Holy Spirit

So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord.

—1 Thessalonians 1:6 NLT

Key Thought


How can a convicting message, a message that calls us to turn our lives around (1 Thessalonians 1:8-10), bring joy in the middle of suffering?

1. That message is true.
2. That message points us to a better way, a way that leads to glory that is far greater than any suffering...

 

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

—Galatians 5:22-23a NLT

Key Thought


Even in life's darkest hours, the Holy Spirit, our Comforter, can bring the light of God's joy and peace to the darkest corners of disappointment. Because the Holy Spirit is alive within us, joy and peace will bubble to the surface regardless of our circumstances. The Spirit's very...

 

And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

—Acts 13:52 NIV

Key Thought


Soup and sandwich. Love and marriage. Horse and carriage. These things go together according to a couple of old songs. But there are two things that go together far better than any of these. No, I am not talking about ham and eggs — or even Dr. Seuss' famous book Green Eggs and Ham.© I am talking about the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit within us and the deep rivers...

 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

—Romans 15:13 NIV

Key Thought


Rather than having much commentary on this beautiful blessing, let's share the joy of this blessing and the confidence of our hope with those we love! May this blessing be for all of you. May hope be yours because of the precious gift of the Holy Spirit within you!

Today's Prayer


O...

 

For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too.

—Romans 14:17-18 NLT

Key Thought


While we enjoy our blessings each day, let's all of us remember that life in God's Kingdom is not about what we eat or drink or what we have. Because of the Holy Spirit's presence and power within us, no...

 

[Jesus said,] "I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative — that is, the Holy Spirit — he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. I am leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid."

—John 14:25-27 NLT

Key Thought


In a world of chaos and uncertainties as well as...

 

At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do."

—Luke 10:21 NIV

Key Thought


Since the presence of the Holy Spirit led Jesus to be full of joy, then the Spirit can and will bring this blessing into our lives as well. Just like the joy of little children...

 

Mary responded, "Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!"

—Luke 1:46-47 NLT

Key Thought


Praise emanates from our spirits — that innermost part of us. Honest, heartfelt adoration and respect for God come from deep within our spirits. And as followers of Jesus, the Holy Spirit joins with our spirits and leads us to worship in ways not possible without the Holy Spirit (John 4:23-24; Ephesians 5:15-21). Just as Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit...

 

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate [and reflect] the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

—2 Corinthians 3:17-18 NIV

Key Thought


I love the phrase "transformed ... with ever-increasing glory." This progressive transformation is the crescendo of the Holy Spirit's grace until we...

 

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

—Ephesians 3:20-21 NLT

Key Thought


We confess that God is all powerful. Paul's prayerful burst of praise in our passage today reminds us of an additional and breathtaking truth: Through the power of the Holy Spirit at work within us, God can...