VerseJesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness...
— Luke 4:1 tniv
ThoughtJesus goes into the wilderness full of the Holy Spirit and led by the Holy Spirit. This is crucial, because the wilderness is not just a place to be alone with God and formed by God, but it will also be a place of testing and trial for Jesus. As we have journeyed this past year through Scripture seeking to learn more about the presence, power, and work of the Holy Spirit, we have repeatedly seen that these two phrases — "full of the Holy Spirit" and "led by the Holy Spirit" — can and should be used to describe us (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:18-25). Jesus faced trials and temptations and he overcame these because the Spirit filled him and led him. We can overcome life's difficulties as we are filled with the Holy Spirit and we are led by the Holy Spirit. So let's commit to focus this next year on being led and being filled. Let's invite the Holy Spirit in to be our Comforter, Counselor, Advocate, Helper, and Friend (John 14-16). Let's trust that as we focus our hearts on Jesus and immerse ourselves in his story, the Holy Spirit will work the miracle of his transformation in our lives (2 Corinthians 3:18). We have received a great gift in Jesus. Jesus now wants to use the Holy Spirit in our lives to make that gift complete.
PrayerHoly and righteous Father, thank you for the gift of Jesus and the gift of your Holy Spirit. Help me as I finish this year, and anticipate a new year ahead, that I may journey into the future yielded to Jesus as Lord, filled with the Spirit and led by the Spirit into the life ahead of me. I want my life to reflect Jesus. In whose name I pray. Amen.
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2015. All rights reserved.
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— Luke 4:1 tniv
ThoughtJesus goes into the wilderness full of the Holy Spirit and led by the Holy Spirit. This is crucial, because the wilderness is not just a place to be alone with God and formed by God, but it will also be a place of testing and trial for Jesus. As we have journeyed this past year through Scripture seeking to learn more about the presence, power, and work of the Holy Spirit, we have repeatedly seen that these two phrases — "full of the Holy Spirit" and "led by the Holy Spirit" — can and should be used to describe us (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:18-25). Jesus faced trials and temptations and he overcame these because the Spirit filled him and led him. We can overcome life's difficulties as we are filled with the Holy Spirit and we are led by the Holy Spirit. So let's commit to focus this next year on being led and being filled. Let's invite the Holy Spirit in to be our Comforter, Counselor, Advocate, Helper, and Friend (John 14-16). Let's trust that as we focus our hearts on Jesus and immerse ourselves in his story, the Holy Spirit will work the miracle of his transformation in our lives (2 Corinthians 3:18). We have received a great gift in Jesus. Jesus now wants to use the Holy Spirit in our lives to make that gift complete.
PrayerHoly and righteous Father, thank you for the gift of Jesus and the gift of your Holy Spirit. Help me as I finish this year, and anticipate a new year ahead, that I may journey into the future yielded to Jesus as Lord, filled with the Spirit and led by the Spirit into the life ahead of me. I want my life to reflect Jesus. In whose name I pray. Amen.
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2015. All rights reserved.
