Key Text: Isaiah 9:1-7
It is so easy to lose the meaning of Christmas. We so easily get lost in the wrong kind of presents. We become so consumed with our own presents, that we forget that Christmas is all about the manifest presence of God. In fact, Emmanuel means God with us. Jesus wants to be with us. He wants us to be in His presence.
The book of Isaiah talks about Jesus being a Wonderful Counsellor who offers us the gift of guidance. He is also called Mighty God who offers us the gift of strength. Another name of Jesus is Everlasting Father offering us the gift of security. And last but not least, He is called Prince of Peace the one who offers us the gift of peace. Something we need more than we perhaps realise.
If we can focus more on the presence of Jesus, we will discover what it means to have Christmas all year long!
Isaiah 9:6
Gift of Guidance – Wonderful Counsellor when Jesus is our counsellor and guide, we’ll never get lost.
A counsellor is someone who offers guidance. they don’t force us to do things but rejoices when we choose to follow them our ultimate guide. A good counsellor does not push or drive but leads us into a place of revelation, to light bulb moments.
Just like a light bulb switched on illuminates not just the immediate proximity but spreads and illuminates around it. When we have those Holy Spirit moments of revelation, the revelation doesn’t just affect the thing but has an effect on other things in our lives as well.
A good guide offers direction, clarity and confidence during the journey. We should know that Jesus is the best counsellor, guide and friend. We can let Jesus guide us when we read His Word. The Bible is so important if we want to know what God thinks about stuff.
We can also let Jesus guide us in our praying. As we, listen to Him and respond. If we are a follower of Jesus, He speaks to us as Holy Spirit.
We don’t hear His voice out loud but we will know when Holy Spirit is talking to you. 1 John 5:7-8 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.
Jesus will also guide us through the spiritual people in our life like our church leaders, our parents, family and friends that know and love Jesus.
Listen to people who are listening to Jesus. He wants us to follow Him because He knows the best path for our life.
Holy Spirit is not just a guiding presence but an abiding presence.
In our walk with Jesus, we must cultivate a deeper understanding and personal experience of Holy Spirit’s work within us. Holy Spirit is not a distant and abstract concept; rather, Holy Spirit is the living, breathing presence of God Himself, dwelling within every believer. He is not an optional accessory in our spiritual lives but an indispensable source of power, comfort, and guidance. Holy Spirit’s work goes far beyond just intellectual knowledge or theological theory. Holy Spirit wants to be intimately involved in every aspect of our lives, providing us with wisdom, strength and divine direction.
He longs to reveal the far reaching truths of God’s Word to us, convict us of sin, empower us for service, and manifest the character of Christ through us.
Jesus in John 14:21 gives us some insight into experiencing the abiding presence of Holy Spirit. He reveals a necessary condition for experiencing the continuous presence of Holy Spirit in our lives.
Jesus declares, Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”Here, Jesus highlights the vital connection between love, obedience and the abiding presence of Holy Spirit.
Firstly, Jesus emphasises the importance of loving Him. Love Him is not merely a sentimental feeling but an active commitment and devotion to Him. Loving Jesus involves surrendering our will to His, aligning our desires with His purposes, and seeking to live in a manner that brings glory to His name.
Secondly, Jesus emphasises the significance of obedience to His commandments. Obedience is not a burdensome duty but an outpouring of our love for Jesus. It is through our obedience that we demonstrate our genuine love for Him.
Obedience is an act of faith that opens the door for the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
When we love Jesus and obey His commandments, a beautiful transformation takes place. The love of the Father embraces us and Jesus promises to manifest Himself to us.The abiding presence of the Holy Spirit becomes a reality in our lives as we experience a deep and intimate relationship with God.
It’s In this place of love and obedience, we find the Holy Spirit’s empowering, comforting and guiding presence ever with us.