Living By Faith

STRENGTH FOR THE BATTLE

But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. (John 16:7 AMP)

“The function of the Holy Spirit is to fill a man with a spirit of power and courage which would make him able triumphantly to cope with life.” – William Barclay

The word Parakalein was used in classic Greek to describe the verb form of Parakletos. The Holy Spirit helps us to translate the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ into our personal victory. The Holy Spirit is not just consolation or sympathy in sorrow or distress; He does much more than that.

The Holy Spirit is our Advocate. He is the Counselor for the defense. He is called in to speak in support of His character in order to enlist the favor of the Judge. The Advocate will present someone else’s case in the most favorable light.

Confession: The Holy Spirit fills me with a spirit of power and courage. Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ. (2 Corinthians 2:14)

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WIN THE CASE

Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (John 14:17)

When you are filled with the Spirit, then you will know the voice of God.
Smith Wigglesworth

P.C. Nelson wrote the book of fundamental Bible Doctrines for the Assemblies of God denomination. He was a Greek and Hebrew scholar, fluent in 32 different languages. He described the Comforter with the Greek word Parakletos. He is our Advocate, Counselor, and Intercessor. When the Holy Spirit is working on our case, we have a tremendous advantage. He has a reputation for winning cases!

The “Advocate/Counselor” is called in for His exceptional knowledge, expertise in protocol, procedure, and persuasive speaking ability. I’m glad we have the Holy Spirit helping us today!

Confession: The Spirit of truth dwells in me. He is my Advocate, Counselor, and Intercessor. He strengthens me with mighty power, fills me with the fullness of God, and opens the supernatural for exceeding abundant blessing! (Ephesians 3:14-21)

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THE COMFORTER HAS COME

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. (John 16:7)

The Holy Spirit takes everything Jesus has done for you and makes it real to you.
Mark Hankins

Before Jesus went to the cross and ascended to heaven, He spent a lot of time teaching about the Holy Ghost. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is described in John 16:7-15 The Amplified Bible gives these words to describe the work of the Comforter: Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby.

The Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth and show you things to come. He will show, declare, and transmit the things of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ to you. Jesus said the Holy Spirit would move in you and dwell in you. He will bring you into close fellowship with the Father and the Lord Jesus.

The Holy Spirit takes everything Jesus has done for you and makes it real to you. He is the power and presence of the risen and triumphant Christ in you!

Confession: The Holy Spirit will guide me into all truth. He is the power and presence of the risen and triumphant Christ in me!

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CRANK THE CHAINSAW

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.
(Acts 1:8)

The Holy Spirit is a genius. If you will listen to Him, He will make you look smart!
B.B. Hankins

There is a funny story about a country boy who cut trees for a living. He heard of a new piece of equipment that was supposed to make work a lot easier and faster called a chainsaw. He bought one from the store because the man said he could cut up to 30 trees a day with this new chainsaw. After using it for a few days, he took it back to the store and complained that he was only able to cut 2 or 3 trees a day. The store manager took the chainsaw from him and pulled the starter rope. With a loud noise, the chainsaw started. That country boy jumped back, startled by the noise, and said, “What’s that?” Being as ignorant as he was, he had never cranked the engine!

Many people struggle in the work of the Lord because they have never been filled with the Holy Spirit. He is the power that enables us in every area of life. We must give the Holy Spirit His proper place everyday.

Confession: Greater is He that is in me that he that is in this world. (1 John 4:4) I choose to give the Holy Spirit His proper place everyday. Thank God for the Holy Spirit!

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REVELATION…CALCULATION

Calculate, if you can, the gigantic power behind all this. Sons, quickened into life and consciousness. (Ephesians 1:19 Carpenter Translation)

This power that raised Christ from the dead, will do, in the believer, the same thing it did in Christ! – Mark Hankins

We must get a revelation of the power that is on the inside of us! For just as with natural things, we cannot grasp and use them if we cannot see or sense them. When we have revelation of the power that is in us, and when we activate that power by our confession of it, that power begins to work in us. It duplicates in our souls and bodies what has already been accomplished in Christ.

Paul prayed for believers to have a revelation of this power. This power that raised Christ from the dead will do in the believer the same thing it did in Christ. It will not make our bodies immortal just yet, but it will melt down, undo, break up, and dissolve anything the devil has done in us. It will melt away and dissolve disease, break up bondages, undo complexes and restraints. This power will also deliver us from demonic powers and activities.

Confession: Now the Son of God came to the earth with the express purpose of liquidating the devil’s activities. The reason the Son of God was made manifest (visible) was to undo (destroy, loosen and dissolve) the works the devil (has done). (1 John 3:8 Philips and AMP)

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