WEEK 3 - REAWAKENING TO SPIRIT OF CHRIST
Jesus did not leave us as orphans; rather, He sent His Holy Spirit to indwell and fill those who put their trust in Him. This week, we will explore various aspects of the Spirit’s ministry to us. Pray for the Holy Spirit to be present and to open up your eyes and heart.
DAY TWENTY - ENLIVENED BY THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST - PAUL SMITH
ROMANS 8:11
11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus[a] from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
As Christians, we are not called to a life of superhuman effort. We are called to a life that, humanly speaking, is impossible. Listen to the words of Jesus: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:44)—humanly impossible. Hear also the words of Paul: “Forgive one another just as God in Christ has forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32)—once again, humanly impossible.
So where does this leave us? Are we destined for a life of discouragement? No. We are des- tined for and called to a life of dependence on the Holy Spirit who makes the impossible possible in the life of the believer.
Romans 8:11 says, “and if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to our mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.” The context of the verse is victory over sin for the believer through life in the Spirit. As we know, there is no victory over sin in the Christian’s life through human effort. God provides the victory that He desires for us through Himself, through the gift of the Holy Spirit who lives in the heart of every believer in Christ Jesus.
What challenges are you facing today? Where do we turn when the issues around us or the challenges within us overwhelm us? As Christians, we are called to a life of dependence on the Holy Spirit who makes possible the impossible. Praise be to God.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Ask the Lord to open your heart to the ways you need to lean on Him today.
2. Pray that He will open your eyes to what He wants you to see and experience.
3. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of challenge. Pray for strength to lean on Him and not yourself.