On this day, we honour mothers…many of us have loving supportive mothers and we honour them, reflecting on their nurturing qualities and the significant ways they have influenced our lives. Regardless of our upbringing, our current stage of life, our family status, whether we are adults or youth, married or single, parents or not, as followers of Christ and members of God’s family, we are given the Holy Spirit. He plays a significant role of influence in our lives, and we will look specifically at the Holy Spirit’s role of Comforter. We will also consider how we can take the comfort and encouragement we receive from the Holy Spirit and pass it on to others.

John 14:15-17 (NIV)

“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”

παράκλητος, ου, ὁ

par-ak'-lay-tos

Strong's Greek: 3875. παράκλητος (paraklétos) -- called to one's aid (biblehub.com)

Psalm 34:18 (NLT)

“Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them.”

Psalm 10:17 (NLT)

“The Lord is close to the broken-hearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”

Psalm 94:19 (NLT)

“I cried out, “I am slipping!” but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me. When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.”

Matthew 5:3-4 (NLT)

“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

John 14:25-27 (NLT)

“I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

John 15:26 (NIV)

“When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.”

John 14:15-18 (NIV)

“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”

John 14:15-17 (NIV)

“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”

He gives us an awareness of God’s love.

(John 14:23)

He provides a sense of guidance and purpose in life.

(John 14:26)

John 14:23 (NLT)

“Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.”

John 15:16-17 (NLT)

“You did not choose me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last…I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (NLT)

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.”