Honey From The Rock

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Honey From The Rock
Psalm 81:16

"Sweet Stuff From God's Word"

A daily Bible study with Victor Knowles
Copyright 2007

A GIFT FROM GOD

This entry was posted on 11-03-2009 and is filed under HOLY SPIRIT.

What was the nicest gift you ever received? The answers to that question would vary with the diverse experiences of those reading these lines. But if we are all devoted followers of Jesus, we would have to agree that the gift of the Holy Spirit was the best gift we ever received from God. Jesus promised all believers the gift of the Holy Spirit in John 7:37-39 (NKJV). "'He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."

Twelve hours before He went to the cross, Jesus asked God to glorify Him in order that He might glorify the Father (John 17:1-5). In His atonement for our sins Jesus glorified the Father. Fifty days after His death and resurrection, on the Day of Pentecost, God gave the promised Holy Spirit to all penitent believers. Peter preached Jesus as both Lord and Christ "whom you crucified." The penitent people, convicted of their sin, asked Peter what to do.Here was his reply: "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38 NKJV). Peter went on to say that this promise was for them, their children, "and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call" (v. 39). Later he testified that God would give the Holy Spirit to all those who obey Him (Acts 5:32). F. B. Meyer said, "God does not fill with His Holy Spirit those who believe in the fullness of the Spirit, or those who desire Him, but those who obey Him." Every penitent believer receives a double blessing when obeys in baptism: the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is your special gift from God to help you in your new Christian life.

Prayer: Loving Lord, we thank You for the wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit. You knew that we would need divine help in living the Christian life and have provided that help for us in Your Holy Spirit. We thank You in Jesus' name.