May 2nd | The Holy Spirit is At Work in You

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS 

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS AT WORK IN YOU 

Ephesians 2:18 “Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.” 

God, your heavenly Father created you and provides all you need to live your earthly life. God, the Son, Jesus Christ, redeemed you. He brought you back into a right relationship with your heaven Father. God, the Holy Spirit has brought you to faith in Jesus Christ. Through this faith you receive all the blessings Jesus earned and won for you on Calvary’s cross and you are able to approach your heavenly Father with any thought or need.   

Without Christ Jesus you would remain dead in your trespasses and sins. (Ephesians 2:1) Without the Holy Spirit you cannot come to Jesus nor to God the Father. (1 Corinthians 12:3) Question 157 in the Small Catechism asks, “Why do you need the Holy Spirit . . . “ The answer given is: “By nature (you) are spiritually blind, dead, and an enemy of God. . . (you) cannot by (your) own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ. . .or come to Him.” 

The Holy Spirit uses the power of the Gospel to bring you to faith in Jesus. (see Romans 1:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:14; Revelation 22:17) “By the Gospel the Holy Spirit gives you the saving knowledge of Jesus. . . “ (Small Catechism, Questions 157) Romans 15:13 says that “. . . by the power of the Holy Spirit you . . . abound in hope.” John 3:5-6 says, “ . . .unless (you are) born of water and the Spirit, (you) cannot enter the kingdom of God . . .” 

Finally, the Small Catechism says, “The Holy Spirit keeps you with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.” (Questions 166)    Prayer: Holy Spirit, light divine. Shine upon my heart daily through the Means of Grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Holy spirit, ever dwelling In the holiest realms of light;  
Holy Spirit, ever brooding O’er a world of gloom and night;  
Holy Spirit, ever raising Those of earth to thrones on high;  
Living life Imparting Spirit, You we praise and magnify. 

Holy Spirit, ever living As the Church’s very life;  
Holy Spirit, ever striving Through us in a ceaseless strife;  
Holy spirit ever forming In the Church the mind of Christ:  
You we praise with endless worship   
For Your gifts and fruits unpriced. 

Holy Spirit, ever working Through the Church’s ministry;  
Quick’ning, strengthening, and absolving,   
Setting captive sinners free Holy Spirit ever binding   
Age to age and soul to soul    
In communion never ending, You we worship and extol.  (LSB 650)