Riverwood Presbyterian Church

Christmas

Is your gift from Christ still in the box?

by Jimmy Hopper

The Christmas thoughts below are from Elder Steve Nippert. Good words for us.

As we approach Christmas, the purchase of gifts is upon us. When Christ left this earth to be with the Father, He left us a gift.

Have you unwrapped your gift from Christ and are you using it? What gift you say? The Holy Spirit. Who is the Holy Spirit anyway? Jesus called the Holy Spirit the Paraclete, parakletos in Greek. What does Paraclete mean? Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Strengthener, Supporter.

J.I. Packer says that becoming more like Christ demands a relationship with the Holy Spirit; we cannot become more sanctified without it.

How can the Spirit help me day-to-day? The Spirit provides the power we need each day to overcome the temptation of sin. The Spirit gives us comfort and reassurance in times of trial and need. The Spirit provides understanding of God’s Word. The Spirit enables us to share Jesus with others.

The Holy Spirit turned cowards and doubters in the book of Acts into lions for the faith. Who were these cowards and doubters? Christ’s Disciples. One day confused, afraid, and immature….the next day passionate and fearless believers who knew their destiny.

God gives the Spirit to each person that becomes a believer. Why don’t all of us experience the same presence of the Spirit in our lives….like that of the Apostles? Each of us must develop our own relationship with the Spirit. We must set down our pride and ask for help! We must walk humbly before our Lord. We ARE NOT the little engine the could. Without the Spirit we fail over and over. We fail because we do not seek the Spirit’s help in all we do. We fail because we rely on our own self-sufficiency. We fail because we just haven’t realized the essence of Christ gift. Is the Spirit active in your life? You want joy and peace? Get connected with the Spirit!