Brother Michael's Devotional

"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you." John 16:12-14

We hear much of "Spirit filled churches" and "moving of the Spirit" in modern Christian circles. But how exactly do we identify a Spirit filled assembly? More often then not, when we hear the phrase "Spirit filled church," we hear of miracles, healing or some other outward manifestation. But are these genuine phenomenons of the Spirit or simple showings of the flesh? What exactly is the ministry of the Spirit in this Age of Grace.

We find our answer in John 16. Here we have our Lord speaking to the disciples on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane of his impending departure. The disciples become sorrowful and so our Lord tells that He will not leave them alone but that He will send another, a Comforter, to keep them.

Now what exactly did our Lord say this Comforter would do in lives of the believers? Was He to manifest signs and wonders? Was He sent to heal the sick, and give sight to the blind? Friend, the ministry of the Holy Ghost is to glorify the Person of the Son. If you want to find a Spirit filled Church, find one that exalts the person of Christ.

God can a does heal the sick and move in great experiences in our lives. But it was the will of the Father to send the Holy Spirit to glorify the Son in this Age of Grace. We find in John 12:32 "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to me." It is the good pleasure of the Father to draw men to Christ's person and work, and that is were our emphasis should be.

"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me." John 15:26