Archive for the ‘ Holy Spirit ’ Category
And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.”
Luke 1:35, ESV
We find joy in Christ, the Son of God who became a human. God dwelt with us to redeem us, and we can find joy in His offered salvation.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6, ESV
We find joy in Christ, knowing the King and Creator of the universe came to us as an infant to become one of us to save us. Our great God knows us and offers hope and peace, bringing us joy.
I enjoy the Christmas season. I enjoy celebrating Advent.
The first week of Advent can be found here. The second week of Advent can be found here.
The third week of Advent is traditionally seen as being a time for looking at joy. This year, I am using some of the readings from the Revised Common Lectionary.
Let’s get into
Sing for joy, Daughter Zion;
Zephaniah 3:14-17, CSB
shout loudly, Israel!
Be glad and celebrate with all your heart,
Daughter Jerusalem!
The Lord has removed your punishment;
he has turned back your enemy.
The King of Israel, the Lord, is among you;
you need no longer fear harm.
On that day it will be said to Jerusalem:
“Do not fear;
Zion, do not let your hands grow weak.
The Lord your God is among you,
a warrior who saves.
He will rejoice over you with gladness.
He will be quiet in his love.
He will delight in you with singing.”
We saw previously that God is our hope and peace, that Christ is our faithful Priestly King prophesied centuries earlier and proclaimed at His birth and before His earthly ministry began.
This week we see the joy that Christ brings. Jesus came to His people, to Jerusalem at the proper time to take away our sin and shame. Our heavenly King came to dwell amongst us, to save us, and to give us full hope of eternity where He will rejoice with us, not condemning us but delighting in us. Let us join in the rejoicing!
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7, CSB
As we await Christ’s second coming, we cast all our anxieties on Him through prayer and thanksgiving, rejoicing in the Lord who saves, giving us hope and peace and eternal joy. Let us worship the King who has come! Let us love our God who dwelt among us and dwells within us by His Holy Spirit to the glory of the Father!
Lord, prepare our hearts for joy by the power of the Holy Spirit that others may see the joy and peace You grant us. Help us to see Your goodness in all things and to proclaim the joy of the cross to a lost and hurting world until Your return!
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.”
Jeremiah 33:14, ESV
God has given us peace through Christ by revealing His love through the cross, and we can have peace knowing He is faithful to keep His promises. Trust in our faithful God.
A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.“
Isaiah 40:3, ESV
God has given us peace through Christ by revealing His love through the cross, and it was proof of the prophecies from hundreds of years earlier, even of John the Baptist, showing God’s faithfulness. Our peace comes in knowing His sovereignty and omniscience.
For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.
John 3:34-35, ESV
God has given us peace through Christ, and they send the Holy Spirit to guide us to believe in Christ and have this peace overflowing.
And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Matthew 22:37-39, ESV
Just the name of God can save, and He has. Let us show our thankfulness by sharing that salvation and love with others that they may worship God in thankfulness, too.
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
1 Chronicles 16:34, ESV
Just the name of God can save, and thankfully His love has been given to us through the Son sacrificing Himself for our salvation. Let us thank Him by sharing this love and forgiveness.
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8, ESV
Just the name of God can save us, and Jesus’ name we are forgiven. Let us show our thankfulness for His grace by extending that forgiveness and love to others.
All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation
2 Corinthians 5:18, ESV
Just the name of God can save us. Let us be thankful for the salvation offered in Christ, and let us show that thankfulness by obeying the command to share that salvation.
a simple man of God 