "Father, into thy hands - etc." The resurrection was the seal of God's approbation of the Messiah's work. And Christ's people, by their faith in the Redeemer, virtually place his Person and work between themselves and the condemnations of the Law. Since Christ our Representative was accepted and glorified, we are accepted and glorified. In the flesh was an offering made for sin, demonstrating the guilt of human nature, and yet redeeming it from the deserved penalty. We are not saved by understanding accurately the rationale of the plan of Divine mercy; but to be able, like the apostle. The apostle speaks strongly of the requirements of the moral law being "fulfilled" in Christians. We walk no longer "after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Thus the Law sees its end accomplished, its goal reached. The affections are placed on things above, the thoughts are cleansed, but to love Christ, to learn of him, to walk in him, is to cut out sin at the roots. Christ is not only a Pattern of obedience, but a Power to his associates. They shall be presented fault-less before the throne of judgment. RJS

- Isaiah 11:2

1. Spirit of the Lord - 2. Spirit of Wisdom -3. Spirit of Understanding - 4. Spirit of Counsel - 5. Spirit of Might
6. Spirit of Knowledge - 7. The Spirit of the Fear of the Lord

And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
Christ's enduements by the Spirit.
The prophetic conception of Messiah is of a man, specially endowed and fitted for his mission by God's Spirit. The figures that help prophetic vision are David, endowed with the spirit of rule and of song; and Solomon, endowed with the spirit of wisdom. And the New Testament bids us think of Christ as having the Spirit, not by measure, but without measure - the fullness of God dwelling in him ( Colossians 1:19; 2:9). Compare the beginning of our Lord's sermon at Nazareth: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me" (Luke 4:18). The point suggested is that God's enduements are always in precise adaptation to a man's work. Here, in relation to Christ, the "qualities are arranged in three pairs, but all spring from one Source, the Spirit of Jehovah, which rests permanently upon him. They are (1) moral and intellectual clearness of perception; (2) the wisdom and bravery which befit a ruler; (3) a knowledge of the requirements of Jehovah, and the will to act agreeably to this knowledge" (Cheyne). Christ was a Teacher, Healer, Example, Savior, Head of a spiritual kingdom. As fitting him for these positions and offices, he was endued with

1. WISDOM. The special gifts of the ruler, as called to judge difficult, complex cases, in its highest form implying comprehension of the secret things of God.
2. UNDERSTANDING. Or keen, quick discernment; the sagacity which discovers the right thing to do, and the right word to say, in all human relationships. Jesus understood his enemies and every time they sought to catch Him he had an answer that confounded them and they went away seeking a new way to trap Him. Also in Luke 2: 46-47 at the age of 12 Jesus astounded the teachers in the Temple with his questions and his answers to their questions. According to our text Jesus fulfilled every prophecy regarding His Spirit. RJS

- Isaiah 11:2

4. Spirit of Counsel - 5. Spirit of Might, 6. Spirit of Knowledge - 7. The Spirit of the Fear of the Lord

And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
3. COUNSEL. The power to form wise plans, the clear purpose which fits a king for the exercise of sovereignty. He shall know how to administer the affairs of his spiritual kingdom in all the branches of it, so as effectually to answer the two great ends of it - the glory of God, and the welfare of the children of men.
4. MIGHT. The ability to carry plans into execution with men we often find a divorce between the skill to plan and the power to execute.
5. SPIRIT OF KNOWLEDGE
Jesus was given the Spirit of knowledge and future events. Fallen, degenerate man, with conscience defiled and reason depraved, could know nothing certainly of these two supreme subjects: he wanted, urgently and imperatively, one who had "the spirit of knowledge" in him, and could tell him distinctly and finally, not what he guessed or what he hoped, but what he knew. This Jesus did! He revealed the Divine Father unto men (John 1:18; No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him). (John 10:15; As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep). And he made known to us the truth as to the future; he brought life and immortality out into the light (John 5:28, 29; Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation). (John 11:25, 26; Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? 2 Timothy 1:10; … now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:).RJS

7. FEAR (REVERANCE) OF GOD. The reverence and faith of Christ which is the beginning of all wisdom. Illustrations of each may readily be found in the life of the Lord Jesus. He is the "brightness of his glory and the express image of his person" (Hebrews 1:3), or more exactly, the "effulgency (outshining) of His glory and the exact Expression of His substance" These combine both concepts suggested by form and image, namely, that the whole nature of God is in Christ, that by Him God is declared and expressed to us. "Who being," or subsisting (it is hardly correct to speak of a divine person "existing"). He is self-existent; He always was in "the form of God." "Form" (the Greek word is only found elsewhere in the New Testament in Philippians 2:7, But made himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of man.) Luke 24:13-31). Our risen Lord walked with two of his followers on the road to Emmaus and did not allow them to know who He was, but after expounding to them from the many accounts of the Messiah in the Old Testament revealed himself to them and disappeared from their presence. He was in the form of a man, but actually was the God-Man and they did not see (understand) Him until he left them. Then their eyes were opened; their hearts burned within them, and the returned to Jerusalem with haste to tell the other believers and followers that they had seen the "Risen" Christ. "The form of God" is an expression which seems to denote His visible glory, His displayed majesty, His manifested sovereignty. From eternity the Son was clothed with all the insignia of deity, adorned with all supernal glory. "The Word was God" (John 1:1). He was the Jehovah of the Old Testament and the Jesus of the New Testament all in one. Both names refer to the God who saves in the Old Testament, and the God who came to save sinners in the New Testament. We need to get it into our minds that Jesus was and is and forever will be the glorified Son of God. The power of His resurrection was the same as the power (The Holy Spirit) as the overshadowing power that gave His a perfect sinless body. RJS

Sunday, April 15th

April 15
Spirit of Prophecy . . . . . . Revelation 19:10

"And I fell at [down before] his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant [with thee], and of thy brethren that have [hold] the testimony of Jesus: worship God," etc. (ver. 10). John, in this vision or dream of his, seems so enraptured, so transported with ecstasy at the scene, that his devout emotions over-come him, and he falls down at the feet of the angel interpreter, the man who bade him "write" the words, "Blessed are they," etc. The words which this interpreting spirit addressed to John as he prostrated himself before him are very beautiful and suggestive. "He saith unto me," says John, as I lay overwhelmed with emotion at his feet, "See thou do it not;" my relationship to thee forbids it: "I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren." We are engaged in the same work and members of the same family. "See thou do it not." It is the characteristic of small men that they require their fellow servants to worship them, to render them homage. Hence their assumptions, their glitter, their pomposity, and parade. The greatest man is ever the most humble. "That have [hold] the testimony of Jesus: worship God." His testimony is the spirit of all true teaching and "prophecy." John and the angelic servants are all sent on the same errand, engaged in the same work, partakers of the same prophetic spirit; the one must not, therefore, worship the other.

"The more thy glories strike my eyes,
The lower I shall lie;
Thus while I fall my joys shall rise
Immeasurably high."

We are wedded to him; he is our spiritual Husband, and each can say, "I am his, and he is mine." Earth is the arena of a tremendous campaign, the battle of the right against the wrong, of the true against the false. As a Chieftain in this grand moral campaign against wrong, and we are still in this battle in our day and must carry the banner of Christ before the world with a stronger will than any previous generation. Satan knows his time is short and is working feverishly to defeat us and gain the world. RJS

Monday, April 16th

April 16
Spirit of your Father - Matthew 10:20

For since He Whom God has sent speaks the words (proclaims) of God - God's own message - God does not give Him (Jesus) His (God) Spirit sparingly or by measure, but boundless Is the gift God makes of His Spirit. From the Amplified New Testament
In the above verse we see that Jesus is given the Holy Spirit to do all things and Jesus is totally unlimited. In I Corinthians 121-11 we see the Spirit is given to mankind, but it seems to be limited in that none of us have all the attributes of the Spirit endowed Jesus.
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 8For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues (languages); to another the interpretation of tongues (languages): 11But all these working that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will (wills). (King James I Cor. 12:1, 8-11)
Notice that not everyone is given one of these listed above, but in other things we are blessed by the Spirit in administration, counseling, laboring, and a multitude of other areas not listed. Solomon prayed for wisdom and it was given him. The Book of Proverbs is an example of the wisdom of Solomon. To David was given the Spirit of knowledge and understanding. Rahab had the Spirit of Faith and others are listed in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11. Several of the great men recorded in the Kings and Chronicles had the gift of healing as Elijah and Elisha. The Prophets looked down through the ages and saw events they recorded, but did not understand. 2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. I John 4:1, Tells us to try the spirits whether they are of God, because there are false prophets that have gone out into the world. The modern cults are products of false prophets, who either added to or denied parts of the Scriptures to their own fancy and their followers into destruction. Stick by the Word of God in all things, and be not followers of sinful men. RJS

Tuesday, April 17th

April 17
Spirit of the Son . . . . . . . . Galatians 4:6

1Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. 3Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: 4But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7…. thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. The word "Abba" is an enduring name, much like "Papa" or "Daddy" and we as children of the Heavenly Father have the privilege to call upon God reverently in that name. Yes, the Spirit of the Son now abides in every believer and we have access to the Throne of God through the name of Jesus. Jesus is the most powerful name among names and opens the flood gates of heaven and pours out a blessing upon His children and His Church. The Spirit led desires of our hearts (not the fleshly desires) are given to us because all power is given to Christ. Note the Trinity in the sixth verse above, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are there to inform us that there is a tri-unity in the Godhead. We were servants or slaves to Satan and this world, but in the new birth we are Son's of the living God and brothers and sisters in Christ. All that Christ possesses, we possess. That is difficult to understand, but there it is in good old plain English, and we are now of a different race. We were born in the likeness of Adam, now we are new born in the likeness of Christ. Because of the Spirit's work in our hearts and our response to that inner working we became children of the Heavenly Father and can lovingly call God our Father, "Papa." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God; And if Children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. (Romans 8:16-17) What precious promises we have not only for today, but for all eternity. RJS

Wednesday, April 18th

April 18
Four Pictures of the DIETY of Holy Spirit:
His "ETERNAL DIETY"

- Hebrews 9:14

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? What a wonderful question we have to answer! The Holy Spirit was very present in the creation of this world. The Hebrew word [rachaph] is translated "to brood," or "to flutter," along with the word used in the K.J.V. "moved." (Gen. 1:2). We now turn to 2 Peter 3:5-7 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
"The Spirit of God was the first mover: He moved upon the face of the waters. When we consider the earth without form and void, methinks it is like the valley full of dead and dry bones. Can these live? Can this confused mass of matter be formed into a beautiful world? Yes, if a spirit of life from God enter into it, Eze. 37:9. Now there is hope concerning this thing; for the Spirit of God begins to work, and, since he works, who shall hinder? God is said to make the world by his Spirit, Ps. 33:6; Job 26:13; and by the same mighty worker the new creation is effected. He moved upon the face of the deep, as Elijah stretched himself upon the dead child,-as the hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and hovers over them, to warm and cherish them, Mt. 23:37,-as the eagle stirs up her nest, and flutters over her young (it is the same world that is here used), Deu. 32:11. Learn hence, That God is not only the author of all being, but the fountain of life and spring of motion. Dead matter would be for ever dead if he did not quicken it. And this makes it credible to us that God should raise the dead. That power which brought such a world as this out of confusion, emptiness, and darkness, at the beginning of time, can, at the end of time, bring our vile bodies out of the grave, though it is a land of darkness as darkness itself, and without any order (Job 10:22), and can make them glorious bodies." Quotation from Matthew Henry
What a great God we have! He not only created the world, but through His Son God made us a new creation in Christ Jesus. RJS

Monday, March 19th

April 19
First Picture of the DIETY of Holy Spirit
OMNIPOTENT DIETY

- Romans 8:11

The Dictionary says, omnipotent "is all powerful, having unlimited authority." We are going to give you a different version of Romans 8:11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as he raised Christ from the dead, he will give life to your mortal body by this same Spirit living within you. New Living Translation
Compare this with your King James or other translation and you will see that there is no "if," which we believe is a better translation because it does not leave the question of "if." We know that Christ was raised from the dead, and Christ's resurrection guarantees our resurrection. What real promise would we have of everlasting life if there was no resurrection of these dead bodies? The Holy Spirit was instrumental in our salvation, is now instrumental in our sanctification and guarantees our resurrection. The Spirit has taken up a permanent residency in our bodies. He dwells in the believer as much as you dwell in your body. The Spirit becomes our conscience and inhibits the power of the old nature to sin by warning us not to do a certain thing. He gives us the power to overcome the flesh and resist the devil. How-ever we can resist the Holy Spirit in our life and grieve Him. God does not make us robots, but we still have the power of making a choice even if we are wrong. If we are walking in the Spirit as we should be we will live the victorious life, and grow daily in our relationship with God. We are sealed by the Holy Spirit unto the day of our redemption and Satan cannot remove that seal. Paul says in Eph. 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest (which is the down payment an absolute guarantee) of our inheritance until the redemp-tion of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. One last thought before we sign off for today, The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. We have an indwelling Teacher by the name of the Holy Spirit who shall teach us all things, because He knows all things. RJS

Friday, April 20th

April 20
Second Picture of the DIETY of Holy Spirit
OMNISCENT DIETY - 1 Corinthians 2:10-11

We ended yesterday's devotion with the words, "He knows all things." This is the meaning of the title today "OMNISCENT" All Knowledge.
It is impossible for a human to know all things but He who indwells us does know al things therefore he has the power to reveal things to us that we have not learned and the place of revelation is the Scriptures. There is nothing that He does not know. He knows your innermost thoughts. The Comforter, who is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you, John 4:26.
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God, .Cor. 2:10-11. I'm glad God knows my innermost thoughts and Satan does not. Satan has a lot of knowledge and power, but he does not know how, nor have the power to remove the Holy Spirit from my life.
Jesus gives the encouragement to his disciples to expect another teacher, so that Christ would find out a way of speaking to them after his departure, v. 26. He had told them before that the Father would give them this other comforter (v. 16), and here he returns to speak of it again; for as the promise of the Messiah had been, so the promise of the Spirit now was, the consolation of Israel. "The Father will send him in my name; that is, for my sake, at my special instance and request:'' or, "as my representative.'' Jesus came in his Father's name, as His ambassador: the Spirit comes in Christ's name, as a resident in Christ's absence, to carry on his undertaking, and to ripen things for his second coming. Hence he is called the Spirit of Christ, for he pleads his cause, and does his work. The Spirit shall be their standing tutor. He shall teach them all things necessary for them either to teach others. For those that would teach the things of God must first themselves be taught of God; this is the Spirit's work. See Isa. 59:21. RJS

Saturday, April 21st

April 21
Third Picture of the DIETY of Holy Spirit
OMNIPRESENT DIETY - Psalms 139:11

Omnipresent is a wonderful word, in that it means He will be present at all times and in all circumstances to assist us and can be present in the life of all believers at the same time. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. 11If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. 12Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. 13For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. 14I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 15My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being un-perfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. The above verses all deal with the Holy Spirit's presence in all places and at all times.
The Holy Spirit came not to speak of, nor glorify Himself, but to speak of and glorify Christ, (John 16:7-15). The descent of the Holy Spirit proved the arrival of Jesus in heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father. There are several denominations that teach more of the Holy Ghost than they do of Jesus. They do not recognize that the Holy Spirit and Holy Ghost are one and the same personality. They put so much emphasis on the Holy Ghost that they loose sight of what His actual ministry is, to glorify Christ. They use the term "Baptized in the Holy Ghost" as a second blessing, and if you don't speak in tongues you have not been baptized in the Holy Ghost. This is not true, all believers are baptized in Christ by the Holy Spirit when we receive Christ and are baptized into his body, (i.e.) the church. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ, (Gal. 3:27) RJS

Sunday, April 22nd

April 22

1st Picture of the Work of the Blessed Holy Spirit
Inspired Scriptures …………. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. It is important that we consider the word "ALL." It is not some, but all. All of the Bible is the "Word of God." Cults were and are spawned because they decided that certain parts of the Bible were not inspired, or not needed to propagate their particular self-styled teachings. The word "Inspiration" means God breathed, it is from the Greek word "theopneustos," the word is a combination of two words theo = God, and pneostos means to breath. Wycliffe, Tyndale, Coverdale and the Great Bible have the rendering ,"Inspired of God." These men had more common sense that a lot of so called students of the Bible have today. It was the breath of the Holy Spirit that entered the hearts and minds of the prophets and they wrote what God wanted them to say, even though they did not understand what they were writing. They were but penmen in the hands of God to give us the great events that are taking place in the latter times or, our times.
We find the lies of Satan and men; false doctrines and many sins are listed in Scripture. Inspiration simple guarantees that thee lies were told; these fallacies were taught by certain men; and that these crimes were committed. It does not make these lies and fallacies the truth or place God's sanction upon the crimes. One must determine whether Satan, evil men or God is speaking in Scripture. God is not responsible for what others have said just because He tells us these things. If men were to have been the authors without inspiration, they would have covered up the imperfection of the heroes of the faith. Men would have only given the good and greatness of these great men and women. Not God, He tells it like it is, and does not varnish the truth in any way. Only what God said is truth and He requires men mankind to obey. Some parts give the exact words of God, others He allows the personality of the writer to enter in and this seems to be especially in Paul's writings. RJS

Monday, April 23rd

April 23
2nd Picture of the Work of the Blessed Holy Spirit
Agent in Christ's Incarnation ... Luke 1:35 and Matt. 1:18

That the coming of the Spirit was absolutely necessary to the carrying on of Christ's interests on earth (v. 8): And when he is come, He that is sent is willing of himself to come, and at his first coming he will do this, he will reprove, or, as the margin reads it, he will convince the world, by your ministry, concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment.
See here what the office of the Spirit is, and on what errand he is sent. To reprove. The Spirit, by the word and conscience, is a reprover; ministers are reprovers by office, and by them the Spirit reproves. To convince. It is a law-term, and speaks the office of the judge in summing up the evidence, and setting a matter that has been long canvassed in a clear and true light. He shall convince, that is, "He shall put to silence the adversaries of Christ and his cause, by discovering and demonstrating the falsehood and fallacy of that which they have maintained, and the truth and certainty of that which they have opposed. Note, Convincing work is the Spirit's work; he can do it effectually, and none but he; man may open the cause, but it is the Spirit only that can open the heart. The Spirit is called the Comforter (v. 7), and here it is said, He shall convince. One would think this were cold comfort, but it is the method the Spirit takes, first to convince, and then to comfort; first to lay open the wound, and then to apply healing medicines. Or, taking conviction more generally, for a demonstration of what is right, it intimates that the Spirit's comforts are solid, and grounded upon truth. See who they are whom he is to reprove and convince: The world, both Jew and Gentile. He shall give the world the most powerful means of conviction, for the apostles shall go into all the world, backed by the Spirit, to preach the gospel, fully proved. RJS

Tuesday, April 24th

April 24
3rd Picture of the Work of the Blessed Holy Spirit
Convicts the World of sin …………… John 16:8 and 11

He shall sufficiently provide for the taking off and silencing of the objections and prejudices of the world against the gospel. Many an infidel was convinced of all and judged of all, 1 Corinthians 14:24. He shall effectually and savingly convince many in the world, some in every age, in every place, in order to their conversion to the faith of Christ. Now this was an encouragement to the disciples, in reference to the difficulties they were likely to meet with, That they should see good done, Satan's kingdom fall like lightning, which would be their joy, as it was his. Even this malignant world the Spirit shall work upon; and the conviction of sinners is the comfort of faithful ministers. That this would be the fruit of their services and sufferings, these should contribute very much to this good work. See what the Spirit shall convince the world of. Of sin (v. 9), because they believe not on me. The Spirit is sent to convince sinners of sin, not barely to tell them of it; in conviction there is more than this; it is to prove it upon them, and force them to own it, as they (John 8:9) that were convicted of their own consciences. Make them to know their abominations. The Spirit convinces of the fact of sin, that we have done so and so; of the fault of sin, that we have done ill in doing so; of the folly of sin, that we have acted against right reason, and our true interest; of the filth of sin, that by it we are become odious to God; of the fountain of sin, the corrupt nature; and lastly, of the fruit of sin, that the end thereof is death. The Spirit demonstrates the depravity and degeneracy of the whole world, that all the world is guilty before God. The Spirit, in conviction, fastens especially upon the sin of unbelief, their not believing in Christ, First, As the great reigning sin. There was, and is, a world of people, that believe not in Jesus Christ, and they are not sensible that it is their sin. Natural conscience tells them that murder and theft are sin; but it is a supernatural work of the spirit to convince them. (to be continued).

Wednesday, April 25th

April 25
3rd Picture of the Work of the Blessed Holy Spirit
Convicts the World of sin (Continued)

The world is no friend to the Christian. Christ warned His disciples of coming persecution, lest they should stumble and fall. Paul, in his unconverted state, is a good picture of the kind of person talked about in v. 2. Of course, Christ had already spoken to them about persecution (Matt. 5:10-12), but had not explained the source (religious people) and the reason (the ignorance and hatred of the world). He now explained the work the Spirit will do in the world through the church. The very fact that the Spirit is in the world is an indictment against the world. Actually, Christ should be in the world, reigning as King; but the world crucified Christ. Keep in mind that the Spirit does not come to the people of the lost world (14:17) but to the people of God. His Spirit is here, reminding mankind of its awful sin. There is a threefold conviction of the world by the Spirit:
A. Of sin (v. 9).
And this is the sin of unbelief. The Spirit does not convict the world of individual sins; the conscience must do this (see Acts 24:24-25). And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. This is the most heart breaking excuse that soul winners experience to day, "putting of until another more convenient time." The Spirit's presence in the world is proof that the world does not believe on Christ; otherwise Christ would be here in the world. The sin that condemns the soul is unbelief, the rejection of Christ, He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved, (John 3:18-21). RJS

Thursday, April 26th

April 26
3rd Picture of the Work of the Blessed Holy Spirit
Convicts the World of sin (Continued)

B. Of righteousness (v. 10).
Note that this is not the same as unrighteousness, that is, the sins of lost souls. Christ is speaking of the Spirit's conviction of the world, not of individual unbelievers, although there is a personal application. The Spirit's presence in the world is proof of the righteousness of Christ, who is now returned to the Father. While on earth, Christ was accused of being a lawbreaker and a sinner, as well as a counterfeit. But the fact that the Spirit is present on earth is proof that the Father raised the Son and received Him back to heaven.
C. Of judgment (v. 11).
Do not confuse this with Acts 24:25, "judgment to come." Christ is speaking here of the past judgment at the cross, not a future judgment. He had spoken of judging Satan and the world, Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. 32And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. (12:31-32) and Having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it, Col. 2:15. The presence of the Spirit in the world is evidence that Satan has been judged and defeated; otherwise Satan would be controlling this world.
You may apply these three judgments to the individual unbeliever. The Spirit uses witnessing Christians and the Word to convince the unbeliever of his sin of unbelief; of his need for righteousness; of the fact that, since he belongs to Satan. And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. (Eph. 2:1-3), Satan is on the losing side. There is no salvation without Spirit-led conviction, for the Spirit uses the Word to convict lost souls.
RJS

Friday, April 27th

April 27
3rd Picture of the Work of the Blessed Holy Spirit
The Spirit Instructs and Encourages the Christians
The Spirit Instructs:

The disciples must have felt their ignorance of the Word, so Christ assured them by explaining the teaching ministry of the Spirit. He had mentioned this in 14:26 and 15:26. "Not speak of Himself" (v. 13) does not mean that the Spirit never talks about or calls attention to Himself. He wrote the Bible, and there are hundreds of references to the Spirit in its pages! This phrase means that the Spirit will not teach whatever He pleases, but will get His leading from the Father and the Son. The Spirit teaches us truth from the Word, and in so doing, glorifies Christ. Guy King suggests three ways in which the Spirit glorifies Christ: (1) He wrote a Book about Him; (2) He makes a believer like Him; (3) He finds a bride for Him. Any Christian who surrenders to Christ can be taught by the Spirit. Read Ps. 119:97-104 to see how God can teach the humble Christian. It is not age, experience, or education that counts so much as a willingness to learn and live the Word.

The Spirit Encourages the Christian (16:16-22)

The disciples were greatly disturbed and discouraged because Christ was going to leave them. Verse 16 seems to be a paradox: "You will see Me, because I go to the Father" (NKJV). Christ was saying, "Because I am going away, you will see Me again!" There is a twofold meaning here. First, they would "see Him again" after His resurrection from the dead; but they would also "see Him" when the Spirit came to dwell with them. They would exchange physical sight for spiritual insight. Today, believers "see Jesus" (Heb. 2:9) through the Spirit's teaching of the Word of God.
Christ compares the events of His suffering to the birth of a child: travail is followed by joy. Isaiah 53:11 states, "He shall see of the travail of His soul." The disciples did weep and lament, but their sorrow was changed to joy. We today have sorrow and suffering; but when Christ returns, it will turn to joy. Christ gives the kind of joy that the world cannot take away. Yes, we have sorrow today, but there will be joy in the morning. The sorrow of day will pass away, but the joy of the morning will be forever and ever. Amen! RJS

Saturday, April 28th

April 28
3rd Picture of the Work of the Blessed Holy Spirit
The Spirit Helps the Christian Pray, 16:23-33

"In that day" refers to the day when the Spirit would come and begin His ministry among them. While Christ was on earth, the disciples were accustomed to taking their questions and needs to Him personally. When Christ returned to heaven, He sent the Spirit to assist them in their praying, 26Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Rom. 8:26-27, and instructed them to pray to the Father personally. Bible prayer is to the Father, through the Son, in the Spirit. It will not be necessary for Christ to beg the Father on our behalf (v. 26) because the Father is willing to answer our requests (v. 27). Prayer is a tremendous privilege! Consider these other words of Christ about prayer: John 14:13-14; 15:7; 15:16. As the believer allows the Spirit to teach him the Word, he grows in his prayer life, for prayer and the Word go together. Jude 20 commands us to "pray in the Holy Spirit." Too much praying today is in the flesh, asking for things that are not in the will of God (see James 4:1-10). It is wonderful to allow the Holy Spirit to burden us with prayer requests (Rom. 9:1-3). The Spirit knows the mind of the Father and can lead us to pray for those things God wants to give us. It has well been said that prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance; it is laying hold of His willingness.
The testimony of the disciples must have gladdened Christ's heart, but He warned them of their coming failure (16:32). Even the Father would finally forsake Christ on the cross! What a blessing to hear the Lord say, "Be of good cheer!" (v. 33) He was about to be arrested and crucified, yet He gives peace and joy to His followers! He promises them His victory: "I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
The Spirit has a special ministry in our lives. Are we allowing Him to have His way today? RJS

Sunday, April 29th

April 29
4th Picture of the Work of the Blessed Holy Spirit
Regenerates Believers ………… John 3:3 and 5

3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
This is perhaps the most important chapter in John's Gospel, for it deals with the subject of the new birth. Some religious groups have so confused this subject that many average church members, let alone religious leaders like Nicodemus, have no idea what it means to be born again.

The Necessity for the New Birth

It is necessary to see (experience) the kingdom of God (v. 3).
Nicodemus was a moral, religious man, one of the chief teachers (rulers) of the Jews, yet he did not understand the truth about the new birth. Spiritual truths cannot be grasped by the carnal mind of sinful man. Nicodemus came "by night," a symbol of the unsaved man; he is "in the dark" spiritually. Being religious and moral does not make a man fit for heaven; he must be born again, that is, born from above. Nicodemus confused the spiritual and the physical (see v. 4). He thought in terms of physical birth, while Christ was talking about a spiritual birth. All of us are born in sin. Our "first birth" makes us children of Adam, and this means we are children of wrath and of disobedience (Eph. 2:1-3). No amount of education, religion, or discipline can change the old nature; we must receive a new nature from God.

It is necessary to enter the kingdom of God (v. 5).
By "the kingdom of God" Jesus did not mean an earthly political kingdom. Paul described the kingdom of God in Rom. 14:17. When a sinner trusts Christ, he or she enters God's kingdom and family. Like most of his Jewish friends, Nicodemus thought that being born a Jew, and living according to the Law, would satisfy God (see Matt. 3:7-12; John 8:33-39). Ever since Adam's sin in Gen. 3, all men have been born outside paradise. Only by being born again can we enter the kingdom of God. RJS

Monday, April 30th

April 30
5th Picture of the Work of the Blessed Holy Spirit
Sets Believers Free ……………. Romans 8:2-4

2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. If we daily confess our sins! We no longer have to fear death, because death is swallowed up in victory. This victory is in the resurrection of Christ and since we are in Christ, there is no longer a fear of death to the believer. We only know the valley of the shadow of death, because when we leave this body we are immediately in the presence of the Lord. Paul said, to be absent from the body is to be in the presence of the Lord. What a blessed assurance!
The law offered no hope as we know it, under the age of the Holy Spirit, in which we now live. The law was weak in that it did not offer a permanent forgiveness of sins or an eternal reward, but rather required continual sacrifices in the Tabernacle or temple. We enjoy the new covenant whereby we have not only a mediator in heaven, but a Holy Person, the Holy Spirit, standing beside us and always ready to lead us away from sin and into victory. The 3rd verse above is a precious promise in that God sent His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh so that we who were born in sin can claim the victory that Christ made for us in condemning sin in the flesh. Walking in the Spirit as we see in verse 4 is a moment by moment, daily experience that can only come as we depend on the Holy Spirit and walk after the Spirit and not the flesh. I like the illustration of the older Indian Chief that's was a Christian. He was asked how he could live a victorious life. He responded, "There are two dogs living inside me one is white and the other is black. It all depends on which one I say, 'Sickem too'." We have come to the end of the Month and I trust you have benefited from this study on the Holy Spirit and make Him feel welcome in your heart every day. Let us be filled with the Holy Spirit and not be drunk with wine. Let us walk in the Spirit and not the flesh and we shall have victory in every facet of our life. God bless and Keep you. RJS

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