Thankful for the Holy Spirit

“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.” ESV John 14:26

Too often I think the work of the Holy Spirit in the church today is ignored or at the very least unappreciated but He is ever present and at work in the world today. In the Gospel of John, Jesus referred to the Spirit of God four times as the Helper. And while He helps us in many ways, I wish to give thanks today for the work he does inside of Christians that brings knowledge of truth and the desire to persevere in the faith.

I’ve just recently returned from India where I met with Christian men and women from all over the country who, in the face of tremendous obstacles, persevere in the Christian faith and share the good news with others because they have the Helper; the Holy Spirit. So, today I want to give thanks for the Holy Spirit and…

…for the young Christian man who lives on his father’s front porch with his new bride because he doesn’t have an extra $30 per month for rent. This same young man shows no fear as he proclaims Christ to unreached people across the region.

…for the missionary’s wife that designs and sells Christmas cards to supplement their income while her husband works full time, pastors a small church and has a vision for planting a church in every corner of his state.

…for the young man that has been imprisoned because of his faith, put in jail simply because he is a Christian, yet wears a smile that brightens the day of every person he meets.

…for the young college student who was saved as she read through the New Testament. She made it to Matthew, chapter 5 before the Spirit opened her eyes and brought understanding. She and her fiancé intend to be missionaries.

…for the South Korean Christian who left his home country has been working in youth ministry in India for sixteen years in an extremely inhospitable region.

…for a large group of Christian pastors who refused to accept financial aid because of theological differences with the donor. They understand that truth matters.

…for the young couple ministering to neighboring Christians in house fellowships because having a church building and gathering in public is prohibited.

…for Desiring God Ministries (www.desiringgod.org) who has donated a suitcase full of books on three occasions for me to deliver to pastors.

…for HeartCry Missionary Society (www.hcmissions.org) who financially supports, equips and teaches over 100 missionaries around the world.

…for Tharptown Baptist Church (www.tharptown.com) who gives generously to missions locally, nationally and around the globe.

This Thanksgiving, among the many, many things you have to be thankful for, remember to give thanks for the work of the Holy Spirit.