Monday, June 9 – “Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” (Genesis 11:7) This is from the story of the Tower of Babel. In it, humans started to think that we were all that (and a bag of chips). In order to teach us dependence on God, instead of faith in our own abilities, God made the decision to spread us out all over the world and give us different languages. Thus, we couldn’t understand each other. What the Tower of Babel took away, Pentecost restored.
Tuesday, June 10 – “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8) All of us are born of the flesh. But now God invites all of us to be born of the Spirit. What does that mean? Basic meaning: God’s living in you. Complicated meaning: the Holy Spirit is like the wind. You experience it, but you can’t see it. You know it’s there, but you don’t know where it came from or where it’s going. All you can do is feel it and ride it.
Wednesday, June 11 – “Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers.” (1 Corinthians 14:22) Speaking in tongues, a language that you don’t know how to speak, is a miraculous sign and proof of God’s existence. It’s meant to help people believe. It’s not meant as a sign of faith or as a way to prove your faith. Speaking in tongues is a way that God uses to communicate the good news of Jesus with all people. Regardless of the language they speak.
Thursday, June 12 – “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7) You are a jar of clay. From the earth you’ve come and to the earth you’ll return. In between, life is all about what God can and will do in you and through you. This happens through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, God living in you. Yes, you have talents. Yes, you have gifts. Yes, you’re one of a kind. And you’re invited to use all of this, as a follower of Jesus.
Friday, June 13 – “Proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds.” (Psalm 26:7) This is the outline of the purpose of your life. Everything you do, everything you say, your job, your relationships and even what you do in your free time is all about “proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all God’s wonderful deeds”. You don’t have to preach or constantly quote Bible verses. All you need to do is live your life and allow God to work in you and through you. Along the way, giving God all the credit.
Saturday, June 14 – “For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” (2 Peter 1:16) This Father, Son and Holy Spirit stuff is real. And it’s power-full. It’s not just a collection of stories shared through the ages, so we can cope with life. These are actually the stories of life itself. The life that’s found through faith in the Son and through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. Following Jesus isn’t simply a symptom of being human. It’s the cure.
Tuesday, June 10 – “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8) All of us are born of the flesh. But now God invites all of us to be born of the Spirit. What does that mean? Basic meaning: God’s living in you. Complicated meaning: the Holy Spirit is like the wind. You experience it, but you can’t see it. You know it’s there, but you don’t know where it came from or where it’s going. All you can do is feel it and ride it.
Wednesday, June 11 – “Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers.” (1 Corinthians 14:22) Speaking in tongues, a language that you don’t know how to speak, is a miraculous sign and proof of God’s existence. It’s meant to help people believe. It’s not meant as a sign of faith or as a way to prove your faith. Speaking in tongues is a way that God uses to communicate the good news of Jesus with all people. Regardless of the language they speak.
Thursday, June 12 – “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7) You are a jar of clay. From the earth you’ve come and to the earth you’ll return. In between, life is all about what God can and will do in you and through you. This happens through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, God living in you. Yes, you have talents. Yes, you have gifts. Yes, you’re one of a kind. And you’re invited to use all of this, as a follower of Jesus.
Friday, June 13 – “Proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds.” (Psalm 26:7) This is the outline of the purpose of your life. Everything you do, everything you say, your job, your relationships and even what you do in your free time is all about “proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all God’s wonderful deeds”. You don’t have to preach or constantly quote Bible verses. All you need to do is live your life and allow God to work in you and through you. Along the way, giving God all the credit.
Saturday, June 14 – “For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” (2 Peter 1:16) This Father, Son and Holy Spirit stuff is real. And it’s power-full. It’s not just a collection of stories shared through the ages, so we can cope with life. These are actually the stories of life itself. The life that’s found through faith in the Son and through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. Following Jesus isn’t simply a symptom of being human. It’s the cure.
You try to eat right. You drink plenty of water. you exercise. don't forget your spirit - feed it!
daily devotions
