THE SPIRIT OF GOD
Carey Madding
Today’s Scripture: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. ‘I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.’” John 14:16-18, ESV
Theme: The Holy Spirit was and is fully God.
AWESOME GOD
When I think of God the Father, I think of Mount Sinai. (Read Exodus 19:16-25 for a healthy fear of the Lord.) I think of smoke, rumbling thunder, trumpet blasts, and lightning flashes. In my heart, I know “God is love” and His love for me caused Him to send His son, but the fact is that the Father was unapproachable. It meant death to the Israelites if they had “broken through” onto His mountain.
SERVANT SON
Because God is holy and awesome, we cannot come to Him. Jesus came to reveal God, His love, His grace, and His desire to rescue me. He made a way for us to understand God and receive Him. Yet He was only here on earth for a brief time. His teachings have withstood persecution and the test of centuries. Still, without the empowering of the Word by the Spirit, and the explanation in our hearts by the Spirit, would the Church have survived?
HOLY SPIRIT
Though often overlooked, the Spirit’s contribution to our lives—and to the well-being of the global Church—cannot be overestimated! The Word of God is living and active in our lives because of the Spirit. The Spirit pricks our conscience and calls us back to repentance. The Spirit gifts us with discernment, so that we recognize and recoil from incorrect teaching and theology. The Spirit urges us to good works, or serving, or sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is God with us, a fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to never leave us. As believers, He is the part of the Trinity to whom we are most intimately attuned, whether we acknowledge Him or not.
Make It Personal: Today, list the ways the Spirit of God is active in your life. Acknowledge Him. He does not individually desire your praise. Instead, He directs all praise and glory to God: Father, Son, and Spirit. Ask for His help today. You will be amazed at what recognizing and listening for His voice will do for your spiritual walk.
Pray: Lord God, thank You for Your Spirit moving in the Church, moving in my life, stirring up spiritual gifts, and empowering my walk with You. Thank You for the Promised Gift. Thank You that I do not have to try to live a righteous life on my own, but that You are a very present help in my time of need. Thank you, Spirit. I invite You to fill me and guide me, now and every day. Amen.
Additional Reading: Acts 1:1-5, 2:1-18
Weekly Memory Verse: If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 (ESV)