Category: purpose in life

But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away [a veil like the metaphorical veil that kept the Jews from understanding the old covenant]. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord — who is the Spirit — makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
— 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 NLT

A caterpillar changes into a butterfly — the process of metamorphosis. This type of transformation is the word image painted for us in this message from Scripture: “…as we are changed into his [Jesus’] glorious image.” While we are ordinary humans, with ordinary human powers and ordinary human lives, we can become extraordinary because of the work of the Spirit. While we are limited to our natural abilities — however well we may have developed them, we are given the freedom to overcome our natural limitations and failures by the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit to transform us to be more and more like Jesus. And how does this transformation happen? It happens supernaturally, by the power of the Holy Spirit as we both contemplate and reflect the glory of Jesus.

Father, thank you for giving me the supernatural ability to become more and more like Jesus. O Holy Spirit, please take control and conform me to the character and compassion of Jesus as I commit to knowing him and displaying his life to those around me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.” — John 3:5-6 NLT

We are called to be spiritual people — holy, righteous, faithful, and compassionate like our Father in heaven. But our own efforts fail at achieving these spiritual characteristics. We need the power and presence of Almighty God at work in our lives to purify and sustain us in our desire to live to honor our Father. So God in his great mercy gave us the gift of new birth and the right to be born of God (John 1:12-13). This gift is made possible by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is at work in us through our faith and baptism (Galatians 3:26; Acts 2:38-39). The Spirit cleanses us and makes us holy no matter our past sin (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). The Spirit lives inside us and identifies us as children of God (Romans 8:9). The Spirit powerfully works to conform us to Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:17-18). Conforming to Jesus is certainly something that we could not accomplish by our own abilities. We celebrate the Father’s work in us through the Holy Spirit who has made it possible for us to be born anew and to live for Jesus (John 3:3-7; Titus 3:3-7).

Thank you, Father of mercies, for the work of the Spirit to cleanse me and give me new birth into living hope as I seek to live the way of Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call.” — Acts 2:38-39 NIV

The first Pentecost after Jesus’ death and resurrection was the birthday of Jesus’ church. The Holy Spirit moved in Jesus’ apostles; they proclaimed the good news to people from many parts of the Mediterranean area (Acts 2:8-11). Thousands were baptized, forgiven of their sins, and given the Holy Spirit as God’s gift. But even in the greatness of that day, there was the promise of more great days to come. The promise of God’s forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit are for all whom the Lord calls, including us and others he will call. By the power of the Holy Spirit, have you shared this message of promise, forgiveness, and power with others?

Father in heaven, I look back to the day that I confessed Jesus as Lord, called on him to be my Savior, and shared in his death, burial, and resurrection through baptism. Please show me how I can thank you for this gift of grace. Please open my eyes to those around me who need to know of this promised gift! In Jesus’ name, I ask this. Amen.

On one occasion, while [Jesus] was eating with [the disciples], he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
— Acts 1:4-5 NIV

Jesus’ closest followers had seen him betrayed, crucified, and raised from the dead. They had been with the Lord after his resurrection — they had touched his scars, shared meals with him, and heard his voice. They had an incredible story to tell, and the world desperately needed to hear their message. However, they lacked one crucial ingredient to begin their mission: They did not have the Holy Spirit. Jesus told them to wait! In spite of the urgency of the disciples’ mission, everything was on hold until Jesus poured out the promised Holy Spirit. No matter how well we think we may be ready to do great things for God, we must also remember that we are not ready to begin without the power of the Holy Spirit!

Almighty God, thank you for being willing to share yourself and your power with me through the Holy Spirit. Forgive me when I try to operate by my own timing, my own sense of sufficiency, and my own wisdom and plans. I recognize my deep need for the Holy Spirit to move in me, to empower me, and to equip me for your work in the world. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives. Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. — 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 NLT

Scripture calls us to two powerful principles through this passage. First, the message given to us by the apostles is not man’s opinion, but God’s truth — we must not ignore it! Second, God gives the Holy Spirit to Christians, not just a one-time or temporary gift of the Spirit but an ongoing and indwelling gift of the Spirit. Jesus promised something very similar during his ministry (John 7:37-39, as seen in tomorrow’s scripture). In other words, we cannot use up our supply of the Holy Spirit; the more we rely on and need the Holy Spirit, the more God gives us the Spirit. It’s impossible to do better than a never-ending supply of what we need to live for God!

O Father, Sovereign Lord, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit who lives in me. Thank you even more for the continual outpouring of the Holy Spirit into my life as I need and rely on the Spirit to sustain, empower, and transform me to be more and more like Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. — 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV

As Paul faced the challenges of imprisonment and impending death, he reminded Timothy in the next verse (2 Timothy 1:8) not to be ashamed of the message of Jesus or of him as Jesus’ messenger. This ability for Timothy (and for us) not to be ashamed comes from the Holy Spirit. The indwelling presence of the Spirit brings us power, love, and self-discipline. We shouldn’t be timid. The powerful presence of our almighty God lives within us!

Father, forgive me for the times I have been timid about my faith. I recognize that my timidity showed itself in those times when I didn’t depend on your Spirit to strengthen me and give me boldness to say the things I need to say in the ways I need to say them. Please fill me with your Spirit so that I can be a person of character and compassion, demonstrating power, love, and self-discipline in my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
— Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV

While the focus of this passage is on God, on “him who is able,” I want to draw our attention to one other key phrase in this passage — “his power that is at work within us.” Paul has earlier prayed that God would “strengthen you [the Ephesians and us] with power through his Spirit in your inner being” (Ephesians 3:16). While the Holy Spirit is far more than just God’s power, the Spirit clearly does live in us to bring us God’s power! As we journey through this year, each day we will remind ourselves of God’s personal presence in our lives through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit within us is a powerful blessing that empowers us and transforms us. Let’s never forget that we are not only saved by grace but that we are also empowered by this gracious gift of the Holy Spirit within us to live for Jesus!

Oh Almighty God, I am humbled that you love me and have chosen to place your powerful presence within me. Please strengthen me with might by your Spirit within me. Mold me and transform me so that the presence of the Holy Spirit shows up in ways that remind people of Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

Be careful not to do your “acts of righteousness” before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 
– Matthew 6:1 (NIV)

Why do we do the things we do? What is the motivation for our behavior? It’s so easy to fall into the trap of doing religious things so we will look good to others. This is true even when culture reacts negatively to our faith. Those around us who know about our faith and the Christians around us become the target of our behavior. While we do want to have the right kind of influence on everyone around us, we must never make our decisions about spiritual service on the basis of being seen by others to be honored because of it. Our goal must be to honor God and bless others!

Almighty God, please purify my heart of any false motivation and help me serve others based on their need and my desire to honor you in helping them. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.