Your Daily Devotional for January 9, 2008

 

January 9,  2008

 

 

Consider His Spirit

Revival Readings for the New Year

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

"And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him."

 

John 1:32

 

 

A child begins his life wholly dependent upon his parents. Food, affection, and clean diapers all come from the parents. An adult is a person who takes responsibility for his own life. He feeds himself, dresses himself, and lives mostly independent from the care of others.

 

Spiritual growth is just the opposite. Many times baby Christians will want to rely on their own abilities and wisdom. As they grow in Christ they become more dependent upon their Saviour. They recognize their deep need for God.

 

Even Jesus was dependent upon the Holy Spirit. He did not begin His earthly ministry until the Spirit came to abide upon Him (Matthew 3:16). How much more do we need the Holy Spirit to guide our lives! Jesus told His disciples in John 16:12–13, "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."

 

The disciples were commissioned by Jesus to be witnesses, but He told them to wait in Luke 24:49 "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." Spiritual victories cannot be won without the Holy Spirit.

 

Revival is only a work of the Holy Spirit. It will be obvious when He is present. Gordon McDonald said, "One quickly gains a sense from the Bible that wherever the Holy Spirit is found in the lives of people, strange and wonderful things are likely to happen at any moment." Ask God today to send His Holy Spirit to you as you seek to draw closer to Him through revival.

 

 

Daily Bible Reading

Genesis 23-24 • Matthew 7

 

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