Category: living by faith

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. – Romans 8:26 ESV

Nearly all of us have been at this desperate place. Our souls are brittle and dry. All our prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling. They fall lifelessly to the ground and come to rest at our feet as bitter reminders of our failure and spiritual impotence. Like every other great blessing from God, prayer has its origin and power in the Father’s grace. Thankfully, the power of our prayers is not dependent upon our feelings, our perceptions, or our choice of words. The power of our prayers rests in the hands of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit — as the Helper, Advocate, and Comforter — intercedes for us with our Father. Our Comforter articulates what we cannot say and captures the emotions we cannot verbalize. Our Advocate takes our prayers before the Father after his work of perfecting our words and emotions. He then intercedes for us according to the Father’s will. Prayer, then, is not just a spiritual discipline, but also an incredible gift of our Father’s grace. The Spirit assures us that we will always be heard and that our deepest longings will always be understood by the Father who loves us and always longs to hear the cry of our hearts.

Father, I praise you. Because of the intercession of the Holy Spirit in this very moment, I know that you hear more than what my words say. You know what’s on my heart. You know my doubts, my insecurities, my secret sins, and my frustrating struggles. And, dear Father, you know my deep desire to have these things redeemed and transformed by your grace so that I live for your glory. I thank you for your grace, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

And again, Isaiah says,
“The Root of Jesse will spring up,
one who will arise to rule over the nations;
the Gentiles will hope in him.”

When Jesus came, he did come to the nation of Israel, according to the promises made to God’s people. He was a proper descendant of King David, the son of Jesse. His birth was prophesied by Jewish prophets and recorded in the Bible of the Israelite people. But no matter how Jewish his origins, Jesus came for all people in fulfillment of Old Testament promises that God would save all nations through Israel and the Jewish Messiah. While David brought Israel great power and notoriety as an awesome warrior and King, Jesus brought the reign of grace to the hearts of millions of Jews and non-Jews by conquering death and bringing true life.

Father, as this year draws to a close and ethnic and religious emotions are stirred around the world, please bless us with peace. Give us a deep sense of your love and presence. Shepherd us in your grace. At the same time, rekindle in our hearts your desire to bring all people together in peace through salvation in Jesus. Please bless your children throughout the world who are lovingly sharing your gospel to a culture other than their own. Bless them as they are apart from their families. Most of all, bless them with the joy of their desire — using them to lead someone to salvation during this holiday season. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Mary said, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…. The Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name.”
– Luke 1:46 (NIV)

While Mary’s submission to God’s will costs her in ways we can never imagine, for Jesus to come to life in the hearts of people today our attitude must be the same as her attitude was on this night of miracle and mystery. We too, must be willing to be the Lord’s servant and offer him the praise of our lives and of our lips. In Jesus, the Lord has done great things for us. Our joy comes from above!

Majestic Father, Almighty God, you have done wonderful things for me. You have saved me from sin, you have paid the price for my rebellion, and you have given me the promise of heaven and the Holy Spirit to empower me there. You are greater than I can imagine and your glory is without compare, yet you have stooped so low as to reach me and then raised me back up with you by your grace. I can never fully thank you, for you are more wonderful to me than my words can declare or a thousand years of life could repay. In Jesus holy name I give you all glory and praise. Amen.

And [an angel] carried me [John] away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.
– Revelation 21:10 NIV

The Holy Spirit brings hope. There is the hope for current circumstances that the Spirit brings through his comforting and enabling presence. The Spirit also brings hope for the future through the promise of Scripture and God’s visions for us of greater things that lie ahead for us. In a time of unspeakable danger and fear when John had his vision, Jesus’ call to his disciples was to be faithful even to the point of death. In that situation, this vision given by the Spirit is one of victory and hope. The Spirit brings hope — not a wish for a better future, but the assurance that a glorious future awaits us.

Father of mercy, thank you for giving me the assurance that a victorious future awaits. Thank you for giving me the Holy Spirit as a gift, a down payment, guaranteeing that glorious future. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

When the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.
– Galatians 4:4-5 (NIV)

God waited till history reached his appointed time and sent Jesus. Just the right time — Roman rule, Jewish subordination, good roads, freedom, a degree of safety, a common trading language, cruel and barbaric punishment accompanied by religious infighting. In times such as these, he sent his Son to be a woman’s son. He emptied his home so he could send a redeemer to our home. He did it so we could be his children — not pretend children, but real children, with full rights. So he could not only be God, but so he could be Father God. The rules of the kingdom of heaven are not for restriction and subjugation.  Father God manages His family well and the children of the house respect Him… rightfully so… His rules set us free.

Father, even your name is precious to me. I gasp at how much it cost you to let me call you Abba. I don’t understand such extravagant love, but I thank you for it. I know I don’t deserve to call you Father, but it sounds so right. Something inside resonates at the sound of Father God — Holy, Righteous, Almighty, Loving! While I know that I will never be a perfect child, I rest today in the confidence that I am your child and you claim me. Thank you in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.
– 2 Timothy 1:14 nlt

We are not left to guard the truth trusted to us on our own strength. We have the Holy Spirit who lives within us. The Spirit is our anointing to help us know the truth. The Spirit is our Advocate-Comforter-Counselor-Helper to lead us into all truth and help us know truth from error. The Spirit’s work within us allows us to understand the spiritual messages of God through the Biblical writers, and those who truthfully proclaim Jesus. So rather than relying on our insight, wisdom, intellect, and study alone, we are called to seek the Spirit as we open the Bible, listen to the word proclaimed, seek to apply God’s truth to our lives, and commit to guard the truth of God that has been deposited into our hearts.

Father God, please send your Spirit to be at work in my heart as I seek to live for you and reflect the character and compassion of Jesus, my Lord, in whose name I pray. Amen.

[Jesus said,] “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.
– John 16:13 NLT

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work in harmony as the one, true, living God. Jesus sends the Spirit to us when we become his true followers (Titus 3:3-7). The Spirit guides us into the truth about the will of God and about Jesus — the truth about both Jesus’ ministry while he was physically on earth and his subsequent ministry, including his ministry now. So let’s ask for the Spirit to guide us into all the truth about Jesus.

Almighty God, I address you as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I thank you for your love, mercy, and grace. I am astounded at your majesty, greatness, and holiness. I ask now, O God, that the Holy Spirit guide me into all truth about Jesus and into wisdom, understanding, and conviction about the life you want me to live. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it the full.”
– John 10:7,9-10 (NIV)

Jesus came to the world to give us life. He didn’t come to bring us rules, or judgement, or fear, or work. Jesus came to give us life in its fullest form. While we know that this is promised to us when we go to be with him for all eternity, John wants us to clearly hear that Jesus’ promise to give us life begins right now! Not JUST life later, but also life NOW!

Almighty God, I confess that sometimes I play life too carefully, not risking failure and loss and not reaching for your opportunities and your concerns. Give me a heart that yearns to live life in all its fullness by seeking after your will, Jesus’ example and the Holy Spirit’s leading in my decisions today, and always. Through the name of Jesus I ask this to your glory. Amen.