DAILY WORD

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

John 16:13

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Jesus prepared his disciples for the ministry they would continue after his death and resurrection. Although the disciples felt abandoned and spiritually lost, Jesus reminded them that he would not leave them orphaned, but he would send another in his place, the Spirit of Truth, who will lead us into all truth.

One of the roles that the Holy Spirit plays in our lives is the role of Teacher. When we open our hearts to the Holy Spirit, not only are we empowered for ministry, but we receive God's truth, which is intended to govern and order our lives. As the apostle Paul reminds us, "We have the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16). In the midst of the chaos and confusion of the world around us, we often forget that we have been invited to participate in the divine life of the Triune God. We have given the precious gift of the Holy Spirit and we are called not to walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

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As a leader in the church, I am continually reminded of the fact that human wisdom is woefully inadequate to the task of spiritual growth and development. Although teaching and instruction are a necessary part of our individual and corporate lives, it is the wisdom of God revealed through the Spirit that we desperately need in our churches. As Paul powerfully proclaims, "God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom" (1 Cor. 1:25).

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Come Holy Spirit and be our Teacher. Lead us into all truth, and in all truth into all peace. We open our lives to your presence and seek to be guided by your wisdom, that we might walk in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

"Send out your light and truth, that they may lead me."

Psalm 43:3

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