God's Holy Fire: 'The Guarantee!'

While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it's not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.

— 2 Corinthians 5:4-5 NLT

Key Thought

Two forces are at work within us as children of God. They work in opposite directions at the same time. Our bodies are subjected to decay and move in the direction of things mortal — death awaits our physical form. However, our inner natures are being transformed and conformed to the nature and character of Christ. Life is at work in us even though it looks like death will claim us. We are guaranteed this life because of the work of the Spirit, who not only gives our spirits life but also empowers us to resurrection with new, glorious, and immortal bodies to share in what is life indeed!

Today's Prayer

To you, God, the eternal and almighty One, be glory and honor, forever and ever. May my life reflect your eternal glory as the Holy Spirit works in me and brings your guarantee of grace to me. Thank you, Father, for personally preparing me for this transformation. In Jesus' name, I thank you. 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.