God's Holy Fire: 'Proof They Belong'

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

When Paul placed his hands on [the people he had just baptized], the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
— Acts 19:6 NIV

Key Thought

The Holy Spirit is a vital part of our conversion and a crucial part of our daily walk with God and our transformation into the character and compassion of Christ. Paul's teaching and the work of the Holy Spirit in today's verse make clear that God has now fully included this group of people - disciples who had known only the baptism of John and who did not know about the Holy Spirit. Knowing about Jesus, however, wasn't enough. They also needed to know about the Holy Spirit and receive the Spirit. When Paul lays his hands on them, it is clear to everyone that they received the Spirit. They are now true followers of Jesus!

Today's Prayer

Almighty God, thank you for the powerful story of the Holy Spirit breaking down every barrier to include all sorts of people in Jesus' family of grace. I am also thankful to be included in this family of grace, and I thank and praise you for the gift of the Spirit that connects me to every follower of Jesus. I thank you and praise you, in Jesus' name. Amen.

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4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Receiving the Spirit
Devo: God's Holy Fire
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Illustration

Illustration of Acts 19:6 NIV — When Paul placed his hands on [the people he had just baptized], the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Psalms 36:9
"No lips can tell the love of Christ to the heart till Jesus himself shall speak within. Descriptions all fall flat and tame unless the Holy Ghost..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Walking in the Light' (Ep. 5:6)
"Dear Father, Help me not to be deceived by empty but high-sounding words that cloak the intent of wickedness. I know that it is because of these..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
2 Corinthians 3:6
"He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant — not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Unfailing Love' (Ps. 130:7)
"O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is unfailing love and with him is full redemption."

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.

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