Today’s Bible Verse
And in Christ, God put his special mark on you by giving you the Holy Spirit that he had promised. That Holy Spirit is the guarantee that we will get what God promised for his people. This will bring full freedom to the people who belong to God, to bring praise to God’s glory.
Ephesians 1:13b-14 (ICB)
The Holy Spirit, My Advocate
Throughout the Book of Acts, you can read about the birth of the church, and the supernatural multiplication they experienced after the Day of Pentecost. The Day of Pentecost is so significant. It wasn’t just the birth of the church, it was the day believers were baptized (immersed, filled, overflowing) with the Holy Spirit! I am so grateful for the Holy Spirit! There are no words that can describe the fullness of who He is! He is life (zoe); He is power (dunamis)! And in order for us to live the life we’ve been commanded to live, He must abide (continually remain) in us! Is your life an abiding place where He is welcomed?
One thing the church (we are the church) lacks today is honor and reverence for the Holy Spirit. I’m not talking about honoring His presence at Sunday services. I’m talking about our heart; our heart eventually affects the things we express outwardly. The Word says our body is the temple of God, and we are not to grieve the Spirit of God. Grieving the Spirit of God doesn’t just happen when you do sinful things, or don’t acknowledge His presence; it starts in our hearts. Proverbs 16:6 HCSB says: “Wickedness is atoned by loyalty and faithfulness, and one turns from evil by the fear of the Lord.” The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom (Proverbs 9:10); and, riches, honor, and life are obtained by humility and the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 22:4).
In Acts 9, after Paul’s encounter with Jesus, the Bible explains how the church walked in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied (Acts 9:31). The miracles that took place weren’t because of some great formula for multiplication. They took place as the Holy Spirit abided in their hearts, partnering with them! The Book of Acts accounts for many miracles, signs, and wonders done in the church. Multitudes surrendered their lives to Jesus because of the unity of their hearts and the Holy Spirit in them, partnering with them! (Rachel Wela)
An Uncommon Life
Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He commissioned His disciples to GO and make disciples of ALL nations. And when He commissioned them, He also reminded them, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20b). The Holy Spirit is the One Jesus promised would come. When we partner with the Holy Spirit, He works for us unceasingly! Jesus not only reconciled us back to our Heavenly Father, He gave us the POWER source that executes God’s will! As you think about this devotional, I encourage you to examine your heart, and ask the Holy Spirit to show you areas in your heart that you have limited Him. The Holy Spirit is life, the source to multiply is in you!
Today’s Declaration
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the Holy Spirit! I recognize that He is the executor of Your will! I will not limit Him from fulfilling the fullness of the life You have given me! The Holy Spirit abides in me, and I live in partnership with Him, and I have the anointing of multiplication!
Today’s Bible Reading
Our Bible Reading Plan gives 25 daily readings per month. There is no scheduled reading for today. You can use this time to catch up on any readings you may have missed, or read through previous passages again.
