Holy Spirit

[John the Baptizer:] "I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am — so much greater that I'm not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire."

—Matthew 3:11 NLT

Key Thought


There are two sides to baptism: (1) what happens to the one being baptized based on that person's intentions, and (2) what Jesus does through the Holy...

 

Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced [when she became pregnant]. While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God's angel spoke in the dream: "Joseph, son of David, don't hesitate to get married. Mary's pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God's Holy Spirit has made her pregnant."

—Matthew 1:19-20 MESSAGE

Key Thought


Joseph was not only concerned about his righteousness when Mary became...

 

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.

—Matthew 1:18 NLT

Key Thought


While we try to understand how the Spirit of God works in our lives, a deep sense of mystery, wonder, and awe remains. How could God love us so much as to be present in us through his Holy Spirit? This inexplicable miracle is...

 

And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will.

—Romans 8:27 NLT

Key Thought


After the incredible promise of the previous verse and the Spirit's intercession for us (Romans 8:26 ESV), Paul adds promise upon promise. He tells us that the Spirit of the one true and living God pleads for us "with groanings too deep for words." He then adds that the Spirit pleads for us in...

 

I speak the truth in Christ — I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit ...

—Romans 9:1 NIV

Key Thought


We often use hyperbole to make an emphatic point about something that is important to us. Hyperbole is an overstatement meant to get other people's attention. The words of hyperbole can even be jarring to help others understand the emotions behind the words spoken. Paul is about to make an incredibly shocking statement about being willing to be...

 

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

—Romans 8:26 ESV

Key Thought


Nearly all of us have been at this desperate place. Our souls are brittle and dry. All our prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling. They fall lifelessly to the ground and come to rest at our feet as bitter reminders of our failure and spiritual impotence.

Like every other...

 

For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

—Romans 8:22-23 ESV

Key Thought


At first glance, the phrase "adoption as sons" may sound sexist. Exactly the opposite is true. In many places in Paul's day, daughters didn't have the same rights...

 

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.

—Romans 8:16 NIV

Key Thought


We can believe that we are God's children. We can think it. We can desire it with all of our hearts. We can pray for it. But, the real validation happens when the Holy Spirit joins with the spirit inside of each of us to speak to God, the Father of all grace. The Spirit's words are simple, "O Father, hear the heart of your child!" The Spirit then makes clear the...

 

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

—Romans 8:14 NIV

Key Thought


Parents lead their children till they are ready for life on their own. As we cry out to God as our "Abba, Father" (Romans 8:15), God leads us. We are his young children, and we never outgrow our need for his leading. He leads and guides us through the influence and work of the Holy Spirit. This is one reason why Jesus could promise his closest followers that he would...

 

So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, "Abba, Father."

—Romans 8:15 NLT

Key Thought


Abba! The first syllables some babies utter. The name for father in the language Jesus grew up speaking. Abba is a term of endearment, dependency, intimacy, tenderness, and respect. Because of the Holy Spirit's presence within us, we call out to God and address him in...