THE HELPER ARRIVES!

The word we use for the arrival of the Helper, the One who Jesus promised, is Pentecost.  I'm not sure if the word has any meaning except in church circles.  There it as known as the arrival of the Holy Spirit!


Jesus promised His disciples in His last days that God would not leave them with emptiness.  After He was gone they would receive a friend, part of Jesus Himself, to help them change the world.  The people who had supported Jesus and who waited in anticipation for this Helper, found themselves altogether  in one room waiting, hoping, anticipating.  Suddenly, the wind blew and blew and it was likened to hurricane force, and then flames began to shoot up and around them, and they were afraid.  But they quieted as the wind and flames quieted, and they knew the Helper was present.


And in the months and years to come, they became more and more familiar with the Helper, and they soon discovered that when they prayed the Helper would always arrive.   It was like turning on a switch; He was switched on..by prayer. Through the years He became a familiar friend, and He always reminded them of Jesus, for the Helper is Jesus' Spirit within us. 


.    The first twelve disciples were joined by many other disciples, so many that their names are no longer remembered.  Now they number in the millions, all those who want to pattern their lives on the original Twelve who were taught with Jesus' own voice. Over the years the disciples
 discovered more and more ways that the Spirit would help them.  It was exciting, also, to be able to read from a Book about the work that the earliest disciples had done. In the Book, also, was a list of the kind of things the Holy Spirit did to help them start the church and these "helps" have been written down for those who still follow  the work of the early church.


Here is a list of the work of the Holy Spirit.                   He is always available to us through prayer:


He gives strength for extraordinary tasks....Judges 3:10   Helps us speak for Christ.....Mt. 10:19,20
Gives us a change of heart.........................Mt.12:34,36    He may test us......................Lk. 4:1
Makes our reform last...............................Lk.11:24-26     Helps us understand the Bible Lk.24-45
Helps us worship.........................................Jn.4:24-24      Urges us toward salvation....Jn.6:44
Brings deep, lasting peace..............................Jn 14:27      Available to everyone.......Acts 2:16-21
Does not make us immune to temptation........Acts 5:3     Guides us away from wrongs Acts 16:7-9
Increases opportunities for witnessing......    Acts22:30     Gives power for Christian Life Rom.8:2
Helps us Pray............................................Rom.8:26,27    Helps us know God's thoughts1Cor.2:15,16
Brings Glory to each believer......................2 Cor.3:18     Produces "fruit" in us.............Gal.5:22-23
Makes us New Creations.........................    2 Cor.5:17     Brings unity to believers...........Eph. 4:3
Carries out God's work in us..........................Phil. 1:6      Helps us discern false teaching...1Jn1:26,27


I hope this list is useful for you. (The entire list is available in the Life Application Study Bible)  But most of all, I hope this list helps you to know the Holy  Spirit.


Remember, He is only a prayer away!


Jo in MN