Latest / The Daily Word / August 14 – My Helper, the Holy Spirit
Transcript
- Robert Rosales: Hey, good morning, good afternoon, good day, whatever time it is. Welcome to the Daily Word podcast. I'm Robert Rosales, and along with my wife Yolanda, I have the privilege of serving as the campus pastor for our Gastonia location. Thank you so much for taking some time to invest in God's Word today with me. Whether you're listening on your morning commute, enjoying a cup of coffee, or beginning your day with the Lord. My prayer and my heart is that this time encourages you, strengthens your faith, and draws you closer to the Lord. Each day we're reading through the Bible together as a church using the life journal reading plan. And today we're going to focus on the New Testament passage. One of the things that I've learned over the years is that God often speaks in the quiet moments when we simply slow down. Turn the noise off and listen. And that's why I like to keep my time with him simple. Got my Bible, my journal, a pen, a highlighter, and a heart that's ready to hear. Sometimes I'll use a trusted study resource to better understand the historical or biblical context. So I want to encourage you to do that as well. But remember, God's word is always our foundation. As we read, as a reminder. We're using the SOAP method, soap, scripture, observation, application, and prayer. I've been using this for many, many years, and it's a simple framework that helps move God's word from the page into our everyday lives. It's a great tool. You don't have to use it, but I suggest that you use it, especially if you don't have a plan to jot down what you catch from the word of God. So before we begin today, come on, just agree with me. Let's invite the Holy Spirit to speak to us and lead us through our text. Let's pray. Father, thank you for this new day and for the privilege of opening your word. Quiet the distractions around us and the noise within us. Give us hearts that are teachable, minds that are attentive, and lives that are ready to obey whatever you reveal. Holy Spirit, Illuminate the scriptures and help us not only us understand them, but help us to live them out today. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. Well, friends, today's passage for August 14th comes from John chapter 16, the Gospel of John chapter 16, and I journaled specifically from verse 7. It's a great chapter, but the Holy Spirit just kind of highlighted verse 7. Let me read it out of the NIV to get started here. Jesus is speaking, and this is what he says. But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I'm going away. Unless I go away, the advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. Listen to that. He says, Unless I go away, the advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. I love how this reads in the amplified. It's a mouthful, but it's worth reading. Let me read it to you. Jesus says, But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away. For if I do not go away, the helper, comforter, advocate, intercessor, counselor, strengthener, standby will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him the Holy Spirit. To you to be in close fellowship with you. I love the amplified. The title of my journal entry is as follows My Helper, the Holy Spirit. Here's my observation. This is what I caught. This is what I jotted down. As part of his farewell teaching the night before his crucifixion, Jesus tells his disciples that he will be leaving soon. And fear and sorrow filled their hearts. Then comes verse 7. He explains that his departure will benefit them because after he leaves, he will send the advocate, the Holy Spirit, the helper. I want us to kind of focus in on these words advocate or helper. It's the Greek word parakletos. It comes from two smaller words, para. P-A-R-A, which means alongside or beside. And the second word is Kaleo, K-A-L-E-O. And that simply means to call. Taken together, the word literally means one called alongside. But the word carries a much richer meaning than simply helper. Depending on context, paracletos can convey the following. Helper, one who comes alongside to help, advocate, one who represents or speaks on someone's behalf, counselor, one who gives guidance and wisdom, comforter, one who strengthens and encourages, intercessor, one who pleads on behalf or for another. Jesus isn't merely saying, I'm leaving, but I'll send someone to help you. He's saying, in effect, You won't be left alone. Someone will come alongside you, and he's going to take my place and pick up where I left off. Now, the paradox is crucial. Jesus's physical departure enables a greater presence. Let me say that again. Jesus' physical departure enables a greater presence. Rather than remaining limited to one location. The Holy Spirit would now dwell within each disciple and accompany them everywhere all the time. Come on, somebody say, Wow. Well, how does this apply to my life? How does this apply to your life? This is what I wrote down. This is such a great reminder and encouragement for me. I have the presence of Jesus in me, on me, and alongside me in the person. The Holy Spirit. Going forward, I will be intentional to lean into the help of the Holy Spirit. He's my counselor, guide, wisdom from God, helper, and so much more. Instead of feeling like I can't do something or I don't know something or something is out of reach, I will look to the Holy Spirit and invite him into my situation, whatever it might be. Jesus may not be physically with me, but I will remember his presence in the person of the Spirit is available anytime I need him. Come on, somebody say amen. Would you pray with me? Father God, thank you for speaking to me today through your word. Thank you for sending me a helper, the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit, help me to look to you whenever I need your help. Or feel overwhelmed. I ask all this in Jesus' name, and everybody said, Amen. Lakeshore family, as you go about your day, my prayer is that you'll continue to grow in your love for Jesus and his word. As you spend time with him, may he give you fresh insight, strengthen your faith, and guide your steps. Thank you for joining me today on the Daily Word podcast. I pray you've been encouraged to stay in God's Word and walk closely with the Holy Spirit. God bless you, and we'll see you tomorrow.