John 14:15-17 ESV
Matthew 17:2-7 NKJV
Acts 2:1-4 NKJV
Forgiveness Series
I am grateful that God sent us a helper. From the moment we first turned to God, the helper is our constant companion every moment of every day.
The helper desires to communicate with us by urging and in some cases speaking to us. I’ve learned that while some hear an inner voice, others get a nudge, or they have a dream/vision. The helper communicates with each of us through our spiritual gift.
When I write and draw pictures I pray that the helper will speak to me and guide me. I’ve never timed it but I probably pray and listen longer than it takes me to complete a post. The pictures I post are more difficult for me than the writing. I’ve loved writing all my life. Even when I was in grade school, I loved to write stories. By high school Speech and English were my favorite subjects. When I had to declare a major in college I really struggled with the choice. Ultimately I decided to major in Speech because it uses both writing and speaking.
When I felt like God was urging me to have a website I hadn’t thought about needing to have illustrations. I’ve been paid as a newspaper photographer and a portrait photographer in my lifetime, so I knew I could use photos. The problem is sometimes a photo isn’t enough. I prayed (a lot) about learning how to do digital drawings. I still pray a lot about the illustrations I do, and the Helper guides me. I need God’s help because sometimes I have no idea what I’m doing. I’m still trying to establish my ‘voice’ when I draw. Many days, I pray and wait for the Spirit to help me think and understand where to begin.
God never fails me.
Today’s illustration is a perfect example. I prayed about how to illustrate the Holy Spirit. I saw Fire. I had taken a photograph of a campfire last summer so I started with that photo. I drew a simple dove. Then it seemed like it needed something else and I found a strange button in the program. I clicked on the button and it added a design. The Spirit of God helped me. God knew I needed Help and provided what I needed.
In John 14:15-17 Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”
The thing about the Helper is that God never fails us.
In the scripture text Jesus told His disciples if they love Him they will keep His commandments.
They did love Him and they wanted to keep His commandments, but there were times when they missed the mark.
For example, Peter loved Jesus but he had a knack for saying crazy things. When he did, Jesus would gently remind him that wasn’t such a great idea.
People who know me well know that I, too am prone to having crazy ideas. It’s no surprise to me that when I took Strength Finder, one of my top five strengths is Ideation. Some ideas are really good and some are a little crazy. I’ve learned to rely on the Helper to figure out the difference.
What I noticed about Peter’s crazy ideas is that Jesus was ever so patient as He urged Peter to see the bigger picture. In Matthew 17:2-4, we find Jesus with Peter, James, and John. Jesus changed form showing the glory of heaven. “He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
Building a structure to commemorate the moment wasn’t the plan Jesus had for this moment. He knew Peter, James, and John would be key leaders for the new church when Jesus was gone. Jesus’ response to Peter’s idea was to ignore the idea.
Immediately after Peter spoke and we learn in Matthew 17:5-6, “While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid.”
Notice when Peter suggested they build a structure Jesus did not correct Peter.
Instead, Jesus let God the Father speak.
When the three disciples heard the voice of God they were overcome with fear.
Then we learn in Matthew 17:7 that, “Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.”
Jesus calmed their fears. Jesus didn’t say Peter was forgiven for his comment but if forgiveness was needed, we know it was given.
The point is that Jesus knew Peter’s heart. Jesus knew Peter meant well and he said it with good intentions.
We read in Acts 2:1-4 about the helper, “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
I’m not positive but I don’t think Peter, James, and John knew exactly what Jesus was talking about when He promised to send a Helper. In Acts 1:5 and again in Acts 1:8 Jesus promised again the Holy Spirit would come.
In Acts 1:9 Jesus ascended to heaven before their eyes. God/Jesus thought of them and us when He promised to give us a Helper.
God knew what we would face and He gave us a Helper to be our guide. The Helper will guide us in accordance with our gifts. The Helper also is there for us when we need to forgive.
There isn’t anything the Spirit won’t help us with…even how to write a word or draw a picture.
I am ever so grateful for the Spirit of God who HELPS!
Today’s Spiritual Practice is: Ask for Help
The Spirit will provide.
In God, Deborah
acrazyjourney.com
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