God's Holy Fire: 'Spirit Powered Ministry'

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Our Fall Donation Drive Is Underway!

We appreciate your prayers and financial support!

 Donate Now
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.
— Isaiah 61:1 NIV

Key Thought

God's servants in every era, including now, are empowered by the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit produces holy fruit in their lives (Galatians 5:22-23), shapes their hearts, and guides their efforts toward ministry that conforms to the heart of God: He sends them to bind up the broken, bring freedom to those in captivity, and proclaim release from darkness for those imprisoned. We can get an idea of the way we are yielding to the Spirit's leading when we see what resonates in our hearts and what our hands find to do as ministry!

Today's Prayer

Almighty God, make my heart yearn for what you long to happen. Guide my hands to do the work that you want to be done. Open my eyes to see those who need to receive your mercy. Move in me powerfully with your Spirit to conform me - heart, soul, mind, and strength - to your holy and compassionate will. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

5 Related Resources by Heartlight

Isaiah 61:1-2a
Devo: Today's Verse
"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to..."
Proclaim It!
Illustration of Isaiah 61:1-2
Inspirational illustration of Isaiah 61:1-2 -- The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from
That He Might Be Glorified
Article by Donna Riggs
How can such a disaster be a time for glorifying God? Donna Riggs shares how God used a snow storm to prevent disaster for her church family.
When Your Heart is Breaking
Article by Tom Norvell
How can you mend a broken heart, especially when it's your own? Tom Norvell reminds us that broken hearts hurt and we often wish we could be dead, but that God stays close to us.
See All 5 Related Resources about Isaiah 61:1

Illustration

Illustration of Isaiah 61:1 NIV — He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, July 9, 2025

What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'To the Least of These (1)' (Mt. 25:33-40)
"[Talking about the coming of the Son of Man, Jesus continued:] "He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. "Then the..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Ephesians 3:20-21
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and....."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Trial by Fire'
"Dear Friends, Years before Peter wrote his short letter known as 1 Peter to My disciples, he was repeatedly persecuted. He regularly encountered..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Healing in Response to Repentance, Fasting, and Anointing with Oil'
"So they went out and preached that men should repent [that is, think differently, recognize sin, turn away from it, and live changed lives]. And they...."

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.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations