Holy Spirit

"But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day," says the LORD. "I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, 'You should know the LORD.' For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already," says the LORD. "And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will...

 

[God said,] "I'll give you [my people in Babylonian captivity] a new heart. I'll put a new Spirit in you. I'll cut out your stone heart and replace it with a red-blooded, firm-muscled heart. Then you'll obey my statutes and be careful to obey my commands. You'll be my people! I'll be your God!"

—Ezekiel 11:19-20 MESSAGE

Key Thought
God had to deal with a rebellious and stubborn people in Ezekiel's day. Of course, those people are not much different than most people we...

 

Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon me [Ezekiel], and he told me to say, "This is what the LORD says to the people of Israel: I know what you are saying, for I know every thought that comes into your minds."

—Ezekiel 11:5 NLT

Key Thought
We can scheme, plan, and plot quietly. We can tell our inner thoughts to no one else. The Spirit of God, however, knows our inner thoughts, schemes, plans, and plots. The Spirit not only inspired God's message in Scripture, but he also convicts...

 

The Spirit said to me [Ezekiel], "Son of man, these are the men who are planning evil and giving wicked counsel in this city. They say to the people, 'Is it not a good time to build houses? This city is like an iron pot. We are safe inside it like meat in a pot.' Therefore, son of man, prophesy against them loudly and clearly."

—Ezekiel 11:2-4 NLT

Key Thought
We are a family in Christ. Our lives are like op-ed pieces in a culture that listens to lies and is being misled by false...

 

Then the Spirit lifted me [Ezekiel]  and brought me to the east gateway of the LORD's Temple, where I saw twenty-five prominent men of the city. Among them were Jaazaniah son of Azzur and Pelatiah son of Benaiah, who were leaders among the people.

—Ezekiel 11:1 NLT

Key Thought
Ezekiel's ministry will be hard, but he is to do the job he has been called to do. He will not be alone in this very difficult task. The Spirit of God will not only speak to him and through him but will also...

 

Then he [the Spirit]  said [to Ezekiel], "Son of man, get all these words that I'm giving you inside you. Listen to them obediently. Make them your own. And now go. Go to the exiles, your people, and speak. Tell them, 'This is the Message of GOD, the Master.' Speak your piece, whether they listen or not." Then the Spirit picked me up. Behind me I heard a great commotion — "Blessed be the Glory of GOD in his Sanctuary!"

—Ezekiel 3:10-12 MESSAGE

Key Thought
God is inspiring...

 

"Stand up, son of man," said the voice [of the Spirit]. "I want to speak with you [Ezekiel]." The Spirit came into me as he spoke, and he set me on my feet. I listened carefully to his words. "Son of man," he said, "I am sending you to the nation of Israel, a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me. They and their ancestors have been rebelling against me to this very day."

—Ezekiel 2:1-3 NLT

Key Thought
Ezekiel had seen an amazing vision during a horrible time in the...

 

Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of anyone, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

—John 20:21-23 NIV

Key Thought
After Jesus' resurrection, he reminds his closest followers of three gifts he is leaving with them, all of which find their origin and functional power in the presence of the Holy Spirit. The...

 

After he took the wine, Jesus said, "It's done ... complete." Bowing his head, he offered up his spirit.

—John 19:30 MESSAGE

Key Thought
Jesus died because he allowed himself to die: "he offered up his spirit." He had completed what God had called him to do! Can we do that? Can we accomplish what God wants to do through us? I believe with the help of the Holy Spirit we can (2 Corinthians 3:17-18). We can do that because one of the great promises we have is that the Spirit will not...

 

[Jesus said,]  "All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, 'The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.'"

—John 16:15 NLT

Key Thought
The source of our truth is God. His Spirit of Truth will tell us everything he has received from the Son and make it clear to us. John talks about the Spirit as the anointing that teaches us all things about Jesus and helps us know truth from error (1 John 2:18-21). In this context, Jesus emphasized that the Holy...