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: God’s Grace
Digging for Truth: For the past two weeks, we have explored some things that need to be put into place for us to receive, live, and walk with the Helper. Out of our spiritual hunger and thirst, we need to ask Jesus to baptize us and fill us with the Holy Spirit. We ask the Helper to bring a change to our desires, so we can walk in obedience and faith as we follow the living Word of God—Christ. All of this is possible only by the grace of God. Grace is our provision and the Helper is our power.
Grace for the Heart: Our King and Lord sits on the throne of heaven and his power is mediated through the Spirit. The Lord is the supreme Ruler of heaven and earth and no one else can control the Helper; we can simply listen and move as instructed. In our passage today, Jesus is talking to Nicodemus and telling him about the Spirit of God who cannot be manipulated or controlled and, like Jesus, the Helper comes with the mission to save the world one heart at a time (John 3:16). The Helper reveals Christ to us and to the world through the nature and character of God. You may be the face of Jesus for someone else, today.
John 3:8 NLT The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”
Challenge: The Helper takes us on a journey and each day we become aware that he is bringing different areas of our lives under the mantle of his righteousness. That includes things like our health, finances, attitudes, words, actions, etc. The transformation the Helper brings to us is a part of a life time process. We only learn and grow with God’s help; however, the more we cooperate the more we look like Jesus.
Prayer: Lord, we want to cooperate with your promise to be our Helper. This is what we desire most and we welcome your plan for our lives. We accept the work of our Holy Spirit Helper. Open our spiritual eyes to see the revelation of the work you are doing in us. We pray to be willing servants for you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.