God's Holy Fire: 'The Affirmation of His Spirit'

God affirms us, making us a sure thing in Christ, putting his Yes within us. By his Spirit he has stamped us with his eternal pledge — a sure beginning of what he is destined to complete.

— 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 MESSAGE

Key Thought

The test of genuine disciples and true followers of Jesus is the presence of the Holy Spirit living in them. The Spirit transforms Jesus' followers to become like him (2 Corinthians 3:18). The Spirit helps produce the fruit of Jesus' character and compassion in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23). Now, in today's verses, we are reminded that the Holy Spirit is God's pledge to show we belong to him, that he claims us, and that we are his by something much greater than blood relationship — we are God's children through the Holy Spirit. He will complete the work he has begun in us, bringing us to himself in glorious joy (Philippians 1:6). The Holy Spirit is our guarantee, our assurance, that this promise is true and that we are God's!

Today's Prayer

Father, thank you that the presence of the Holy Spirit in me is the proof that you claim me as your own. Make me aware of the Spirit's presence. Help me yield to the Spirit's influence. Please know my deep joy at having the assurance of my relationship with you living inside me in your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, I offer my thanks and praise. Amen.

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About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.