John 16:12–15 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.” Read the context In...
2 days ago • 1 min read
Romans 8:26–27 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. Read the context I know if it stood face-to-face with my favorite athlete, I wouldn't know what to say. Honestly, I'd likely say something foolish. Do you ever feel that way...
3 days ago • 1 min read
Joel 2:28-29 “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, — I will pour out my Spirit in those days. Read the context The prophets were a special group. It was only a few people that God would speak to throughout the Old Testament. On Pentecost, God's Holy Spirit made prophets out of a crowd. The disciples proclaimed the wonders of God to...
4 days ago • 1 min read
John 7:37–39 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. Read the context The water reserves were almost empty. There were just a few drops...
5 days ago • 1 min read
Acts 2:1–21 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? ... We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Read the context I wish I was fluent in another language. I know a little bit of German, but not enough to hold a conversation... let...
6 days ago • 1 min read
1 Cor 12:3&7 "No one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit." ... "To each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." Read the context It's easy to compare your gifts to others' or to feel like the Holy Spirit is working over there and skipping past you. But before you can evaluate what you've been given, start here: the Spirit already gave you the greatest gift: Faith itself. The ability to call Jesus Lord. That gift arrived first, and everything else...
7 days ago • 1 min read
Psalm 104 When you send your Spirit, they are created, — and you renew the face of the ground. ... I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to him,as I rejoice in the Lord. Read the context You forget to water your plants, and they die within days. No matter how hard you try you can't bring it back. Only God can create life, and only God can give life to your soul. This weekend, we celebrate Pentecost — the day when God...
8 days ago • 1 min read
Psalm 104:1–4 Praise the Lord, my soul. Lord my God, you are very great;you are clothed with splendor and majesty. The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment; — he stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind.He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants. Read the context A camping trip will teach you how powerless you are compared to the elements: wind...
9 days ago • 1 min read
Hebrews 1:1–3 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Read the context The...
10 days ago • 1 min read