Holy Spirit

VerseOur gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction.

— 1 Thessalonians 1:5 tniv

ThoughtWhen the gospel of Jesus is proclaimed, much more is happening than just the declaration in words of God's grace in Jesus. Not only did the Holy Spirit inspire the truth of God's message in Jesus we find in the Scriptures, but the Spirit is also at work in the proclamation of that message today. The Holy Spirit is at work in this...

 

VerseI urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.

— Romans 15:30 tniv

ThoughtThe Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we pray (Rom. 8:26-27). The Holy Spirit pours love into our hearts to give us hope and endurance (Rom. 5:5). So it shouldn't surprise us that the love we have from the Holy Spirit moves us to pray for others in their struggles. Praying for others, what is sometimes called...

 

VerseAnd pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

— Ephesians 6:18-20 tniv

ThoughtWhen we open the book of Acts in the New Testament, we see the...

 

VerseAfter they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

— Acts 4:31 tniv

ThoughtThe early followers of Jesus were facing harsh opposition from the very folks who had Jesus crucified. Rather than complaining about or fearing this opposition, the believers confessed the greatness of God and asked for the strength to boldly proclaim the message of Jesus. In response to their prayer, the place...

 

Verse[Peter said,] "We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."

— Acts 5:32 tniv

ThoughtThe apostles, and a few others very close to Jesus, were witnesses of Jesus' presence after his resurrection from the dead. However, if we listen carefully to this statement of Peter, there is a great promise for those of us who live centuries after Jesus' resurrection. We have living in us the witness of Jesus' resurrection — the Holy...

 

Verse[Peter said,] "Exalted to the right hand of God, he [Jesus] has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear."

— Acts 2:33 tniv

ThoughtI believe in the resurrection of Jesus for many reasons — the testimony of Scripture and the change made in fearful men and women to boldly proclaim Jesus in the face of persecution and death, to name just two. One of the greatest testimonies to Jesus' resurrection is the gift of the Holy Spirit. To...

 

Verse[Jesus said,] "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere — in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

— Acts 1:8 tniv

ThoughtEverywhere! That pretty much covers the world, doesn't it? The amazing thing is that this ragtag bunch of nobodies from nowhere did it. They began a movement that has endured time, cultural differences, geographical distances, persecution...

 

Verse[Jesus said,] "John baptized in water; you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit. And soon."

— Acts 1:5 msg

Thought"Stay in Jerusalem!" "Wait for the promised gift!" These were Jesus' words to his closest followers. Now we understand why. When John the Baptizer came, he spoke of one who would baptize in the Holy Spirit. As Jesus is leaving them, the Kingdom of God will break into the world with fresh power. The Holy Spirit will be given to every true follower of Jesus. The early...

 

VerseOnce when he was eating with them, he commanded them, "Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before."

— Acts 1:4 nlt

ThoughtWhile the apostles were to "Go make disciples of every nation" (Matt. 28:18-20), the Lord also told them to wait — to not leave Jerusalem before receiving the promised gift from God. They needed the power the prophets had promised would be the sign and abiding power of the new age. This promised gift is the...

 

VerseIn my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit.

— Acts 1:1-2 nlt

ThoughtGod's leaders in the Old Testament spoke by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is God in human flesh, and Luke emphasizes that Jesus spoke with the authority of God — giving "instructions through the Holy Spirit." These words that Jesus speaks to his...