July 10
THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVEN TO BELIEVERS
(Old Testament Prophecy - Isaiah 44:3-8)
“For I will pour out water to quench your thirst and to irrigate your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your children. They will thrive like watered grass, like willows on a riverbank. Some will proudly claim, ‘I belong to the Lord.’ Others will say, ‘I am a descendant of Jacob.’ Some will write the Lord’s name on their hands and will take the name of Israel as their own. This is what the Lord says — Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies: ‘I am the First and the Last; there is no other God. Who is like me? Let him step forward and prove to you his power. Let him do as I have done since ancient times when I established a people and explained its future. Do not tremble; do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim my purposes for you long ago? You are my witnesses — is there any other God? No! Thee is no other Rock — not one!’”
(Fulfilled in Jesus - John 20:21-23)
“Again he said, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.’ Then he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.’”
(Fulfilled in Jesus - Acts 2:17-21)
“God says, ‘In the last days, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants — men and women alike — and they will prophesy.And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below — blood and fire and clouds of smoke. The sun will become dark and the moon will turn blood red before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives. But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”
Thought:
God had a plan to redeem you from the very beginning of time. He loves you so much that He came to earth and dwelt among us. He took your punishment for everything you’ve done wrong and everything you will do wrong, and He executed the deserved punishment upon HIS ONLY SON. Jesus was the perfect, unblemished Lamb of God, and He was given by God for our sins.
The Holy Spirit spoke through Paul and said, “So if you believe deep in your heart that God raised Jesus from the pit of death and if you voice your allegiance by confessing the truth that ‘Jesus is Lord’ then you will be saved. Belief begins in the heart and leads to a life that’s right with God.” (Romans 10:9-10a)
Prayer:
Lord, I live in a hectic and chaotic world, and only You can provide true and lasting peace. I accept Your sacrifice that God offered for me. You truly are the Son of the Most High God. Prince of Peace, breathe Your Holy Spirit on me today; fill me with the same wholeness and assurance that Your earliest disciples felt when You breathed on them. I desire that same mantle of forgiveness You gave them — help me be a peacemaker. I have faith, and I know and trust that You died for me, but oh, how these revelations from Your Word are strengthening my faith. I now confess that I must know Your Word better, for all of Scripture points to the depth of love You have for me and that Your plan was and is being fulfilled from the beginning of time to the end of time. Keep my eyes and my heart steadfast in Your will and empower me to accomplish Your purposes for my life. Lord, I Am Yours! Amen.