Holy Spirit: A Family Created by the Spirit
This week’s devotions are based on Week 4 of Confessing Christ in a Confused World (WATCH HERE)
Acts 2:42 “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
If you’ve ever sat around a campfire, you’ve probably noticed what happens when someone pulls a glowing coal away from the rest of the fire. At first it still glows brightly, but within a few minutes the red begins to fade. Soon it grows dark and cold. Place that same coal back into the fire, and before long it glows once again.
The illustration isn’t perfect, but it reminds us of an important spiritual truth. God never intended His children to live the Christian life in isolation. The Holy Spirit not only creates faith in individual hearts, He gathers believers into a family.
One of the most common statements heard today is, “I don’t need to go to church to be a Christian.” There is a measure of truth in those words. Going to church does not make someone a Christian any more than sitting in a garage makes someone a car. We are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
Yet the question is not whether attending church saves us. The better question is this: Why would someone who has been called by the Holy Spirit want to stay away from the very family the Spirit has gathered?
Look carefully at what happened on Pentecost. Peter preached Christ crucified and risen. The Holy Spirit worked through that Gospel message, and about three thousand people believed. But the story does not end with three thousand individuals going home to practice their faith alone. Luke immediately tells us what the Spirit created.
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
Notice how naturally those believers gathered together. They wanted to hear God’s Word. They shared meals together. They prayed together. They cared for one another’s needs. They praised God together. The Holy Spirit created not only faith but also a community centered on Christ.
That should not surprise us. Throughout Scripture, God describes His people using family language. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. We are members of one body. We are living stones being built into a spiritual house. Paul writes in Ephesians, “You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household.” The Christian faith has always been deeply personal, but it has never been private.
Luther recognized this in his explanation of the Third Article. After speaking about the Holy Spirit calling him personally by the Gospel, he immediately continues, “In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth.” The Spirit’s work is both individual and communal. He brings us to Christ, and He brings us to one another.
Perhaps you’ve experienced seasons when you drifted from regular worship. Life became busy. Disappointments mounted. Maybe someone in the church hurt you. Churches are made up of sinners, and sinners sometimes fail one another. Yet despite our imperfections, Christ has not abandoned His Church. He continues to gather His people around His Word and Sacraments because He knows how desperately we need them.
Every Sunday, Christ serves His people. He speaks His forgiving Word. He reminds us of our Baptism. He feeds us with His body and blood. He surrounds us with fellow believers who encourage us, pray for us, rejoice with us, and bear our burdens. These are not merely religious activities. They are gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The church is not simply a place we go. It is the family to which we belong. It is where the Holy Spirit continues His gracious work of strengthening faith until the day we join the great communion of saints gathered around the throne of the Lamb in heaven.
So this week, thank God not only for saving you but also for giving you a spiritual family. Cherish the gift of Christ’s Church. It is one of the clearest evidences that the wind of the Holy Spirit is still blowing.
Reflect: How have fellow Christians encouraged or strengthened your faith during difficult seasons of life? How can you intentionally encourage someone else within your church family this week?
Prayer: Holy Spirit, thank You for gathering me into Your holy Christian Church. Thank You for surrounding me with brothers and sisters in Christ who encourage me with Your Word and remind me of Your promises. Forgive me for the times I have taken this gift for granted or allowed other priorities to crowd it out. Continue to gather Your people around the Gospel, strengthen our faith through Your Word and Sacraments, and keep us united in Christ until we worship together before Your heavenly throne. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Holy Spirit: Called by the Gospel
This week’s devotions are based on Week 4 of Confessing Christ in a Confused World (WATCH HERE)
Romans 10:17 “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”
Every once in a while, someone receives a phone call that changes everything.
It may be the call offering a dream job, the news that a child has been born, or the words every waiting family longs to hear: “Your adoption has been approved.” In a single conversation, life takes an entirely new direction. Yet the call itself is only powerful because of the one who is calling and the message being delivered.
The greatest call you have ever received did not come through a telephone. It came through the Gospel.
We often speak about “finding God” as though Christianity began with our search. The Scriptures tell a different story. God came searching for us. We were the lost sheep. We were the wandering prodigal. We were dead in our sins. Left to ourselves, we would never have sought Him. As Luther reminds us in his explanation to the Third Article, “I believe that I cannot by my own thinking or choosing believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to him.”
What we could never accomplish, the Holy Spirit did for us.
On the Day of Pentecost, Peter stood before a crowd in Jerusalem and preached the simple message of Jesus’ death and resurrection. There were no dramatic stage effects, no carefully crafted marketing campaign, and no emotional manipulation. Peter simply proclaimed Christ crucified and risen. Yet when he finished, about three thousand people believed and were baptized that very day.
What happened?
The Holy Spirit happened.
Peter later told the crowd, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:38–39).
Notice who is doing the calling.
The Lord calls.
The Holy Spirit works.
Faith is created.
That same miracle continues every time the Gospel is proclaimed.
Sometimes Christians worry that they are not persuasive enough to share their faith. We fear we will not have the right words or answer every difficult question. While it is wise to grow in our understanding of God’s Word, our confidence has never rested in our ability to convince people. Faith is not produced by clever arguments or compelling personalities. Faith comes through the Word of Christ as the Holy Spirit works through that Word.
Think about Lydia in the city of Philippi. As Paul spoke, Luke records, “The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message” (Acts 16:14). Paul preached. Lydia listened. But it was the Lord who opened her heart. That is always the pattern.
This truth is wonderfully comforting.
It means that your salvation does not depend upon the strength of your decision but upon the faithfulness of God’s promise. It means that when parents bring a child to Baptism, they are trusting God’s promise that the Holy Spirit works through water and the Word. It means that every Sunday, as God’s Word is read and preached, the Holy Spirit is actively calling people to repentance, strengthening weary believers, comforting troubled consciences, and creating faith where there was unbelief.
The Holy Spirit has not stopped calling.
He called you by name in your Baptism.
He continues to call you through His Word each time you hear the Gospel.
And one day He will call you home to be with Christ forever.
What a gracious God we have. He did not wait for us to find Him. He lovingly called us through the saving message of Jesus, and He continues to keep us in that same faith by His powerful Gospel.
Reflect: How does knowing that God sought and called you change the way you think about your own salvation? Who in your life needs to hear the Gospel, trusting that the Holy Spirit is the One who creates faith?
Prayer: Holy Spirit, thank You for calling me by the Gospel and bringing me to faith in Jesus Christ. Continue to strengthen my faith through Your Word and remind me daily that my salvation rests entirely in Your gracious work. Give me confidence to share the Gospel with others, trusting that You alone can open hearts and create faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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.