by Barbara Ferguson

This is a quiet word for those of us (some of us!) who are too elderly or incapacitated to get to church. Nothing develops our character like loss and the lack of fellowship and the change it brings. It is easy to become overwhelmed without a usual road map in strange territory. Faith must tell us that God can ultimately transform every ending into a new beginning and He is never out of touch with reality. But faith, by reason of its existence has to be strengthened. We may miss the fellowship of sharing things with others and seeing friends on a regular basis but there is One who is longing to be a close-at-hand friend. That is the Person of the Holy Spirit,

Your circumstances are God’s design and even old age is His idea. Now is our chance to get to know this Person sent by the Lord Jesus. We need the Baptism that Jesus spoke of in John 1:33 and when we receive Him we will also receive ten special gifts which we can depend on for all the comfort and companionship that we need.

First of all there will be power. Acts 1:8 says ‘You shall have power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.’

Then we will have a Comforter, John 14:16. Not just someone who makes us comfortable but who will stand with us and give us strength.

Then we will find protection and guidance. In acts 16:6 we read how the Holy Spirit forbids the apostles to take a step which would have been tragic.

Then there is an important one. We will no longer be hounded by the thoughts of our own minds. We will have spiritual values. With the Holy Spirit we have new life, no longer heading for death. We will be living with the Spirit of Truth. False promises like drugs and alcohol may never be fulfilled but He will guide us into all truth. John 16:13

Access to the Father will be ours. Ephesians 2:18. What a great gift.

Then there is hope and joy and peace in believing, Romans 15:13

And what about that wonderful feeling of liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17

Knowing the Person of the Holy Spirit is a dramatic, sudden and overpowering experience that will change life forever.

Surely now is the time to want everything that God has for us and there is always more.

Just invite Him in and the gifts are yours.

© Barbara Furguson