Yes, weep and grieve until the Spirit is poured down on us from above and the badlands desert grows crops and the fertile fields become forests.
—Isaiah 32:15 MESSAGE
Throughout the Old Testament prophets, there are statements made about the coming of a new day for God's people. It will be a day of healing, victory, and joy. It will be a time when bad things are made right, and even the land will be healed of harshness, desolation, and unproductivity. And the key sign to all of this? The work of the Holy Spirit. With the coming of Jesus, all four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) emphasize the work of the Spirit in Jesus' life and promise that Jesus will baptize his followers in the Holy Spirit. The book of Acts connects to this promise so that with Acts 2 and Pentecost and with each conversion story, we are shown the Holy Spirit is involved. When the Spirit of God comes, God's new work has begun, and his new people are born into his promise and into his kingdom, where there is joy, renewal, and new life.
Father, I thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit's presence — in your church, in my world, and especially within me. I look to your Spirit's presence to renew my heart, to bring joy in everyday moments, to bring comfort in times of sorrow, and to bring new life where there was none. Thank you for this incredible gift of power and your presence within me. Through the mighty name of Jesus, I praise and thank you for this gift! Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2021 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
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—Isaiah 32:15 MESSAGE
Key Thought
Throughout the Old Testament prophets, there are statements made about the coming of a new day for God's people. It will be a day of healing, victory, and joy. It will be a time when bad things are made right, and even the land will be healed of harshness, desolation, and unproductivity. And the key sign to all of this? The work of the Holy Spirit. With the coming of Jesus, all four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) emphasize the work of the Spirit in Jesus' life and promise that Jesus will baptize his followers in the Holy Spirit. The book of Acts connects to this promise so that with Acts 2 and Pentecost and with each conversion story, we are shown the Holy Spirit is involved. When the Spirit of God comes, God's new work has begun, and his new people are born into his promise and into his kingdom, where there is joy, renewal, and new life.
Today's Prayer
Father, I thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit's presence — in your church, in my world, and especially within me. I look to your Spirit's presence to renew my heart, to bring joy in everyday moments, to bring comfort in times of sorrow, and to bring new life where there was none. Thank you for this incredible gift of power and your presence within me. Through the mighty name of Jesus, I praise and thank you for this gift! Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2021 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Continue reading...