Morning Devotional

John 16:12-15 12 “I have much more to say to you, but you can’t handle it now. 13 However, when the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you in all truth. He won’t speak on his own, but will say whatever he hears and will proclaim to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and proclaim it to you. 15 Everything that the Father has is mine. That’s why I said that the Spirit takes what is mine and will proclaim it to you.

Love this passage. It tells me a lot about the God I serve and His patience with me. In this time of life patience is really a blessing in keeping my wit and attitude in check.This passage also talks about the Trinity that so many people struggle with. John recorded Jesus' teaching about “the Father,” himself and “the Spirit,” not as three separate beings, but one God in three persons. Theologians struggle to articulate this concept in ways that the human imagination can process. The three persons of the Trinity are close in a manner that goes beyond the closest human relationships we know. The Holy Spirit is the third person (which in no way means inferior or subordinate to the first and second person) of the Trinity, who functions as God’s continual presence on Earth, especially after Jesus’ ascension to heaven. The Holy Spirit resides in us, reminding,sustaining, nudging, rebuking, and reshaping our humanity.

When we accept the life of Christ in our own life Scripture tells us the Spirit comes and dwells in us. We become God's new Temple. It is an opportunity for us to work with and on behalf of the Divine. However, God is not going to cram it down our throats all at one time. He will feed us as we can take it in. I have seen the Holy Spirit work in many people as they faced a time when they could not handle the full truth of a medical, relational or spiritual situation. But with time and the presence of God within they grasp the situation and begin their work with and on behalf of God the Father in their situation. Have you faced times when you weren’t ready to handle the full truth of a medical, relational or spiritual situation? Are you grateful that God doesn’t insist on “cramming” the whole truth down our throat when we’re not ready, but that the Spirit works patiently with us as we learn and grow? I am.
Our God is an awesome God of love, patience, kindness and mercy to name a few. May we learn from His example, especially in today's climate. I hope to see many of you later on today in person, (on our web page; eoccme.com around 11) or Facebook live starting at 9 am.

Almighty and Holy God I thank you for the patience you have shown me in my life. The steady nudging of the Holy Spirit that has helped me grow. Lord, I pray for this church I serve. May the Holy Spirit continue to lead us and teach us, May we be open to His teachings and directions. Father, bless us and keep us safe. I pray for forgiveness in my life and in the lives of those I may have hurt. Continue to be patient with me and feed me what I can handle. I thank you for the insight that has come during this time of solitude and an openness to Your Holy Word. I am grateful as I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.