Listen

"Everything that the Father has is mine. That’s why I said that the Spirit takes what is mine and will proclaim it to you."

John 16:15

Think

There’s a difference between new and different. When it comes to things like laundry detergent, “new and improved” means it’s basically the same product with an updated package or a more effective ingredient. It’s not a completely different product or the opposite of what it used to be.

It’s the same way when the Spirit empowers us to learn from Scripture. The Holy Spirit gives us new perspectives on God’s word and life’s problems; from this new perspective we see truths that were always there, but hidden from us.

The Holy Spirit will never teach you something entirely different than what has already been revealed by God, through Jesus, and in Scripture. The Holy Spirit will never tell you that Jesus wasn’t really a human or that it’s a good idea to hate your neighbor. Instead, the Holy Spirit gives us new insights into God’s word and helps to see where our understandings of God’s love, justice, and way in the world were imperfect or incomplete.

Jeff Gibelius

Pray

Thank you, Holy Spirit, for entrusting me with your truth. Help me to test what I believe to be your new teachings against what has already been shown me in your word. Don’t let me be led astray. I want to walk with you today. Amen.

Go

God’s Spirit is with you right now, closer than the air you are breathing. You don’t have to chase after God; simply be with God today. Let God’s Spirit fill you and guide you. Take joy in knowing that God is walking with you, and that you can walk in God’s Spirit.