Listen:
“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:13)
Reflect:
Looking at his most trusted friends, his devoted disciples, and others who followed him, Jesus continues his teaching on prayer: “If you, then, who are evil…” Their mouths drop open in astonishment as they look around… who us? evil?
Jesus is drawing a comparison and a distinction between their flawed, sinful self and God’s holy self.
If flawed, sinful parents want to give the very best gifts they can to their children, how much more does God, our holy Father, want to give us the ultimate gift: his Holy Spirit. It cannot get any better than that!
As I read the second part of this verse, my heart was deeply saddened as my thoughts went to two separate occasions when, with happy anticipation, I gave friends a gift, knowing it was something they wanted. Both times my gift was refused. I was hurt, perplexed, and wondered why they didn’t want the gift I was offering and that I was looking forward to them enjoying? It was a GIFT! From someone who cared about them! In a moment of clarity I saw how excited God is to give me the cherished gift of his own Spirit – and understood how it hurts him when I don’t value it.
Don’t reject or dismiss the gift that God is so eager to give you. The Holy Spirit empowers us with new life, spiritual transformation, and the ability to live according to God’s will. Ask for it! The Holy Spirit gives us different spiritual gifts (like wisdom, teaching, prophecy, etc.) to be used for the common good of the Christian community. Use them! God is the best gift-giver EVER!
Prayer of Response:
Thank you. THANK you. THANK YOU!
Questions to Ponder:
- How will you accept this gift from God? Will you put it on display to look at?
- Will you put it aside? Will you hold it close to your heart?
- Will you ask the Giver how to use his gift to you?
Breath Prayers:
Join us in praying breath prayers each day. We invite you to write your own as well.
Inhale(Breathe in): I receive
Exhale(Breathe out): Your gift
—Submitted by: Audrey Jose
Audrey has been involved with Lifesprings since 2007 and currently leads the Peace Amidst Conflict Training team. She and her husband serve with Radstock Ministries (www.radstock.org) which is committed to church planting and offers coaching, expertise and opportunities worldwide for mission and church partnerships.
Feature photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash