The Gift Of The Holy Spirit

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and 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, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live."

John14:15-19

Hello and happy Monday,

Welcome to the first week of spring! I can't believe that we have arrived in spring. If you are living in a place like mine, it might still be pretty cold out (we had snow on the first day of spring at my house!!). I hope that you are starting the first glimpses of spring and that you are seeing some flowers starting to bloom.

The last couple of weeks we have looked at gifts that we have received because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Last week we talked about having access to God because the veil was torn from top to bottom.

Today, I want to keep the conversation going about the nearness we have with God through the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Before Jesus came to the earth, God's presence was only available in the tabernacle or the temple. You had to be a priest to even come close to God. Then Jesus came onto the scene and people were able to fully walk and talk with God. God was with people on the earth in the form of a human. Then Jesus went to the cross. But before Jesus died, resurrected, and rose to heaven again, Jesus promised His followers that they would have access to God through the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus told His followers that it was good for Him to leave them so that they would be given access to the Holy Spirit that would live on the inside of them.

This promise of the Holy Spirit was not just for the followers of Jesus thousands of years ago but for every follower of Jesus, including you and me. As we put our hope and faith in Jesus, we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit. God in the form of the Spirit, lives on the inside of us. So we get to have nearness to God every day! In our cars, in the grocery store, in the hospital room. We don't have to go to a temple or meet with a person to be close to God. God goes with us wherever we go and will never leave us!

This is so encouraging to me! I never have to feel lonely or distant from God. We are promised this gift when we look to Jesus!

As you go through this week, make yourself some tea and rest in the promise of the Holy Spirit. Give Jesus thanks that He didn't leave us as orphans or alone. Give Jesus thanks that through the cross, we now get to receive the free gift of the Holy Spirit.

Peace and joy,
Kia Coquoz - TeaJoy Daily Devotionals

Jesus, thank you that you did not leave us alone. Thank you that you are with us every day! I praise you for giving me the gift of the Holy Spirit. I pray that I can live this week with the knowledge that the Holy Spirit is in me and with me. Lord, help me be a light to those around me this week. Fill me with your peace and joy this week to pour out peace and joy to others. Amen.