God's Holy Fire: 'Life-making'

Friday, October 23, 2026

[Jesus said,] "The Spirit can make life. Sheer muscle and willpower don't make anything happen. Every word I've spoken to you is a Spirit-word, and so it is life-making."
— John 6:63 MSG

Key Thought

We can't make life happen. We can live with purpose, but life happens by grace. Our willpower can't bring genuine life into being, and we can't work hard enough to make life happen. We can assemble the pieces of a great life, but Someone greater has to step in and breathe life into those pieces. Jesus is that Someone. He stepped into our world and lived life, demonstrated life, shared life, and promised life. And Jesus' words, empowered by the Holy Spirit, give life. They are life-making because when we partner with those words by believing them and obeying them, the Spirit inspires life in us.

Today's Prayer

Gracious Father, holy God, thank you for life - real life, genuine life, life that begins now and has no end. O Holy Spirit, as I seek to honor Jesus' words through faith and obedience, please empower Jesus' life in me. I pray this, Lord Jesus, in your name and for your glory. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

5 Related Resources by Heartlight

Nothing Else Matters!
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"[Jesus said,] "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you — they are full of the Spirit and life.""
New Life from the Spirit
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"[Jesus said,] "The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life...."
Rebellious Confusion
Article by James Nored & Phil Ware
The story of the Tower of Babel is a reminder of the confusion that ultimately results from refusing to obey God's will. James Nored and Phil Ware share in thought and video several important truths about the Tower of Babel story and the human resistance to the will of God.
Where Do I Go from Here?
Article by Tom Norvell
Where can you go when there's no place left to go? Tom Norvell reminds us that we have a person to go to, when we have no place to go, and his name is Jesus, our Lord.
See All 5 Related Resources about John 6:63

Illustration

Illustration of John 6:63 MSG — [Jesus said,] "The Spirit can make life. Sheer muscle and willpower don't make anything happen. Every word I've spoken to you is a Spirit-word, and so it is life-making."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, October 23, 2026

What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Please Stay!' (Jn. 4:40-41)
"When [the Samaritans] came out to see [Jesus], they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days, long enough for many more to hear...."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Ephesians 6:10-11
"Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Sunrise to Sunset' (Ps. 65:8)
"Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 16:13
"Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

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.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations