Holy Spirit, Our Intercessor

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Thursday May 11, 2017

Topic: Holy Spirit, Our Intercessor

Text: Romans 8:26

Paul admonishes the Roman Christians on the imperative of the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. Our understandings are weak, particularly in the things of God; our desires are weak and our prayers are weak. This is absolute truth about our relationship with God. Though our weaknesses are many, yet the Holy Spirit helps us in so many ways. Matthew Henry Concise Commentary states that “The Spirit, as an enlightening Spirit, teaches us what to pray for; as a sanctifying Spirit, works and stirs up praying graces; as a comforting Spirit, silences our fears, and helps us over all discouragements. The Holy Spirit is the spring of all desires toward God, which are often more than words can utter.”

Do you have this Holy Spirit in you? If not, ask God for this special and wonderful gift today and sure, He will gladly give you (Lk. 11:13). Are you discouraged with your level of prayer? Are you short of words to address your needs before God? Know that the Holy Spirit is your Helper. He intercedes for you. Just rely on Him. When you are weak, come into His presence with praise and allow the Holy Spirit to say the rest.

Food for Thought: Prayer requires more of the heart than of the tongue.

Memory verse: Romans 8 verse 26

Prayer: God, fill me with the Holy Spirit so He can use my tongue whenever I pray in Jesus name.

Jesus, Our Advocate

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Saturday April 8, 2017

Topic: Jesus, Our Advocate

Text: 1 John 2:1

An Advocate is someone who supports or speaks in favour of something. An advocate is someone who acts or intercedes on behalf of another. Advocate is legal representative of somebody as in lawyers.  An Advocate pleads, mediates (1Timothy 2:5) and intercedes on behalf of his client. In legal terms, he represents and speaks on behalf of his client in court.

John used this legal term to explain the role Jesus Christ plays for us in the presence of His Father. The great object which John wrote to them was that they should not sin; and yet if they sinned, and were conscious that they were guilty before God, they should not despair. Rather they should confess and repent of their sins because they have an Advocate with the Father who is a propitiation for the sins of the world (1 John 2:1 & 2).

John also asserts that we shouldn’t take it as delight to continue living is sin. Unfortunately, this is common among some Christians today. Some wilfully commit sin because we have an advocate. Remember that God is also a consuming fire. As our "advocate," Christ is not a mere suppliant petitioner. He pleads for us on the ground of justice, or righteousness, as well as mercy (see yesterday’s devotion: http://mydailycovenantwithgod.blogspot.com/2017/04/gods-mercy-is-indispensable.html). He pleads with the Father not to withdraw His love because we may have been betrayed into sin.

Beloved, have you been betrayed into sinning and you are now feeling guilty and condemned? John offers reassurance that God will forgive you for the sake of our advocate who is the only propitiation for our sins. Go to God in prayer now.

Food for Thought: What will be our condition without Jesus?

Memory verse: 1 Timothy 2:5

Prayer: Grant me the grace, O Lord, not to wilfully sin against you in Jesus name. Amen