Tag: Holy Spirit

All you need to know

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HIGHLIGHT

1 John 2:26–27 (ESV): 26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

EXPLAIN

John wrote this letter to assure a church that was experiencing the aftermath of conflict with false teachers. Various ones had come in the church teaching false doctrine. The church leaders had combatted the heresy. The conflict was ugly. Love seemed to be forgotten. The false teachers and those who accepted their deception left the church.

Now, John wrote to assure the believers that their hope in Jesus was true and to assure them that the love of Christ is demonstrated in how we treat one another.

Sincere followers of Jesus Christ desire to be always growing deeper in their knowledge about and of Christ. John was not saying that these believers had no more need to be taught spiritually (or else why did he write this letter?) or to grow spiritually.

Rather, John was assuring them that these false teachers who had come suggesting they had a secret knowledge were truly hucksters. Why? The Holy Spirit within us teaches all that we need to live in the light.

APPLY

If we listen closely to the Spirit’s voice and obey His command, we can be assured that we are where we need to be spiritually. We don’t need to worry about some special knowledge or insight others profess to have. Walking in step with the Spirit, we have full assurance of our salvation.

I love to learn more about God and His Word. I love, most of all, to learn Christ more deeply. But I need not feel unsure of my spirituality. If I abide with the Spirit, He will teach me all I need to know.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for Holy Spirit who lives with me and in me. May I develop an increasing sensitivity to the promptings of the Spirit and be quick to follow His lead. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Have Thine own way, Lord

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HIGHLIGHT

Romans 8:26 (ESV): 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

EXPLAIN

In Romans 7, Paul wrote of the terrible power of the carnal nature, to cause us to do what we know is wrong and don’t really want to do. But in Romans 8, he says there is no more condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8 is a chapter of freedom and release, but also of obligation. We are not bound to live by the flesh anymore, but to follow the Spirit. As we live by the Spirit, he bears witness to us that we are God’s children… “provided that we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him” (Romans 8:17).

This mention of suffering then led Paul to discuss how the whole world is suffering and in turmoil until the end of time when God comes to recreate the world.

But, as our highlighted verse states, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. In everything, God works for the good for those who love him. And we can rest assured that if God is for us, we are in good hands! We are more than conquerors… through Christ!

APPLY

Before I began this devotional time, I read a news article about the tragedy in Miami. About half an apartment building collapsed a few days ago. Five have been reported dead, and some 150 are still missing.

Nearby churches first prayed for miracles, but now that so much time has passed and survivors have not been found, the churches are praying for God’s comfort for the grieving.

My Old Testament reading for today is Job 14-16, in which Job despaired of hearing from God. He felt like his suffering was unjust, but God was not answering his cry. Instead, he felt like God’s response to him was like a running creek wearing away the soil and rocks or like archers surrounding a target, pumping arrows in their victim.

While we may not personally have suffered a tragedy like those in Miami have or like Job did, there are many times in our lives that we do not know how to pray. We should not expect that God will miraculously make things better so that we do not experience heartache and suffering. Romans 8:17 suggests that suffering is a necessary part of our growth in Christlikeness.

But we can know in times of desperation that the Spirit intercedes for us. When we do not know what to say, the Spirit prays for us with groaning unable to be expressed by language.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, I pray for the Holy Spirit’s intercession for me today. While I might express many things in prayer, I desire his prayer that I might live in your will. Have your way with me, Amen.

Have Thine own way Lord

Have Thine own way

Thou art the potter I am the clay

Mold me and make me after Thy will

While I am waiting yielded and still

Adelaide A. Pollard

Holy Spirit, be my guide

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HIGHLIGHT

John 16:13–14 (ESV): 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

EXPLAIN

Jesus was teaching his disciples on the night before his betrayal and his crucifixion the next day. Jesus had told his disciples that he would be leaving them, but he sought to comfort them by telling them he would send a Comforter, the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit would empower them, teach them, and guide them. The Holy Spirit came upon the believers fifty days after Jesus’ resurrection, on the Day of Pentecost.

APPLY

The Holy Spirit gives us spiritual life, abides with us, and desires to fill us fully. While Jesus is not physically present, the Holy Spirit is that presence of Jesus, of God, with us.

He will guide us, teach us, empower us, correct us, and encourage us. Therefore, we should listen closely to his voice, cultivate our fellowship with him, and obey him always.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit, which your Son sent for us when he ascended into heaven. Holy Spirit, guide me, teach me, give me wisdom and power, that the name of Jesus might be glorified in and through me. Amen.