"The Help of the Holy Spirit"
5 daily devotionals from Pastor Dan Zirkle’s Sermon
Day 1: “The Indwelling Spirit”
The Holy Spirit is not a distant entity but a close companion who resides within every believer. When you called upon the name of the Lord, the Holy Spirit made His home in you. This Spirit, the same one that raised Christ from the dead, now lives in you, making your spirit alive and connected to God. This is a profound truth that should fill you with awe and gratitude. The Holy Spirit is here to help, teach, and be an abiding force in your life. He is not just a passive presence but an active participant in your spiritual journey. He empowers you to live a life that reflects God's love and truth. 'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.' - John 3:16 Quote: 'The Holy Spirit or the Holy Ghost, he resides in. And everyone who has called upon the name of the Lord, if you are born again. His Spirit is available now.' Question: How does knowing that the Holy Spirit resides in you change the way you approach your daily life? Prayer: Dear Holy Spirit, thank You for residing in me and making my spirit alive. Help me to be more aware of Your presence and to lean on You for guidance and strength. Amen.
Day 2: “The Power of Prayer”
Prayer is a powerful tool that connects us with God, but sometimes we struggle to find the right words or understand how to pray effectively. The Holy Spirit steps in to help us in these moments. He listens to our emotional pleas and selectively responds to prayers that align with God's will. This ensures that our prayers are not just heard but are also effective. When we pray in tongues, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us in a language that our minds do not understand. This form of prayer allows the Spirit to communicate perfectly with God about our needs, ensuring that our prayers are in line with God's perfect will. 'And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.' - Romans 8:27 Quote: 'When we pray, we understand that our prayers are limited in our capacity to understand how to speak to God about a situation. But when we allow the Holy Spirit to intercede, this is where praying in tongues comes into place.' Question: How can you incorporate the Holy Spirit more into your prayer life? Prayer: Holy Spirit, thank You for interceding on my behalf. Help me to trust in Your perfect communication with God and to rely on You more in my prayer life. Amen.
Day 3: “Empowered for Purpose”
God has a unique purpose for each of our lives, and He equips us to fulfill that purpose through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit doesn't just give us big ideas and then leave us to figure it out on our own. Instead, He makes us sufficient and adequate to perform the tasks God has called us to do. The Holy Spirit empowers us to be ministers of the new covenant, giving us the strength, wisdom, and resources we need to carry out God's work. This empowerment is not just for pastors or church leaders but for every believer who is willing to step out in faith and obedience. 'Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.' - 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 Quote: 'When God has called you to do something with your life, he is able to make you sufficient and adequate and able to perform.' Question: What is one area in your life where you need to rely more on the Holy Spirit's empowerment? Prayer: Holy Spirit, thank You for empowering me to fulfill the purpose God has for my life. Help me to rely on Your strength and wisdom in all that I do. Amen.
Keeping God's Word active in our lives gives us the assurance and confidence we need to approach God boldly. When we are doers of His Word, we remove guilt and condemnation, allowing us to fully trust in God's promises. Too often, we let our feelings and circumstances dictate our faith, but the Holy Spirit helps us to stand firm on God's Word. The Holy Spirit is more concerned about our obedience and trust than in giving us what we desire. When we align our lives with God's Word, we can have the boldness to believe and receive what we ask for. 'If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.' - 1 John 3:20-22 Quote: 'When we keep His Word active in our life, it gives our heart assurance that when we are doers of His Word, we have a boldness to believe.' Question: How can you keep God's Word more active in your daily life? Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me to keep God's Word active in my life. Remove any guilt or condemnation that hinders my faith, and give me the boldness to believe in God's promises. Amen.
Day 4: “Living in Assurance”
Day 5: “Embracing Transformation”
Transformation is a process that requires our willingness to change and be disciplined. The Holy Spirit is ready to transform us from the inside out, but we must be willing to let Him work in our lives. Too often, we avoid the work and discipline required for change, hindering the Holy Spirit's power to transform us. Every choice we make comes with a cost, and every action and thought has a price. God is not looking for robots; He desires a relationship with us, filled with intimacy and fellowship. The Holy Spirit wants to heal, deliver, and set us free, but we must be willing to embrace the transformation He offers. 'And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.' - Philippians 4:19 Quote: 'Too many of us in our life are just avoiding work. We're avoiding the discipline of change. We're unwilling to let the power of the Holy Spirit transform us from the inside out.' Question: What is one area in your life where you need to embrace the Holy Spirit's transformative power? Prayer: Holy Spirit, I invite You to transform me from the inside out. Help me to embrace the discipline and work required for change, and lead me into a deeper relationship with You. Amen.