Tag: HolySpirit

April 15, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

The Natural Man Understands Not

Opening Verse

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
—1 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV)

Introduction

There’s a difference between hearing God’s Word and truly understanding it. Many hear sermons, read Scripture, and even quote verses—but without the Holy Spirit, the truth remains hidden. The Bible tells us plainly: the natural man cannot receive the things of the Spirit. It’s not a matter of intelligence or education. It’s about the heart.

Devotional Story

A man once walked into a revival meeting, drawn in by curiosity. He had read the Bible before but saw it only as literature, not life. As the preacher spoke of sin, repentance, and the blood of Christ, the man scoffed. “Foolishness,” he muttered under his breath. He couldn’t understand why people around him were weeping, raising their hands, crying out for mercy.

Later that week, a co-worker gave him a Bible and shared her testimony. He tried reading again, but it still didn’t make sense. “I don’t get it,” he told her. She replied gently, “Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes.”

That night, something changed. Alone in his room, he prayed—not with eloquence, but with desperation. “God, if You’re real, show me.” The Word of God, once dull and confusing, suddenly pierced his heart. He saw his sin, he saw Christ, and he wept.

It wasn’t logic that saved him. It was the Spirit of God.

What This Means

Without the Holy Spirit, the Bible will seem strange, even foolish. The “natural man” tries to understand divine truth through human reasoning, but God’s truth is spiritually revealed. That means only those who are born again can grasp the things of God.

This verse is a warning and a wake-up call. If the Word of God feels lifeless to you, ask yourself—have you truly been born of the Spirit? Because until that happens, the truth will remain locked, like a sealed book.

Think About This

Are you trying to follow Christ with a natural mind? Do the things of God seem foolish or boring to you? If so, you must be born again. The Spirit brings light, conviction, and understanding. Ask Him to open your eyes before it’s too late.

Prayer

Lord, I don’t want to live blind to Your truth. If I’ve been walking in the flesh, forgive me. I ask for the Holy Spirit to reveal Your Word to me. Let me not be a natural man who rejects Your wisdom. Change my heart. Give me eyes to see, ears to hear, and a spirit that trembles at Your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
—John 3:6 (KJV)

April 1, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

Recognizing Patterns of Reactivity

Opening Verse

“He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.”
— Proverbs 25:28 (KJV)

Introduction

Sometimes we react before we think. We say things we don’t mean. We snap, get offended, or pull back in silence. These patterns don’t just happen once—they become habits if we’re not careful. But Scripture calls us to something better: self-awareness that leads to Spirit-control.

Devotional Story

A man was driving home after a long day at work. Traffic was heavy, and someone cut him off. Instantly, he laid on the horn and shouted in frustration. His children, quiet in the backseat, looked on. He didn’t realize how often this happened—until one evening, his young daughter mimicked his reaction during a game.

That was the wake-up call.

He didn’t need a sermon. He saw it—clear as day—how his pattern of reactivity was not just hurting his witness, but shaping his children. He went to his room, dropped to his knees, and repented. He asked the Lord, not just for forgiveness, but for a new spirit. A spirit that reflects Christ, not the flesh.

What This Means

If we don’t slow down and reflect, we’ll keep living in cycles of reaction. God wants us to respond in wisdom, not react in emotion. Self-awareness is not self-help—it’s a grace of God that helps us examine ourselves in the light of the Holy Spirit.

When we stay in God’s Word and prayer, He shows us the truth about ourselves—not to shame us, but to change us.

Think About This

  • Do you notice when you’re quick to anger, fear, or control?

  • Are your reactions bearing the fruit of the Spirit—or the works of the flesh?

  • Have you ever paused to ask God, “Why am I like this?” He will show you—if you ask Him with a humble heart.

Prayer

Lord, I need You to rule over my spirit. I confess that I’ve allowed old patterns to lead me instead of Your Spirit. Help me see myself clearly and surrender my reactions to You. Teach me how to pause, reflect, and walk in the peace of Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”
— Psalm 51:10 (KJV)

December 10, 2024 Devotional Post a Comment

The Untamable Tongue

Opening Verse

“But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”
— James 3:8 (KJV)

Introduction

The tongue, though small, wields immense power. It can uplift or destroy, bless or curse, and lead others to Christ or away from Him. Yet, the Bible reminds us that no human can completely tame it. What, then, can we do to ensure our words reflect God’s heart?

Devotional Story

A woman once attended a small Bible study. She was known for her sharp wit and quick remarks. One evening, after a particularly heated discussion, she realized her words had deeply hurt another member. Overwhelmed with guilt, she confessed to the group, saying, “I try to watch my words, but they escape like fire from my lips.”

Her pastor gently replied, “That’s why we need the Holy Spirit. Only God can help us control what we cannot.”

She began praying each day for God to guide her tongue. Though the struggle continued, her words began to change—less biting and more gracious. Her efforts reminded the group of Proverbs 15:1: “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”

What This Means

Our words have eternal consequences. Though taming the tongue is impossible for man, nothing is impossible for God. He calls us to surrender this unruly member to Him daily. Through prayer and Scripture, we can learn to speak words of life and truth, pointing others to Christ.

Think About This

  • Have your words ever caused harm when you intended to help?
  • How often do you ask God to guide your speech?
  • What changes can you make today to ensure your words are a reflection of God’s love?

Prayer

Lord, I surrender my tongue to You. Let my words bring healing, encouragement, and truth. Teach me to speak with wisdom and love, and forgive me for the times my words have hurt others. Fill me with Your Spirit, so my tongue may glorify You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”
— Psalm 19:14 (KJV)

November 28, 2024 Devotional Post a Comment

Heaven Inside Us: A Spiritual Reflection

Opening Verse

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
(1 Corinthians 3:16, KJV)

Introduction

When we think of Heaven, we often imagine it as a faraway place of glory and peace, the eternal dwelling place of God. But the Bible reveals a profound truth: the very presence of God, who defines Heaven, resides within believers through the Holy Spirit.

Devotional Story

There was a woman named Leah who struggled with loneliness. Even though she attended church and read her Bible, she often felt disconnected from God. One day, during a quiet prayer, she asked, “Lord, where are You when I feel so empty?”

As she sat in silence, a verse from her childhood came to mind:

“Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4).

It dawned on her that the fullness of God’s love and power was already within her, through the Holy Spirit. She didn’t need to search outwardly for Heaven because God, who defines Heaven, lived in her heart.

From that moment, Leah’s perspective shifted. She began to approach every moment, whether joyful or mundane, as an opportunity to connect with the divine presence already within her. She saw the beauty of Heaven not as a distant hope but as a present reality through her relationship with God.

What This Means

Heaven is not just a destination; it is the presence of God Himself. If you are a follower of Christ, Heaven dwells in you because God’s Spirit lives in you. This truth empowers us to live with confidence, peace, and purpose, knowing that we carry the essence of Heaven within.

Think About This

  • How often do you stop to acknowledge the Holy Spirit within you?
  • When faced with challenges, do you draw from the strength of God who lives inside you?
  • What would change in your life if you truly believed that Heaven resides in your heart?

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit, who dwells in me. Help me to live every day with the awareness that I carry Your presence within. Teach me to draw strength, peace, and guidance from You. May my life reflect the light of Heaven that lives in me. Amen.

Closing Verse

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
(John 14:26, KJV)

 

September 29, 2023 Devotional Post a Comment

The Wine of Renewed Faith

27. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.

28. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. (Matthew 23:27-28 KJV)

Introduction:

In a world where outward appearances often overshadow inner truths, the journey for genuine spiritual connection can be fraught with trials. Martin, a faithful man, finds himself struggling within the walls of his own church, a place where judgment and hypocrisy seem to replace the teachings of unconditional love and acceptance. This narrative explores the transformative power of listening to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, even when it leads you away from familiar places. It serves as a vivid reminder that God’s grace knows no boundaries and that true communion with Him can happen in the most unexpected settings. Through the intertwining lives of Martin and Ethan, a young boy sensitive to the Spirit’s leading, we witness how divine connections can restore faith, offer new beginnings, and bring peace that “passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7, KJV).

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7, KJV).

Devotional Story:

Martin sat disheartened in his church, grappling with the verbal mockery of the elders, the very people who should be exemplifying Christ’s love. Around him, he felt a cloud of pretense, a gathering of judgmental faces masked by artificial smiles. “he thought bitterly. With a heavy heart, Martin knew it was time to leave.

Guided by a divine unrest, he wandered until he found another church, one with an aura of simplicity and authenticity. As he stepped inside, he sensed a compelling pull in his spirit, as if God Himself was saying,

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, KJV).

Though he uttered no words, his heart felt the need for communion with God.

A young boy named Ethan, who had been assisting the deacons in cleaning up, felt the Holy Spirit stop him in his tracks. Ethan looked up and saw Martin. He knew what he had to do, a silent understanding filling him that bore the mark of Romans 8:14 (KJV):

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:14 (KJV)

Ethan approached Martin, chalice in hand. “Would you like to partake in communion?”

Martin noticed that there was no bread, only wine. Yet, he felt a profound sense of completeness as he took the wine, echoing the words of Jesus:

“This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you” (Luke 22:20, KJV).

The moment was filled with a divine peace, resonating with Philippians 4:7 (KJV):

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 (KJV)

Overwhelmed with spiritual fulfillment, Ethan later gathered his loved ones, exclaiming, “Rejoice with me, for the Holy Spirit has moved in mysterious yet profound ways today! A man who felt lost and judged found divine peace and communion in our humble sanctuary.” And there was great rejoicing, capturing the essence of Luke 15:10 (KJV):

“Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:10 (KJV)

Conclusion:

Life may lead us through churches filled with judgment and hypocrisy, but God’s voice will always guide us to where we truly belong. The absence of bread in the communion symbolizes that even when some elements of our spiritual journey seem missing, the substance of God’s love and grace remains ever abundant.

“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9, KJV).

Listening to the Holy Spirit’s guidance allows us to find profound peace and communion in the most unexpected places, reminding us that God is everywhere, ever willing to give us a second chance at spiritual fulfillment.

“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4 KJV)