Category Archives: Holy Spirit

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November 17, 2013

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God's Grace & Love, Holy Spirit, Prayer, Spiritual Gifts, Thanks & Praise

We Have All We Need

May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. [2 Peter 1:2 (NLT)]

We’ve all met spoiled children (and adults) who expect the world to cater to their every desire. Let’s admit it, those people aren’t very likeable! God doesn’t want spoiled children so He doesn’t give us everything we want either. He does, however, give us everything we need to live the life He wants for us. Are we missing any of the blessings He has sent our way? Are there assets He’s given that we haven’t even bothered to use? Could we be wasting any gifts he has given?

Open my eyes, O Lord, to see your gifts. Open my heart, O Lord, to accept them. Fill me with your Spirit, O Lord, to use them as you want them to be used.

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. [2 Peter 1:3 (NLT)]

 

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October 17, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Holy Spirit, Temptation & Sin

Paul’s Good Advice

…There will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! [2 Timothy 3:1b-5 (NLT)]

Unfortunately, Lord, the Apostle Paul’s words seem to describe people in these troubled times. Guide us as we check our conduct against his list. Let your Holy Spirit fill and lead us so Paul’s words will never describe our behavior. May we always heed his advice to “Stay away from people like that!”

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October 13, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Holy Spirit, Prayer

This Morning’s Request

2013-10-13Open your ears to my words, O Lord. Consider my innermost thoughts. Pay attention to my cry for help, my king and my God, because I pray only to you. In the morning, O Lord, hear my voice. In the morning I lay my needs in front of you and I wait. [Psalm 5:1-3 (GW)]

Good morning, God, it is so heartening being in your presence and knowing you hear our prayers. We choose this day to be productive and positive, cheerful and forgiving, generous and loving. Let your Holy Spirit fill us, lift us, and lead us so these goals can be attained, not just today, but every day.

Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God. [William Carey, missionary]

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October 10, 2013

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Forgiveness, Holy Spirit, Obedience, Wisdom & Guidance

I’m Blessed with a Forgiving God

Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past. Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord. [Psalm 25:6-7 (NLT)]

Oh Lord, forgive me. I don’t even have the excuse of youth for my failings. How many times will I have to make the same mistakes before I finally learn? Be patient with me, Lord, and teach me your way. Thank you for your inexhaustible forgiveness, love and mercy. Fill me with your Spirit and lead me on your path.

The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands. [Psalm 25:8-10 (NLT)]

 

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September 9, 2013

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God's Word: The Bible, Holy Spirit, Obedience

Let Me Learn by Paradox

For when I am weak, then I am strong. [2 Corinthians 12:10b (NIV)]

The Bible is full of contradictory and almost absurd concepts: when we’re weak, we’re strong; to die is to live; and the more we give, the more we’ll have. We’re told the poor are rich, the persecuted will be blessed, the meek will inherit the earth, and the hungry and thirsty will be satisfied. We can only enter through the narrow gate; position, power and wealth mean nothing in God’s Kingdom; don’t worry about tomorrow and be happy when beset by trouble. When someone slaps us, we’re to offer the other cheek; when someone takes our shirt, we should give him our coat; we’re supposed love the unlovable and pray for those who persecute us. Jesus’s ways certainly seem to contradict the ways of the world.

Lord, fill us with your Holy Spirit. Help us to understand, accept and live by these concepts that seem to so impractical and paradoxical.

 

Valley of Vision Prayer

Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly, thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,
Where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights;
Hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold thy glory.
Let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up,
That to be low is to be high,
That the broken heart is the healed heart,
That the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
That the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
That to have nothing is to possess all,
That to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
That to give is to receive,
That the valley is the place of vision.
[From “The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions” (Arthur Bennett, editor)]

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August 20, 2013

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God's Plan, Holy Spirit, Prayer

He Knows What We Need

At the same time, the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we don’t know how to pray for what we need. But the Spirit intercedes along with our groans that cannot be expressed in words. The one who searches our hearts knows what the Spirit has in mind. The Spirit intercedes for God’s people the way God wants him to. [Romans 8:26-27 (GW)]

Thank you, Lord, for hearing my prayers. Help me remember to pray the problem and not my version of the solution. Keep me mindful that not all difficulties will be resolved. May your Holy Spirit bring my prayers into harmony with your holy will, trusting that you alone know what is best.