SCRIP-BITS

Acts 1:5.     For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
 
Well a blessed day to all you fellow believers in Christ Jesus! Our God is on His throne, in full control of the universe, and we’re alive, gratefully ready to receive the new mercies and blessings He’s pouring down on us today. Just wish though, that He’d pour down some blessings of rain in my neck of the woods. The weather forecasters have been promising rain for ages, but despite the appearance of dark clouds every so often, nary a drop of heavenly water has fallen upon the land in at least a couple weeks. But as we just said, the Lord’s in control, so hopefully He has a higher plan in mind. It would be greatly appreciated though if we could pray for some rain. In the meanwhile, let’s hear this quote from a Joyce Meyer Devotional. It tells us: ‘That the best days you live are the ones you spend LOVING other people!’ And isn’t that the God-awesome truth mih breddren! That’s because there’s no higher emotion than LOVE! So let’s get out into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us and LOVE some body or bodies’ today nuh Friends! But one word of caution; we can’t do that unless the anointing of our Bit covers us: ‘For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.’ Yes mih people, we can’t truly LOVE others unless that wonderful Spirit of Jesus richly dwells in us. Now today I want to look at some other scriptures where Jesus promised the coming or sending of the Holy Spirit. But first let’s hear from the scholars, re the Spirit’s indwelling. ‘One of God’s purposes since the beginning has been to dwell with humanity and enjoy fellowship with us. He does it in this dispensation through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit (1) occurs automatically when a person is saved: (2) is not an ‘experience,’ but produces spiritual experiences: (3) remains permanently: (4) is the basis of all the other ministries of the Holy Spirit; and (5) is the source of new life in the believer. Illustration: When Paul met 12 disciples of John who did not know of the Holy Spirit, he knew they needed to be saved. So he preached the gospel to them (acts 19:1-5). Application: The Holy Spirit’s indwelling should motivate the believer to be careful not to harm his body nor indulge his body in sin (1 Cor.6:19-20).’ Yes Friends, that’s the basic working of the Holy Spirit. He’s the worker bee of the Trinity, as I recently termed Him. Now it’s time to hear directly from Jesus, re the provision of that Spirit. Listen to Him in John, where He tells the disciples: ‘If ye LOVE me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter (Helper), that he may abide with you for ever, 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. I will not leave you comfortless (orphans): I will come to you.’ (John 14:15-18) Oh Friends, what a wonderful man and friend is our Jesus! Now here’s another word from the scholars, re the Comforter. ‘The Greek word parakletos literally means ‘one called alongside to help,’ hence the idea of a comforter. The Holy Spirit is called another comforter because this is also one of Christ’s title (1 John 2:1, transl, ‘advocate’) Illustration: The Father is also known as the God of All Comfort (2 Cor.1:3) Though those in the early church often endured persecutions, they found their comfort in the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:31). Application: Today, Christians can find comfort in the Holy Spirit when trials come. (John 7:37-39)’ Oh my people, how great and considerate is our God! There’s none other like Him! Now listen to Jesus later on in the same conversation with the disciples: ‘These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter (Helper), 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.’ (John 14:25-26) Yes Friends, as the scholars explain; the Holy Spirit is a person, not a force, which will enable the apostles to remember all the words and works of Jesus when they were writing the New Testament. And finally, we’ll touch on the importance Jesus placed on the coming of the Comforter. Just before His ascension, He tells the disciples: ‘And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry (stay, wait) ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.’ (Luke 24:49) And the disciples heeded His advice and stayed in Jerusalem until that remarkable and memorable Day of Pentecost when the promise of the coming of the Comforter was fulfilled. Oh my brethren, as followers of, and believers in Jesus Christ, His indwelling Spirit is the most important thing we possess! It’s been given to lead and guide us safely through our earthly pilgrimage, but sadly, many of us aren’t as well acquainted with the remarkable inner Being as we should, which is why many of us are not getting His full benefits. Please, I strongly advise us, implore us, whatever, to get in touch, in close relationship with our indwelling Helpmeet, so that both our lives and God’s glorious kingdom can prosper and flourish right here on planet Earth. Much LOVE!…oh…to be walking in step with the Spirit of Christ…it’s the most wonderful thing in a believer’s life…