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                           You Have a Comforter!

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By David Wilkerson
January 20, 1992
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          I am learning something very wonderful about the Holy
          Spirit. He has a very unique characteristic: He does
          not like to talk about Himself. He does not make
          Himself the primary object of our attention.

          I have tried earnestly to study the Holy Spirit,
          digging into entire volumes about Him written by
          respected authors. Some of these books are very deep
          and often hard to understand -- books about His nature
          and personality. They all are very interesting... but
          not always edifying. The fact is, they can't be
          edifying. Because you can only understand of the Spirit
          what the Spirit Himself reveals -- and He won't talk
          about Himself!

          I have tried digging into the meaning of the Holy
          Spirit's names -- Paraclete, Advocate, Intercessor --
          looking for some insight as to who He is. But I finally
          realized, we Christians don't have to understand the
          person of the Holy Ghost -- because He doesn't want to
          tell us hidden things about Himself. All we need to
          know is that He is one of the Godhead: eternal, the
          very Spirit of Christ, sent down to this earth to live
          in us who believe. And His eyes are always on Christ!

          You see, the Holy Ghost doesn't want us to know about
          Himself so much as to know about His mission -- and
          that mission is to bring us to Jesus and keep us in
          purity and holiness. He is always at work, making
          Christ known in our hearts, and He delights in our
          seeking knowledge about why He has come.

          Jesus said, "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 16:13-14).

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               Jesus Said, "I Will Not Leave You Comfortless:
                      I will Come to You (John 14:18)

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          As Jesus said this, He stood before His disciples on
          the Mount of Transfiguration. He had gathered His
          chosen ones for a last moment of communion, just before
          He was to be translated into heaven. And what a sad,
          sorrowful lot they were!

          Their sole source of comfort was being taken from them.
          Jesus was their guide and teacher, their joy, peace,
          hope and love. Now He was physically leaving them, and
          I'm sure they thought: "Now who will guide us? Where
          will we go for the words of eternal life? He is God in
          the flesh -- and He is leaving us! He said to go into
          all the world and preach the gospel in His name. But
          where will the power and authority come from? He is all
          we have ever known. We have built our entire world
          around Him!"

          Jesus read their minds. And He knew what they were
          going to face: hardships, destitution, persecution, the
          loss of all things, the spoiling of their earthly
          goods, being dragged before magistrates, even being
          tortured for His name.

          Yet I doubt that many -- if any -- of those disciples
          truly heard or understood Jesus's immortal words: "I
          will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." He
          was saying, "I will never turn you over to the clutches
          of Satan! I will never let you fight your battles
          alone. I know what you're going to face -- but I know
          Father's wonderful plan for you. If you knew and
          understood it, your hearts would rejoice! You would be
          leaping for joy, because I am going to My Father."

          "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you
          another Comforter, that he may abide with you for
          ever... he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."
          (John 14:16-17) Jesus was saying, "I leave you as one
          man -- God in the flesh -- and I will return to you as
          Spirit." And indeed the Holy Ghost is, in essence, the
          very Spirit of Christ.

          You may ask, isn't the Holy Spirit sent to all mankind?
          Don't the scriptures say He will be poured out upon all
          flesh in the last days?

          Yes -- He is sent to the world, to the sinner, for one
          purpose: as convicter and convincer of sin,
          righteousness and judgment. "And when he is come, he
          will reprove [convince] the world of sin, and of
          righteousness, and of judgment" (John 16:8).

          First, He convicts of sin: "Of sin, because they
          believe not on me" (verse 9). The Spirit reveals that
          all sin is based on one foundation: unbelief. This
          means, simply, unbelief in the power and blood of Jesus
          Christ to save and deliver from sin.

          Second, He convicts of righteousness: "Of
          righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me
          no more" (verse 10). As Jesus looked out at His
          disciples, He was saying, "You who see me ascending to
          heaven bear witness to my righteousness -- for God
          would not translate an unholy man. The Holy Spirit will
          say through you to the world, 'You called Him a devil,
          a glutton, a winebibber, an imposter. But how do you
          answer His being taken into glory by the Father?'"

          Third, He convicts of judgment: "Of judgment, because
          the prince of this world is judged" (verse 11). The
          Holy Spirit testifies to the world that there is now
          freedom for all men -- because Jesus Christ judged and
          destroyed the power of Satan at the Cross.

          Yet even though the Holy Spirit is poured out upon all
          men in this way, right now He is not living and abiding
          in the whole world. No, at this moment He lives only in
          those who are truly born again, who walk by faith in
          the finished work of the Cross. And He longs to make
          Himself fully known, both in them and to them.

          The Holy Spirit was not sent to us as a passive, weak
          influence. Many Christians picture Him as some kind of
          sweet, innocent mist sprayed over the earth -- a
          soothing, divine ether that fills their lives. Some
          believe all they have to do is simply "breathe Him in"!

          No -- The Holy Ghost is a person, with a personality!
          He is as real in Spirit as you are in the flesh! He has
          a mind, eyes, ears and feelings. You can't picture Him
          in human form -- but He hears and talks.

          If Jesus were to suddenly appear alongside you, walking
          with you, would you talk to Him? Would you have any
          questions for Him, any requests? Would you unburden
          your heart to Him and tell Him all you are going
          through? Of course you would! And God has sent the A
          Holy Spirit to us on earth to be that personal to us!

          I recently said to the Holy Ghost, "I read in the lives
          of the disciples that You spoke clearly to them. Holy
          Spirit, if You ever talked to any man after the Cross,
          then talk to me too!" He answered me, "I will, David,
          if you will acknowledge how personal I am to you."

          As I prepared this message, this sad truth exploded in
          my heart: We believe the Holy Ghost has been sent to
          the world. But we have a harder time believing He has
          been sent to us as individuals -- that we can say, "He
          is mine!"

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                  When the Holy Spirit Enters Our Hearts,
                      He Personalizes Our Relationship
                      With God the Father and Jesus.

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          The Holy Ghost has a way of simplifying our
          relationship with God the Father and Jesus. He is the
          One who teaches us to say, "Abba, Father."

          This phrase refers to an oriental custom of Bible days,
          regarding the adoption of a child. Until the adopting
          papers were signed and sealed by the adopting father,
          the child saw this man only as a father. He had no
          right to call Him Abba, meaning "my".

          Yet as soon as the papers were signed, registered and
          sealed, the child's tutor presented Him to the adopting
          father -- and for the first time the child could say,
          "Abba, Father!" As the father embraced Him, the young
          one cried, "My father! He's not just a father anymore.
          He's mine!"

          This is the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit. He
          tutors you of Christ. He presents you to the Father.
          And He keeps minding you, "I have sealed the papers.
          You are no longer an orphan -- you are legally a son of
          God! You now have a very loving, wealthy, powerful
          Father. Embrace Him -- call Him 'my Father.' I have
          come to show you how much you're loved by Him! He
          wouldn't have adopted you when you were wild, sinful
          and rebellious unless He loved and wanted you!"

          Think of the millions who are going to hell every day.
          But God chose you. And not only did He choose you -- He
          also adopted you! He signed and sealed the papers by
          the Holy Spirit, so you could call the Father yours --
          so you could cry out, "Abba, Father!"

          This cry should be one of exceeding joy and
          thanksgiving. The Spirit in us literally cries out,
          "You are an heir, an inheritor of all that Jesus won.
          And what an inheritance you have, because your FATHER
          is the wealthiest in the whole universe! Do not shy
          away from Him. He's not mad at you. Stop acting like an
          orphan who's poverty-stricken, lacking joy and
          spiritual victory. You are not forsaken -- so enjoy
          Him!

          "He is your Father. Jesus is your Lord, your brother,
          your friend, your Bridegroom. And I too have been sent
          just for you, to guide, defend and keep you. I am
          yours! I live in your heart, and I want to be intimate
          with you. We must walk and talk together!"

          Beloved, I have found I no longer enter my prayer
          closet condemned, because I have this knowledge. I know
          my sins are under the blood. I know the Holy Ghost has
          given me strength to walk in His holiness and
          righteousness. And I can walk into His presence and
          say, "Holy Ghost, I know You fill the entire world --
          but You're mine. You're living in me! Jesus died for
          the whole world -- but He's also my Savior!"

          "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again
          to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption,
          whereby we cry, Abba, FATHER. The Spirit itself beareth
          witness with our spirit that we are the children of
          God... heirs of God... joint-heirs with Christ" (Romans
          8:15-17).

          Have you caught a glimpse of your own "adoption papers"
          yet? They're right in front of you -- in your Bible!
          And the Holy Spirit is the seal that says, "You have
          been adopted by the heavenly Father!"

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                       The Holy Spirit Has Been Sent
                         To Us on a Love Mission.

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          The Spirit's mission is to comfort Christ's bride in
          the absence of the Bridegroom, Christ. "He shall give
          you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for
          ever" (John 14:16). "But the Comforter, which is the
          Holy Ghost" (verse 26). "When the Comforter is come"
          (15:26).

          "Comforter" means one who soothes in a time of pain or
          grief -- one who eases pain and sorrow, brings relief,
          consoles and encourages. But I like this definition
          from the Greek: "One who lays you down on a warm bed of
          safety." During the cold, dark night of your soul, He
          lays you down on the soft bed of His comfort, soothing
          you with His tender hand.

          By calling the Holy Spirit the Comforter, Jesus made an
          infallible prediction. He was predicting His people
          would be suffering discomfort, and would be in need of
          comfort -- that there would be a lot of pain and
          suffering among His people in the last days.

          Before Christ, the Spirit had come to earth at divine,
          appointed times -- as Creator, as Revealer of divine
          truth, as Worker of great miracles. But only to us who
          live in the last days has He been sent as the
          Comforter!

          You may say, "I've heard all my life that the Holy
          Spirit comforts me. but how does He comfort me? I need
          it now, because I've got problems and difficulties."
          His answer to you is contained in two simple sentences:

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                              "You Are Loved.
                           And You Are Leaving!"

                      -------------------------------

          First of all, the Holy Spirit brings comfort by
          reminding you that He lives in you with all the power
          of God inherent in His being. And that's why you can
          say, "Greater is He that is in me than all world powers
          combined -- greater than all demon powers!" God sent
          the Spirit to use all His power to keep you out of the
          clutches of Satan -- to lift your spirit, drive away
          all depression and flood your soul with the love of
          your Lord.

          "We glory in tribulations also: knowing that
          tribulation worketh patience... and hope maketh not
          ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our
          hearts by the Holy Ghost, which is given unto us"
          (Romans 5:3,5).

          The New American Standard version says God's love is
          "poured out within our hearts," into every nook and
          cranny of our being. That means when you're in
          trouble... when persecution comes... when you don't
          know which way to turn... in your most troubled,
          disturbing moments -- stop everything! Talk to the Holy
          Spirit within you. Ask Him, "What do you have to say to
          me about this, at this exact moment?"

          Do you think He's going to stand by and do nothing?
          Would He watch passively as you're being torn apart --
          when He's the One who was there to number your parts as
          you were being formed in the womb?

          No! During those times, He'll say to you, "Take a big
          drink of God's love!" The Holy Ghost is constantly
          pouring out the Father's love in your heart. Will you
          receive it?

          It is an absolute affront to the Holy Spirit for you to
          continue living day after day, year after year, as if
          you were a powerless, helpless orphan. It is frightful
          unbelief to remain fearful and anxious about tomorrow,
          fretting as if the Holy spirit within you is away on
          some journey and out of touch with your needs.

          No, the Holy Ghost never takes a journey -- He's come
          to abide! He brings comfort in your tribulation, and He
          speaks loud and clear in you time of testing: "Don't be
          ashamed of your trials and tribulations. Keep getting
          up! God is working patience in you, He is building
          experience in you. And He loves you in the midst of
          your pain!"

          Yet the Holy Spirit comforts us in yet another
          wonderful way. He whispers to us:
          "By the way, your suitcases are packed. You are an
          heir, and you're not here for very long. Why get worked
          up over all this? You soon will leave all these
          troubles behind! So rejoice -- you have a place
          prepared in glory. You've got an appointment, an
          eternal purpose. And I'm here to see that you get
          there!

                      -------------------------------

                    The Holy Spirit Will Flood You With
                     The Knowledge That God Loves You!

                      -------------------------------

          It is at this point that multitudes of believers fail
          God. They are willing to be convicted of sin and
          failure, over and over again. But they will not allow
          the Holy Ghost to flood them with the love of the
          Father.

          The legalist love to live only under conviction. He has
          never understood the love of God or allowed the Holy
          Spirit to minister that love to his soul. He will
          accept conviction, but he won't let the Spirit bathe
          Him in the love of God. The result is that he never
          feels loved. And he lives under constant bondage of
          having to prove his love for the Lord!

          We at Times Square Church have taught that the
          righteous person, the true lover of Jesus, loves
          reproof. He learns to welcome having the Holy Spirit
          expose all his hidden areas of sin and unbelief --
          because the more he deals with sin, the happier and
          freer he becomes.

          Yet the attitude I see in many Christians is: "Keep on
          judging me, Lord -- convict me, beat me!" This is not
          the same thing as true conviction. For example, I see
          this in many responses to my newsletter messages. When
          I write a message that thunders with judgment, I get
          overwhelmingly approving responses.

          Yet when I share about the sweetness and love of Jesus,
          I receive letters saying, "You're not preaching the
          truth anymore!" It is as though these people are
          saying, "If you're not reproving, then what you're
          saying can't be the gospel." Such believers have never
          entered into the great love-mission of the Holy Spirit!

          My daughter Bonnie is married and has two children.
          Right now she is in a time of deep testing, fighting
          cancer with the help of the Holy Spirit. This is
          probably the worst moment of grief in my relationship
          with her, as I watch her suffering.

          In the midst of all this she said to me, "Dad, I've
          always given you a hard time, haven't I? I was never
          the kind of daughter I should have been. I've given you
          so much pain."

          Oh, how wrong she was! That wasn't true at all -- I
          never saw her that way growing up. I saw the good in
          her, the love. She was always special -- never
          disappointing.

          Yet this is the way so many children of God see
          themselves today. They feel like an orphaned child who
          can never quite please their father -- one who is
          always slipping of failing Him.

          How that hurts God! And if you feel that way, it's an
          affront to the Holy Ghost -- because you're not seeing
          that part of His work is to comfort your heart. He
          comforts you with the knowledge that you're loved, that
          you've been adopted -- and that He is with you to see
          you through your troubles and problems.

          This is where you must learn to walk in the Spirit --
          and not by feelings! I wrote in my last message that
          walking in the Spirit means allowing the Holy Ghost to
          do in us what He was sent to do. And that means
          allowing Him to flood your heart right now with the
          love of God! "Because the love of God is shed abroad in
          our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us"
          (Romans 5:5).

          Perhaps you have been robbed of the love of God because
          of legalism. You go to church and sit in bondage and
          fear because, like my daughter Bonnie, you think you
          have dirty hands, that you're the black sheep. You
          don't know how to say, "My Father -- Abba, Father!"

          May God deliver you from that today! The Holy Spirit
          didn't come to condemn you -- He came to convict and
          judge the world! He came to show you you're adopted by
          the Father, and that you are dearly loved!

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                 The Holy Spirit Will Say to You This
                  Very Day, "As One Whom His Mother
                 Comforteth, So Will I Comfort You."

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          Isaiah said, "As one whom his mother comforteth, so
          will I comfort you: and ye shall be comforted in
          Jerusalem" (Isaiah 66:13). Isaiah was writing to a
          stubborn people of God who "went on frowardly
          [backsliding] in the way of [their] heart" (Isaiah
          57:17).

          Tell me -- how long would a teacher stick by a
          stubborn, obstinate student who refuses to heed advice?

          Not very long! But the prophet Isaiah takes one of the
          highest images possible among men -- that of a mother's
          love for her child --- and show us something of the
          love that our Father has for us.

          I've seen many pictures in New York City newspapers of
          a mother walking into court alongside her accused son.
          She sits there faithfully throughout the trial,
          yearning over Him. She hears the evidence piling up --
          and she weeps. She is there when he stands to be
          sentenced. And as he is led away and turns to wave
          good-bye, she throws Him a kiss and cries as he is
          taken to prison. But she never gives up on Him!

          One mother in our church takes a whole day to visit her
          son in an upstate prison. She gets on a bus and rides
          for hours, just to see Him for a short while. Such a
          mother will look across at her son in that drab uniform
          and see the agony in his eyes -- and each trip she will
          die a little more inside. But she never quits on Him.
          He is still her son!

          Dear saint, this is the kind of love the Holy Spirit
          wants you to know God has for you! He comforts us by
          telling us, "You once said you gave your all to Jesus.
          You gave Him your love, and He still loves you. And
          now, neither will I let you go. I've been sent by Him
          to do a work -- and I will keep doing it!

          There is no true comfort for anyone on this earth
          except that of the Holy Spirit. People run to
          counselors, psychologists, friends, priest, books,
          tapes, lectures, seminars, group sessions. But how much
          comfort do they get? Not enough to last them the trip
          home! It's all in vain; the pain keeps coming back. No,
          the world has nothing to offer a hurting spirit: "The
          world knew Him not" (John 1:10).

          This is why you need the Holy Ghost abiding in you. He
          alone can lay you down at night, as in a warm bed, and
          fill your heart with perfect peace. He alone can truly
          comfort you in times of pain and sorrow. He is the one
          who will assure you, "This comfort is not just
          temporary -- it is eternal!

          Have you been asking for the abiding presence of the
          Holy Spirit? Then don't look for signs -- just hunger
          for more of Jesus. Simply say, "Jesus, come and
          enrapture my heart; Holy Spirit, come and possess me.
          Be my comfort, be my guide."

          Simply pray in faith, believing -- and trust that God,
          your loving, heavenly Father, will not give you a stone
          when you ask for bread. He will send the Comforter!

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