God's Holy Fire: 'Receive the Spirit'

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of anyone, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."
— John 20:21-23 NIV

Key Thought

After Jesus' resurrection, he reminds his closest followers of three gifts he is leaving with them, all of which find their origin and functional power in the presence of the Holy Spirit. The gifts are peace through the Spirit's presence, purpose in mission, and power to forgive. As we look at the power of the Holy Spirit, which of these gifts are you not living out in your daily life? Why not take advantage of all three?! Make a specific commitment to live out the Spirit's work in your life by making sure you take advantage of each of these gifts in all that you do!

Today's Prayer

Father, forgive me, and forgive us your people; empower us to be a community of grace where your Spirit brings peace, sends us out on mission, and uses us to bring forgiveness and reconciliation. As we do these things, O God, I know we are living out the life of Jesus in our world. It is in his name that I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

25 Related Resources by Heartlight

I Am Sending You!
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"Again [Jesus] said, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you." Then he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.""
The Spirit Gives Us Power to Forgive
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"Then [Jesus] breathed on [the disciples] and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive..."
From Peace to Passion
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"Again [Jesus] said, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.""
Receive the Breath of Heaven
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Disciple, Mary Magdalene, Peter, John, and a couple of disciples on the road to Emmaus weren't the only ones to meet Me on that first day of My...."
See All 25 Related Resources about John 20:21-23

Illustration

Illustration of John 20:21-23 NIV — "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, August 27, 2025

Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Stacking the Deck Against Paul' (Acts 24:1-2)
"Five days [after the Roman troops took Paul from Jerusalem to Caesarea,] Ananias, the high priest, arrived with some of the Jewish elders and the..."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Gathering His Chosen!' (Mt. 24:29-31)
"[Jesus continued:] "Immediately after the anguish of those days [that indicate the end is near], the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no....."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Equipped for Battle' (Ep. 6:11-13)
"Dear Father, warrior against all evil, May I put on the full array of battle gear that you supply that I may be able to stand against the schemes of...."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Don’t Focus on Getting Revenge' (Ro. 12:19-21)
"My friends, do not try to punish others when they wrong you, but wait for God to punish them with his anger. It is written: ‘I will punish those who....."

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