John 16:33

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

“The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost.”

-John 14:26

This age is peculiarly the dispensation of the Holy Spirit, in which Jesus cheers us, not by His personal presence, as He shall do by-and-by, but by the indwelling and constant abiding of the Holy Ghost, who is evermore the Comforter of the church. It is His office to console the hearts of God’s people. He convinces of sin; He illuminates and instructs; but still the main part of His work lies in making glad the hearts of the renewed, in confirming the weak, and lifting up all those that be bowed down. He does this by revealing Jesus to them. The Holy Spirit consoles, but Christ is the consolation.

If we may use the figure, the Holy Spirit is the Physician, but Jesus is the medicine. He heals the wound, but it is by applying the holy ointment of Christ’s name and grace. He takes not of His own things, but of the things of Christ. So if we give to the Holy Spirit the Greek name of Paraclete, as we sometimes do, then our heart confers on our blessed Lord Jesus the title of Paraclesis. If the one be the Comforter, the other is the Comfort. Now, with such rich provision for his need, why should the Christian be sad and desponding?

The Holy Spirit has graciously engaged to be thy Comforter: dost thou imagine, O thou weak and trembling believer, that He will be negligent of His sacred trust? Canst thou suppose that He has undertaken what He cannot or will not perform? If it be His especial work to strengthen thee, and to comfort thee, dost thou suppose He has forgotten His business, or that He will fail in the loving office which He sustains towards thee? Nay, think not so hardly of the tender and blessed Spirit whose name is “the Comforter.” He delights to give the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Trust thou in Him, and He will surely comfort thee till the house of mourning is closed for ever, and the marriage feast has begun.

-- C. H. Spurgeon

COVID-19 Crisis Prayer - Pastor Mike

Today's Prayer
Psalm 67

COVID-19 Crisis Prayer Topic:  Boldness (as gleaned from Pastor Damian’s Sunday morning message on April 19, 2020)

Boldness for the believer is founded upon the Presence of God, the Promises of God, and the Power of God.  Though we are not given “when” this current crisis will end, we are certainly given “how” it will end:  That is, this current crisis will end with God keeping every promise of His Word to us.  It is then our prayer to start this week that the Lord God would grant us the same boldness that marked the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and that marked the early church in many respects.  Let us ask of the Lord then for:

Boldness and confidence in Prayer

Pray that we would continue to come boldly to the throne of grace that we may find mercy and find help in our time of need.  Pray to continue in confident prayer because of the hope that is in us by Christ Jesus, having been brought near to Him by the blood.  Pray for confidence that when we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  Pray that we have a Biblical boldness which never violates the nature of Jesus.  Let our response be toward prayer rather than political protest.  That our boldness would be a product of the love of the Holy Spirit and we would not behave rudely.

Boldness and confidence in our Preaching the Gospel (by example of the early church)

May we pray for boldness to preach the Gospel of Christ at any moment in our regular lives.  May our boldness be recognized as having Jesus as the singular source and likeness.  That our lives contain the same boldness as Jesus.  Pray for boldness to stand against persecution in this world against Christ and His Gospel.  Pray for boldness to stand in the environment of opposition by others which can be created by the miraculous works of God. 

Boldness and confidence in how we live our lives

Pray we recognize the need for and ask for boldness in the living our lives in our current crisis and beyond.  Pray for a realization of what we can do through Christ who strengthens us.  Pray for wisdom to leave those things that are beyond our care and influence and control.  That we may open our mouths boldly to make known the mystery of the Gospel, and to confirm that message with how we live our lives.  That we may bring glory to God in the midst of crisis.  That others may see our lives committed to living and serving like Jesus and give God glory as well.

“God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, that Your Way may be known on earth, Your Salvation among the nations.  Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You” Psalm 67: 1-3