Today's Passage - John 14:16-17

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english John 14: 16-17   "And I will ask the father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever - the spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him.  But you know him as he lives with you and will be in you."    Jesus clearly promised us the coming of the Holy Spirit and its ministry.  First, the Holy Spirit is called, "The Lord's spirit of truth."; God's word and His spirit are forever complimentary to each other.  We often misunderstand the work of the Holy Spirit - if we emphasize on the work of the Holy Spirit, we would neglect the Bible or vice versa. But in reality, God's word without the Holy Spirit is dead thus becoming the bondage under the law; and if God's spirit has departed from His word, it would result in chaos.   We need to build up in God's word, and welcome the free reign of God's spirit at the same time.  Our Lord Jesus said the Holy Spirit is our comforter.  There are two meanings to this word comforter. First, it means to console.  We need consolation living on earth; we could be disappointed if such consolation comes from our fellow men, but only the Holy Spirit can give us truth consolation.  He brings us comfort from God, and through God's word His wills are revealed.  Once we come to understand God's will, our hearts will be consoled.   In addition, the comforter is also our counselor.  The counselor of this world can only find the cause of our psychological issues, but only God's spirit can fill the emptiness in our hearts.  I often feel that the Holy Spirit is like the love of a mother.  When a child encounters grievances, he is comforted the minute he sees his mother.  The Holy Spirit behaves similarly as it gives us the reassurance of God's promises.  He relieves our burdens so that we are at  peace in God's bosom.   Finally, Jesus also indicated that the Holy Spirit of truth is the one who is with us. In the Old Testament, the work of the Holy Spirit was both localized and transient.  But in the New Testament, because of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit indwells in our hearts.  Ephesus 1:13 says we are marked by the Holy Spirit with a seal.  With this seal, it symbolizes that we belong to God.  Though we will still be attacked by our enemies, but we will not be defeated; our enemies can surround us, but we will not be swallowed all because He is the God who is dwelling inside us.  The Lord says the one who is in us is far greater than the ones in this world!  May the Lord help us treasure the presence of the Holy Spirit; do not overlook its work so that the glory of God and His work will be manifested through our lives.                          Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, we thank you for you have sent the Holy Spirit indwelling in us so that we may recognize God and His sovereignty.  May the Holy Spirit reign freely in us so that your blessings may flow unceasingly from within us. With thanks we pray, in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!