Approaching God
You are about to enter a holy place, the presence of God. Allow yourself to be enveloped by the mystery, majesty, and glory that is God as you read these verses.
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:17-18)
Listening to God
Our generous, giving, loving God delights in pouring out His grace upon us. One of His great gifts of grace is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Listen to this promise from Jesus:
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”
Read the verse again and allow yourself to be amazed and grateful that God honors us by giving us the third person of the Trinity to dwell in us—God in us!!
Talking to God
–In response to this promise— this gift of grace—what words of praise and thanksgiving do you offer Him? Are there any barriers that are keeping you from realizing the power of the Holy Spirit within you? Anything you need to confess?
Responding to God
If you have not experienced the power of the indwelling Spirit of God, commit to opening your mind and heart to the working of the Holy Spirit and invite the Spirit to work through you to continue to reform this world and bring God’s kingdom.
Surrendering to God
“God, with deepest gratitude and humility I offer myself to be a vessel through which the power of the Holy Spirit can work. Use me to continue to build your kingdom through love and grace.”
By Jolene DeHeer
A HISTORICAL SIDEBAR
Concerning the person of the Holy Spirit, the Heidelberg Catechism states that “First, He is, together with the Father and the Son, true and eternal God. [Matt 28:19] Second, He is also given to me, [1 Cor 6:19] to make me by true faith share in Christ and all His benefits,[Gal 3:14] to comfort me,[John 15:26] and to remain with me forever. [John 14:16]”
