The Spirit of Truth

Have you ever been on a trip and decided to take a guided tour? You know, one of these tours with a person that tells you Information about the location you are visiting. Over the years, we've taken many tours. Some were completely forgettable, and others were so memorable that I think they will stick with me for a lifetime. A guide can make the difference by either creating a meaningful experience that impacts you and leaves you inspired or simply a history lesson with dates and knowledge that will soon be forgotten.

We’ve had tours where the guide simply read information out of a booklet or off of flash cards. It was certainly informational, but it really did not excite anyone about the places. Recently, we went to New Bern and did a bus tour of the historic areas. On that tour, the guide was very knowledgeable about the history of New Bern but, honestly, did not seem to have an insider understanding of what they were saying.

A couple of years ago we went on an Alaskan cruise. While on board, there was a naturalist who provided daily musings over the ship intercom system. He talked about animals, wildlife, and landscapes that we might encounter during the day's adventures.  It was captivating to hear him speak. Although he very well could have been reading off of a page over that loudspeaker, he gave us the sense that he knew exactly what he was talking about and that he was an expert in what he was saying. He drew us in with his passion, insight, and ability to help us conceive what was possible that day. We found ourselves waiting for him to come over the loudspeaker to point out something interesting off the bow of the ship or to wrap up the day with fascinating insight into the ancient landscape we were seeing or had seen.

In John chapter 16 verse 13, Jesus says something that we should take to heart. He says, “But when He, the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.” As we are learning in this series, the Holy Spirit is the very nature and character of God sent to us to be the expression of God’s heart to our heart, to impact our mind, will, and emotions with the passion of the Kingdom.

To obtain the keys of the Kingdom, you will need a guide. The Bible is the Word of God and is full of God’s truth; but without a guide to help you, you will just acquire knowledge from the Bible rather than actually hear God’s heart in the Scriptures. Who you allow to guide you through Scripture matters. Who you listen to matters. I don’t know about you, but I want someone reliable and has God’s heart, to teach me and guide me into all the truth of the Kingdom. The Holy Spirit does not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.

Here, we have Jesus promising us that He will send us a guide, someone who will lead us into every truth Heaven has available. This guide is someone that will be able to see into the future, to see into our past, to see where we are right now, and to help us navigate life on a daily basis.

The Holy Spirit will guide you. The Holy Spirit will be that guide that comes on the loudspeaker every morning; and if we're listening, can help prepare us for what lies ahead for the day. He promises that He will make us aware of pitfalls that may stand in our way that day.

You see, the Holy Spirit wasn't just given to us so that we can speak in tongues. The Holy Spirit wasn't just given to us so that we could prophesy. Although these things are important and they are part of who the Holy Spirit is, Jesus tells us the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth. God’s truth allows me to be grounded in Him so that I don’t have to believe the truth that the world wants me to believe. God’s truth doesn't change. It's not shifting sand that leaves me guessing. His truth is the cornerstone for me to live by. The truth the world offers will constantly change. The truth the world offers keeps me guessing. The truth the world offers will cancel you if you get it wrong. But God's truth is steadfast and brings hope in a storm. It brings peace in chaos.

His truth illuminates my path that I take every day. He guides me; He leads me. He comes on the loudspeaker every morning. We can choose to listen or not, but I believe that every morning, the Holy Spirit is expressing to us His heart for us that day. He is expressing to us things that we need, things that we will face so that we can trust him more. But I do have to choose to follow and listen. The Holy Spirit will not make me. He will not drag me along. He will simply lead with the hopes that I will follow Him. Jesus gave us that example when He told the disciples, “Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” He didn't demand; He did not force them. He simply offered for them to follow Him and then He led them. The Holy Spirit extends that offer every day to us. Will you allow the Holy Spirit to lead you and guide you into all that the Kingdoms has available?

JOURNAL: What do you feel the Holy Spirit is saying to you through this message and devotional series?
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