Paraclete

Paraklētos

(The Comforter)

The Day of Pentecost

Pentecost Sunday 2025 has come and gone, but the significance of that sacred day breathes life into our spirits eternally. This particular day beautifully commemorates the powerful descent of the Holy Spirit. We are reminded of how He swept down in the upper room, where Jesus’ disciples and followers were told to wait. His entrance was like the sound of a rushing mighty wind, with tongues of fire that sat upon each one of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as the Holy Spirit gave them the ability to speak.(Acts 2:1–4). 

Beyond the awesome wonder of that day, we’re forever reminded of something even more meaningful: the reason why the Holy Spirit came. Jesus knew that once He ascended to the Father, without Him as our Shepherd, we would be like lost little lambs, helpless and in a most vulnerable state. That is why He promised that the Comforter would come. He said in John 14:16, “I will pray to the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever.” Likewise, in John 16:7, Jesus told the disciples that it was expedient that He go away, because if not, the Comforter would not come. 

The question is, who is the Comforter? He is the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity; God the Spirit. He is God's Spirit, the one who resides here on earth and lives in the hearts of believers.  

The Presence and Power

Often, I flip through my mother’s old books. One that I am always drawn to is titled Flying Closer to the Flame by Charles Swindoll. The central theme highlights that living a true Christian life is only possible when a believer fully surrenders to the presence, power, and prompting of the Holy Spirit. The author refers to the Holy Spirit as the Paraclete, as noted in John 14:16 (DRC), where the original Greek term means, “one called alongside” to comfort, guide, and advocate. As Paraclete, the Holy Spirit helps, supports, guides, reminds, and intercedes for believers, and as well as so much more. 

My  Personal Experience

Sometimes, I feel a little unsteady, and these are the moments when I inhale and exhale, quiet my soul, and ask the Comforter to lead and guide me in the way that I should go. Softly, He whispers peace in my spirit while flooding my heart with strength to endure. As always, He is here, showing up again and again.

Yes, it is true that the Comforter will bring things back to your remembrance. When I forget small things that could have a negative impact on my day, He gives me a gentle nudge and a reminder. My response is always the same: Thank you, Holy Spirit. 

Staying Yielded and  Not Grieving Him

As a child, I was taught to give reverence to the Holy Spirit and His operations. I once heard and agree, that God is serious when it comes to the Holy Spirit because He is the only Godhead of the trinity who is here on earth. Matthew 12:31-32 warns that every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. Likewise, whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come 

  Yet, although the Holy Spirit is powerful, He is gentle and does not force Himself on anyone. As gently as He comes and dwells within our hearts, quietly, He will leave without us ever knowing. The perfect example is seen in Judges 16:17-22. The Holy Spirit departed from Samson because of his disobedience to God after illicitly revealing the secret of his strength to Delilah. His strength was a gift from God, symbolized by his uncut hair, which was a Nazarite vow. When Samson broke his covenant because of disobedience, it revealed a heart that had strayed away from God.  Ultimately, the Philistines came to subdue him. Sampson thought he would be able to shake himself free as other times before, but he wasn’t able to do so. The Spirit of God had left him and he didn’t even know it.

Therefore, as for me, I continually pray Psalm 51, “Please Heavenly Father, cast me not away from thy presence and please don’t take your Holy Spirit away from me.

Final Reflection and Call to Action

I would like to emphasize the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit. Amidst chaos and societal pressures, God’s sustaining presence offers strength and unwavering stability. 1 John 4:4 reassures us that greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. This gives light to the power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. The world and all it has to offer will try to consume us, but with His indwelling power, we are overcomers, we win. 

Apostle Peter boldly declares in Acts 2:38, “Repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Equally important, in Acts 1:8, he affirms that after the Holy Spirit comes upon us, we shall receive power to be witnesses in the uttermost parts of the earth. The Holy Spirit desires to fill us with His presence and empower us, not only to serve but also to live a holy, and victorious life.

Don't resist, lean in.   

Stay encouraged. 

Annie Eva

Love Lifted Me

“But the master of the sea heard my despairing cry. From the waters He lifted me, Now safe am I.”

James Rowe’s 1912 hymn, “Love Lifted Me,” beautifully captures how God’s love reaches into our darkest places and pulls us out of our many troubles. Looking back on my childhood, I can hear the deacon sweetly singing the same hymn as we transitioned from Sunday School to Worship Service. As the years passed, this song became a comforting reminder of God’s love and compassion towards us.

 In my early 30's, a single Mom, I battled with intense anxiety attacks. At the time, I poured every bit of my energy into raising my sweet baby girl and I was determined to be the best mother that I could be.

First, the attacks were random, but soon they started creeping up in the early hours just about every morning. Eventually, I was hospitalized. While there, my eldest sister visited me and said something that stayed with me, “If you want to live to raise your child, you need to get yourself together.”  Those words ignited a flame and I began to fight.  As a result, I turned to God’s word.

In my search for peace, I found in 2 Timothy 1:7; that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. That’s when I realized that anxiety was an evil spirit, and with God the battle was already won.

Every night, as comfort, I fell asleep with the TV on TBN. One morning, I woke up to Jan Crouch sharing her own battle with depression. She read Psalm 18:5-19, where King David calls on the Lord when the sorrows of hell surrounded him and how the Lord reached down and pulled him out of his many waters. I clung to those words, applying them to my own life, and gradually, the attacks ceased.

It was love for my baby girl that made me fight, and God’s love for me that lifted me out of my troubles and placed me on a solid foundation. Once in a while, fear tries to creep back in, but the Holy Spirit gently reminds me of the victory I have through Christ Jesus, His shed blood and the power of God’s word. 

To those of you who are struggling with fear or anxiety, please know that the same victory I experienced is also available to you. Just try Him!

Much love and stay encouraged.

Annie Eva

An Open Heaven

Written by Annie Eva

 Peace in the Midst of Uncertainty

I am honestly excited about the start of this new year! While the world around us is always changing, one thing that remains the same is that we can find peace that anchors our hearts and hope that keeps us focused on God’s promises.

Jesus shared a powerful message in John 16:33 , he said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” It’s such a beautiful reminder that we don’t have to fear what’s ahead. Jesus has already overcome the world on our behalf, taking on challenges we might face, so we can walk in victory each day.

A Vision in a Dream of an Open Heaven

Recently, I’ve been hearing words like manifestation, due season, open heaven, and no more delay. It made me pause and reflect on where I fit into all of this. So, I took a moment to quiet my heart and inquire of the Lord.

About two days later, I had a vision in a dream. In the dream, I saw an open heaven. I was standing in the kitchen with my sister. I looked up through an opened ceiling and saw a portal that had formed.The clouds were slowly unfolding, allowing me to get a glimpse of Heaven’s activity.

What I saw was interesting. People appeared to be happy, and full of joy. There were men with the look of Middle Eastern descent, dressed in business attire, white shirts with long, thin, black neckties. They were receiving instruction. As I walked around the steps of a building, I noticed it was made of an ancient material, and design. Immediately, I knew that it was the third temple.

When I came back, I turned to my sister and asked if she’d seen what I saw. Her silence told me no, and I began to weep. Even in the dream, I knew I had just experienced a divine encounter.

Understanding an Open Heaven

An open heaven is when God removes the veil between Heaven and Earth, allowing for unhindered communication, revelation, and visitation. There are no barriers, and His blessings and provisions flow freely.

A perfect example is found in Genesis 28:12–13 . In a dream, Jacob had a vision where he saw a stairway reaching from Earth to Heaven, with angels going up and down. At the top, God stood and said, “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying.” This vision, known as Jacob’s Ladder, beautifully depicts an open heaven, where divine activity and communication with God are clear and direct.

God’s Message for Us Today

I believe the dream I had symbolizes God entrusting His children with spiritual insight and divine revelation. It’s a call to holiness and a reminder to prepare for His return. I am confident that God will provide everything we need to fulfill His purpose and carry out the Great Commission. As Jesus said in Matthew 24:14, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”

When we align ourselves with God’s perfect will, we will experience manifestations, divine favor, and the fulfillment of His promises. At the appointed time, in a due season, an open heaven will be revealed.

So let’s prepare our hearts to live under an open heaven.

With love and encouragement,
Annie Eva