God's Holy Fire: 'In the Power of the Spirit'

Saturday, December 28, 2024

Merry Christmas!

We pray the Lord blesses you with the grace of Jesus' presence this Christmas!

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Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.
— Luke 4:14 NIV

Key Thought

Luke tells us that Jesus was conceived by the Spirit, announced by the Spirit through several witnesses, affirmed by the Spirit at his baptism, and led by the Spirit through his temptation. Then, after his victory over Satan in the wilderness, Jesus went to Galilee in the power of the Holy Spirit and began his ministry. Today's verse about the Spirit is crucial and has a connection to the early believers in the book of Acts. The Holy Spirit is Jesus' gift of his presence and power to his followers. The Spirit empowered the early disciples and filled them and led them as they shared the story of Jesus fearlessly with all people. That same Holy Spirit longs to do the same thing through us today. Because of the Holy Spirit working in us and through us, we can be Jesus' witnesses, beginning where we are, moving into the surrounding region, and ultimately touching all the world. And when we have those doubts that inevitably creep into our hearts, we can remember what the Spirit did through Jesus and the early disciples and realize the Spirit longs to do the same things through us today.

Today's Prayer

Almighty God, empower us — your children, Jesus' followers, your church — with the Holy Spirit. Convict and motivate us to be witnesses to the things Jesus did while on earth and what he is doing now in our own lives. Do what you want to do through us and to your glory. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

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Illustration

Illustration of Luke 4:14 NIV — Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.

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.

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