Pastor's Blog

Going around the table and having each person give just one thing they are thankful for is apparently one of the more divisive Thanksgiving traditions. There are people in our family who despise it because as they say, “everyone says the same thing every year.” Others look forward to the opportunity to express thanks. If your family does that this year, I hope you remember the love of the Father seen in sending Jesus to earth. Remember Jesus’ denial of praise and honor in order to go to the cross. And finally, be thankful for the Holy Spirit filling, leading, and empowering you.

If you could choose whether to live 2000 years ago and be with Jesus as one of his original 12 disciples or live now following Jesus which would you prefer? (Answer that question before continuing) I am so prone to say I would rather live with Jesus, get to see him, hear him, and touch him. But as I read Jesus’ words to his original 12 disciples in John 16:6-7, he says, “you are filled with grief because I have said such things,” when explaining that he was leaving earth. He continues, “But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you.” Jesus says it is for our good that he leaves. It is better for us to live now with the Holy Spirit living in us.

Jesus explains why it is better: “the Holy Spirit, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you,” (John 14:26) “he will guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13) “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.” (Acts 1:8).

The Holy Spirit is the forgotten God of the trinity in North America. I am confident the reason we miss the Holy Spirit is that we are not obeying Jesus. Prior to teaching anything about the Holy Spirit, Jesus says, “if you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate” (John 14:15-16). We get to witness the Holy Spirit work when we obey Jesus. I want that for you. I want that for me.

Spend some time this week reading through John chapter 14:15-31 and 15:26-16:15. Where do you regularly see the Holy Spirit showing up in your life? Where would you like to see the Holy Spirit show up in your life, and how are you going to get him to do that? With gratitude and thanksgiving rejoice in the presence of the Spirit in your life.

In Christ,
Pastor Michael Covey
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4