"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you."
John 14:16
John 14:16
Rejoice as you read the synonyms for advocate used in the other translations of the Bible.
- Advocate (NLT)
- Counselor (NIV)
- Helper (NASB)
- Another Friend (MESS)
- Comforter (KJV)
- Comforter,Counselor, Helper, Intercessor,
Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby (AMP) - Holy Spirit (CEV)
- The Spirit of Truth (Wycliff)
Jesus asked His Father to send an Advocate to the disciples. A disciple is one who follows Jesus Christ. We are disciples. Therefore we receive the same Holy Spirit Jesus spoke of in John 14. We also receive the benefits of the Holy Spirit.
- He will never leave us. (v16)
- He will teach us. (v26)
- He will be our reminder. (26)
We can call Him friend. Let's celebrate the friendship.
Labels: friend of God
8 Comments:
Good Morning Sisters,
I just started Beth Moore's Living Beyond Yourself study last week and our reading is tying in perfectly with what I am studying. It is all about the Holy Spirit and how He works in our lives. He helps us do things we could not do, love those we could not love (as in yesterday's post) and know things we could not know. There was a passage back in 1 Samuel 16:14 that I had marked a ? besides because I really did not understand what it meant. This verse says, "Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him." I got to thinking about that after reading and studying about the ministry of the Holy Spirit and I tried to imagine what it would be like without Him- it would be tormenting! I NEVER want to go back to those deep pits I was in before He was guiding my life. I am so thankful that once we are saved He seals us and will never leave us. We may not be fully submitting to His leading in our lives and therefore grieving Him, but once we accept Christ the Spirit stays in us and never leaves. That is great news!
I have a huge praise to share with you ladies. My husband and I have been having some amazing conversations the past two days about Christ. He is not there yet, but God is definitely working in his heart. I was able to share with him yesterday about grace, how He enables you to do things you could not do in yourself and that it is never too late to start again, to become all God made you to be. He did not quite understand yet, he went back to things such as it is our own will power, our own discipline and determination, but God is definitely working in him. I just cried before the Lord yesterday, tears of joy and tears of urgency for John's life both now and in eternity. Many thanks for praying for him. It is going to happen in God's perfect timing :)
I am off to have a fall party today with 13 precious kindergartners. It should be a really fun morning. I am going to take lots of pictures. We went to the pumpkin patch on Wed. I posted pics on my blog if anyone wants to see them. I just adore my little Will, I think he is the cutest thing ever :)
Have a great day sisters!
Blessings and love,
Brandee, TN
Brandee, your little Will is the cutest little guy. I've seen his picture. Adorable. Tears of joy here too for the softening and searching of John's heart. Continuing to pray, claiming that He who began a good work will complete it. Sending hugs to you today.
Wendy, WOW! Thank you for sharing all those other synonyms from different translations. I'm overwhelmed by all of those names and their meanings. Talk about encouragement!! It is truly amazing to think that God calls me friend. God, of the whole universe, Creator of all things, calls me friend.
The verse that caught my attention this morning was: “‘Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home.’” John 14:1-2
Home. Ken Gire writes “Of all the images used to describe heaven - Paradise, a Kingdom, the Celestial City - none is so compelling an image as home.”
What memories do thoughts of home stir in you? Is it the feel of hardwood under your feet? What about the aroma of cookies coming out of the oven upon your arrival home from school? The sound of the lawn mower and the smell of freshly cut grass. Sunday afternoon solitude before extended family arrived for the evening meal. The sound of the kettle boiling. Hearing the laughter of neighbourhood children finishing a game of “Hide and Seek” before darkness summoned them away. New pyjama’s received during a time of illness. Gifts given for no occasion. Hands held for Family Worship every evening. Wallpaper. Area rugs. Game nights. Weekend cartoons. Music. Love.
I have no memories of my Father’s house, only imaginings. Rooms. Gold. No illness. Free of pain and fear. No war, pollution, death, disease, sorrow or tears. My best thoughts are still lacking. Uncertain of what awaits me there, I know who will meet me there.
Thank You Lord for preparing a place for me. Help me to remember that I am not home yet. In heaven my restless heart will find its rest.
His,
Joy
Friday-where did this week go? But, my or my was it a glorious week in the Word?!!! There is so much i want to write about today, but I will limit myself to just one of the areas that ignited a fire in me! First, Oh, Wendy-loved what you wrote! A friend, in Jesus, who will never leave us or abandon us. Clinging to that!!!
Today, I could not help notice something: did you count all the "remains," in the last section? (Wendy you are rubbing off on me! I never used to count up words before! :) ) "remain in me...remain in me...remain in me...remain in me...remain in me...my words will remain in you...But when you remain in me and my words remain in you, you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father...remain in my love...remain in his love...Love each other." (John 15:1-17)
Remain in Him. So, I decided to look this remain word up in dictionary.com and it said,
to abide
to stay
to dwell
to pause
to continue in the same state
When we remain in Him, His Holy Spirit is occupying all of us. When we remain in Him, His personality comes out in us in the form of:
love
joy
peace
patience
kindness
goodness
faithfulness
gentleness
self-control
I read something from my homework yesterday, ---"I long to develop a spiritual disposition that causes me to seek Him immediately in every situation of life. I want to come to a place where I always think of how my God would have me respond because of who He is and because of what He has said. But often I simply react to a situation," (Kay Arthur). Oh, we choose, daily, rather or not we are going to abide in Him. Are we going to "walk by the Spirit," under His control, anticipating His whispers and obey Him? If we do, if we do we will be filled with the Spirit, and we will know because His fruit will be evident in our reactions. The more we abide in Him, the more these truths will not be missing!
Today, dear LORD, help me not just store your truths somewhere with the rest of my knowledge. I seek today to live out the light you have showed me through these verses. I want to turn to You immediately, not to react to my self, but to be lead and counseled by your Spirit that you have freely given me. I want my life to shine brightly for all those around me to be able to take notice in the evidence of my love. Thank you for being my friend forever. Thank you for drawing me to You. Thank you for teaching me through Wendy and these sisters, and through your Spirit speaking to me through your precious Word. Today, I celebrate YOU and love you with all of my heart! In Jesus name, Amen.
Love you all, Lori - AZ
PS Oh, Brandee this is so good what is happening in your home and your family remain in my prayers! I'm joyfully anticipating John's salvation and expect to see some Glory in the near future. :) The LORD is working in him; He is hearing our prayers dear friend! Thanks for sharing this goodness, as it encourages us to pray daily for all of our unsaved husbands! (Dave, John, Ken, Jeno) :) Hugs!
Good Morning Everyone,
I was so excited to read your comments Brandee. God is so good.
I love John 15. I spoke last week on this precise passage. I thought I would share an easy way we can remember our ROLE once we recognize Him as the gardener.
R - Remain in Him.
O - Obey his commandments.
L - Love others. (And when we do these things, we will)
E - Experience His joy.
Blessings on everyone's weekend.
What wonderful words we read today. Wendy, I too love "lists" that illustrate something in particular.
Brandee, about the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament. People were then filled with the HS for a particular situation/job, Once that situation is over then the HS left the person.
Only after Pentecost was the HS given to those who trusted Jesus as Savior...never to leave them again. I'm so glad I was born after Pentecost...I have the HS living in me to be my Helper and...
Wendy's whole list.
Brandee I will be praying even harder for your husband...it is going to happen...the seed is planted...it is growing...and there WILL be a harvest!!! We will celebrate with you when it happens.
Jan TN
Good Morning Ladies,
These words of Jesus brought great comfort to my soul today.
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. St. John 14:27
The gift of peace of mind and heart is priceless! In all our lives Jesus has left this precious gift for us. It is by choice that we often chose to not enjoy the gift.
Father, help me in every phase of life whether on the mountain top or in the valley, not to forget the gift of peace of mind and heart you have ALREADY given to me because I am your child.
Blessings,
Debbie - North Carolina
Brandee! I can relate to your blessing! My husband, Jeff too has turned a corner and is seeking a relationship with Christ! Thanks for praying ladies, you are warriors! Please continue for him to obey God's calling on his life. His name is Jeff.
Joy...your description of my heavenly home made me go "aahhh" in my heart. I cannot wait! I anticipate Jesus' coming for me and I get giddy and get a hitch in my breath!
Praising Him today and always. I've started a new Bible/book study by Woodrow Kroll "facing your final job review"....about the rewards in Heaven. I'm excited to learn more.
Happy Halloween...I'm gorging on candy we are handing out at the bank....ugh....I feel the pimples trying to erupt already, not to mention the tightening of the pants!
Morgen - MN
Morgan- PTL!!! I tell you ladies God is doing miracles right now. I just talked one of my best friends and God has done the impossible in her family and healed a relationship that looked like was going to be shattered. I am rejoicing with her tonight. She said as she was praising God for doing the impossible in her family she also was reminding Him about John :) What looks impossible to us is NEVER impossible to Him! I am so full of hope and I have a belief that I can't even explain in words to you ladies. I have made note cards and I am praying these scriptures aloud over him. Claiming these promises over his life and God is moving. I can't wait to share with you all the day he is saved! And I can't wait to rejoice with you all as well when your spouses find the Lord. As I told my best friends, it is getting good around here :)
PS I don't think I told you guys but I got to share with John the difference between religion and relationship. That was a great conversation. He did not get it yet, still looked at things as your own self control, own willpower but that is because he does not understand the things of the spirit yet. He will once the spirit draws him and convicts him of his sin and he accepts Christ.
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