'Holy Spirit' Tagged Posts (Page 15)
Daily Devotions
He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.” vss. 2-3 Isaiah 42:1-9 It’s likely that the Servant spoken of in these chapters of Isaiah is a personification of the nation of Israel, the chosen people of God, the ones in whom the Spirit would work to bring light and justice…
Daily Devotions
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.” vss. 1-2a Luke 4:1-8 Following his life-changing experience with the Divine after his baptism, Jesus didn’t immediately begin his ministry. For one thing, he probably didn’t have a clear idea of what that mission would entail–there were no job descriptions for the work of a Messiah, just a few assorted references…
Daily Devotions
And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.” vs. 18 2 Corinthians 3:17-4:2 Sometimes amazing truths are hiding in obscure passages of scripture that we may not even have read before. Who would have thought that Paul, writing about the veiled face of Moses, would pass on…
Daily Devotions
If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” vs. 1 1 Corinthians 13:1-7 No matter how many talented folks a congregation has, no matter how many ministry programs are available, unless there is a spirit of love within that congregation, everything else is pointless and worthless! Paul doesn’t mince words with the Corinthians. He spells out his most excellent way in terms that…
Daily Devotions
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” vs. 14 Psalm 19:7-14 These words from our psalmist will resonate with any faithful preacher called to proclaim the gospel to any gathered assembly, whether on Zoom or in person. The psalmist had listened to the words of creation and studied the Law with conviction, and he knew that what he had learned would have great value…
Daily Devotions
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” vs. 7 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 Paul believed that within each congregation there were a variety of gifts, services, and activities that were sparked by the presence of the Spirit. Moreover, since no one individual could do everything, each person had been equipped with particular gifts. In his words, “to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” In a healthy congregation everyone would…
Daily Devotions
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.” vs. 1 1 Corinthians 12:1-6 Paul had written to the Corinthians to address a multitude of problems, but took a couple of chapters to address the issue of spiritual gifts, something that had become hugely divisive in that congregation. Some had begun to flaunt their spirituality, claiming a kind of superiority because they could speak in tongues, what they called a special gift of the…
Daily Devotions
Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’” vss. 21-22 Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 When John began baptizing by the Jordan, people came out from all the area to hear him preach and to receive a baptism…
Daily Devotions
Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.” vss. 14-15 Acts 8:14-17 The early years of the Church were a jumble of activity. The apostles tried to impose some sense of order but it was impossible. Believers were heading in every direction to tell the good news of Jesus–they were in…
Daily Devotions
In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit;” vs. 13 Ephesians 1:8-14 Even though we have been destined in Christ to live holy and blameless lives in love, there comes a time, sometimes as children, perhaps as adults, when we have the opportunity to affirm that destiny. The writer to the Ephesians describes that moment…
Daily Devotions
And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.’” vss. 41b-42 Luke 1:39-42 Luke began his account of the life of Jesus with an exploration of his origins and includes two birth narratives that have been irresistible for artists and theologians for centuries. He wants his readers to know that what happened in Jesus was the work of the Holy Spirit, and…
Daily Devotions
Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel…” vs. 19 Ephesians 6:16-20 Every week in thousands of congregations around the globe preachers are called upon to present the word, usually in the form of a sermon. They need our prayers! Proclaiming the word of God is a scary proposition–the responsibility is great. It’s not a matter of showing off rhetorical skills or…