Day 24 - Friday

Day 24

 

"God's kingdom isn't about eating and drinking. It is about pleasing God, about living in peace, and about true happiness. All this comes from the Holy Spirit." Romans 14:17 (CEV)

 

Paul tells us that the Kingdom of God is about righteousness, peace and joy…in the Holy Ghost.  All of these things come not by our efforts, or our wisdom.  Rather, these things come through a relationship with the Holy Spirit.

 

We all have the opportunity or the ability to "put on Christ" or wear the armor of God.  It is a gift of God for us.  These are natural outgrowths (or fruit) of our relationship with the Holy Spirit.

 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

 

Jesus said that the Comforter he was sending would be our helper, reminding us of the things he said, and be with us always.  The name "Comforter" comes from the word, "paraclete" which means "one who consoles, one who intercedes on our behalf, a comforter or an advocate." 

 

The Holy Spirit will clothe us with God's truth, his righteousness, his peace, his salvation and even his faith.  But we need to cultivate this friendship.  Spend time with the Holy Spirit, as we would any friend who we love and care about.  The more we do, the more like him we become. 

 

It is in these times that we will discover that life in the kingdom of God is more fulfilling than anything we can work up on our own.  It is in the kingdom, through our relationship with God, that we will experience the righteousness, peace and joy that fill the holes of our hearts.

 

Prayer:  "Holy Spirit, teach me how to draw close to you, to know you and to allow you to shape me into the image of Christ.  Work in me these pieces of the armor that protects me and gives me victory in life.  Fulfill me with your righteousness, peace and joy.  In Christ I pray, Amen."