The Teacher (2)

'...The Spirit will...make it known to you.' John 16:15 NIV

The Holy Spirit, Who is your Teacher: 

(1) Wants you to search God's Word for answers and direction.  

He doesn't want you to be passive and simply accept whatever comes into your life. He wants you to turn to His Word for insight; to find divine solutions to the human problems confronting you day in and day out. He wants you to stand on His Word instead of lying down and saying, 'I guess this is just the way it's got to be'. 

Your Bible is a road map that will never steer you the wrong way. It's a sword you can fight with, and win every time.

'...Meditate in it day and night...do according to all that is written in it. For then you will... have good success' (Joshua 1:8 NKJV).

(2) Wants you to grow by following in the footsteps of Jesus. 

The word 'disciple' is our translation of the Greek word mathetes, which means 'a learner or student'. In Jesus' day, disciples not only learned from the teacher's lectures, but also by observing and experiencing every aspect of the teacher's life. That's how Jesus trained His twelve disciples. And finally the time came when

He could say to them,'The works that I do shall [you] do also' (John 14:12 KJV). 

Peter, James and John, 'the inner circle', had a more intimate relationship with Christ. That was not because He loved them more, but that He had a particular plan in mind for them. 

What's God's plan for you? 

That's what the battle in your life is about. Satan will do all he can to put distance between you and God. Don't let him!

Soul Food: Acts 22-23, Mark 2:13-22, Ps 144:9-15, Pro 11:12-13

Written by Bob & Debby Gass
Monday, 28 April 2014

The Teacher (1)

'...The Holy Spirit...will teach you all things...' John 14:26 NKJV

Jesus said the Holy Spirit is the greatest Teacher of all. 

Here's why: 

(1) Because He will interact with you. When you are interested enough to ask questions, the learning process has really begun. Your questions don't bother God if they come from a hungry heart. 

Jesus said,
'Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find...' (Matthew 7:7 NKJV). 

It's okay to be inquisitive. God doesn't want you to be passive and just accept everything that comes into your life. He wants you to question Him so that you can find clarity and direction.  

(2) Because He wants to teach you how to live. 

That means showing up every day for class, and not just every once in a while. It means listening intently, taking notes, and doing the reading assignments you're given. It means trusting that the Teacher knows what He's talking about, and that the knowledge you're receiving will equip you to go out and succeed in life.

You may not see much value in what a teacher is telling you right now, or think it relates to you personally. Perhaps you're only interested in passing the test, graduating, and getting out of school. No, passing tests only proves you've a good memory, not that you've really learned!

A good teacher's goal is to create in you:

(a) a hunger for knowledge;
(b) an ability to seek out and understand things when he or she is no longer around;
(c) a willingness to put what you've learned into practice.

You say, 'How can I know I'm truly learning?' John answers,
'...Continue to live in Christ, as [He] taught you' (1 John 2:27 NCV).

Soul Food: Gal 5:22, Luke 10:25-37, Eph 4:31-32, Gen 50:15-21 (Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness)

Written by Bob & Debby Gass
Sunday, 27 April 2014