What Does the Holy Spirit Do?- 6/19/21

For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.

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.

Psalm 51:1-2, 7-12

Questions for Reflection:

Is there an area of your life you need the cleaning power of Jesus to cleanse you?

How does it affect you to know it’s the Spirit who cleanses you and restores you to himself?

Prayer of the Week:

Holy Spirit, thank you for coming. I love You, I worship You, I trust You. I ask your help today especially in my weaknesses. I ask for your help in this time of prayer. 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 and paid for by Jesus Christ.

Thank you for clothing 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 now recognize my utter need for You in every aspect and dimension of my life. I deeply desire to be filled with You, to walk in step with You in all things. Father, I ASK You to fill me afresh with your Holy Spirit. Come Holy Spirit, fill me afresh! (Slowly repeat this phrase a couple of times, pausing to simply receive Him)

Lead me into all truth… help me see any way in me that grieves You Spirit. I thank You that You love me so much that any distancing in our relationship grieves You. I do not want to grieve You. Please prompt me throughout this day when You sense I am distancing myself from You that I might draw close to You by faith. I now Surrender to You confessing any ways I have offended our relationship… I am sorry. (Pause to confess any sins burdening your heart.)

I now Receive your complete and total forgiveness and Your empowering Presence that I may Act in the way You are leading me this day. 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

What Does the Holy Spirit Do?- 6/18/21

14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.

Thessalonians 5:14-22

Questions for Reflection:

Relationship. God wants a Relationship with you! God loves you so personally – with a love that fits YOU- not “one size fits all”. Does that make you feel special? As you consider cultivating a relationship with Him, don’t “suppress” the Spirit or quench His fire, but allow Him to love you in ways that are “fit” for YOU!

Have you ever thought that the way you listen or react to someone’s testimony or experience with God can actually suppress the Spirit? How can you be an encourager for one another in this way?

Prayer of the Week:

Holy Spirit, thank you for coming. I love You, I worship You, I trust You. I ask your help today especially in my weaknesses. I ask for your help in this time of prayer. 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 and paid for by Jesus Christ.

Thank you for clothing 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 now recognize my utter need for You in every aspect and dimension of my life. I deeply desire to be filled with You, to walk in step with You in all things. Father, I ASK You to fill me afresh with your Holy Spirit. Come Holy Spirit, fill me afresh! (Slowly repeat this phrase a couple of times, pausing to simply receive Him)

Lead me into all truth… help me see any way in me that grieves You Spirit. I thank You that You love me so much that any distancing in our relationship grieves You. I do not want to grieve You. Please prompt me throughout this day when You sense I am distancing myself from You that I might draw close to You by faith. I now Surrender to You confessing any ways I have offended our relationship… I am sorry. (Pause to confess any sins burdening your heart.)

I now Receive your complete and total forgiveness and Your empowering Presence that I may Act in the way You are leading me this day. 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

What Does the Holy Spirit Do?- 6/17/21

15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

26 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. 27 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.

Romans 8:15-16, 26-27

Questions for Reflection:

How do you feel knowing that God loves you so much so as to pray on your behalf?

When you think about being a slave versus being a child what differences pop up, what does that difference of relationship make possible for you?

Are there ways you may have been acting out of fear rather than out of adoption?

Prayer of the Week:

Holy Spirit, thank you for coming. I love You, I worship You, I trust You. I ask your help today especially in my weaknesses. I ask for your help in this time of prayer. 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 and paid for by Jesus Christ.

Thank you for clothing 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 now recognize my utter need for You in every aspect and dimension of my life. I deeply desire to be filled with You, to walk in step with You in all things. Father, I ASK You to fill me afresh with your Holy Spirit. Come Holy Spirit, fill me afresh! (Slowly repeat this phrase a couple of times, pausing to simply receive Him)

Lead me into all truth… help me see any way in me that grieves You Spirit. I thank You that You love me so much that any distancing in our relationship grieves You. I do not want to grieve You. Please prompt me throughout this day when You sense I am distancing myself from You that I might draw close to You by faith. I now Surrender to You confessing any ways I have offended our relationship… I am sorry. (Pause to confess any sins burdening your heart.)

I now Receive your complete and total forgiveness and Your empowering Presence that I may Act in the way You are leading me this day. 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

What Does the Holy Spirit Do?- 6/16/21

7 I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us—yes, the many good things he has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses.

8 He said, “Surely they are my people, children who will be true to me”; and so he became their Savior.

9 In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

10 Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.

Isaiah 63:7-10

Questions for Reflection:

What "kindness of the Lord" can you tell about?

How does it feel to know that what distresses you also distresses God? To know that your pain is also His pain?

As we continue to process what it means to "grieve the Holy Spirit" what is one step of faith that can help move you forward in this love relationship?

Prayer of the Week:

Holy Spirit, thank you for coming. I love You, I worship You, I trust You. I ask your help today especially in my weaknesses. I ask for your help in this time of prayer. 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 and paid for by Jesus Christ.

Thank you for clothing 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 now recognize my utter need for You in every aspect and dimension of my life. I deeply desire to be filled with You, to walk in step with You in all things. Father, I ASK You to fill me afresh with your Holy Spirit. Come Holy Spirit, fill me afresh! (Slowly repeat this phrase a couple of times, pausing to simply receive Him)

Lead me into all truth… help me see any way in me that grieves You Spirit. I thank You that You love me so much that any distancing in our relationship grieves You. I do not want to grieve You. Please prompt me throughout this day when You sense I am distancing myself from You that I might draw close to You by faith. I now Surrender to You confessing any ways I have offended our relationship… I am sorry. (Pause to confess any sins burdening your heart.)

I now Receive your complete and total forgiveness and Your empowering Presence that I may Act in the way You are leading me this day. 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

What Does the Holy Spirit Do?- 6/15/21

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16-17, 19-25

Questions for Reflection:

When you contemplate the two lists presented in the reading, what is one thing that you would really like to see less of in your life and what is one thing you really want to see more of in your life?

How does it feel to know that you are not alone in your quest to grow in character and integrity, to know that God himself is in You by His Spirit working to transform you into the best version of yourself?

What is one thing you could do today or this week that would move you forward in "keeping in step with the Spirit" in this chapter of your life?

Prayer of the Week:

Holy Spirit, thank you for coming. I love You, I worship You, I trust You. I ask your help today especially in my weaknesses. I ask for your help in this time of prayer. 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 and paid for by Jesus Christ.

Thank you for clothing 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 now recognize my utter need for You in every aspect and dimension of my life. I deeply desire to be filled with You, to walk in step with You in all things. Father, I ASK You to fill me afresh with your Holy Spirit. Come Holy Spirit, fill me afresh! (Slowly repeat this phrase a couple of times, pausing to simply receive Him)

Lead me into all truth… help me see any way in me that grieves You Spirit. I thank You that You love me so much that any distancing in our relationship grieves You. I do not want to grieve You. Please prompt me throughout this day when You sense I am distancing myself from You that I might draw close to You by faith. I now Surrender to You confessing any ways I have offended our relationship… I am sorry. (Pause to confess any sins burdening your heart.)

I now Receive your complete and total forgiveness and Your empowering Presence that I may Act in the way You are leading me this day. 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

What Does the Holy Spirit Do?- 6/14/21

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 5:1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 4:29-5:2

Questions for Reflection:

In what way is the idea of "Joining Jesus in my transformation" helpful as I answer the call of the Spirit to cooperate with Him and not fight Him in my own growth path?

Describe your perception of what "grieving the Spirit" might look like in your own life?

Pick out the most convicting line in the verses and the most life giving?

Prayer of the Week:

Holy Spirit, thank you for coming. I love You, I worship You, I trust You. I ask your help today especially in my weaknesses. I ask for your help in this time of prayer. 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 and paid for by Jesus Christ.

Thank you for clothing 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 now recognize my utter need for You in every aspect and dimension of my life. I deeply desire to be filled with You, to walk in step with You in all things. Father, I ASK You to fill me afresh with your Holy Spirit. Come Holy Spirit, fill me afresh! (Slowly repeat this phrase a couple of times, pausing to simply receive Him)

Lead me into all truth… help me see any way in me that grieves You Spirit. I thank You that You love me so much that any distancing in our relationship grieves You. I do not want to grieve You. Please prompt me throughout this day when You sense I am distancing myself from You that I might draw close to You by faith. I now Surrender to You confessing any ways I have offended our relationship… I am sorry. (Pause to confess any sins burdening your heart.)

I now Receive your complete and total forgiveness and Your empowering Presence that I may Act in the way You are leading me this day. 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

What Does the Holy Spirit Do?- 6/12/21

1 Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.

2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.

3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.

4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.

5 He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.

12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.

13 The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

Psalm 103:1-5, 11-13

Questions for Reflection:

“Research shows that most people complain once a minute during a typical conversation.” This google quote is painfully convicting for me. How about for you?

It prompts me to “apologize” to God for my complaining… to repent, and receive His forgiveness. Spend some time praying about your default of complaining. Ask the Holy Spirit to mend this part of your brain and to begin a new relationship journey of gratitude and thanks….to re-train your brain from complaining, to thanks and praise!

Practice: Spend some time right now and look around you. Notice something you are thankful for. Allow the Holy Spirit to take you on a deeper journey regarding that object. Let Him remind you of memories. Why is it special? Who was it from? What joyful memories does it bring? Enjoy this journey and relationship-building time with the Father. Thank Him. Notice how you feel - is your youth renewed like an eagle?

Prayer of the Week:

Holy Spirit, thank you for coming. I love You, I worship You, and 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 and 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 now recognize my utter need for You, Holy Spirit, in every aspect and dimension of my life. I deeply desire to be filled with You and to walk in step with You in all things. I seek to have You animate through every one of my thoughts, words and deeds today! Father, I ASK You to fill me afresh with your Holy Spirit. Come Holy Spirit, fill me afresh! (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

What Does the Holy Spirit Do?- 6/11/21

14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.

15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.

16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,

19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Luke 4:14-19

Questions for Reflection:

Of the Isaiah prophecy, which line speaks to you today?

Think of who you talk to or will be talking to soon. How can you invite the Spirit to speak through you in that conversation?

Prayer of the Week:

Holy Spirit, thank you for coming. I love You, I worship You, and 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 and 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 now recognize my utter need for You, Holy Spirit, in every aspect and dimension of my life. I deeply desire to be filled with You and to walk in step with You in all things. I seek to have You animate through every one of my thoughts, words and deeds today! Father, I ASK You to fill me afresh with your Holy Spirit. Come Holy Spirit, fill me afresh! (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