Holy Spirit

I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?

—Galatians 3:2-3 NIV

Key Thought​

When we come to Christ, the Holy Spirit is Jesus' gift to us. The Spirit cleanses us, fills us, and empowers us. The Spirit transforms us to be like Christ, puts to death the evil desires that enslave us...

 

The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let the one who hears say, "Come!" Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

—Revelation 22:17 NIV

Key Thought​

In 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 in triumph and power. Those longing to have mortal...

 

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

—Luke 4:14 NIV

Key Thought​

Luke tells us that Jesus was 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. Then, after his victory over Satan in the wilderness, Jesus went to Galilee in the power of the Holy Spirit and began his ministry. Today's verse about...

 

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

—Luke 4:1 NIV

Key Thought​

Jesus goes into the wilderness full of the Holy Spirit and led by the Holy Spirit. The role of the Spirit in the wilderness is crucial. The wilderness is a place for Jesus to be alone with the Father. In addition, this time of Jesus in the wilderness will also be a time of testing and trial. As we have journeyed this past year through Scripture seeking...

 

When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him 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 3:21-22 NIV

Key Thought​

As recorded in Luke's gospel, Jesus is 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...

 

Moved by the Spirit, [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 NIV

Key Thought​

I love Simeon's words of joy. They are deeply moving, and they sound like...

 

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

—Luke 2:26 NIV

Key Thought​

I do not know how the Spirit's revelation to Simeon was accomplished. Nevertheless, I am thankful for God's grace in giving this revelation to him. Simeon was such a wonderful and strong man of character. In his old age, he was given this special grace because God had sustained him through a special promise from the Holy Spirit. The...

 

Now 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 NIV

Key Thought​

Simeon is one of my favorite people in the Bible. I love how he was described: "righteous and devout." What a great way to be known and described! And Simeon was 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...

 

And the child [John the Baptizer] grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.

—Luke 1:80 NIV

Key Thought​

This verse doesn't speak directly to the work of the Holy Spirit. Luke does contrast the Spirit's work in John and the Spirit's work in Jesus. "And the child [Jesus] grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him" (Luke 2:40). While Jesus grew in every way like any...

 

[John the Baptizer's] father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: ...

—Luke 1:67 NIV

Key Thought​

When the angel Gabriel told Zechariah that he and Elizabeth would have a son, Zechariah originally doubted. Why would God give them a son in his old age, especially with Elizabeth's inability to conceive even during her childbearing years? However, even in their old age, God miraculously worked to bring them the gift of a baby — a baby we know as John the...