Have you ever had to leave family or friends and said something like, “Don’t worry _______ will be here with you.  You will have a good time, they will keep you safe and it will be even better.”  I remember the first time I had to leave my kids.  It was difficult but I knew that they would have a great time with their grandparents and do lots of fun stuff.  I knew they would be safe and I knew that I was ready for a break, lol. Jesus doesn’t need a break from us but that is essentially what Jesus says in John 14 and again in John 16 when He promises us the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Let’s look at His words to us together today.

15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 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. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”…  25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

We are not like Kevin McCallister in Home Alone.  Jesus didn’t leave us to fend for ourselves.  He left us with the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit.  He encourages us, advocates for us, teaches us, is always with us, and leads us in the truth.  We need to all learn to lean into the great gift that we have been give which is the Holy Spirt.  The more we grow in our relationship with God and the more that we be still and take time to listen.  The more we will benefit from having the Holy Spirit within us.  Take time today in prayer and just listen.  Allow God to speak to you through His incredible gift to us all. 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave