AVOID HIGHWAYS
Bernadette Keene
Today’s Scripture: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26, ESV
Theme: The Holy Spirit helps us to learn and remember what Jesus taught.
FORGETFULNESS
As I have gotten older, I have noticed that my memory is not as good as it used to be. I make lists and keep calendars, and I still use a daily planner to keep myself on track. I write sticky notes and set reminders, yet still somehow, I forget. The world has become such a busy and stressful place that being forgetful is the norm.
Forgetting is commonplace in life, and most of the time, despite our forgetfulness, things just seem to work out somehow. Today’s Scripture reminds us that we have a Helper, the Holy Spirit, sent in the Name of Jesus to teach us all things and help us to remember God’s Word.
Among the things that I forget, I must admit that sometimes I forget the goodness of God, the things He has done, and the ways He has loved and helped me. I forget His provision in times of need, and His comfort in times of sorrow. Please forgive me, Lord, for not remembering You.
MY HELPER
To celebrate my birthday this year, I took a road trip to South Carolina with a friend to see a musical and then we went to the Charlotte Art Festival the following day. I have taken many road trips with this friend, and we have a tradition of hitting the “Avoid Highways” button on the GPS in hopes of seeing new or interesting things and finding a little adventure. So, for the sake of tradition, that is what we did. We ended up in a neighborhood in West Charlotte that seemed familiar. I prompted my friend to follow the road to the end. If I was right, there would be a church on the corner at the end of the road. As we approached the corner, I saw it: the church I was baptized in 34 years ago! I was overwhelmed with emotion as I got out of the car. As I stood there looking at the steeple that reached to the sky, my Helper, the Holy Spirit, whispered to me, “Bernadette, it’s not that you have forgotten, but that you need to remember.” You see, I have not forgotten Jesus, but I needed to be reminded as I looked back on my life that He was with me through it all.
Make It Personal: Is there anything that you need to be reminded of today, any areas that you need to look back on, remembering and thanking God for sending you a Helper? It is easy to forget that He indwells all believers and is with you through it all, sometimes we just need a reminder.
Pray: Holy Spirit, forgive us for the times we forget to acknowledge You as our Helper and Comforter. Thank You for the reminder that You are always here with us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Read: Psalm 139:7-8, Isaiah 11:2
Weekly Memory Verse: “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” John 16:7-8, ESV