God's Holy Fire: 'Dancing with the Spirit'

Thursday, November 16, 2023

[Jesus] is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.
— Colossians 1:28-29 NIV

Key Thought

Paul's ministry was powered by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit was the energy that so forcefully worked in Paul. And this Spirit-energy propelled Paul to work for people to achieve the goal that the Holy Spirit has for all of us who follow Jesus — for us to become fully mature in Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). Can anything be clearer? God's will for us is to be conformed, transformed, and matured into the current-day presence of Jesus Christ in our world. That is the mission of the Holy Spirit in us, and that is our mission in the lives of others. While there are many mysteries about how the Holy Spirit works and what all the Spirit does, there is one thing for certain: The Spirit is at work within us to accomplish this goal. Let's commit to being a part of this divine partnership, both in our own lives and in the lives of others!

Today's Prayer

Almighty God, thank you for the Holy Spirit's presence within me. I openly submit my heart to have it formed and shaped to reflect the heart of Jesus. I want the character and compassion of my Lord to come to life in me. I want my life to be used as your influence on others, empowered by the Holy Spirit to help them come to maturity in Jesus. I choose, dear Father, to dance with the Spirit and let the Spirit lead me in this mission to see Jesus formed in me and in those you have chosen for my life to influence. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

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Illustration

Illustration of Colossians 1:28-29 NIV — To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

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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