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. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. John 16:7, 13

The Spirit who comes from God, who was hovering over the waters at creation, is the same Holy Spirit who was sent to be our Helper! He is someone who will guide you into all truth. “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God” (1 Corinthians 2:12).

When the Holy Spirit first came to the early church, He transformed Peter, who had denied knowing Jesus, into someone who boldly preached the gospel and led thousands of people to Jesus in one day! In the same way, the Holy Spirit activates us to be ambassadors for Christ, carriers of the presence of God to a lost and dying world. We aren’t navigating life alone; we have the Holy Spirit on the inside of us to say, “This is the way, walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21b).

It’s quite important that we learn how to rely on the Holy Spirit. The lost world needs people who know how to follow the Holy Spirit: people who stand in the gap and bring comfort to the hurting, light to the confused, good news to the afflicted, healing to the sick, and who push back injustice in the nations and address need and famine.

Don’t let the amusement and trivialities of the world prevent you from being a vibrant example of a follower of Jesus. There are hills to climb, mountains to conquer, souls to win, and miracles to experience. Since before you were born, God has prepared amazing things for you. Lean on the Holy Spirit; sensitize yourself to know His voice through the Word and prayer. He knows how to lead and guide through every step of life. He is “our God forever, who guides us till the end of time” (Psalm 48:14 The Message).

Pressing On,

Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2009 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day. Proverbs 4:18

God has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). Psalm 119 tells us that the entrance of God’s Word brings light (119:130a). So, to get where God wants us to be, it’s important to pull out the owner’s manual, the Bible, and read the instructions.

We must keep ourselves filled with the Word of God and keep our spirits sensitive to the Holy Spirit by daily surrendering our lives to God’s plan. This requires us to deal with offenses and make constant adjustments to lay down things that don’t please God. Don’t get overwhelmed! Even small changes produce big results.

My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your sight; keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those who find them and health to all their body. Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:20-23

Don’t let your purpose be thwarted by bumps in the road. Clear off your spiritual windshield so that you can see things the way God does. You have a heavenly Father who delivers on a very profound level. He gave His Son. Meditate on that for a while. If God can cleanse you of sin and save you for all of eternity, He can certainly cover every other deal in your life.

The rubber-meets-the-road part of this letter is that I believe God wants to use you in the upcoming days to impact others. You aren’t just striving to be a “nice Christian”—the goal is to reflect who Jesus truly is so that your message to the world is clear. You might be the only Bible some people read. Make it your goal to please God and finish strong. Cast your worries on Him (1 Peter 5:7).

He can stabilize any situation. You are more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ (Romans 8:37). With man it may be impossible, but with God all things are possible (Mark 10:27). He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that you can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). So trust Him. Stop looking in the rearview mirror at past mistakes and step forward into the great big beautiful plans God has for you. The best is yet to come!

Happy New Year!

Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2008 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:7-8

We are not powerless. God has clothed us with power from on high to meet every situation we encounter; to be witnesses and love and serve Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Luke 10:27; Luke 24:48). Apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5b). Our authority is rooted in relationship and connection with Jesus. “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.” (Psalm 127:1a). But through Jesus we can do all things (Philippians 4:13).

“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:5-7

Let God’s Word settle in your heart and life. It is thunderously powerful. It is your sharp sword to combat the attacks of the enemy (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12). Meditate on the promises of God until they bring a renewal to your mind and strength to your soul that push you past impotence into the effectiveness for which you’ve been created. “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16).

In order to make a meaningful difference in the world, to see impossible situations in our lives turn around, we must connect with Jesus and abide in His Word. Talk to Him when you get up in the morning. Pull out your Bible over breakfast. God will help you to be able to understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:45). Even if you don’t feel like it, sing praises about God’s faithfulness. It’s impossible to keep worrying when you are praising God. His power is not for just an elite few. It is for you, for your everyday life (Acts 2:17).

Thank God for His Power!

Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2008 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.