TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Mark 3:20-30
It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. - 1 John 5:6
TODAY IN THE WORD
In the 1520s, a man fled England fearing for his life because his translation of a certain book had outraged authorities. Prodded by corrupt and unbelieving church leaders, the King's agents rounded up copies of this book and publicly burned them. What was this dangerous, destabilizing book? The Bible! William Tyndale translated the New Testament from Latin into English, hoping that people would be able to read the Bible in their own language. Eventually he was captured, condemned as a heretic, and executed in 1536.

Blinded by their own dogma, these church leaders killed a true servant of the Lord. Mark 3 records a similar opposition to God's work in Jesus. Apparently word got back to Jesus' family about the great stir that He was creating. They concluded that He had gone crazy, so they came to take Him home.

Things got worse when religious scholars arrived. They concluded that Jesus cast out demons by the power of Satan, here called Beelzebub. Their reasoning, however, was illogical: if Jesus were aligned with Satan, His work of casting out demons would actually be like fighting against Himself. But much worse than poor logic was the fact that these leaders witnessed the power of the Holy Spirit of God at work in Jesus and chalked it up to satanic activity.

Why would Jesus call this an “eternal sin” (v. 29)? Because the Spirit alone bears witness to the truth of God in Christ. To behold God's work in Jesus and then to link it to Satan blinds a person from the very truth that saves. All other sins will be forgiven (v. 28) because they can be confessed before the Lord. But as long as someone denies the very Spirit who convicts people of sin and who makes forgiveness effective within a human heart, then forgiveness isn't possible. Jesus knew that ignorance wasn't the problem with these leaders, so He warned them that their hardened hearts could have eternal consequences. As long as they persisted in calling God's holy work evil, they would remain blind to salvation.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The teaching about blaspheming the Holy Spirit has caused many believers to wonder if they have committed this sin. The answer is no: if your heart is troubled by sin, then you are still responsive to the Spirit. As Billy Graham notes, “So long as the Spirit strives with a person he has not committed the unpardonable sin.” Moreover, blasphemy of the Holy Spirit isn't temporary unbelief or doubt. The Gospels show that the religious leaders persisted in their hardened opposition despite increasing evidence that Jesus was truly God.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 14:12-31
Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. - Hebrews 13:5
TODAY IN THE WORD
A recent TV commercial shows a young boy following his father around the house as he prepares to leave for a business trip. The boy is taking close-up pictures of his dad, and the next scene shows the boy having the photos printed. Finally, we see this boy sitting across from a life-size photo montage of his father, pretending to play checkers! When Jesus left His disciples, He promised them something much better than a picture—He promised to give them His very Spirit.

John 14-17 is often called the Farewell Discourse, because it records Jesus' final words to His disciples. Sensing their despair, Jesus wanted to encourage them, so He spoke of another Comforter, whom the Father would send.

Another translation for Comforter is “Paraclete,” derived from the Greek word used here. A paraclete was an advocate, so here the Spirit is like a legal counselor testifying to the truth about Jesus. That's why the Comforter is also called the “Spirit of Truth.” He's called another Comforter because He would extend Jesus' ministry after Jesus returned to the Father. Just as Jesus is God's “faithful witness” (Rev. 1:5), so also the Spirit attests the truth and points us to Jesus.

Jesus also promised that the Comforter would remind the disciples of all His words. Indeed, one way that He did this was through His inspiration of the Gospel writers to ensure that the Gospels are faithful records of Jesus' life (see 2 Tim. 3:16).

Finally, this passage teaches us about the Trinity. Jesus told His disciples that they already knew the Comforter, because, in Jesus, His Spirit was already among them. Additionally, just as the Father sent His Son, so too the Father would send the Spirit in Jesus' name to dwell in the disciples (v. 26). To summarize, then, we can know the Father because the Son reveals Him, and the Spirit, who dwells within us, affirms that this is true.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today's passage contains the frequently misunderstood promise that believers will do greater things than Jesus did (v. 12). The context of the promised Comforter indicates that our works are greater because they show the power of the Spirit dwelling in us. It's not because we're so smart or so spiritual that we can carry out Christ's work. Instead, it's the power of the Spirit, who enables us to act in faith, pray with confidence, and recall what's written in God's Word.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 15:26-16:15
When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin. - John 16:8
TODAY IN THE WORD
As a young man, Augustine packed a lot of life into a few years. He was a brilliant professor on the fast track with powerful Roman politicians. Yet despite his success and pursuit of pleasure, his soul was restless. His mother was a devout Christian, but Augustine wasn't interested in Christianity, although he seriously looked into other religions. All the while, his conscience increasingly began to trouble him as he realized that there was more to life than drinking and carousing.

One day, Augustine was in the garden, thoroughly miserable. As he lay on the ground weeping, he kept hearing a child's voice say, “Pick it up and read.” Not knowing what else to do, Augustine picked up a Bible, and randomly opened it. His eyes fell on Romans 13:13: “Let us behave decently . . . not in orgies and drunkenness . . .” At that very moment, Augustine was pierced to the core and gave his life to Christ. What a dramatic illustration of the Spirit's ministry of conviction! As we continue to see what Jesus said about the Holy Spirit, remember from yesterday's study that the Spirit is like a legal advocate who confirms the truth. The first part of today's passage shows us that the Spirit is also like a defender, assisting believers when they are persecuted. This encourages us that Jesus hasn't left us as orphans, but dwells within us through His Spirit.

In John 16, we see yet another aspect of the Spirit—not the advocate or the defender, but rather the prosecutor bringing charges against the guilty. The guilty party here is “the world (v. 8 ), which in John's Gospel refers to the lost who live in spiritual darkness. Unlike a child who might get lost in the woods, John's Gospel indicates that the world is lost because it refuses to believe in Jesus. So, the Spirit's primary ministry to the world is to convict the world of its unbelief. When He troubles an unbeliever's conscience, as He did in Augustine's case, it's so that a person might come to faith.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
We learn a lot from today's passage about praying for nonbelievers. First, we can pray for the Spirit to reveal an unsaved person's lost condition to him or her. Then we can pray for a troubled conscience concerning unbelief and a realization that one's own righteousness can never please God. We can also pray that this individual will realize the truth about judgment and personal accountability. Finally, we can pray that the Spirit's conviction will lead to faith in Christ.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 16:12-16
He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears. - John 16:13
TODAY IN THE WORD
There's something endearing about an elementary school play. Invariably the costumes, lights, and excitement of the big day overwhelm some of the young performers, who proceed to forget their lines. Whispering loudly from just behind the curtain, some patient teacher prompts the nervous actor or actress with the next line. Muffled laughter ripples through the audience and the production continues along until another frozen look appears on the stage.

Theater-goers are normally unaware of stage prompters because their job isn't to draw attention to themselves—it is to make sure that the words of the script are delivered correctly and that the play continues along without interruption.

This illustrates an important part of the Spirit's work, namely, ensuring the correctness of God's Word, or the “script.” In His Farewell Discourse (John 14-17), Jesus assured His disciples that this promised Comforter would do many things. Today we find Jesus' assurance that the Spirit would lead the disciples into all truth and reveal new things to them.

This aspect of the Spirit's work has often been misunderstood. Some have applied these words to believers who came after the original disciples and have claimed that the Spirit continues to give new revelation. Jesus' words, however, should be understood in combination with what He said earlier. Jesus promised that His Spirit would remind the disciples of His words (14:26). In John 16:12 Jesus' teaching told His disciples that He had other things to tell them, but they weren't ready. This probably means that aspects of Jesus could only be understood after His resurrection.

The promise that the Spirit would reveal new things to the disciples includes the Spirit's work in forming the rest of the New Testament, which we'll look at further in a few days. For example, the events surrounding Christ's return recorded in the book of Revelation wouldn't have made sense until after His resurrection and ascension.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Many people question the truthfulness of the Bible, claiming it's a human work filled with errors. But Jesus tells us otherwise, since He promises that the Spirit would remind us of His words and would guide us into all truth. Our belief in the truthfulness of Scripture rests on our belief in the truthfulness of Christ Himself. As C. S. Lewis famously said, Jesus is either lying, or crazy, or the Lord of all. Those of us who have experienced His great salvation can attest that He is the Lord and Savior who can be trusted!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 1:1-8; 2:1-21, 40-41
You will be my witnesses . . . to the ends of the earth. - Acts 1:8
TODAY IN THE WORD
The Roman Empire was the largest empire in the ancient world. At its height, it covered about 3.5 million square miles, just slightly smaller than the United States. Its population was about one third of the current U.S. population. This vast empire depended upon a strong military whose presence was felt everywhere. It would have been completely absurd for anyone in the first century to have imagined anything on the face of the earth more powerful than the Roman Empire.

But appearances can be deceiving. Hidden in Jerusalem, a group of believers were praying and waiting, just as Jesus had instructed. Suddenly, like a tremendous wind, the Spirit came upon them and the church was born. At first, nobody would have ever thought that this small group would be more powerful and important than the mighty Roman Empire. But today, 2,000 years later, the Roman Empire is gone and the church continues to grow!

Following His resurrection, Jesus again appeared to His disciples and confirmed His earlier promise that the Holy Spirit would come upon them. Just before He ascended, Jesus assured His followers that they would bring the gospel to the ends of the earth through the Spirit's power (1:8 ).

Acts 2 says the Spirit descended on the day of Pentecost, the Jewish feast for the first fruits of the harvest. This indicates that the Spirit's descent is the first fruit of the great harvest that God would bring forth through the church. The feast of Pentecost also explains why so many foreigners were in Jerusalem. When the Spirit came upon the group of 120, they were able to proclaim the gospel in languages that they had not previously known.

Peter understood that the Spirit's coming fulfilled in part what Joel had prophesied. No longer would the Spirit be limited to a few individuals as in the Old Testament. Instead, He would dwell within all believers and enable them to proclaim the gospel. The belief of three thousand people when they heard Peter's message confirms the power of the indwelling Spirit.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In applying Acts 2 to our own experience, it's helpful to distinguish between the 120 and the three thousand who believed because of Peter's message. The first group had already been with Jesus and had seen Him after His resurrection. This group was told to wait for the Spirit. After the Spirit's descent, and because of His power, new converts were baptized at the same time that they received the gospel, indicating that after Pentecost believers receive the Spirit when they accept Christ.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 3:1-21
He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. - Titus 3:5
TODAY IN THE WORD
For many years, George Whitefield believed that his salvation depended on his own good works. Eventually, the Lord showed him that the only way to enter the kingdom of God was through new birth in Christ. Following his conversion, his preaching sparked revivals, and when he died in 1790, thousands had been convicted of their sin and had experienced new birth, both in England and the United States.

As we begin to look at the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer, we begin with a passage that deeply impacted Whitefield, especially verse 7. A Pharisee named Nicodemus sought out Jesus at night, probably because he was afraid to be seen with Him. Jesus began by shifting Nicodemus away from focusing on what a person does (v. 2) to the need for rebirth. The expression “born again” is a pun in the original Greek, meaning either “born a second time” or “born from above.”

Probably Jesus intended both meanings, but Nicodemus couldn't understand how anyone could possibly emerge a second time from the womb! Jesus then explained that He was speaking of spiritual birth. Being born of “water” and Spirit (v. 5) indicates the need for cleansing as well as rebirth—ideas we saw in Ezekiel 36 (see April 12). Jesus drew upon another Old Testament idea, namely the overlap between wind and Spirit (see April 2), and reminded Nicodemus that the Spirit acts as unpredictably as the wind.

As a teacher of the law, Nicodemus should have understood Jesus' words. What's more, Nicodemus was talking with the very Son of God, who had come from heaven . . . He certainly knew what He was talking about!

Jesus then went on to use another Old Testament passage to help Nicodemus understand. Numbers 21:4-9 records how Moses held up a bronze serpent to heal those who had been bitten by snakes in the desert. So too Jesus would be lifted up on the cross as the source of true healing, or eternal life.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
This story of Nicodemus reminds us that salvation isn't about the things we do or how much we know the Bible. Even with all his Scripture knowledge, Nicodemus was still outside the kingdom when he came to Jesus. Instead, the only way to enter the kingdom is to be born again. Even as believers, it's easy to slip back into thinking that our salvation is about what we do and what we know instead of Who has given us new birth.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 2:6-16
The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword . . . it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. - Hebrews 4:12
TODAY IN THE WORD
In 1995, Neale Donald Walsch published Conversations with God, a book that contains Walsch's dialogue with a spiritual guide called “God.” Walsch asks “God,” “How do I know this [communication] is not my own imagination?” To which “God” replies, “What would be the difference? Do you not see that I could just as easily work through your imagination as anything else?”

Walsch claims that he has received revelations from God, and he certainly isn't the first to do so. Similar claims can confuse Christians as to how exactly God speaks. So let's consider two questions: how can we know that the Bible is God's Word? And, how does God speak to us today?

To answer the first question, look at 2 Peter 1:2-21. This passage shows that Old Testament prophets neither spoke on their own nor gave their own interpretations but were led by the Spirit. Our verses today from 2 Timothy state that all Scripture is inspired by the Spirit—it is “God-breathed.”

Concerning the second question, our passage from 1 Corinthians 2 begins by distinguishing between Christians (the mature) and non-Christians (those with the wisdom of this age). Then Paul notes that God's “secret wisdom” is only revealed to believers through the Spirit (v. 10). This “secret” wisdom, also called the “deep things of God,” is nothing less than God's plan of redemption, which was only dimly understood before it was fully revealed in Jesus Christ. If the world had understood this wisdom they wouldn't have crucified Christ.

Only a person knows his or her own thoughts; so too, only the Spirit knows God's thoughts. But because believers have the Spirit (v. 12), they have the mind of Christ. Conversely, apart from the Spirit it's impossible to understand spiritual truths and words.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
All we need to know about God and His redemptive purposes for our lives is contained in the Bible. Because the Spirit was crucial in the formation of God's written word, He cannot guide us to think or do anything that contradicts the Bible. Thus God speaks to us through His Word, and the Spirit enables our own spirit to understand. No matter what others say or our experiences indicate, God will never lead us in a way that contradicts His Word.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Romans 8:1-17
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! - 1 John 3:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
Chances are you've never given much thought to instant cocoa mix. But it's not hard to realize that a steaming cup of hot cocoa will never appear in your mug unless one very important ingredient is added to that dry powder . . . hot water! No matter how much you want that delicious hot chocolate, it would be ridiculous to even consider it without hot water.

As silly as this example might seem, many believers do something very similar in their Christian walk . . . they try to please God apart from the Holy Spirit. But Romans 8 shows that it's as impossible for us to be obedient children on our own strength as it is for dry powder to become hot cocoa all by itself.

Romans 1-7 outline humanity's failure to be righteous before God apart from faith in Jesus Christ. Because no one could meet the obligations of God's law, the law's effect was sin and death. But through Christ, God's righteous requirements have been met. Thus Christians have been set free from sin's demands and are no longer under condemnation (8:1).

To understand the radical difference between living according to the fallen nature and living by the Spirit (vv. 5-11), we might think of an airplane's navigational system. If the instruments are set for the North Pole, the plane certainly won't end up at the South Pole. Similarly, if a person's “navigational system” is set according to the sinful nature, that person will never end up pleasing God. Fortunately, as Christians, we have a new navigational system, so to speak. We're controlled and empowered by the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead.

The real evidence that Spirit dwells within us is His own testimony that we're God's children. We're no longer living lives characterized by fear and death. Instead, we've become legitimate children, and, consequently, heirs who share in Christ's sufferings as well as His glory.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Perhaps you feel as dry as instant cocoa powder. You long for obedience, but feel defeated. First focus on what's true for all believers—we have the Spirit (vv. 9-10). Second, focus on the Spirit through praise, prayer, and reading Scripture. A mind focused only on battling sin is still a mind set on the flesh. It's only through the Spirit that we can die to our sinful inclinations. As the Spirit convicts you of sin, ask forgiveness, thank God for His faithfulness, and rejoice in the goodness of the Lord!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Romans 8:18-30
Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. - Romans 8:14
TODAY IN THE WORD
James Lindsey Smith's ordeal was “a thrilling narrative of escape.” Under cover of darkness, he and two other men sailed a small boat from Virginia to Maryland. There the men were separated, and Smith managed to avoid detection as he walked alone through Delaware to Pennsylvania. Along the way a woman fed him. In Philadelphia, a man secretly sheltered him and arranged to get him to New York. There he met others who helped him travel to Norwich, Connecticut, where he settled, married, and became a preacher.

The year was 1838 and Smith was a black slave. Like thousands of others, his journey on the “Underground Railroad” was conducted by nameless individuals who assisted and protected him. With their help, Smith eventually made it to freedom. In a similar way, believers are on a journey from bondage to glorious freedom (v. 21). Along the way, we're helped in our weakness by the Spirit, who intercedes for us and leads us according to God's will.

But before glory, there's much suffering. On the one hand, our present suffering doesn't compare to this future glory (v. 18). In fact, this glory will be so great that the entire creation groans eagerly for it! Because we have the Spirit, we too groan, because deep down we know that this present life isn't all there is. We long for our resurrection bodies, which will be free from corruption and decay.

On the other hand, however, God knows that our present suffering could overwhelm us, so He assures us of two things. First, we're not alone. The Spirit helps us in our weakness and translates our groaning into inexpressible words before the Father. Second, God assures us that He's working redemptively in every circumstance we encounter (v. 28). This doesn't mean that things will turn out how we expect, or that we'll have comfort and ease. Rather, it means that God uses every situation to make us more like Jesus Christ. What an amazing assurance, even in our darkest trials!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
You know how encouraging it can be to learn that someone's been praying for you. Now consider the fact that the Spirit is praying for us! Hebrews 7:25 says that Jesus is always interceding for us. That's amazing, because we often think only that we pray to God rather than that God prays for us! What a great assurance as we face life's difficulties. For more assurances of how God acts for us, read through Romans 8:31-39.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Galatians 5:13-26
Not by might nor by power, but by my spirit. - Zechariah 4:6
TODAY IN THE WORD
Godly leaders have always known that true fruit is only possible through the Holy Spirit. Years after D. L. Moody began preaching, he became increasingly aware of his need for the Holy Spirit. His book, The Spirit-Filled Life, recounts this experience: “I was crying all the time that God would fill me with His Spirit. Well, one day . . . God revealed Himself to me, and I had such an experience of His love that I had to ask Him to stay His hand. I went to preaching again. The sermons were not different; I did not present any new truths, and yet hundreds were converted.”

Even though we receive the Spirit when we become Christians, evidence of the Spirit's indwelling takes time. Like fruit, it develops and matures throughout our lives. In his letter to the Galatian church, Paul confronted wrong behavior and reminded the Galatians that true Christian freedom results in love. He then encouraged these believers that those who live by the Spirit will produce fruit in keeping with the Spirit.

The first three indications of the Spirit—love, joy, and peace—are reflections of God's own character within us. True love is only understood in relation to God's sacrificial love through His Son Jesus Christ. In the same way, joy and peace indicate the wholeness that God intends for our lives. The second set—patience, kindness, and goodness—are revealed in our relationships with others. Although many people claim that humans are basically good, throughout history human experience has shown that being short-fused, rude, and mean comes pretty naturally. Only God's Spirit can reverse these tendencies.

Finally, the third set concerns our character. Faithfulness is seen in our loyalty, both to God and to our commitments. As gentleness is manifest in our lives, we become less defensive and insensitive to others. Self-control is evident when nothing apart from God has mastery over us, including money, food and drink, lust, anger, or anxiety. No wonder there's no law against such things (v. 23)!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today might be a good time to do a bit of self-reflection. Look back over verses 22 and 23 and consider whether these aspects of the Spirit are evident in your own life. Remember, the Christian walk isn't a matter of our own effort, so this list isn't intended to somehow make us try harder. Instead, consider this list as an invitation to pray more for the fullness of life that God intends for you. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you any ways that you might be hindering the expression of His fruit in your life.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Corinthians 12:1-31
In Christ we who are many form one body. - Romans 12:5
TODAY IN THE WORD
Even if you don't know much about classical music, you're probably familiar with Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Portions of it have been used in television coverage of the Olympic Games, several movies, and in the millennial celebrations a few years ago. This dramatic symphony requires more instruments than any other of Beethoven's works. In addition, the score calls for four vocal solos and a full chorus. Together, all these individuals produce one of the world's most beloved pieces of music. But can you imagine what this beautiful symphony would sound like if all the parts were played by a trombone or a cello? It just wouldn't be the same.

The same is true for the body of Christ. If everyone had the same spiritual gift, the magnificent “symphony” that God intends to conduct through believers would never match His glorious plan. Apparently something like this was happening in the Corinthian church. Some members were stressing the importance of certain gifts over others, and the result was definitely off-key. So Paul had to address the question of spiritual gifts.

First Corinthians 12 emphasizes the diversity of gifts manifest by the Spirit in the body. To focus on one gift over others is as ridiculous as one part of the human body claiming superiority over other parts—the very point that Paul makes in the middle of this chapter. At the same time, however, there's much stress on unity in this passage. Notice that the same Spirit gives this great diversity of gifts. The same Lord provides the various contexts for ministry in which these gifts are expressed. The same God causes the different effects that result from the outworking of these gifts. Finally, notice that the Spirit gives these gifts for the benefit of the common good. In other words, God's purposes for the body of Christ are achieved when great diversity is functioning in complete unity. Then the world sees that truly we who are many are really one, regardless of our social or ethnic background (v. 13).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Just as every musician in an orchestra has an instrument to play, so too every believer in the body of Christ has a spiritual gift to use in accordance with God's will. If you've never considered your spiritual gifts, begin by looking at three passages that discuss this important topic: Romans 12:1-8; Ephesians 4:7-13; 1 Peter 4:10-11. Your pastor or Bible study leader can recommend helpful books or resources. Above all, thank God that His gift of the Holy Spirit includes gifting you to serve others.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Ephesians 4:1-13
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. - Ephesians 4:32
TODAY IN THE WORD
Genocide . . . torture . . . massacre—these words come to minds when most people think about Rwanda. In the spring of 1994, over 800,000 Tutsi were killed by their Hutu neighbors. Anglican Bishop John Rucyahana is chairman of Prison Fellowship Rwanda and experienced Hutu brutalities first-hand. Despite his rage, he knew that hatred wasn't the answer and that “healing could not come from anywhere but God Himself.” He asked for God's power to forgive his enemies, and began sharing Christ with Hutus who were in prison for participating in the genocide.

Forgiveness . . . reconciliation . . . unity—these words describe the Spirit's work among Rwandan believers today. Through Prison Fellowship Rwanda's Umuvumu Tree Project, Bishop Rucyahana has seen murderers and rapists turn to Christ. He's also seen reconciliation between victims and offenders. “Mary,” a Tutsi who watched Hutus murder her family, had her new home built by Hutu who are now Christians. Only God's resurrection power working through His Spirit could bring about reconciliation and unity.

As we saw yesterday, the diversity of spiritual gifts within the body of Christ functioning in unity is a compelling witness to God's power. This same truth is in today's passage, where we see additionally that spiritual gifts are intended to build up the body and to help individuals reach spiritual maturity.

Notice also the emphasis on oneness in today's passage: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all. This oneness is the basis for the body's unity. But unity isn't the same as uniformity. Notice that the triune God is revealed in three persons—the Spirit, the Lord, and the Father—but is still One God. In a similar way, unity in the body certainly doesn't mean that everyone is the same. In fact, the Spirit's work in Rwanda shows that He can bring forth unity from the most diverse and devastated backgrounds.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
It's important to notice that Ephesians 4:3 urges to keep the unity of the Spirit. In other words, out job isn't to create unity from nothing, but rather to maintain the unity that only the Spirit makes possible. There are four essential qualities that keep unity and peace: humility, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness (Eph. 4:2). We can learn a lot from our Rwandan brothers and sisters in this regard. Do these qualities characterize your interaction with other believers?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Ephesians 1:3-14; Colossians 1:9-23
Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. - 2 Corinthians 5:5
TODAY IN THE WORD
In both Britain and the United States, it's customary for a man to give an engagement ring when he asks a woman to marry him. This tradition probably dates back to the Greeks or perhaps even the Egyptians. The first diamond engagement ring was apparently given in Austria in 1477. Thus the engagement ring is an enduring token of a couple's commitment to marry each other and spend their lives together.

The Bible also talks about a “token” and a marriage. The Bridegroom is the Lord Jesus Christ, and we, His church, are the bride. As His bride, we have received something more glorious than a ring, because we've been given God's pledge, His Holy Spirit, as a token of His promise to be with us forever.

In both Ephesians and 2 Corinthians Paul describes the Holy Spirit as a deposit, who guarantees our eternal inheritance. Although the imagery is different, the same truth is expressed whether we think of the Holy Spirit as type of engagement ring or down payment. In both cases, God's indwelling Spirit assures us that we'll be in His presence for all eternity.

The opening part of Paul's letter to the Ephesian church underscores God's glorious work on our behalf through the work of Christ. These verses span God's work of election before the world's foundation to our present redemption and adoption as God's own children to the eternal inheritance that awaits us. This sweep from past to future assures us of God's complete control over the entire scope of our lives.

Our greatest assurance of our future glory, however, is our marking, or sealing, with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13). In Paul's day as well as our own, cattle were often marked, or branded, with their owner's seal to protect against theft. In a similar way, Paul says that believers have been “sealed” as God's special possession with His own seal, His Holy Spirit.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Engagement rings, down payments, and cattle brands are all helpful pictures of commitment, guarantee, and protection, but none of them can truly capture the depth of God's commitment to us through His indwelling Holy Spirit. Later in Ephesians, we read that we've been sealed until the day of redemption, or Christ's return (Eph. 4:30). What assurance this gives us when we face trials or doubts. We are God's possession, with His own Spirit to vouch for it.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Revelation 1:4-6
You are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. - 1 Peter 4:14
TODAY IN THE WORD
Throughout Scripture, God uses symbols to show aspects of Himself that we couldn't understand otherwise. As we conclude our study, let's review key symbols used for the Spirit.

First, the wind pictures the Spirit's involvement with creation (Gen. 1) and spiritual rebirth—recall Jesus' dialogue with Nicodemus (John 3). Like the wind, we can feel the Spirit's presence even though we can't see Him. The overlap in Hebrew and Greek between wind and breath recalls the Spirit's creative power as He infused life into Adam (Gen. 2) and Mary's virgin womb (Luke 2).

Another image of the Spirit is fire, portraying His power. John the Baptist prophesied that Jesus would baptize with the Spirit and fire (Matt. 3), which was seen as the Spirit descended upon the body of Christ at Pentecost (Acts 2). But the Spirit is also likened to life-giving water. Recall how Ezekiel 36 promises God's future restoration in terms of both cleansing (water) and Spirit, as does Jesus' discussion of new birth in John 3. Additionally, John's Gospel associates the streams of living water that flowed from Jesus with the Spirit (John 7:37-39).

The Spirit is described as a dove at Jesus' baptism (Matt. 3; John 1). The dove has long been a symbol of purity, humility, and gentleness, so it aptly portrays the Spirit. This also fits the picture of the Spirit “brooding” over the deeps in creation (Gen. 1).

Oil was used to anoint individuals, and symbolizes the Spirit. Thus God's Servant was not to be anointed with oil, but with the Holy Spirit (Isa. 61). This promise was fulfilled in Jesus' incarnation (Luke 4).

We also saw how the Spirit is like a seal that guarantees our future eternal inheritance (Eph. 1). Finally Revelation 1 describes the seven spirits, also translated “sevenfold Spirit,” that are before God's throne. Because seven is symbol of perfection and holiness, this refers to the perfection and completeness of the Holy Spirit.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Consider the chorus to Keith Green's song, “There is a Redeemer”: “Thank You, O my Father, for giving us your Son, and leaving your Spirit ”˜til the work on earth is done.”

As you reflect on the rich symbols for the Spirit, consider also His great ministry to, in, and for us. He confirms that we're God's children, prays for us, and gifts us for ministry. Conclude your devotional time today by praising the Father for sending His Son and His Holy Spirit.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 72
Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen. - Psalm 72:19
TODAY IN THE WORD
As you know, the overall theme through this year of Today in the Word is “Every Good and Perfect Gift: God Supplies Our Needs.” In Book II of Psalms this month, we've found this theme to be true in many ways: He rescues, encourages, plans, wins victories, shows wise paths, and gives us many other good gifts, not least of all the gift of prayer. But we have also found that the best gift of all is God Himself. God's presence is what we should thirst for most deeply. Whatever the need may be in any particular situation, God remains our Need in all of life's seasons.

How fitting, then, that our final psalm gives us an opportunity to rejoice and revel in the coming of the King. Possibly written for Solomon rather than by him, it may have been first used at his coronation. Clearly the writer had in mind God's promise that David's throne would last forever (2 Sam. 7:16), and so this psalm was assumed by both Jewish tradition and the early church to be messianic. Many generations of Christians have found here an inspiring portrait of Christ as the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant and the ideal King.

What is the King like (vv. 1-17)? He is just and righteous. His throne is eternal. Blessing and peace flow from his hand. He defends the powerless. His reign is refreshing, life- giving, and universal—“all nations will serve him” (v. 11). Only God can endow a king with these qualities and give his reign these results (v. 1). Taking a larger historical perspective, verse 17b suggests the King fulfills the Abrahamic covenant as well (Gen. 12:1-3).

The last three verses should be read not as part of the psalm proper, but as a concluding note to Book II as a unit. What's the bottom line for faith? God, His infinite greatness, and our desire to see the whole earth filled with His glory.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
As a fitting close to this month's study, spend a significant portion of your prayer time today centered around the themes of Psalm 72:19. “May the whole earth be filled with his glory” is roughly equivalent to the phrase “Thy kingdom come” from the Lord's Prayer. What would it take for God's will to be done in your life, your family, your neighborhood, your church, and your nation? With a soft heart and a longing for God's presence, pray for these things!