Delightsome Land

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever (John 14:16). The hope of the Old Testament was Emmanuel—“God with us.” In Exodus 33:15, Moses said to the Lord, “...If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.” Every prophet of the Old Testament understood that God had to be with them. It was very important, and then the message came about the birth of Jesus. That was the hope of the Old Testament; the hope of Israel. But He came among them and many of them failed to recognize Him; yet, that was Emmanuel!  Thanks be unto God that He’ll come again, and He’ll live among them for one thousand years during His millennial reign! But Christianity, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, isn’t “Emmanuel.” As read in our theme verse, Jesus said, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter (the Holy Spirit), that he may abide with you for ever” (John 14:16). The Holy Spirit brings the presence of God.  The 1...

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another (John 13:35). Every so often, I read about Jesus in the Word and I’m greatly inspired. I see no greater example, no greater model. I’m inspired by His thoughts, by His deeds, His passion, His love, His excellence. His words went forth with power. Men heard Him and were transformed forever. Demons heard His voice and scampered in terror. Circumstances responded to His words. How could He be so powerful and yet so loving, forgiving and gracious?  Jesus inspires me so much that all I ever want is to be like Him. But He sent us the Holy Spirit to help us act like Him, think like Him, be powerful, loving and passionate like Him. When you’re filled with the Spirit, you’re filled with Jesus. That’s the Spirit that made Him everything that He was in the earth. Today, in His love, He gave us the same Spirit in full measure. Hallelujah!  No wonder He said, “…as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you”...