God's Holy Fire: 'How Are You Going to Finish?'

Wednesday, December 30, 2026

I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?
— Galatians 3:2-3 NIV

Key Thought

When we come to Christ, the Holy Spirit is Jesus' gift to us. The Spirit cleanses us, fills us, and empowers us. The Spirit transforms us to be like Christ, puts to death the evil desires that enslave us to sin, produces the fruit of the Spirit in our character, comforts us in times of struggle, and gives us gifts to serve the body of Christ and others. The Spirit blesses us with the strength to do what no law or regulation could ever do. So as we approach the end of the year, make resolutions, and set goals for the New Year, we must commit to live for Jesus. However, we must also realize that the strength to live for him will never come primarily from our own willpower and our own efforts. While our commitment to live for Jesus is necessary, the ultimate power we need comes from God's grace and the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Let's finish this year by asking for the Spirit to take control so we will live for God's glory!

Today's Prayer

O Father, your grace has been lavished upon me in so many ways. As I near the end of this year, I thank you for your Holy Spirit, your personal presence within me, and I ask that your Spirit direct, lead, and empower me to bring you glory and to live for Jesus this next year and each year to come. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

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7 Related Resources by Heartlight

How Did You Receive the Spirit?
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? "
How Foolish Can You Be?
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?"
Heirs of Abraham
Devo: Praying with Paul
"Dear Father, Thank you for giving us your Spirit, not through works of law but through faith in our hearts. Even Abraham was saved by faith, for he....."
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"Dear Disciple, Some of Paul's language in his letter to the Galatians is harsh. He begins his letter without his normal prayer of thanksgiving for..."
See All 7 Related Resources about Galatians 3:2-3

Illustration

Illustration of Galatians 3:2-3 NIV — After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?

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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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