Holy Spirit

VerseNow to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

— Ephesians 3:20-21 tniv

ThoughtWhile the focus of this passage is on God, "him who is able... to him be glory..." I want to draw our attention to one other key phrase in this passage — "his power that is at work within us." Paul has earlier prayed that...

 

VerseDon't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit ...

— Ephesians 5:17-18 nlt

ThoughtToday we finish a year of seeking to live for God under the influence of His Holy Spirit. With so many pressures around us on this day and on this night, we could easily give our thoughts, behaviors, and words over to the destructive influence of alcohol or other substances...

 

VerseI would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by human effort?

— Galatians 3:2-3 tniv

ThoughtWhen we come to Christ, the Holy Spirit cleanses us, fills us, and empowers us to live for Jesus. The Spirit works to transform us to be like Christ, puts to death the evil desires that enslave us to sin, produces the fruit of...

 

VerseThe Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let those who hear say, “Come!” Let those who are thirsty come; and let all who wish take the free gift of the water of life.

— Revelation 22:17 tniv

ThoughtIn the moving conclusion to the book of Revelation, we are reminded that the Holy Spirit lends His voice to the voices of Jesus' bride (the church). Together, they cry out, "Come!" They are calling for Jesus to return with triumph and power. The thirsty will have their thirst slaked...

 

VerseJesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.

— Luke 4:14 tniv

ThoughtGalilee is the place of Jesus' ministry. Luke is telling us that Jesus is conceived by the Spirit, announced by the Spirit through several witnesses, affirmed by the Spirit at his baptism, and led by the Spirit through his temptation. Now, after his victory over Satan in the wilderness, Jesus begins his ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit...

 

VerseJesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness...

— Luke 4:1 tniv

ThoughtJesus goes into the wilderness full of the Holy Spirit and led by the Holy Spirit. This is crucial, because the wilderness is not just a place to be alone with God and formed by God, but it will also be a place of testing and trial for Jesus. As we have journeyed this past year through Scripture seeking to learn more about the presence, power, and work of the...

 

VerseAnd the Holy Spirit descended on him [Jesus] in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

— Luke 3:22 tniv

ThoughtIn Luke, Jesus has been promised by the Spirit, conceived by the Spirit, recognized by the Spirit, and announced by the Spirit. We know Jesus and the Holy Spirit are inextricably linked together as God. Yet to inaugurate Jesus' ministry, the Holy Spirit will accompany the voice of God in affirming...

 

VerseMoved by the Spirit, he [Simeon] went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: "... my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel."

— Luke 2:27-32 tniv

ThoughtI love Simeon's words of joy. They are deeply moving and they sound like a song...

 

VerseIt had been revealed to him [Simeon] by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah.

— Luke 2:26 tniv

ThoughtI do not know how the Spirit revealed this to Simeon, but I am thankful for God's grace in revealing it! Simeon is such a sweet and strong man of character. In his old age, he is given this special grace because God had sustained him through this special promise from the Holy Spirit. Simeon's promise reminds me of another promise: "Therefore we...

 

VerseNow there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.

— Luke 2:25 tniv

ThoughtSimeon is one of my favorite people in the Bible. I love how he is described: "righteous and devout." What a great way to be known and described! And Simeon is doing something I don't like to do: "He was waiting..." But there was a reason he was waiting: he was going to get to see God's Messiah. As...