Tag: holy spirit

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Wisdom Prayer

Create a Clean Heart!

Create a Clean Heart!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who ask God to create in them a clean heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.

David had an affair with Bathsheba, ordered the murder of her husband, Uriah the Hittite, and found himself confronted by Nathan the prophet.

David cries out to God, and in Psalm 51:10-13 (ESV) David first asks for his heart and spirit to be made right before God. He goes on to share he will teach others (i.e. transgressors) God’s ways.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.”

This passage is a lesson in confession and hope. Dave turns his egregious sin into an opportunity to testify to God’s willingness to forgive.

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Wisdom Prayer

Lying to God!

Lying to God!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who strive to be honest with God. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Ananias and Sapphira were married, and they were intent on donating money to the Lord’s work. Yet, there was a flaw in their plan.

Luke begins the story in Acts 5:1-2 (ESV):

“But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”

Misrepresenting the amount of the funds given to the Apostles had dire consequences. Note what Acts 5:3-5 (ESV) says,

“But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.’”

The husband and the wife both died for lying about the amount of the sale of their property. Ever told a lie to God? Confess! Repent! Now!

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Wisdom Prayer

Pentecost and the Holy Spirit!

Pentecost and the Holy Spirit!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Jesus appeared to his disciples and told them to expect something after he ascended into heaven. When the Holy Spirit came upon praying believers, everything changed.

Luke, writing in Acts 2:1-4 (ESV), reports what happened:

“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

The faithful began being understood by those who spoke different languages. Some mocked what was happening by saying the faithful were drunk with new wine. But this was denied. Many believed and were added to the church. Lives were changed that day.

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Wisdom Prayer

The Whole Armor of God!

The Whole Armor of God!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who put on the whole armor of God, so they may stand against the schemes of the devil. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Spiritual warfare is real. Scripture says to put on the whole armor of God. What does that look like? I used to have a poster of a Roman soldier dressed in his armor and holding a shield. Each piece was labeled with a corresponding spiritual meaning.

Apostle Paul writing in Ephesians 6:11 (ESV) tells us:

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”

If you haven’t already, begin the discipline of praying on each part of the armor as Apostle Paul describes in Ephesians 6:14-18 (ESV):

“Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.”

Start each day by putting on the whole armor of God. Not just part of it. Wonder how to begin? Read the verses. Then memorize the verses. Or, make a list of the full armor. Commit it to memory. Do not go without spiritual protection.

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Wisdom Prayer

Happy New Year! Are You Sealed with the Promise?

Happy New Year! Are You Sealed with the Promise?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who heard the word of truth, believed in Jesus, and were sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Think how amazing the senses are. Take a moment. Stop and reflect upon your sense of taste, smell, touch, hearing, and sight. Think about the first time you heard about Jesus. How many of your senses were involved?

Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV) describes what happens when believers heard the Good News.

“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”

Have you believed in Jesus? If you have not, consider accepting Jesus as your personal savior now. Pray and ask Jesus to come into your heart. If you do, you can start the New Year born again.

The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, first came upon believers on the day of Pentecost. As the scripture says, the Holy Spirit guarantees believer’s inheritance. As believers,, yours is guaranteed. Rejoice!

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Wisdom Prayer

Are You Forgetting You Are God’s Temple?

Are You Forgetting You Are God’s Temple?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who acknowledge that God’s Spirit dwells within them. In Jesus’ name, amen.

In Acts 2, Luke told what happened when believers assembled on Pentecost. The Holy Spirit changed everything.

Apostle Paul is writing to the faithful in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (ESV) when he says,

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.”

Be mindful of the Spirit within.

Are there personal habits or behaviors that need to change to preserve God’s temple?

If so, take action now.

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