How Can We Feel God's Presence?
Scripture Reading — John 14:15-21
"I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever ..." John 14:16
Jesus' disciples were upset. For three years they had been with Jesus. They had walked with him and talked with him. And now he was about to leave. How could they possibly go on without him? How could they face the challenges of life without his daily presence? In his farewell address the Lord Jesus put the disciples' minds at ease. He told them that his returning to the Father was for their good (John 16:7). He promised to send the Holy Spirit, who would live in them and teach them about living for God. And through the Spirit they'd be able to enjoy God's presence always. Through the Holy Spirit you and I can experience God's presence every moment of the day. All we have to do is ask. As Jesus says in Luke 11:13, "If you ... know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" The most important prayer we can pray each day is to ask for the all-powerful presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit. When we have the Holy Spirit guiding us each day, we will not only experience God's presence in our own lives, but we'll also be able to show God's presence to others as we live God's way, displaying the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
Lord God, please fill us with your Holy Spirit and help us to show in our lives the fruit of the Spirit. We ask all this for Jesus' sake and in his name. Amen.
About the author — Arthur J. Schoonveld
Rev. Art Schoonveld is a retired minister in the Christian Reformed Church. Before retiring in 2001, he served churches in California, Illinois, and Michigan. Since his retirement he has worked part-time for the denomination and has served as an interim pastor. Art and his wife, Anita, have four children and nine grandchildren.
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