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[Epaphras is] the one who told us how thoroughly love had been worked into your lives by the Spirit. —Colossians 1:8 MESSAGE Key Thought Epaphras had told Paul about the Colossians' growth in Jesus. One vital element of this growth was their love for each other. Paul recognized that the power...

The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you. —2 Corinthians 13:14 MESSAGE Key Thought While most translations of this verse say "fellowship of the Holy Spirit," I find the phrase "the intimate...

If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care — then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends...

And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. —Romans 5:5 NLT Key Thought It's hard to believe that there is an endless supply of anything! But the promise of this passage, even in...

Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by [Paul's instructions] is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. But we don't need to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught you to love one another. —1...

Samuel took his flask of oil and anointed [David], with his brothers standing around watching. The Spirit of God entered David like a rush of wind, God vitally empowering him for the rest of his life. —1 Samuel 16:13 MESSAGE Key Thought Throughout the Old Testament, God's Spirit would come on...

[The Gentiles] were convinced by the power of miraculous signs and wonders and by the power of God's Spirit. In this way, I [Paul] have fully presented the Good News of Christ from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum. —Romans 15:19 NLT Key Thought The proclamation of Jesus was confirmed by the...

[O]ur gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. —1 Thessalonians 1:5 NIV Key Thought When the gospel of Jesus is proclaimed, much more is happening than just the declaration in words of God's grace in Jesus. Not only did the Holy...

I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. —Romans 15:30 NIV Key Thought The Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we pray (Romans 8:26-27). The Holy Spirit pours love into our hearts to give us...

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for...

[The disciples praying after Peter and John were released from jail:] "Now, Lord, ... enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." After they prayed, the place where they...

[Peter said,] "We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." —Acts 5:32 NIV Key Thought The apostles, and some others, were witnesses of Jesus' presence after his resurrection from the dead. However, if we listen carefully to this...

[Addressing the crowd on Pentecost, Peter said,] "Exalted to the right hand of God, [Jesus] has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear." —Acts 2:33 NIV Key Thought I believe in the resurrection of Jesus. I believe because of the...

[To the apostles, Jesus said,] "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere — in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." —Acts 1:8 NLT Key Thought Everywhere! That pretty much...

[Jesus said,] "John baptized in water; you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit. And soon." —Acts 1:5 MESSAGE Key Thought "Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, ..." (Acts 1:4 NLT). These were Jesus' words to his closest followers. Now we understand why. When...

Once when [Jesus] was eating with [the disciples], he commanded them, "Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before." —Acts 1:4 NLT Key Thought While the apostles were to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:18-20), the Lord also...

[Luke wrote,] In my [gospel] I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. —Acts 1:1-2 NLT Key Thought God's leaders in the Old Testament spoke through...

[Jesus said,] "You're the first to hear and see [the fulfillment of the prophecies about the Messiah]. You're the witnesses. What comes next is very important: I am sending what my Father promised to you, so stay here in the city until [the Holy Spirit] arrives, until you're equipped with power...

[Jesus said,] "Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin." He said this because [the teachers of the law] were saying, "He has an impure spirit."...

[Stephen said to the Sanhedrin,] "You stubborn people! You are heathens at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That's what your ancestors did, and so do you! Name one prophet your ancestors didn't persecute! They even killed the ones who predicted the coming of...