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Thoughts on a Monday  

I was in my office the other day and noticed something that was written on the wall, in permanent ink! It was a small four-letter word, but not the bad kind. In fact, this word is one that I value very much. The word Emma. That is my daughter’s name. I cannot tell you how long that word has been there but, judging by the penmanship, I can confidently say that it has been there for a few years. When I noticed the word, I shook my head and smiled. I love that little girl, who is not-so-little anymore!  

I can still remember the day that she came into this world, almost 14 years ago, at 2.9 pounds and 6 weeks premature. I remember when she learned to walk, having to put extra locks on the doors because she would try and go outside at night when she should have been sleeping. I remember when she was in pre-k, her having to sit on the bench at the principal’s office because she would convince her grandfather to take her for kolaches before school, ensuring that she would be late almost every single day! I remember baptizing her. I remember her getting up to sing a solo for the first time at our annual Christmas Eve service. Now I have her autograph on the wall in my office to remind me of her every time I see it!  

Jesus gave us something to remind us of him when he ascended into heaven. In John chapter 16, Jesus says: But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. 

That Advocate, of course, is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was Jesus’ way of leaving his autograph for us to remember him by. He etched his name in the hearts of all believers by giving us the gift of the Holy Spirit, according to Acts chapter 2: “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”  

The Holy Spirit is our direct link to God through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is key in the process of our sanctification. We are being made to be more like Christ a little more each day because of his “autograph,” the Holy Spirit. The more time that we spend in the Spirit, the more sanctified we will become. We must make time to do this. We must practice Spiritual discipline. Study. Prayer. Fellowship. Giving. Fasting. These things are all crucial to Spiritual health and growth. God bless you.  

Have a great week!  

-Jason