The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive
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John 14:8-17New Revised Standard Version |
| 14:8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”
14:9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 14:10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. 14:12 Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 14:13 I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14:14 If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it. 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. 14:17 This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. 14:25 “I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. |
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| * What do you read? What do you listen? What is the meaning? What do you understand?
– Unless you keep reminding yourself that God is speaking TO YOU personally, the Word of God will never really touch you, and you will never come into a real and fruitful contact with it! – * How does this Word inspire? What feelings does it provoke in the depths of your heart? How does the Spirit of the Word want to pray through you? – This is really an intimate and personal meeting between you and the Word of God. However, this meeting is done IN, WITH, and THROUGH the Community. Certain things, if not all, can and must be shared! – * When you look through this Word, what do you see? Does this Word give you any vision for the near future? How do you intend living it? – Listening to the Word of God and allienating yourself from it, is not the same! Things happen! God reigns through His Word, when it is welcomed without prejudice, loved unconditionally, and accepted as one’s own guidance! – – See that you read and understand well before reacting and reflecting! It is so common for us to jump into wrong conclusions because we did not have enough patience to understand what the other was trying to tell us! – * What does this Word tell you? What relevance does it have to your present situation? What light does it shed on your life? What is God telling you through it? |
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