Who needs reality TV when we have the Bible? Despite all their whining and complaining, God blesses His stumbling, bumbling, and mumbling children with an outpouring of His very Spirit. May we want so much of the Spirit that we could even “share” with others if we were able!

From the pages of Exodus, we see the Spirit of God already filling His people to use their “craft” to build up the Kingdom of God. May we invest our time and energy in not only knowing what our “craft” is for His Kingdom today, but may we be filled with His Spirit as we are employed as His “craftsmen” for His glory!

We don’t need to go far in Genesis to find the Holy Spirit using dreams to accomplish the purpose of the Kingdom of God. Allow the story of Joseph and Pharaoh to challenge and inspire you. And may it be said of you, as Pharaoh said of Joseph: “Can we find anyone like this, one in whom is the Spirit of God?” Sweet dreams are you continue to surrender to the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit!

While we know the Flood is a story of judgment against man’s evil and wicked heart, we also find incredible revelation and inspiration as we examine the two birds used to help Noah find land. May we always be a place where the Holy Spirit of God can land and find a home!

Due to the Fall in Genesis 3 and sin’s sinister effects, the Spirit of God has had to quarrel and fight with mankind ever since. Make the decision today to routinely ask the Holy Spirit to soften any and all resistance to Him so that He does not have to strive or contend with you. Habitually give the Spirit permission to move in your life!

From the start, the very breath of God is blasted into man to bring life into every part of his being. That’s great news for any of us who might be feeling as if we’re in a valley of dry bones. Let God’s Spirit do what He does so well – breathe life back into those bones of yours!

We don’t have to look very far to find the first mention of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament. We see Him hovering over creation changing chaos into order, emptiness into fullness, and darkness into light. May we continue to see the creative work of the Holy Spirit in our lives every day.

Paul wraps up this section of his letter to the Romans in these two majestic verses. Pay attention to the power of God’s love. Trust in that power, and truly believe that you can never be separated from that love.

We take a short but important break from our podcasts in Romans to invite us to pray for Jerusalem and all of Israel. Pray for peace. Pray for hope. Pray for salvation in the name of Jesus, the Messiah.

Unfortunately, we usually don’t have to think too long and hard to come up with reasons that make us feel “less than” in our lives. Weight and appearance, jobs and money, friends and relationships… the list goes on and on. But for those of us in Christ, we have been promised the status of “more than”!

A late Sunday night conversation that turned into a week-long argument made the point loud and clear: Even as we profess our love and loyalty for Christ . . . HOW MUCH MORE is His great love for us! There truly is nothing that can separate us from it!

Divorce is only one of many avenues through which shame and condemnation can travel. Unfortunately, we as Christians either place that shame on others or walk in it ourselves. But if we truly are forgiven in Christ Jesus, who can point a finger at us?

A paddling in sixth grade was based on false accusations, and the punishment was without cause. Thanks to Jesus, we are free from even the accusations that are true, and we will never receive punishment for them!

Praise God for children who don’t get permanently scarred from a dad’s failed attempt to teach a “Jesus lesson” while on a family vacation. And praise God for a Father who did not spare His own Son in order to save our lives!

We’ve all likely had our share of bullies in our lives. Some have taken human form like an “Eddie” in high school. Some live within our hearts and heads to torment us. But take great hope in this: If God is for you, no bully can be against you.

We are never forced to answer God’s call on our lives, but we are forever invited. Whether it’s a backyard funeral for a dove or a divine voice that sends you running scared as hard and as fast as you can, God will use whatever He will to get our attention.

Have you discovered your calling from God? Have you surrendered to it and said yes?

The debate will continue until Jesus returns: man’s free will versus God’s sovereign will, especially in hard life-and-death moments. But take heart and hope in Romand 8:28!

First, we see creation groaning. Next, we see us as Christians groaning. Now, it’s the Holy Spirit? What good could come from the Spirit of God groaning? Unless He is praying for us to know the Father’s perfect will!

With apologies to Billy Ray Cyrus . . .

Even though we all have to deal with it, no one likes pain in our bodies, whether in our heads and shoulders or knees and toes. But that pain, which causes groaning now, can turn our focus toward a great hope to come in the future!

From the stars in the sky to the sands on the beaches, creation causes us to be in awe and wonder. But lest we forget, both the creation of God and the children of God are awaiting the redeeming work to come!