Living the New Life in Hope - 6/1/21

4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”

7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.

9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.

Ezekiel 37:4-10

Questions for Reflection:

How might you speak truth to your heart today?

Is there a simple prayer that you might find helpful?

Prayer of the Week:

Holy Spirit, thank you for coming. I love you, I worship you, I trust you. Thank you for always breathing life into lifeless situations. I praise and thank You for enabling me to believe and live in Jesus name!

I now receive all the new life that you have for me today, bought for me by Jesus Christ. You have clothed me with power from on high. You have sealed me in Christ, become my union with the Father and the Son, the Spirit of truth in me, the life of God in me, my counselor, comforter, healer, strength, and guide. (You may pray here about specific needs today for the Spirit’s counsel, comfort, strength, healing and guidance.)

I honor you as Lord, and I fully give to you every aspect and dimension of my spirit, soul, and body, my heart, mind, and will—to be filled with you, to walk in step with you in all things. Fill me afresh, Holy Spirit. (Slowly repeat this phrase a couple of times, pausing to simply receive Him)

Restore my union with the Father and the Son. Lead me into all truth, anoint me for all of my life and walk and calling, and lead me deeper into Jesus today. I receive you with thanks, and I give you total claim to my life. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Amen

Living the New Life in Hope - 5/31/21

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the Lord God made the earth and the heavens.

5 Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground, 6 but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. 7 Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

Genesis 1:1-2 & 2:4-7

Questions for Reflection:

For you how does connecting with purpose/a goal/work bring you life?

How has God been able to breath life into and through you this past week?

What opportunities could you find today to breath life into someone else?

Prayer of the Week:

Holy Spirit, thank you for coming. I love you, I worship you, I trust you. Thank you for always breathing life into lifeless situations. I praise and thank You for enabling me to believe and live in Jesus name!

I now receive all the new life that you have for me today, bought for me by Jesus Christ. You have clothed me with power from on high. You have sealed me in Christ, become my union with the Father and the Son, the Spirit of truth in me, the life of God in me, my counselor, comforter, healer, strength, and guide. (You may pray here about specific needs today for the Spirit’s counsel, comfort, strength, healing and guidance.)

I honor you as Lord, and I fully give to you every aspect and dimension of my spirit, soul, and body, my heart, mind, and will—to be filled with you, to walk in step with you in all things. Fill me afresh, Holy Spirit. (Slowly repeat this phrase a couple of times, pausing to simply receive Him)

Restore my union with the Father and the Son. Lead me into all truth, anoint me for all of my life and walk and calling, and lead me deeper into Jesus today. I receive you with thanks, and I give you total claim to my life. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Amen

Living the New Life in Hope - 5/29/21

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

Psalm 51:10-13

Questions for Reflection:

Where might you need a renewal today?

Why do you think "joy" and "willingness" sustain the author of this Psalm?

Who might you "teach God's ways" to?

Prayer of the Week:

Holy Spirit, thank you for coming. I love You, I worship You, I trust You. I praise and thank You for enabling me to believe and live, in Jesus name!

I now receive all the work and triumph in Pentecost through which You have come. You have clothed me with power from on high. You have sealed me in Christ, become my union with the Father and the Son, the Spirit of truth in me, the life of God in me, my counselor, comforter, healer, strength, and guide. (You may pray here about specific needs today for the Spirit’s counsel, comfort, strength, healing and guidance.)

I honor You as Lord, and I fully give to You every aspect and dimension of my spirit, soul, body, heart, mind, and will—to be filled with You, to walk in step with You in all things. Fill me afresh, Holy Spirit. (Slowly repeat this phrase a couple of times, pausing to simply receive Him)

Restore my union with the Father and the Son. Lead me into all truth, anoint me for all of my life and walk and calling, and lead me deeper into Jesus today. I receive You with thanks, and I give You total claim to my life. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Amen

Living the New Life in Hope - 5/28/21

24 “‘For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”

Ezekiel 36:24-27

Questions for Reflection:

What areas of your life would you maybe call a Babylon for you?

How does knowing God is the ONE who will redeem you in all ways help you?

How does knowing God’s Spirit is what compels you to follow God’s ways with ease comfort you?

Prayer of the Week:

Holy Spirit, thank you for coming. I love You, I worship You, I trust You. I praise and thank You for enabling me to believe and live, in Jesus name!

I now receive all the work and triumph in Pentecost through which You have come. You have clothed me with power from on high. You have sealed me in Christ, become my union with the Father and the Son, the Spirit of truth in me, the life of God in me, my counselor, comforter, healer, strength, and guide. (You may pray here about specific needs today for the Spirit’s counsel, comfort, strength, healing and guidance.)

I honor You as Lord, and I fully give to You every aspect and dimension of my spirit, soul, body, heart, mind, and will—to be filled with You, to walk in step with You in all things. Fill me afresh, Holy Spirit. (Slowly repeat this phrase a couple of times, pausing to simply receive Him)

Restore my union with the Father and the Son. Lead me into all truth, anoint me for all of my life and walk and calling, and lead me deeper into Jesus today. I receive You with thanks, and I give You total claim to my life. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Amen

Living the New Life in Hope - 5/27/21

25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.“

John 14:25-27

Questions for Reflection:

As you consider your own life today, in all it's realness, what is a situation or challenge where you could use an Advocate - someone to come alongside you to help?

In your mind, what is one big difference in the Peace that Jesus gives and the peace that the world gives or tries to give? How is this difference encouraging to you today?

Prayer of the Week:

Holy Spirit, thank you for coming. I love You, I worship You, I trust You. I praise and thank You for enabling me to believe and live, in Jesus name!

I now receive all the work and triumph in Pentecost through which You have come. You have clothed me with power from on high. You have sealed me in Christ, become my union with the Father and the Son, the Spirit of truth in me, the life of God in me, my counselor, comforter, healer, strength, and guide. (You may pray here about specific needs today for the Spirit’s counsel, comfort, strength, healing and guidance.)

I honor You as Lord, and I fully give to You every aspect and dimension of my spirit, soul, body, heart, mind, and will—to be filled with You, to walk in step with You in all things. Fill me afresh, Holy Spirit. (Slowly repeat this phrase a couple of times, pausing to simply receive Him)

Restore my union with the Father and the Son. Lead me into all truth, anoint me for all of my life and walk and calling, and lead me deeper into Jesus today. I receive You with thanks, and I give You total claim to my life. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Amen

Living the New Life in Hope - 5/26/21

37 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. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” 39 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.

John 7:37-39

Questions for Reflection:

When you are “thirsty”, where do you turn for life? Think through this, and perhaps confess and repent for all the worldly places you turn. Then spend some time asking Jesus for the Life Giving Water only He can give.

As you go about your day today, how can you allow this life giving water to pour into you, and overflow to others? How can you offer this life-giving water to others, instead of worldly advice or “fixes?”

Prayer of the Week:

Holy Spirit, thank you for coming. I love You, I worship You, I trust You. I praise and thank You for enabling me to believe and live, in Jesus name!

I now receive all the work and triumph in Pentecost through which You have come. You have clothed me with power from on high. You have sealed me in Christ, become my union with the Father and the Son, the Spirit of truth in me, the life of God in me, my counselor, comforter, healer, strength, and guide. (You may pray here about specific needs today for the Spirit’s counsel, comfort, strength, healing and guidance.)

I honor You as Lord, and I fully give to You every aspect and dimension of my spirit, soul, body, heart, mind, and will—to be filled with You, to walk in step with You in all things. Fill me afresh, Holy Spirit. (Slowly repeat this phrase a couple of times, pausing to simply receive Him)

Restore my union with the Father and the Son. Lead me into all truth, anoint me for all of my life and walk and calling, and lead me deeper into Jesus today. I receive You with thanks, and I give You total claim to my life. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Amen

Living the New Life in Hope - 5/25/21

32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Acts 2:32-41

Questions for Reflection:

How does the fact that the Holy Spirit is a "gift" enhance your relationship with Him?

From this reading pick out what truth is most refreshing to your soul today, whether its really profound or very simple?

Prayer of the Week:

Holy Spirit, thank you for coming. I love You, I worship You, I trust You. I praise and thank You for enabling me to believe and live, in Jesus name!

I now receive all the work and triumph in Pentecost through which You have come. You have clothed me with power from on high. You have sealed me in Christ, become my union with the Father and the Son, the Spirit of truth in me, the life of God in me, my counselor, comforter, healer, strength, and guide. (You may pray here about specific needs today for the Spirit’s counsel, comfort, strength, healing and guidance.)

I honor You as Lord, and I fully give to You every aspect and dimension of my spirit, soul, body, heart, mind, and will—to be filled with You, to walk in step with You in all things. Fill me afresh, Holy Spirit. (Slowly repeat this phrase a couple of times, pausing to simply receive Him)

Restore my union with the Father and the Son. Lead me into all truth, anoint me for all of my life and walk and calling, and lead me deeper into Jesus today. I receive You with thanks, and I give You total claim to my life. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Amen

Living the New Life in Hope - 5/24/21

1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;

18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

Acts 2:1-18

Questions for Reflection:

What "able-to-do-ness" do you need today / this week?

Where in your life do you need a Holy Spirit unity?

Prayer of the Week:

Holy Spirit, thank you for coming. I love You, I worship You, I trust You. I praise and thank You for enabling me to believe and live, in Jesus name!

I now receive all the work and triumph in Pentecost through which You have come. You have clothed me with power from on high. You have sealed me in Christ, become my union with the Father and the Son, the Spirit of truth in me, the life of God in me, my counselor, comforter, healer, strength, and guide. (You may pray here about specific needs today for the Spirit’s counsel, comfort, strength, healing and guidance.)

I honor You as Lord, and I fully give to You every aspect and dimension of my spirit, soul, body, heart, mind, and will—to be filled with You, to walk in step with You in all things. Fill me afresh, Holy Spirit. (Slowly repeat this phrase a couple of times, pausing to simply receive Him)

Restore my union with the Father and the Son. Lead me into all truth, anoint me for all of my life and walk and calling, and lead me deeper into Jesus today. I receive You with thanks, and I give You total claim to my life. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Amen