By Faith We Might Receive the Promise of the Spirit
Date: August 27, 2024
I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional.
B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Voice and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases
S - Summarize and Share
You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?
B - Bible Verse in NIV (Galatians 3:14) He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
L - Listen for God's Voice and pray Heavenly Father, thank You for including us in Your promise to Abraham through Christ Jesus. Help us to fully grasp and savor the blessing of Your Spirit that we've received through faith. May we live in the power and guidance of Your Spirit, always grateful for this incredible gift. In Jesus' name, Amen.
E - Explore the History and meaning Paul wrote this letter to the Galatians to combat false teachings that were creeping into the church. In this verse, he's explaining how Christ's redemptive work fulfills God's promise to Abraham and extends it to all believers, regardless of their ethnic background. This verse highlights the universality of God's promise and the gift of the Holy Spirit to all who have faith in Christ.
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases
"Redeemed us" - Christ's work to set us free from sin and its consequences
"Blessing given to Abraham" - God's promise of blessing to all nations through Abraham's offspring
"Promise of the Spirit" - The gift of the Holy Spirit to believers
S - Summarize and Share (Savoring God's Promises theme)
What a rich and wonderful promise we have in our scripture today! It's like a beautifully wrapped gift that keeps unfolding with more and more blessings as we ponder its depths.
You know, sometimes we might feel like we're on the outside looking in when it comes to God's promises. Maybe you've thought, "Those blessings were for people long ago, not for me." But this verse tells us something amazing - through Jesus, we're all included in God's promises!
Let's really think about this for a moment. God made a promise to Abraham thousands of years ago, a promise of blessing that would extend to all nations. And here's the incredible part - that blessing comes to us through Christ Jesus! It doesn't matter where we're from, what our background is, or what we've done. If we have faith in Jesus, we're part of this promise.
And what is this blessing? It's the promise of the Holy Spirit! Can you imagine? The very Spirit of God, living in us, guiding us, comforting us, empowering us. It's like having a direct line to God's wisdom and strength, available to us at all times. Take a moment to let that sink in - the same Spirit that hovered over the waters at creation, that empowered the prophets, that raised Jesus from the dead - that Spirit lives in you!
When we truly relish this promise, it changes how we see ourselves and our place in God's story. We're not afterthoughts or late additions to God's plan. We're integral parts of it, included in a promise that spans thousands of years. It's like discovering that you're part of a grand, cosmic family tree that traces back to Abraham himself!
This promise also gives us a new perspective on our daily lives. Those moments when we feel God's presence? That's the promised Spirit at work. The times when we have wisdom beyond our own understanding? That's the Spirit fulfilling this promise in us. Even in our struggles, when we feel a strength that's not our own, we're experiencing the outworking of this ancient blessing.
So today, let's take some time to really delight in this amazing promise. Let's thank God for including us in His plan of blessing. Let's celebrate the gift of His Spirit living in us. And let's live with the confidence that comes from knowing we're part of God's long-standing promise of blessing to the world.
As you go about your day, I encourage you to pause and reflect on how the Spirit is working in your life. Maybe it's in a moment of peace during a stressful situation, or a nudge to reach out to someone in need. Each of these is a taste of God's promise fulfilled in you.
Remember, every time you feel the nudge of the Holy Spirit, every time you sense God's presence, you're experiencing the fulfillment of this ancient promise. That's something to cherish, to marvel at, and to let transform your life, every single day!
3 Bible Cross References:
Genesis 12:3
Acts 2:38-39
Ephesians 1:13-14
Question for the audience: Have you felt the gift of the Holy Spirit in your life? Maybe you've experienced the Spirit's guidance, comfort, or power in your life. Let's encourage each other by celebrating this amazing promise fulfilled in our lives!