Tag Archives: counselor

We are meant for relationship

 

I learned another new word today – homothumadon.  It’s meaning is – with one mind, with one accord, with one passion.  It is found mostly in the book of Acts which is interesting based on my thoughts from yesterday. This word does express Christian community. It is made up of two words – one meaning to rushalong and the other in unison.

The image is almost musical; a number of notes are sounded which, while different, harmonise in pitch and tone. As the instruments of a great concert under the direction of a concertmaster, so the Holy Spirit blends together the lives of members of Christ’s church. – Strong’s #3661

Homothumadon! God has made us in His image and likeness, which means we are meant for relationship. We therefore intentionally move through our discipleship cycle together, doing all things in partnership with God and one another.

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. – Romans 15:5-6  ESV

One of the best ways of coming together is when we worship. It is through worship that we avoid the division that comes through secondary issues. God becomes our first priority. It keeps our eyes on the cross. It keeps us focused on our task which is to make disciple-making disciples. Our hope is in Jesus and Him alone. I am challenged again to stop looking at the church, thereby, turning my back on those who do not know Jesus.

 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs,  and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,
    and sing to your name.”

 And again it is said,

“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”

 And again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
    and let all the peoples extol him.”

 And again Isaiah says,

“The root of Jesse will come,
    even he who arises to rule the Gentiles;
in him will the Gentiles hope.”

 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. – Romans 15:8-13  ESV

I was amazed to find a gem of a verse right after the infamous verse thirteen.

I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers,[a] that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. – Romans 15:14  ESV

This is the verse that challenges me to be a disciple making counselor.  In God’s Hands I minister the sanctifying Word into the lives of others. I can only do that when I myself am a recipient of the Spirit’s sanctifying work in myself. I ask people to follow me as I am following Him.

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Reminding us about Jesus

 

Heart of God [Audio] – Hillsong Young & Free

 

The Holy Spirit – tasked with the responsibility of reminding me about Jesus.

The scene where this promise was given was at the Last Supper. Jesus was trying to tell His disciples that it was almost time where He would no longer be with them. They are troubled by this news. Jesus assures them that they will not be alone, that He would send the Holy Spirit who will come and remain with them forever. One of the tasks of the Holy Spirit was to keep the memory of Jesus’ teachings alive and to disclose new insights into the meaning of Jesus’ life and actions.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. – John 14:26  ESV

This is an incredible word of encouragement. The scene of the Last Supper was not one of joy. It was not even a great time to be a disciple of Jesus. It would seem that things were in a spiritual downturn. Judas was about to show himself to be a traitor, Peter had just been told that he would deny Jesus in the next 24 hours. The Jews wanted to get rid of Jesus and His disciples. Of course the worst blow I shared earlier, the statement of Jesus saying He was leaving.

Enter the Holy Spirit, another Counselor, another Advocate. A powerful promise of one who was coming to indwell us. He was coming to be a Helper. He was going to pick up where Jesus left off. Jesus was saying something like this:

“I am going to leave you now. But I am going to send you someone who is always going to be there for you. No matter what your problem, no matter what your circumstance, no matter what your trial, frustration, or irritation, no matter what you come up against, this helper will be with you”

I need to allow the Holy Spirit to engage me each morning not just so I know more about Jesus but that I am actually getting to know Him. Allowing the Spirit to remind me about who Jesus is would take my meditation of His word into a whole new arena of understanding.

 

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