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We follow this sequence in Scripture: The First Adam received life, the Last Adam is a life-giving Spirit. —1 Corinthians 15:45 MESSAGE Key Thought Adam needed for God to breathe the breath of life into him. Jesus, "the Last Adam", triumphed over death and poured out life through the Spirit...

Hebrews 12:29 Dear Father, who dwells in indescribable light, I want to love the Light. Your verdict is: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. They hate the light because they are afraid they will be exposed. As for me, Lord God...

[God said through Ezekiel to the Israelites in exile,] "I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD." —Ezekiel 37:14 NIV Key Thought Just as for the Israelites in...

[Jesus continued,] "Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that [the Son of Man's] return is very near, right at the door." —Mark 13:28-29...

Hebrews 12:22-29 Dear Father, I come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, to the city of the living God. I join with the thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, with the assembly of the firstborn ones, whose names are written in heaven. I come to you, my God, the judge of...

Hebrews 12:16-17 Dear Father, Keep me from being immoral or irreligious and, like Esau, selling the birthright you have for me. I want to inherit your blessing, even if it comes to me through tears. Hold me close to you. Fill my mind with thoughts of you. Fill my heart with love for you. May...

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went...

Hebrews 12:12-15 Dear Father, When my hands droop and my knees are weak, put me in a place where I will get exercise. Open my eyes so that I can find level paths on which to lead the lame so they will not trip and get hurt but will walk and find healing. May I always strive for peace with...

The hand of the LORD was on me [Ezekiel], and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; ... —Ezekiel 37:1 NIV Key Thought I don't know about you, but I find myself "in the middle"! I'm in the middle of trying to help people overcome problems in their...

Hebrews 12:3-11 Dear Father, Help me to keep my eyes on Jesus. Despite the hostility poured on him by sinners, he obeyed you, even to the point of death. Help me submit to your discipline, for I know that it assures me that I am your legitimate child, not just a slave. Help me to respect your...

[Paul said,] "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there." —Acts 20:22 NIV Key Thought A rocket is propelled by rocket fuel. A follower of Jesus is compelled by the Spirit of the living God and the love of Jesus. So let's honestly look...

Hebrews 11:20-12:2 Dear Father, my trustworthy God, Give me faith like Moses, who loved your way more than the treasures of Egypt. Give me faith like the people of the Exodus, who were willing to walk through the sea at your bidding, but keep me from wavering and rebelling as they did. Give...

Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did...

Hebrews 11:8-19 Holy Father, in whom all faith is safe, I cannot imagine what it would be like to be asked to do what you asked Abraham to do. He was willing to sacrifice the very son you had promised to him, the son through whom you promised to make a great nation. He believed that you could...

[Jesus continued,] "A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed." —Mark 13:12 NLT Key Thought Jesus warned that those loyal to him could find themselves having to choose between...

Then the Spirit lifted me [Ezekiel] up and brought me into the inner court, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. —Ezekiel 43:5 NIV Key Thought The Spirit of God gets us to the places we need to be to minister to others in the name of Jesus. The Spirit also leads us to the places —...

Hebrews 11:1-7 Dear Father, trustworthy God, You alone are worthy of faith, for you alone have the power to keep promises. Increase my faith, Lord. May I have the full assurance of what I hope for, the firm conviction of the reality of what I do not yet see. Give me faith in your creation and...

Hebrews 10:26-39 Holy God, who has promised to return, How foolish I would be to keep on sinning after coming to the knowledge of your truth. Give me the strength to forsake whatever sin I become aware of in my life. I submit myself to your examination and ask to see myself as you see me. In...

[Jesus continued,] "For the Good News must first be preached to all nations." —Mark 13:10 NLT Key Thought Before the return of Jesus, the Gospel — the Good News about Jesus and his Kingdom — will be preached to every nation. We can do that better today than ever before. So let's make sure we...

Hebrews 10:19-25 Dear Father, Thank you for the confidence I can have to enter your sanctuary. May I draw near to you in faith, full of assurance, with my heart cleansed from a guilty conscience and with my body washed with pure water. Grant that I may hold fast to the confession of my faith...