No Condemnation
Read: Romans 8:1-4 The law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus. (v. 2) When I was young, my family and I once visited the lavish lakefront home of a casual acquaintance. It was the height of summer, and I had spent weeks barefoot. I was unaware of my dirty feet […]
The Spirit Came
Read: Acts 2:1-4, 16-21 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit. (v. 4) Before graduating from university, I confessed to a close friend, “I don’t know how I’m going to make it as a grown-up.” I didn’t believe I had the skills to meet the demands of adult life. Looking back, I can see that […]
The Other Helper
Read: John 14:15-21 I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper. (v. 16) When I was a new homeowner, I tried my hand at home repair. I sought help at a home improvement superstore. The older employee to whom I appealed was blunt in his assessment of my mistakes and uncharitable in […]
Unforgivable
Read: Matthew 12:24-32 Whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. (v. 32) When I was in high school, a friend dropped out of Bible college and fell into a deep depression. He confessed the reason for both: he feared he had committed “the unforgivable sin.” Jesus mentions a sin that will not be […]
Born from Above
Read: John 3:1-8 Truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. (v. 3) Nicodemus had arrived. He was highly educated, wealthy, and had social and political influence. Most importantly, he had mastered God’s law. According to his peers, his community, and himself, Nicodemus was as near perfection […]
Baptized with the Spirit
Read: Matthew 3:13-17 Thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. (v. 15) I am the kind of student who “learns by doing.” I learn best by following someone else’s example. Some of the most effective teachers model a desired skill or attribute, then demonstrate how to become “like them.” Jesus’ earthly ministry begins […]
The Spirit-Filled Savior
Read: Isaiah 11:1-9 The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him. (v. 2) For more than a decade, superhero movies have dominated the film industry. I understand the appeal. I am attracted to stories in which good triumphs over evil. And I find inspiration in characters who have the power to bring order and justice […]
Take Not Your Spirit from Me
Read: Psalm 51:7-12 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (v. 10) When I was a child, one of my biggest fears was breaking the rules and “getting in trouble.” As I grew older, the fear of getting in trouble was replaced by the fear of damaging my […]
A New Heart
Read: Ezekiel 36:22-27 I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. (v. 26) One of my favorite Christmas stories is Dr. Seuss’ classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas. As the story begins, its narrator explains, “The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season! Now, please don’t ask why. […]