When we became Christians, Jesus poured the gift of the Holy Spirit into us (
Acts 2:38;
Titus 3:3-7). The Spirit now lives in us, making our bodies into a holy temple where God lives and we worship him in the ways we use our bodies (
1 Corinthians 6:19-20). The Spirit also blesses us in many ways.
Romans 8:1-39 details many of these ways. We can be courageous even in the face of attack, criticism, ridicule, and persecution because of the Spirit's presence in us (
Acts 4:23-31). The Spirit is at work in us to produce love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control (
Galatians 5:22-23) as the Spirit transforms us to become more like Jesus (
2 Corinthians 3:18). The Spirit pours love into our hearts, enabling us to love in supernatural ways (
Romans 5:5;
Matthew 5:43-48). The Spirit's presence is our heavenly power source helping us overcome sin (
Romans 8:13) and live self-disciplined lives to the glory of the
Lord, even in evil times (
Galatians 1:4). Because
"God did not give us a spirit of timidity," but the Holy Spirit
"of power, of love, and of self-discipline."
Father, thank you for the Spirit's constant presence in our lives. Please empower us with even greater courage and strength as we face the daily challenges in our lives, with the help of this power from the Holy Spirit. May we display the power of the Spirit in our lives in the ways that we love others, seeking to share the love, mercy, and grace of Jesus with them. We also ask for the Spirit's help in putting to death the fleshly desires that interfere with our transformation into becoming more like Jesus. We pray this through the intercession of the Spirit and the powerful name of our Lord Jesus. Amen.
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