JOTS FROM OLD JAKE
COUNSELOR !
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THE COMFORTER HAS COME
by... Frank Bottome, 1823�1894
And I will ask the Father. and He will give you another counselor to be with you forever�the Spirit of truth. (John 14:16)
One of the important days worthy of every Christian�s recognition is Pentecost Sunday�an observance of the advent of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost Sunday occurs 50 days after Easter. The church color for this season is red, and the symbol is generally that of the Dove. Other symbols for the Holy Spirit include:
Oil�It is the Holy Spirit that anoints and sets a believer apart for service.
Water�It is the Holy Spirit that cleanses us from the power of sin.
Light�It is the Holy Spirit that guides us in steps of truth and righteousness.
Fire� It is the Holy Spirit that purges and sets our devotion for God ablaze.
Wind�It is the Holy Spirit that refreshes our often parched hearts.
Jesus also referred to the Holy Spirit as the counselor�the Comforter�the �paraclete��the one who would reside in each believer and always be ready to help and guide in times of need.
Following Christ�s resurrection, the disciples� awareness of the Holy Spirit in their lives changed them from fearful, discouraged disciples into powerful proclaimers of the good news. This same awareness and appropriation of the Holy Spirit�s enabling power is still a most necessary ingredient for effective representation of our Lord.
(Osbeck, K. W. 1990. Amazing grace : 366 inspiring hymn stories for daily devotions. Includes indexes. Kregel Publications: Grand Rapids, Mich.)
The day of Pentecost this year is on May 23, 2007 (6day of Sivan 5756 on the Jewish calendar). Pentecost, AKA; The Feast of Weeks or The Feast of Shavuot, is celebrated 50 days after the Feast of the First Fruits. It marks the day that the Church was born, also believed to be the day that the Ten Commandments was given.
On the day the church was born the Holy Spirit fell on the believers in the Upper Room. The Holy Spirit has not left since then.
Today�s memory verse:
(1 Peter 1:18-19 KJV) Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
May You Be Blessed by the Holy Spirit to Overflowing!
Bye for Now!
