Holy Spirit: The Wind Still Blows
This week’s devotions are based on Week 4 of Confessing Christ in a Confused World (WATCH HERE)
John 3:8 “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
You have never actually seen the wind.
You’ve seen tree branches bend. You’ve watched leaves race across a yard. You’ve noticed flags snapping on a breezy day or heard the whistle of wind around the corner of a house. After a strong thunderstorm, you may wake to find broken limbs scattered across your neighborhood. The evidence is unmistakable. The wind has been there, even though your eyes never saw it.
Jesus used that simple truth to teach Nicodemus about the Holy Spirit.
Nicodemus came to Jesus under the cover of darkness. He was a respected Pharisee, a teacher of God’s Law, and a member of the ruling council. If anyone should have understood the things of God, it was Nicodemus. Yet Jesus quickly revealed that all of his knowledge and religious accomplishments could not produce what he needed most. “No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
Nicodemus immediately thought in physical terms. “How can a man be born when he is old?” he asked. He could not imagine a second physical birth. But Jesus was speaking of something even greater. The Holy Spirit gives a spiritual birth. He creates new life where there was only spiritual death.
That is still true today.
We live in a world that prizes self-improvement. We are told to believe in ourselves, work harder, think more positively, and become the best version of ourselves. But Jesus reminds us that Christianity is not about improving the old self. It is about receiving a new life that only the Holy Spirit can give.
Martin Luther beautifully explains this in the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe that I cannot by my own thinking or choosing believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to him.” Left to ourselves, we would remain spiritually blind and dead in sin. We would never seek God on our own. Yet the good news of the Gospel is that God does not wait for us to find Him. The Holy Spirit comes to us through His Word and Sacraments. He calls us by the Gospel, creates faith in our hearts, and gives us new birth.
Every time God’s Word is preached, read, or shared, the Holy Spirit is at work breathing life into hearts.
You may not always feel the Spirit’s work. Some days your faith feels strong. Other days it may feel weak or clouded by doubts. Yet your confidence does not rest on your emotions. It rests on God’s promise. Just as the wind continues to blow whether you notice it or not, the Holy Spirit continues to work through His means of grace whether your feelings rise or fall.
So where do you see the evidence that the Spirit is still blowing?
You see faith where there was once unbelief. You see sinners clinging to Christ for forgiveness. You see children brought to the waters of Baptism. You see believers gathered around God’s Word. You see lives changed by His grace. These are not merely human achievements. They are the fingerprints of the Holy Spirit.
Today, thank God that His Spirit has not left you to yourself. He has called you. He has given you life in Christ. Though you cannot see the Spirit with your eyes, you can rejoice in the unmistakable evidence of His gracious work in your life.
Reflect: Where have you seen the Holy Spirit’s work producing new life in your own faith journey? How does knowing that faith is God’s gift bring comfort when your faith feels weak?
Prayer: Holy Spirit, thank You for giving me new life through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When I was dead in my sins, You called me by Your grace and created faith in my heart. Continue to strengthen that faith through Your Word and Sacraments. Open my eyes to see the evidence of Your work in my life and in Your Church, and keep me trusting in Christ until the day faith becomes sight. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Ready for the King’s Return!
This week’s devotions are based on Week 3 of Confessing Christ in a Confused World (WATCH HERE)
Matthew 24:42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”
One day Jesus will return.
Those words have encouraged Christians for centuries. They have also caused some anxiety. People sometimes imagine Christ’s return primarily as a frightening event. Yet for believers, the return of Jesus is meant to be a source of comfort and confidence.
After all, who is coming?
The One who suffered for us.
The One who died for us.
The One who rose for us.
The One who reigns for us.
The Judge of all the earth is the very Savior who shed His blood to redeem us.
Imagine waiting at an airport for a loved one you have not seen in years. As arrival time approaches, you are not filled with dread. You are filled with anticipation. You cannot wait for the doors to open and for the reunion to begin.
That is how Christians are invited to view Christ’s return.
Yes, Jesus will come in glory. Yes, He will judge the living and the dead. But those who trust in Him already know the verdict. Christ has carried their judgment on the cross. Their future is secure because their Savior is faithful.
This does not mean we become careless. Jesus repeatedly calls His followers to watchfulness and readiness. We do not know the day or the hour. Every generation of Christians has lived with the expectation that Christ could return at any time.
Living in readiness does not mean standing on a hillside staring at the sky. It means living faithfully today.
It means repenting when we sin.
It means forgiving others as we have been forgiven.
It means serving our neighbors.
It means sharing the Gospel.
It means faithfully carrying out the callings God has given us.
Think of a servant whose master is away on a journey. A wise servant does not spend his days speculating about the master’s arrival. He simply stays busy doing the work he was given. Then when the master arrives, he is found faithful.
That is the Christian life.
Luther’s explanation ends with the confidence that Christ “lives and reigns to all eternity.” The King who reigns today is the King who will return tomorrow. Nothing can prevent His coming. Nothing can stop His promises.
When the world feels unstable, remember this: history is not spinning out of control. It is moving toward a glorious conclusion. Jesus will return. Every wrong will be made right. Every tear will be wiped away. Every promise will be fulfilled.
Until then, watch, pray, and live with confidence!
Reflect: When you think about Christ’s return, do you feel more fear or anticipation? Why? What would it look like for you to live more intentionally in readiness for Christ’s return?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You that You are coming again. Keep me faithful as I wait for that day. Help me live with confidence, watchfulness, and joy, knowing that my future is secure in You. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Living Under the King
This week’s devotions are based on Week 3 of Confessing Christ in a Confused World (WATCH HERE)
2 Corinthians 5:15 “And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”
Many people think of Christianity primarily as a ticket to heaven. While eternal life is certainly part of God’s gift, life under God’s grace is much bigger than that. Jesus did not simply save us from something. He saved us for something.
Luther captures this beautifully when he writes that Christ redeemed us “that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom.”
Notice those words: His own.
In our culture, independence is often celebrated as the highest good. People want to be self made, self directed, and self sufficient. Yet the Christian faith begins with a different confession. I do not belong to myself. I belong to Jesus.
At first, that might sound restrictive. In reality, it is wonderfully freeing.
Imagine a train trying to leave the tracks because it wants freedom. The moment it leaves the rails, it ceases to function as it was designed. What appears to be freedom actually becomes disaster.
The same is true spiritually. We were created to live under God’s rule. Sin convinced humanity that true freedom meant independence from God. The result was bondage, guilt, and death.
Jesus came to restore us to the life we were created to live.
Revelation 1 says that Christ has made us “a kingdom and priests.” We are already citizens of His kingdom. We already live under His reign. Every day we have opportunities to serve Him in our homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, and churches.
This transforms ordinary life.
Changing a diaper can be an act of service to Christ.
Working honestly at your job can be an act of service to Christ.
Encouraging a struggling friend can be an act of service to Christ.
You do not need to travel across the world to serve the King. He has already placed people and responsibilities in your path.
Because Christ reigns, your life has purpose. Because Christ reigns, your work matters. Because Christ reigns, your service is never wasted.
The world often asks, “What do I want?” The disciple asks, “How can I honor my King?”
This is not a burden. It is a privilege. The One who purchased you with His blood now invites you to live as part of His kingdom. And unlike every earthly kingdom, His reign is marked by grace, forgiveness, and everlasting peace.
Today, remember whose you are. You belong to Christ. Live joyfully under His loving rule!
Reflect: In what area of your life do you most need to remember that you belong to Christ? How can you serve your King in a practical way today?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for making me Your own. Help me live each day under Your gracious reign. Show me opportunities to serve You faithfully in the ordinary moments of life and remind me that all I do can be done for Your glory. Amen.
The Resurrection Reveals the Truth About Hope
This week’s devotions are based on Week 3 of Confessing Christ in a Confused World (WATCH HERE)
Hebrews 12:2 “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
When Jesus told His disciples that He would suffer, die, and rise again, Peter only heard the first part. Peter heard suffering. Jesus saw resurrection.
We often do the same thing.
We focus on today’s struggles, today’s disappointments, today’s uncertainties. We can see the cross in front of us, but we struggle to see the empty tomb beyond it. Yet Jesus never lost sight of the joy that awaited Him. Hebrews tells us that “for the joy set before him” He endured the cross.
Think of a mother enduring the pain of childbirth. In the middle of labor, all she feels is discomfort and exhaustion. Yet she willingly endures because she knows what is coming. The joy beyond the pain gives meaning to the struggle.
Jesus endured infinitely more than physical pain. He bore the weight of humanity’s sin. He experienced abandonment and judgment in our place. Yet He endured because He knew what His sacrifice would accomplish. He knew that sinners would be redeemed. He knew that death would be defeated. He knew that countless believers would spend eternity with Him.
The resurrection changes how we view every hardship.
Without the resurrection, suffering seems pointless. With the resurrection, suffering becomes temporary.
Without the resurrection, death is the end. With the resurrection, death becomes a doorway into eternal life.
Without the resurrection, hope is wishful thinking. With the resurrection, hope becomes certainty.
This is why Paul could write in Romans 5 that suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope. Christians are not called to enjoy suffering. We are called to see it through the lens of Christ’s victory.
Luther reminds us that Christ has redeemed us “from death.” That phrase deserves more attention than we often give it. Death remains an enemy, but it is a defeated enemy. Because Jesus walked out of His grave, believers can face their own graves with confidence.
The resurrection assures us that our story does not end with loss, failure, sickness, or death. Christ’s story has become our story. As surely as He rose, we too will rise.
So when life feels heavy, fix your eyes on Jesus. The empty tomb reminds us that suffering never gets the final word. Joy is coming. Resurrection is coming. Christ has seen to that.
Reflect: What current struggle are you tempted to view without the perspective of Christ’s resurrection? How does the promise of your own resurrection change the way you face suffering today?
Prayer: Risen Savior, thank You for conquering death and securing my future. When I become discouraged by present troubles, help me fix my eyes on You and remember that because You live, I too shall live. Fill my heart with resurrection hope. Amen.
The Solution Is Greater Than We Think
This week’s devotions are based on Week 3 of Confessing Christ in a Confused World (WATCH HERE)
Matthew 16:21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”
23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
1 Peter 3:18 “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.”
When Peter heard Jesus speak about suffering and death, he immediately objected.
“Never, Lord! This shall never happen to you!”
We can understand Peter’s reaction. Nobody wants suffering. Nobody wants the cross. Peter was looking for a Messiah who would demonstrate power, victory, and glory. What he could not yet see was that God’s greatest victory would come through sacrifice.
We often think the same way.
When we recognize a problem in our lives, we usually look for solutions that seem reasonable and manageable. We want a little more discipline, a little more motivation, a little more self improvement. Yet God’s solution to our deepest problem was far greater than we ever would have imagined.
The Son of God took on flesh.
The sinless One stood in the place of sinners.
The righteous died for the unrighteous.
The Creator gave His life for His creatures.
Imagine being trapped in a deep pit. You try climbing out but fail. Others throw down advice, encouragement, and instructions. Nothing works. Finally someone climbs down into the pit, lifts you onto his shoulders, and carries you out.
That is what Christ has done for us.
The Gospel is not primarily advice. It is rescue.
Romans 6 reminds us that our old sinful self was crucified with Christ. Through faith, His death counts as our death. His victory becomes our victory. His righteousness becomes our righteousness.
This is why Luther’s explanation is so personal. Jesus “purchased and won me.” Not humanity in general. Not an anonymous crowd. Me.
The price was not gold or silver. It was His holy, precious blood.
There is tremendous comfort in that truth. Your salvation does not depend on how well you perform today. It does not depend on your ability to impress God. It rests entirely on what Christ has already done.
Every day the devil tries to point believers back to themselves. He wants us to focus on our failures, weaknesses, and fears. The Gospel redirects our eyes to Christ and says, “Look there.”
Your hope is not found in your worthiness.
Your hope is found in Christ’s finished work.
The solution to your greatest problem was accomplished at Calvary, and that solution is greater than you could ever have imagined.
Reflect: Where are you tempted to trust your own efforts rather than Christ’s finished work? What comfort do you find in knowing that Jesus purchased and won you with His precious blood?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for doing what I could never do for myself. Thank You for bearing my sin and bringing me to God. Keep my eyes fixed on Your cross and teach me to rest in the certainty of Your saving work. Amen.