God’s will

September 20, 2014

4 Simple Ways to Experience Joy in Life

God designed us for His joy and has promised an inner supply of joy by His Spirit. God fills us with joy that is separate from any circumstance.

Jesus Christ lived without much of the stuff we associate with temporal happiness. Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2) and never lost His joy despite betrayal, loneliness, slander, pain, suffering, and even death. Christ displayed joy on earth and wanted His disciples to experience joy for themselves. Jesus said, “”I have told you these things so that you can have the SAME JOY I HAVE and so that your joy will be the FULLEST POSSIBLE JOY.” (John 15:11 NCV)

C. S. Lewis wrote of this joy beyond the pleasures of earth. “You might as well offer a mutton chop to a man who is dying of thirst as offer sexual pleasure to the desire I am speaking of. … Joy is not a substitute for sex; sex is very often a substitute for Joy. I sometimes wonder whether all pleasures are not substitutes for Joy.” (Surprised by Joy)

Joy in suffering is observed as Paul and Silas are in a Philippi jail, praying and singing hymns at midnight (Acts 16:25). Later in life while in prison chains, Paul writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always and say it again rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4) God’s clear command is joy. To not rejoice is sin against God’s distinct directive.

“The bottom line for you and me is simply this: grimness is not a Christian virtue. There are no sad saints. If God really is the center of one’s life and being, joy is inevitable. If we have no joy, we have missed the heart of the Good News and our bodies as much as our souls will suffer the consequences.”
(Bruce Larson, “There’s a Lot More to Health Than Not Being Sick”)

How can we have God’s joy invading our lives?

1. Experience God for yourself.

If you want joy, seek to have a genuine encounter with God. In God’s presence, there is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). Once you have been with God, your world is transformed. You can experience God’s presence on a daily basis and keep yourself from melting down. Put yourself in a position where we can meet Him – read the Bible, pray, listen to God-honoring music, attend a worship service.

Enter into His presence. How about this? Spend five minutes in authentic worship – right where you are, right now. Why delay? Our joyful attitude is harnessed to the Lord’s unfailing presence. The Psalmist praised, “The One enthroned in heaven laughs.” (Psalm 2:3) Joy is a by-product of life with God (Psalm 9:2; 16:5-11).

“Joy is the surest sign of the presence of God.” (Pierre Teilhard Chardin)

2. Allow God’s promises to change the way you think and and the way you live.

Find one verse to memorize, meditate, and live out. Apply God’s Word every day. Let God’s Word be the stable foundation for your life. Make the Bible the solid bedrock for your life, a stable foundation for successful living. The Bible provides security and strength for your life, but I am not suggesting just reading as a daily discipline or a historical exercise. The goal of Bible reading is NOT just to read the Bible to look good or because its expected. The ultimate goal is to let the WORD and God’s presence transform me. God’s Word produces joy.

“The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.” (Psalm 19:8a NIV)
“Your covenant laws are your gift to me forever. They fill my heart with joy.” (Psalm 119:111 NIRV)
“I find joy in your promise like someone who finds a priceless treasure.” (Psalm 119:162 GW)
“When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.” (Jeremiah 15:16 NLT)

3. Pursue your purpose, the reason you are alive.

Be who God made you to be. “Are the things you are living for worth Christ dying for?” (Leonard Ravenhill) Uncover the reason God put you on this planet.

Louis L’Amour was an American author famously known for his many western novels. He revealed his secret to writing so many stories, “Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.” There is wisdom in that. Practice God’s plan for your life. Do something bigger than the mess of your current circumstances.

If you need joy in your life, tell another person of who Jesus is. Soulwinning is part of the work Christ has appointed you to do, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” (Mark 16:15 NLT) If you aren’t a fisher of people, you’ll miss out on the joy God has in mind for life.

Life is tough, but you have something in your life that is BIGGER than all your JUNK. If you don’t discover why you are breathing on this planet, you won’t be fulfilled or satisfied with life.

“The Christian owes it to the world to be supernaturally joyful. In this day of universal apprehension when men’s hearts are failing them for fear of those things that are coming upon the earth, we Christians are strategically placed to display a happiness that is not of this world and to exhibit a tranquillity that will be a little bit of heaven here below.” (A.W. Tozer)

4. Lift up your eyes beyond the trial and trust God’s process.

Allow the Lord to change your perspective. God uses dark days to develop our character. Impossibly difficult circumstances are the setting for amazing God-sized miracles that release joy.

“Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we CONFIDENTLY and JOYFULLY look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.” (Romans 5:2-4 NLT)
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28 NLT)
“And God has reserved for his children the priceless gift of eternal life; it is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. “And God, in his mighty power, will make sure that you get there safely to receive it because you are trusting him. It will be yours in that coming last day for all to see. So BE TRULY GLAD! There is WONDERFUL JOY AHEAD, even though the going is rough for a while down here.” (1 Peter 1:4-6 TLB)

Guess what? Earth was never designed to be your stopping point. If you are thinking life on earth will bring you joy, you surely will be disappointed. You are passing through with wonderful joy ahead! There is joy still waiting for you. There’s hope for you. There’s freedom for you. There’s healing for you. There’s peace for you. There’s JOY for your life.

March 3, 2014

God’s will is perfect FOR you even if it isn’t doesn’t seem perfect TO you.

God’s will for you is perfect FOR you, even if you don’t think it’s perfect from your own perspective. Some people mistakenly assume that troubles or difficulties in life are some kind of sign that they are missing out on God’s perfect will for their lives.

The reality is – you can be right in the middle of God’s will for your life and experience tremendous hardship. No one can escape all trouble. Ultimately, God’s perfect will is accomplished when the circumstances of our lives allow HIS GLORY to shine through our lives.

God’s Word has many examples of men and women right in the middle of God’s perfect will who still faced misfortunes, hassles, and trials. Joseph certainly faced disruption – trapped in a pit, sold into slavery, falsely accused and thrown into prison – but God used all of those difficulties to save Joseph’s family and God’s chosen people. David was the God-chosen next king of Israel, yet he suffered through years of jealousy, betrayal, and rejection before he was humanly-recognized as king. Paul was unjustly beaten with rods, stoned to death, shipwrecked, mocked, and ridiculed, but God’s message was still be clearly delivered through Paul. Jesus endured the cruelest inconvenience of beatings, crucifixion, and even death without ever stepping outside of the Father’s perfect will for His life on earth.

Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that God isn’t finished yet. Paul stresses, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:2 NLT).” I have heard people misrepresent this verse into somehow justifying a substandard for God’s will. Some suggest Paul is delineating three paths, but Paul’s word choice mentions only ONE will. In Greek, the verse DOES NOT break up God’s will into three kinds – good will, pleasing will, and perfect will. The word Paul uses for “will” is singular, not plural. Good, pleasing, and perfect all relate to one singular will.

Disturbance in your life is not an automatic signal that you have somehow missed God’s will for your life. That disagreement with your spouse shouldn’t send you into depressed anxiety about God’s will for your marriage. That rebellious child isn’t a sign that you aren’t called to be a parent. That cantankerous coworker giving you fits, doesn’t necessarily mean God doesn’t want you working at that location. Your flat tire on the interstate doesn’t mean you lost your way.

You may be squeezed today, but you can live for God’s glory!

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing (James 1:2-4 NLT).”

I am praying today for God’s strength to live for His glory and to trust His perfect will for my life – even if it upsets my preconceived plans and personal comfort. How about you? Are you ready to live for His glory?

November 5, 2013

Garden Hose for Jesus?

“Be a garden hose, a PVC pipe, a channel for God’s healing power,” Dad encouraged. “You don’t have to be fine china to be used by God. In fact, the Lord delights in using styrofoam cups, ordinary people just like us.”

A garden hose not connected to a water source doesn’t do much to benefit grass or potted plants. But, in the hands of a master gardener a hose connected to water becomes a perfectly suited tool to connect thirty flowers with life-giving water. You and I are the perfectly suited instruments designed to release God’s love on earth.

“Do not look upon the vessel, but upon what it holds.” (Hebrew Proverb)

Why not keep streams of living water flowing out you to keep the water fresh? Get the kinks worked out of your life so that living water can stream without impediment.

Keep yourself free from rebellion or sin that clogs and contaminants. “In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:20-21 NLT)

I am willing to be a garden hose for Jesus Christ.

The Lord wants to use us to communicate His message, to impart His love, to extend His forgiveness, and to minister His healing power. Are you willing to let the healing power of the Lord flow through you? Are you ready to be a garden hose for Jesus?

September 30, 2013

Beyond Aimless Living

You Have A PURPOSE. You are not an accident. You were created by God’s design, plans He had made up long before you were ever born.

With no mind, will, or emotions, toothbrushes don’t have to consider the reason for their existence. You and I, however, do have a mind, will, and emotions, and we need to seriously consider why God placed us on earth.

You were saved FROM something FOR something. In a sense, every Christ-follower should have two testimonies. The first should be about how God saved them; the second, about how God is using them.

Heavenly Father did not meet you for the first time on the day you came to Christ. He did not find out who you are when you accepted Him as Savior and Lord. There was no shocking heavenly surprise, “Wow, Mike, just came into my Kingdom! How about that? What am I going to do with him?”

Consider what the following verses reveal about God’s purpose.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5 NIV)
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139:13-16 NIV)
“The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me. Lord, Your love is eternal; do not abandon the work of Your hands.” (Psalm 138:8 HCSB)
“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6 NIV)
“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13 NIV)
“Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” (John 14:23 NIV)
“I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.” (John 15:16b NIV )

August 12, 2013

I Can’t Fast-Forward Life

Did you see any movies over the summer with LONG previews, trailers, and advertisements before the main feature? I went to see a couple of movies this summer with particularly long preliminaries. Long trailers for boring movies, long advertisements for stuff I didn’t need – I wanted to just jump ahead to the good stuff.

Recently, our family rented “The Impossible” DVD, and I quickly pressed the menu button to jump beyond whatever was placed before the movie. Netflix and DVRs have spoiled me. Have you ever wanted to fast-forward through the advertisements and get to the main feature?

Waiting isn’t something I have to do often in the American-paced culture of which I am a part. We like instant EVERYTHING. Could the comfort of my fast-forwarded, fast-food lifestyle spoil my patience for the things of God? I hope not, but I have a sense that it has.

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Okay, that hits home with me – God’s presence leads me. Lord, I can’t fast-forward to the destination, so please help me to trust you each step of the journey.

“And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.” (Philippians 1:6 AMP)

May 1, 2013

Don’t Give Up Yet

Three strikes doesn’t mean I’m out for good. I am so thankful Heavenly Father is the umpire of my life. When necessary, God has a way of allowing me to take tests again and again and again. He intends for me to ace the exams.

As a student, I hated failing assignments. Even when I went back for masters and doctoral classes at Oral Roberts University, I felt tremendous anxiety to perform well. Dr. Grizzle handed back one of my papers with dreaded words something like “Please redo this assignment following the attached plan.” Somehow I missed the email with the updated requirements, and so I was left to do it again – THE RIGHT WAY.

It may be cliche, but I felt someone had punched me in the gut. I did it to myself. It wasn’t Dr. Grizzle. No, he is a very kind and wise professor that meant me no harm at all. I was the one who didn’t live up to the requirement. Thankfully, I had the chance to complete it the right way for a good grade.

Somebody asked Winston Churchill one time, “What most prepared you to lead Great Britain through World War II?” For a period of time, Great Britain stood virtually alone against Nazi Germany as it dominated the Western World.

This was Churchill’s response: “It was the time I repeated a class in grade school.”

The questioner said, “You mean you flunked a grade?”

Churchill said, “I never flunked in my life. I was given a second opportunity to get it right.” [John Ortberg, “A Mind-Expanding Faith,” Preaching Today, Tape No. 126.]

Just because you’ve blown it, doesn’t mean you give up. Your life should be a sample of God’s work, showing His goodness and giving Him glory in every aspect of your life. Your life matters to God; He wants you to do good works to bring Him glory. There are things that you can do—that only you can do—that will bring Him glory. The Lord custom designs destiny.

“So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:7 NLT)
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)

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Abraham was old, Jacob was insecure, Leah was unattractive, Joseph was abused, Moses stuttered, Gideon was poor, Samson was codependent, Rahab was immoral, David had an affair and all kinds of family problems, Elijah was suicidal, Jeremiah was depressed, Jonah was reluctant, Naomi was a widow, John the Baptist was eccentric to say the least, Peter was impulsive and hot-tempered, Martha worried a lot, the Samaritan woman had several failed marriages, Zacchaeus was unpopular, Thomas had doubts, [Paul had poor health], and Timothy was timid. That is quite a variety of misfits, but God used each of them in his service. He will use you too if you stop making excuses. (Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life, p. 233)

Encourage yourself now. Don’t give up. What not make a loud confession of Micah 7:8? “I have fallen, but enemy, don’t laugh at me! I will get up again. I sit in darkness now, but the Lord will be a light for me.” (Micah 7:8 ERV) Come on! Say it out loud.

April 24, 2013

My Dad Died a Martyr’s Death

I still trust in God’s protection but my understanding about God’s care has grown. In the early 70’s, I lived with my parents while they served for three years as missionaries in Uganda during the evil regime of Idi Amin. Saudis liberally funded Amin’s attempt to make the nation Muslim. I was there as people lived and died for Jesus Christ.

Our family repeatedly was supernaturally protected while thousands and thousands of other faith-filled believers were being killed. When I was five and six years old, I thought it was normal to be stopped at roadblocks. It wasn’t strange to have heavily armed Ugandan militia surround my parents. I remember seeing machetes waved in my Dad’s face while AK-47s were pressed to the back of his neck. But, God intervened time and again.

It is paradoxical that twenty years later, a small caliber pistol would be used to kill my Dad just outside the Valley Fellowship Church offices – right here in the United States of America. On that hot August afternoon, the Lord’s hand of protection was obvious as other church staff, volunteers, and school students were safely shielded during the shooting.

Because Dad was a righteous pastor, he was targeted by a skinny lady with the malicious idea of pleasing satan. The Bible indicates some believers will be martyrs, and I believe that my dad died a martyr’s death. Dad was certainly not the last martyr to be targeted for loving Jesus Christ.

I still trust that God’s plans and purposes are good. As long as I live on earth there will be things that I do not fully understand about what God allows or commands, but I trust in God’s protection more now than I did before my father’s death.

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Perhaps the most common question I asked myself following Dad’s death was, “God, are you sure I learned all I was suppose to learn from my dad?” I frequently reminded myself that his death was not a surprise to God. I was surprised, but his death was no surprise to my Heavenly Father.

I found great encouragement and strength from God’s Word and from spending time in private worship. I had to personally deal with many questions following my dad’s death. Recognizing Dad was a Godly man, faithful husband, loving father and integral shepherd of our church, I knew there were no “open doors” for such an attack. I had to deal with the dilemma of how someone who is really righteous could be shot and killed by someone trying to please satan. I was forced to grapple with the reality that God’s plans may not always be my “preferred” plans.

My experience definitely changed the way I minister to suffering people. Yes, I grieved – all humans grieve when we miss something that we hold as valuable – but God comforted me in my grieving. Heavenly Father provided me with the grace and comfort I needed to go forward. My experience has given me a much deeper well of compassion for hurting individuals, and the comfort I received from the Lord has allowed me to minister to suffering people. I regularly sense a supernatural release of God’s comfort as I pray, releasing the comfort that I myself have received from the Lord, for other grieving individuals. I draw from the compassion and grace I needed in 1993 to minister God’s concern and care in 2013. The comfort I received, I pass along when praying–in congregational services, in hospital rooms, in funerals and memorials, in any situation where someone is in pain or sickness.

Today, April 24, is Jerry Simon’s birthday. I bet he’s celebrating it with friends in heaven. I remember Dad. I honor him. I miss him.

April 22, 2013

5 Benefits of Putting the Lord First

Keep first things first; set kingdom priorities. Jesus teaches His followers, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33 NIV)

My wife and I have tried to live by that Matthew 6:33 principle – seeking Him first. At times, we have gotten fretful, but we remind one another that God is faithful. Our life together isn’t usually easy, but guess what? Over and over and over, Patti and I have experienced God’s blessing. Praise the Lord! Sometimes God uses people who love us. Just last week, I received an unexpected, anonymous gift to buy clothes for my upcoming trip to Tanzania. Whoever you are – THANK YOU VERY MUCH! A little over two years ago, Patti and I celebrated our wedding anniversary in Hawaii, because of the generosity of friends. The picture below was the sunrise view from our shoreside window.

I am not promising you a Hawaii vacation for putting the Lord first, but I am reminding you that God wants to bless you. Instead of centering your life around personal interests, base desires, family relationships, or take-home pay, arrange your priorities around God first!

#1 When you put Him first, THE LORD DIRECTS.

“In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success.” (Proverbs 3:6 LIVING)
“I will instruct you (says the Lord) and guide you along the best pathway for your life; I will advise you and watch your progress.” (Psalm 32:8 LIVING)

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#2 When you put Him first, THE LORD PROVIDES.

“For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” (2 Chron. 16:9a NASB)

#3 When you put Him first, THE LORD PROTECTS.

“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.” (Psalm 34:7 NIV)
“He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.” (Psalm 91:4 NLT)
“God’s looking after me, keeping me safe in the kingdom of heaven. All praise to him, praise forever! Oh, yes!” (2 Tim. 4:18 MSG)

#4 When you put Him first, THE LORD CALMS.

“Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” (1 Peter 5:7 AMP)

#5 When you put Him first, THE LORD HELPS.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)

No problem is too big for God’s power. Don’t underestimate the greatest of your Heavenly Father.

“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16 NASB) What a picture of God’s sovereign authority and His great love for people! The needed supply is unleashed with your willing choice to seek Him. Stubborn refusal restricts you from the very resource you so desperately need.

Don’t push it off; put the Lord first.

April 19, 2013

Focus on Heaven

God’s Word calls us to focus on heaven, but focus does not come automatically. We must choose to seek heaven, think heaven, and live like a citizen of heaven – while we are still on earth. Look to the Lord; don’t become centered on your circumstances.

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2 NIV).”
“Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ – that’s where the action is. See things from His perspective (Colossians 3:2 MSG).”
“Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth (Colossians 3:2 NLT).”

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Life on this sin-tarnished planet isn’t always easy, but God hasn’t stepped away from His throne.

Terrorist threats, acrid political quarrels, economic uncertainty, school assignments, lawn maintenance, health care anxiety and an endless list of distracts may be part of the chaos in which you are currently in the middle – BUT God is still on heaven’s throne. Focusing upon the Lord allows you to enjoy His supernatural presence right in the middle of the mess. God’s peace can be found right in the middle of tests, trials, and tribulations.

“We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2a GW)

Follow the prophet Micah’s example: “But me, I’m not giving up. I’m sticking around to see what God will do. I’m waiting for God to make things right. I’m counting on God to listen to me.” (Micah 7:7 MSG)

When shaken by a mindboggling enemy, Jehoshaphat knew where to turn (2 Chronicles 20:3). He sought the Lord for help. Consider the words of his prayer, “For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but OUR EYES ARE ON YOU.” (2 Chronicles 20:12 NASB) God answered, giving a divine battle plan beyond comprehension. Following God’s instructions, worshipers led the people into the battle and victory was realized.

In what area do you need look to the Lord and get HIS strategy to overcome? Distraction is the enemy’s tool to keep you from receiving God’s direction.

Don’t focus on your circumstances – look to the Lord. Fix your eyes on Jesus!

April 18, 2013

ADVANTAGE

What child turns down a head-start on a race? Hey, even I can win a 100 meter race if you give me a 90 meter lead! What taxpayer chooses not to take an obvious deduction? I give tithes and offerings realizing I am investing in my heavenly bank account, but I enjoy the IRS’s benefit for charitable giving (while it remains available). Don’t you enjoy having a winning edge playing a board game? Do you think any one of the girls below would have turned-down a personal early start for the egg hunt?

God sets us up to succeed in life, things “which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). God’s plans are always is to your advantage, whether you think so or not. A thousand years ago, Bernard of Clairvaux wrote, “The goodness of God knows how to use our disordered wishes and actions, often lovingly turning them to our advantage while always preserving the beauty of His order.”

From the disciples’ perspective, Jesus’ departure from earth looked to be a hindrance, an obstruction, a tragedy, a disaster. In reality, it was expedient for Him to leave.

Jesus tried to prepare them: “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” (John 16:7 NASB)
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Jesus’ return to heaven opened the door for the Spirit to be outpoured. “He would empower them, give them courage, teach them, and make Christ more real to them than He had ever been before.” (Believer’s Bible Commentary, Jn 16:7). Christ’s work released kingdom triumph.

Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension unleashed the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit gives you an advantage in life. Why would you ever neglect the advantage offered by the Holy Spirit empowerment?