Never Alone

 Our physical existence may involve times when we feel alone, by ourselves, lacking personal confidence. This is a feeling the Christian never needs to experience because the Holy Spirit lives within us; we only need to allow Him to help guide us toward godly objectives. When we are distressed and reach out to God, we always have someone to go with us and help us. “And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will.” - Rom. 8:27 (NLT).

Decisions

Each of us constantly evaluates what we see and hear to make subsequent decisions. How then to we decide which next decision is best? By comparing it to the whole word of God for consistency. "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." - 1 Jn. 4:1 NASV.

Light

 Most of creation uses some sort of illumination to recognize physical objects with which they interact. Moving about, eating, defense, etc. are guided by what they see and perceive. This observation extends to opinions and behavior in the physical realm, as well. To place light or illumination on actions or behaviors drives away perceived "darkness" or unseen elements and provides perceptive clarity. The indwelling Holy Spirit provides clarity and guidance for personal and surrounding situations in the spiritual realm. "All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants." - Jn. 3:20-21.

Undeserved love

 Perhaps the greatest demonstration of Christ's love for humans is that He provided a way for us to be sinless and near God. Paul staunchly defends this investment. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." - Rom. 8:35-37.

Agreement

 "If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care — then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends." - Phil. 2:1-2 (MESSAGE). For many of the people in our present society, having others consider them as being correct is paramount. A serous difficulty with this is that there are many people who have different opinions and attempting to gain consensus from all of them is next to impossible; gaining consensus with a majority is a tremendous challenge. However, consensus is a futile struggle unless the reference for determining agreement is based on God's Word. The Holy Spirit has worked to preserve the written Word and the teaching it contains to provide this reference. Bluntly, if our opinions are not based on God's truth, they are not as valuable as we think. Regarding His disciples, Jesus said, “I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.” Jn. 17:14-17 (ESV). As Christians, we should attempt to dedicate or sanctify ourselves to God’s word. Then, we have a suitable to standard on which to base our opinions and when we gain agreement with others the consensus is valuable. 

Safety

Most people, men, women, and children want to feel “safe.” The challenge for self or others can be understanding from what exactly endangers our safety. The answer may be a combination of physical, verbal, emotional, or spiritual dangers. When one feels safe, they usually describe this as security or comfort. Comfort can be described as having someone to walk with you through whatever struggles you encounter; the Holy Spirit does this for those who accept Jesus as Savior. “I'm not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.” - Jn. 17:15 (NLT).

Father

A cry out to a parent may indicate a need for help or an endearing comment. For those who have been adopted, hopefully they develop a sense of acceptance by and fondness for the new parent. We should fondly and respectfully reach out to the Father who adopted us, knowing He invested greatly when he purchased our redemption from our old way of life. “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’" - Rom. 8:15 (NIV) 

Promises

Prophets or preachers desired to understand when God's promises would be fulfilled for salvation. We now know about this time and must share the news that earlier prophets wanted to know so badly. They were, "trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow."

Waiting

Waiting on almost anything is very difficult for many of us. Delayed gratification can have many presentations. Most people do not like to wait for their desires, dreams, or ambitions to be realized, so they settle for something more immediate but not their true desire. Our high octane lifestyle often causes great frustration due to any delays in accomplishing our personal plans. When we consider our spiritual lives, we must adopt a different approach. One person wrote about why we need to wait: "Waiting is our destiny . . . We wait in the darkness for a flame we cannot light. We wait . . . for a happy ending we cannot write." Jesus' disciples could not have accomplished their assignment without the Holy Spirit. They had to wait for His timing to accomplish their assigned task. We need to go about Jesus' assignment for us and be willing to listen for the "gentle whisper" of the Spirit as did Elijah (1 Kings 19:11-13). Waiting on the Holy Spirit doesn't mean aimless thumb twiddling. As you wait, do all things "in a fitting and orderly way" (1 Cor. 14:40). Yearn to sense the Holy Spirit's presence in your life. In your mind's eye, visualize that He has come and is present. 

Careful review

When people oppose our words or actions, we tend to become defensive, perhaps especially when those comments are based on another person's opinion about what is best for us. In those instances, we need not feel insulted, but review our opinions and decide carefully about our next steps. Some human opinions are rejected because we have different goals or intentions than the person speaking. In spiritual matters, we must honor the guidance given by the Holy Spirit: He is always correct! As our understanding changes, His remains constant. We need to be attempting to move closer to His opinions. If we reject His attempts of teaching or correction, we can hurt the Holy Spirit. If we openly reject His guidance, and walk away, we may trample His efforts. "How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?" Heb. 10:29 (NIV).

Conviction

Like the early Jews, many people, maybe most, look for the reasons a person makes a comment, or does some action. In our present age of manipulation, it is wise to ask if you can believe what you just heard or saw. Like Paul clarified his actions to the Thessalonians, we should be clear about our intentions to spread the news about Jesus as we live among others. "because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 1 Thess. 1:5 (NIV).

Judgment

A thought regarding the Trinity of God: A. W. Tozer once wrote, “[A person] must never sit in judgment upon what is written. He dare not bring the meaning of the Word before the bar of his reason. He dare not commend or condemn the Word as reasonable or unreasonable, scientific or unscientific. After the meaning is discovered, that meaning judges him; never does he judge it.” Christians need to follow their unique individual spiritual journey while asking the Holy Spirit for guidance.

Level Ground

Sometimes our daily lives seem like dragging a heavy weight up hill. At times this weight is further burdened by our attitudes. We MUST allow the Holy Spirit to strengthen us as we move along our spiritual pathway. "Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground."  - Psa. 143:10 (NIV)

Overwhelmed

There are times in our lives when we feel overwhelmed by our surroundings. There may be open confrontation or subtle manipulation, but we feel attacked and our spirit can be saddened. This is the time when we need to remember God's words and actions so we can be refreshed. While the troubles may seem gargantuan, the Holy Spirit will encourage us and deliver us at the end.  "For the enemy has persecuted my soul; He has crushed my life to the ground; He has made me dwell in dark places, like those who have long been dead. Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; My heart is appalled within me. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your doings; I muse on the work of Your hands" - Psa. 143:3-5 (NASV). Christians need to depend on the Holy Spirit on their unique independent spiritual journey.

Mutual Encouragement

 All Christians, every individual, encounters difficulties. They may be due to unexpected circumstances, or simply poor decisions. Whatever the reason, we need to speak words of encouragement to our brothers and sisters. Sometimes listening to the comments from others helps them better arrive at a personal resolution; sometimes they need a noncritical suggestion. Whatever the need along our unique individual spiritual journey, a kind word of understanding and comfort can ease the stress and disappointment. "If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion," - Phil. 2:10.