Dear Readers!

In the time before Pentecost the readings in the church are about the teaching of Jesus on the Holy Spirit. This teaching led me to discover something new and exciting about Pentecost. In John 14:15-20 Jesus says: "If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn't looking for him and doesn't recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.”
The Holy Spirit is the one who leads us into all truths. He brings about faith in our lives, guides us and leads us in everything we are doing. I have noticed that He is there for us in everything we do, not only in matters of faith. I have sometimes told the youths in our congregation that I give them permission to cheat in their tests at school. Cheating is having help from outside while you are writing your test. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you and guide you, already in the learning for that test, but then also in the test. But, are we even aware of the Holy Spirit in our lives and how powerfully and beautifully He wants to lead and guide us in  our lives.
Something else that I discovered is the slight difference Jesus makes about the Holy Spirit and His role in the lives of the disciples before Pentecost and then after Pentecost. Before Pentecost the Holy Spirit is with them. He walks with them and is at their sides, but after Pentecost He will be within them. This change makes an enormous difference in the lives of the disciples. When the Holy Spirit comes upon them at Pentecost and lives within them they go out and witness to world in the authority of the Holy Spirit. They also do not shy back when they are threatened. They are courageous and continue their work in spite of the dangers that they face. They are different to before.
The importance of seeking and recognizing the Holy Spirit was also emphasised in this text. Jesus states that the world does not know the Holy Spirit because they do not seek and do not recognize Him. Can it be that we in the church often try to do things on our own and struggle because we do not seek the Holy Spirit and actually recognize Him for what He is. Seek the Holy Spirit and learn as much as you can about Him. Read the Gospel of John and Acts and study who the Holy Spirit is and what He does. Acknowledge Him in your life and ask Him to not only be alongside of you, but in you.
May God bless you with the truth that the Holy Spirit brings into your life and let Him lead you in everything you are doing.

Pastor Edwin Dedekind