Greater!

"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them (the spirit of the anti-Christ), because the One who is in you (Holy Spirit) is greater than the one who is in the world" (I John 4:4 NIV paraphrased)

John, the one person who was closer to Jesus than any other and always provides us with an intimate perspective of the character of Jesus, encourages us.  John is the one to whom Jesus reveals the promise of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit.  John is also the one who provides us with insight with "His names"--The Light, Truth, Way, Great Shepherd.  It is through John that we know how much God loves us--not only do we have a mansion waiting for us (in eternity), but Jesus loved us enough to pray for us when He was facing imminent death on the cross.  O what a love for us! 

And now, John reminds us that if we have been born again (not of water, but of the Spirit) and have been filled with The Holy Spirit, we are children of God and are joint-heirs with Jesus Christ.  Because we have the greater Spirit in us, we know we have the power to defeat the spirit of evil in the world.  Hallelujah!  Greater Spirit in us--reign forever more! 

How do we know when we are operating with the gift of the Holy Spirit guiding us?  We know when we can demonstrate God's love towards others in the face of adversity.  We know when we can remind ourselves of what God has said, what He has already done and we have confidence in what He will do. We know that we can do "greater works than He did" because we are filled with His Spirit and we are many.  We know when we can align our thoughts with His word and respond to crises and not react to them.  We know when we look around us and can appreciate everything that God has provided for us to enjoy that He truly loves us.  "Nobody greater than You!

Father, I pray for all who have not received Your precious gift of the Holy Spirit.  Touch their hearts and speak so they will receive and be able to live according to Your Word, doing only what You would do, and loving everyone--even the unlovable--to bring them into knowledge of who You are and how You want us to live. I thank You in advance for all who receive this day, bless them abundantly, beyond anything they could ever imagine.  In Jesus' name I pray and thank You, Amen!