Holy Spirit

Now 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 NIV

Key Thought
While the focus of this passage is on God, on "him who is able," 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 God would...

 

Don'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

Key Thought
Today we finish a year of devotionals helping us seek 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...

 

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 to sin...

 

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. The thirsty will have their thirst...

 

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. Now, after his victory over Satan in the wilderness, Jesus went to Galilee in the power of the Holy Spirit and began his ministry. This note about the Spirit is...

 

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 to learn...

 

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
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 inextricably linked together...

 

Moved 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 NIV

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

 

It 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 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 is such a wonderful and strong man of character. In his old age, he is given this special grace because God had sustained him through a special promise from the Holy Spirit. The promise...

 

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 God's Messiah. As...