Daily Nugget:
It was very important after Jesus died that He would send (John 16:7) the omnipresent Comforter to do many marvelous things. It is this Holy Spirit, even to this day, that:
- Reproves us of our sin (John 16:8, 9). The Comforter often makes us feel guilty about our sins. It is this Spirit that convicts us so that we should get our iniquity right with the Father.
People often blame a pastor, parent, or another person for making them feel miserable in their wrongdoing. Often it is the Holy Spirit that Jesus sent that is doing the convicting that: - Reproves us of true righteousness (John 16:8. 10). He shows us that in the flesh, we are certainly not righteous in God’s eyes. It is the Comforter that helps us realize only Jesus is without sin and that we are worthy of Hell unless we accept Christ’s righteousness to cover our iniquities.
- Shows our hearts that no one gets away with sinning against God, not even Satan (John 16:8, 11).
- Shows us and helps us understand the Word of God (John 16:13). Therefore, it is wrong for others to dumb down the Bible and make it “easier to understand.” Those rewriters are producing false revisions of God’s Word. It is only the Comforter that helps anyone understand God’s truths, and His work cannot be replaced by rewriting and editing.
- Tells us what the Father wants us to hear (John 16:13).
- Shows us what things will happen in the future (John 16:13).
- The Comforter is not to be glorified, but Jesus should be (John 16:14).
This Comforter is still present and working in people’s hearts to this day. What has the Comforter shown you recently? Did you begin or stop doing what He convicted you of?
Today’s Thought:
“… Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6b
Words to Understand:
Enquire: ask
Lament: to mourn; to cry out
Travail: To labor in childbirth
Today’s Reading:
John 16
1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
5 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?
6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
7 ¶ Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
16 ¶ A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.
17 Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?
18 They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.
19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?
20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
23 ¶ And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.
26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:
27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
28 ¶ I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.
30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
31 Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
