“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” (Luke 11:13, NASB)
My parents, as I am sure is the case with many of you, are generous gift givers to their children and grandchildren. Yet if I am perfectly honest, there are not many Christmas or birthday gifts I remember as significant or that made a huge impact on my life. However, much my parents have given me has impacted me greatly. Why? Because they gave of themselves.
These are the best gifts. Not only are they more memorable, but they are multipliable.
The new Titleist irons that my parents gave me for Christmas back in college were very nice, but it was the countless range sessions, rounds of golf together, passed-down stories from legendary pros, and one-on-one conversations with my dad that have left me with great memories and the equivalence of a Ph.D. in golf. Now I can help others with their golf games.
God is in control and so very much desires to give you the full assurance and blessings of salvation.
This is similar to how the kingdom of God operates. Our heavenly father loves to give good gifts to his children, and he knows exactly what we need to grow and mature into the likeness of Jesus. He gives of himself in the form of the Holy Spirit so that we may be multipliers of him.
The Holy Spirit is the power source of God’s kingdom. “For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power” (1 Corinthians 4:20). Jesus depended on the Holy Spirit for everything he did, and thus it should be that way for us. After all, he did say, “He who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father” (John 14:12).
Just before his ascension to heaven, Jesus told his disciples, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses… even to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). We are given the Holy Spirit when we put our faith in Jesus; nonetheless, there is more of him to be received.
If the chaos of the world is overwhelming you and robbing you of peace and joy, then I want to assure you that there is a gracious and loving father in heaven who wants to give more of himself to you. He is not worried, anxious, or depressed right now. He is in control and so very much desires to give you the full assurance and blessings of salvation.
Just don’t be afraid to ask for a little more of him when you are feeling inadequate.
—
Josh Nelson
October 12, 2020
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The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
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