Lenten Series: In Need of The Helper
Lent is a liturgical observance and season of reflection; not a biblical mandate. It is simply a time to remind ourselves and appreciate the abundant grace of Christ’s saving work on the cross. It is a time to press in deeper in submission to Christ’s authority as we prepare our hearts to celebrate, with exceedingly great joy, the resurrection that awaits every believer and follower.
In our Lenten daily devotionals, we will focus on our spiritual needs and desires and how the Helper is our Gift for strength and success if we will bow in greater submission to the authority of our King and the terms of His Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit.
Reflection: How Do I Receive Him?
Digging for Truth: Just as Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Spirit, our faith will be led into places where we must press in for more in our relationship with God. In these times, we are learning how to trust in God’s promise to provide. Repentance that leads to forgiveness is the way of salvation the Lord offers; but there is an additional flow of blessing that comes as we follow Jesus—our Example. Jesus offers humble followers God’s power, through the Helper, to be victorious even in the midst of life’s greatest challenges; power for the present and the future. Having a form of godliness might be achieve in the flesh. However, receiving the power of God, through the Helper, leads to transformation and personal testimony; a whole new way of knowing God and experiencing his anointing to do what we cannot (2 Tim 3:5).
Grace for the Heart: In our passage today, we take a moment to reflect on the loving leadership of John the Baptizer—the prophet God used to bring a spiritual shift in the work and will of God to redeem creation. In the Old Testament, God accepted a blood sacrifice and obedience to the commands, because it revealed what was necessary to reconnect with God. Yet, no one could honor or please God by trying to fulfill the love commands through human effort; only the Son of God emulated sinless love. John called people to repentance and ritual baptism, but he clearly told those receiving this cleansing it was now time to follow Christ, because he would bring the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Mat 3:11). Jesus himself proclaimed John as a great man, but only the Anointed One has the authority to extend the Helper to his faithful followers.
Acts 19:3 NLT 3 “Then what baptism did you experience?” he asked. And they replied, “The baptism of John.”
Challenge: When Christ’s Spirit lives in us, we know him as a Person. We hear his Voice, we know divine direction, we love deeply and compassionately so we can be a helping hand to others, we testify about Christ, and lastly, we pray in agreement with God through the Spirit. By faith, we must ask Jesus to fill us with the Helper—God’s Spirit and Person of promise (Luke 11:13).
Prayer: Lord, we thank you for the ongoing work of repentance and forgiveness that leads us into life with your Promise—the Helper. We asked you to fill us with the Holy Spirit to overflowing. Cleanse us, Lord. We desire to know you, follow you, love you, love and serve others as we testify to your life in us, and we want to pray in agreement with the Spirit to see your Kingdom power released in the wilderness of this sinful world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.