God's Holy Fire: 'The Chosen One of God'

Sunday, August 9, 2026

The Spring Emerges: JESUShaped

JESUShaped is a discipleship and church planting work born from this ministry.

 Learn More
[John the Baptizer continued,] "I didn't know [Jesus] was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, 'The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God."
— John 1:33-34 NLT

Key Thought

John doesn't claim that he has any special knowledge of Jesus' identity because of insider information as a cousin of Jesus. No, John's recognition was based on the revelation from God and the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is God's Chosen One, and a key part of Jesus' role as the Chosen One is baptizing people with the Holy Spirit. Jesus' identity, ministry, and message are all tied to the work of the Holy Spirit! We can't follow Jesus without a deep appreciation and recognition of the vital role the Spirit plays in Jesus' life as well as our own!

Today's Prayer

Gracious God, the Almighty, who has chosen to dwell in my heart through your Holy Spirit, thank you for revealing yourself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Be at work in my life through the Spirit. Purify my heart, transform my mind, and empower my actions so that I will honor you and help others know your Son. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

2 Related Resources by Heartlight

He Is the Chosen One of God
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"[John the Baptizer said,] "I didn't know [Jesus] was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, 'The one on whom you see the..."
He Is the One
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"[John the Baptizer said,] "I did not recognize [Jesus] as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel." ..."

Illustration

Illustration of John 1:33-34 NLT — "I didn't know [Jesus] was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, 'The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, August 9, 2026

Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Hebrews 1:3
"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification..."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'They Will Hear and Rise Again!' (Jn. 5:28-29)
"[Jesus continued,] "Don't be so surprised! Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear the voice of God's Son, and they..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'A Brief Look Back'
"Dear Child of God, What drew you to follow Me? What called your heart to open up to Me? What convinced you that We — Father, Son, and Spirit..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Psalms 18:35
"The words are capable of being translated, "thy goodness hath made me great." David gratefully ascribed all his greatness not to his own goodness, but..."

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