The Comforter Then came that spectacular moment at the River Jordan, when Jesus, coming up out of the baptismal waters, looked up and saw the Holy Spirit descending upon Him in the form of a dove! The Christ had come to earth with a mission to save the world; born in a manger and grew to manhood with the same commission, yet He was powerless even though, the very son of God! Now at the Jordan, He became endowed with power from on high, to heal the sick, minister hope to the down-hearted and to establish the manifestation of the power of God in the lives of men- it was a time for miracles, in the variety of signs and wonders. For three years, they never seized and at the end, He fulfilled His earthly mission, surrendered Himself in the ultimate sacrifice for mankind as a supreme proof of God’s love. The Bible accounts that He gave up the ghost and the Spirit returned to the Father (John 19: 30). The mighty third person of The Trinity; The Holy Spirit returned after Jesus was in the grave for three days. Jesus gave the greatest promise of all the Bible- it was the promise of The Comforter! The same Holy Spirit who lived in Jesus would return to live in all who open their lives to His power. The same things Jesus had done, even greater would God perform through those who belief- The Holy Spirit would be free to enter all those that receive Him. The essence of The Comforter is to glorify Jesus and the fact of His personality is crucial to every child of God. Ours is the age of The Holy Spirit- His core is to represent The Trinity on earth until Christ returns. The surety of our salvation is represented by the indwelling of The Holy Spirit- …“repent, and be baptized… in the name of Jesus…and ye shall receive the gift of The Holy Ghost” Acts 2: 38 (KJV). He also dwells in our collectiveness- He is the Light of The Church; The Spirit of Truth- He stays only in gatherings where the Word of God is strictly adhered to. He is the agent of the missionary zeal of the Church. He is Paraclete (Greek) - advocate, comforter, defending counsel to promote our understanding of the Truth concerning Christ (John 14: 26), God’s power by which He created the universe, He enlivens the community with hope; the ultimate hope of the New Covenant! …“you will be rebuilt, O (TNCBC), again you will… dance with the joyful… The time is coming, declares The LORD, when I will make a new covenant”… Jeremiah 31: 4, 31 (NIV). The Bible beats through with the influence, the power, the workings and the ministry of The Holy Spirit, from the opening chapter to the closing verses of the Scriptures. No Christian can go very far in achieving anything without His power; He guides and endows individuals with a diversity of gifts for service- ignorance of the subject will result in serious weakness and failure in endeavors. This comfort we have received has long been God’s agenda for us- His pardon for sin, preservation and the direction He provides at life’s cross-roads, a highway for our God, that is devoid of all of satan’s deliberate confusions. Long as a beloved of God allows his heart to be the good soil for God’s counsels, He makes his ways plain, for He will instruct and teach him (Psalms 32: 8) and God will be glorified. The Comforter soothes the wearied; when life seems dark and dreary, when you meet with great temptations, when your heart is overburdened, when your soul is bowed in sorrow and sore trials come upon you, He rests the weary! When you are convinced that you are all alone, He is closer to you than your skin! Even while the words are not yet formed, He bears the scorching effects of the fire with you. Perhaps the situation is milder than fire, you are bathing against the waves of a river, He won’t watch you drown! The Comforter! He breathes life into dry-bones! Is there any sick among you? The river of the water of life flows freely from the throne of God and of the Lamb (Revelation 22: 1). Dead bones will yet live; all you need is a breath, just a breath! Are you yet a trespasser of God’s laws? You cannot escape the influence of His Spirit. Take a cue from Jonah! He could not flee from God’s long hand. Also did David confess that he had no hiding place from God. “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? …If I say, ‘surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me’ even the darkness will not be dark to you”… Psalms 139: 7-12 (NIV). God wants to fellowship with His creature, come back home. Quit paying the price of unhappiness and eventual hell. There is that void in you that The Comforter wants to fill. Great Comforter, just as I am without one plea, no defenses, no excuses! My walls are continually before you! This day, I approach your throne of grace so that I will receive mercy for comfort, O Lamb of God, I come! ayanfeLAMPROS.