The 21 Day Experiment - Day 16: It’s Better if I Go

by Marilynn Chadwick

If I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. John 16:7b (ESV)

Spirit. What comes to mind when you hear the word spirit? There’s a lot of talk these days about what it means to be "spiritual." And confusion about the Holy Spirit—the One Jesus calls the "Spirit of truth."

For starters, the Holy Spirit is not an “it.” Or a ghostlike vapor. Jesus calls the Holy Spirit a he—a person. In John 16, we read about the Holy Spirit's personality and his job description. I’m so glad you’re still with us for the 21 Day Experiment in Prayer. The Lord rewards us today with some special secrets that will strengthen both our walk and our prayer life.

Jesus, knowing the cross awaits him, prepares his followers for the trying days ahead. They will face persecution, he warns them. But they will not be alone because the Holy Spirit will be with them. Jesus gives a wonderful glimpse into the person and work of this somewhat mysterious Spirit.

The Amplified Bible is one of my favorite study tools. I appreciate the way its translators unwrap the original languages. Let’s take a minute to reflect on what Jesus tells the disciples about the different roles of the Holy Spirit:

“However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you] (John 16:7 AMPC).

Comforter. Counselor. Helper. Advocate. Intercessor. Strengthener. Standby. Jesus promised it would be for our good that he would go to the Cross. Because only then would he be resurrected and send the Holy Spirit to be with us—to dwell in us—forever.

Today, as my watchword, I think I’ll simply meditate on each word in Jesus’s job description for the Holy Spirit: Comforter. Counselor. Helper. Advocate. Intercessor. Strengthener. Standby.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the astounding gift your Holy Spirit. Help me understand more fully what it means to have close fellowship with the Holy Spirit. To pray in the Spirit. To walk in the Spirit. To abide in the Spirit.

The 21 Day Experiment - Day 15: What’s Your Big Ask?

by Marilynn Chadwick

Ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7 (NIV)

I often go to God with big prayer requests. Prayers for my family, friends, and people who need help. I believe God answers prayer. The Bible encourages us to ask God for what we need—to go boldly with our heartfelt desires. To bring our “big ask” to him.

But in John 15, Jesus calls us to a relationship with him as the starting point for our prayers. He calls himself the "true vine." He reminds us that we're his "branches." Branches can't bear fruit apart from the vine.

In our busy, noisy world, I'm likely to blow right past the relationship with Jesus in my quest for answered prayer. Jesus stops me dead in my tracks with these words which are my watchword for today: “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (v. 7).

The word "remain" comes from the Greek word meno which means to "abide, or dwell." I'm to make my “home" in Jesus. I'm to plant myself in him and his words in me. This sets up the condition for fruitful living as well as answered prayer. When I remain in him, I'm more likely to be praying his will. Powerful words. Powerful reminder.

I’m struck by the fact that Jesus uses the word “remain" eleven times in the first ten verses. If I told my kids something eleven times, you could bet I meant it! Surely, Jesus's challenge to "remain in him" is an important take away from our reading.

What does "remaining" look like for me practically?

• I carve out time with the Lord each morning. I plant the seeds of God’s Word first thing.

• I pace myself throughout the day to keep in step with the Lord’s leading.

• I remain alert to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

• I'm fierce with my "Sabbath." Humans need to come apart or we "come apart." Rest is vital if we want to remain in Christ.

• I seek wise counsel from those who have learned the secret of resting, reflection, and remaining in Christ.
  

Prayer: Lord, it’s all about the relationship with you. Answered prayer is just a by-product. And like any habit, the reward of learning to remain in you takes time. Help me to be faithful in the “dailiness” of this habit.

Thanks for reading and listening with us this week! The “21 Day Experiment” blog and podcast will resume again on Monday.

The 21 Day Experiment - Day 14: I Am the Way

by Marilynn Chadwick

I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 (NIV)

"No way!" My older son used to exclaim to his younger brother when something amazing or unexpected had just happened. To which his little brother would answer back, "Way!"

The word “way” describes a course of action. Or directions to a destination: “What’s the quickest way to go to the beach?” A method of doing something: “What's the best way to prepare a healthy meal?” Or execute a good golf swing?

The word way in the Bible comes from hodos, translated "road." It expresses our course of life, conduct, or behavior. The “way of the Lord” is the revealed will of God. That’s why the early church was called “The Way,” well before believers were referred to as “Christians.”

But the word way brings up an important question: "Is Jesus the only way to God?" Some people believe that Jesus is simply one of many ways. Sounds appealing at first—easier to swallow. Until you think about the reality that without Jesus, there is no firm assurance of the forgiveness of sins. No promise of eternity in Heaven.

There are really only two world's religions, as my husband David often says:

• You're saved by perfectly obeying a standard of rules or laws, thus trying to work your way to God. Impossible for imperfect humans.
  

• Or you are saved by grace. You accept Christ's sacrifice on the cross as full payment for all your sins and follow him as the only way to God.
  

My watchword for today is short and simple: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (v. 6). Skeptics argue that Jesus was a good man, wonderful teacher, humanitarian, but not the only way.

Yet, Jesus himself claimed to be the long-awaited Messiah and the only way to the Father. Such a claim—if not true—makes him an out-and-out liar. The very same man people esteem as a great moral teacher would be the greatest of imposters. Or as C.S. Lewis so eloquently put it, Jesus is "a liar, a legend, a lunatic, or the truth." I would also add, he is the "Way."

Prayer: Lord, I pray for your Holy Spirit to open the door to a conversation with my friend ________ who has been seeking you—but doesn’t know yet that you are the Way.