Day 19

17 Feb Day 19

Advocate-Helper

WRITTEN BY: Kris Raser

Scripture: John 14:15-17 NLT– “If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.”

I encourage you to read the entire chapter, John 14.

Observation: Jesus had a plan from the start. Even beyond his death on the cross and his resurrection from the grave, there was an intention to never leave us alone. These few verses illustrate, from Jesus’ perspective, his plan to give the Holy Spirit to us—to live within us and be our ever-present help.

Application: I once encountered a real-life Bambi-inspired forest party, featuring a deer, a mama bear, and a baby bear. But it wasn’t the feel-good Disney vibe you’re imagining. Let me explain.

A few times a year, I have the privilege of connecting with a few of my best college friends. We love seeking out ways to relax and catch up before heading back to our daily routines. On this particular weekend, we found ourselves at my buddy Jeff’s cabin, deep in the woods of Pennsylvania. The rest of us are always so grateful for Jeff’s knowledge of all things outdoors—the woods here in rural PA, in particular.

Saturday afternoon found us hiking along a trail enjoying the lake views, which inspired great conversation. We rounded the bend to return home when we noticed a large, black shape quickly moving away from us, leaving behind a smaller baby bear hanging from a tree and ten feet in front of this baby bear—a young doe! Thinking back, I imagined this as sort of a humorous forest meeting that we happened to stumble upon. However, at that moment, we were not in any laughing mood. Mama bear was likely to return to the scene any second to retrieve her baby.

Jeff, the outdoor expert among us, quickly sprung into action and told us to close ranks and keep moving. He encouraged us to grab anything that we could find that might prove helpful in case mama bear decided to return for her youngster. I was terrified. But somehow Jeff talked us through, kept us moving, and even brought up the last place in our party until we made it safely back home.

The sense of fear that I first felt upon the realization of the moment was quickly diminished by having someone with me who is an expert in these situations—an advocate for the truth about the situation and how best to respond.

The Holy Spirit, in truth, is more than just a friend who sticks close or has a particularly helpful set of skills or knowledge. He is God’s living spirit who, if we have a relationship with Jesus, lives within us. Paul calls this a mystery in Colossians 1:26-27. 

What a gift we have in God’s Holy Spirit! He is our Advocate and Helper in any and all situations. However, it can be nearly impossible to hear the quiet words of the Spirit if we’re constantly bombarded with imagery, social media, TV, etc. I’ve been personally challenged during this “21 Days” season to build in the time every day to spend time alone praying—and listening—to God. These moments have set the pace for my day and have allowed God to remind me of his ever-present help—the Holy Spirit. 

Ask God today for help through his Spirit. Be listening. Be on the lookout. Set aside a time (Slot and Spot), and be ready for what God is going to do through you for his Kingdom.

Prayer: Jesus, I am so grateful that, when you were preparing to leave this world for Heaven, you did not leave me alone. Thank you for sending the Helper, your Spirit, to live within me as my guide and intercessor before God. I pray that you would continue to fill me with your Spirit and give me strength, peace, wisdom, and the passion to love others as you would. And thank you, Spirit, for being my advocate, defender and helper. May you get honor and glory from my life. Amen.

Kris Raser/Worship Creatives Team Leader

Kris has been gathering at the Journey with his family since 2017 and has been serving on the Worship Team for the past five years. A particular delight is seeing how the rest of the Raser family (Karen, Molly, Pierce) serve in their own way at The Journey, using the gifts and passions God has given them throughout our church. Kris is currently enrolled in JLI (Journey Leadership Institute) and is helping to establish a group of diverse and creative individuals that contribute to and strengthen the worship elements for special and large-scale occasions.

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Next Steps:

Take some time to read the rest of John 14, particularly the remainder of this section where Jesus promises the Holy Spirit. This mystery of Christ in us, as Paul says in Colossians 1:27, is foundational to our faith and helps shed light on how to live as followers of Jesus.

Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal himself to you. Ask for help in listening and seeing how Christ is moving in this world and through his people. Ask for strength and wisdom to know how to respond when you feel the nudging of the Spirit in your heart.

Come back for Day 20!

Engage with a worship song about the Spirit during your Slot and Spot. “Here as In Heaven” by Elevation Worship is a great example to get you started!