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The Upper Room Chaplains' Ministry
Since World War II, The Upper Room has been providing copies of the daily devotional to Read More
Michael E. Williams | Read Romans 8:14-17
Disciplines is available in a variety of formats: print, digital, and print/digital combo packages. A digital subscription includes access to author bios, the ability to comment, and audio lectio.
Sign Up TodayIn both Greek and Hebrew one word means spirit, wind, and breath. When Paul writes that God’s Spirit witnesses with our spirit that we are children of God, he describes a kind of conspiracy—a breathing together—between God and us. To conspire simply means to breathe together.
As a theater student...
God, who breathed into us the breath of life, help me synchronize my breath, wishes, hopes, and desires with yours. Amen.
In preparing for Pentecost, we focus again on the work of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2 recounts the famous story in which the disciples are miraculously able to speak in other languages in order to preach to the crowds in Jerusalem. The psalmist states that God creates and renews creation through the Spirit. According to Paul, if we are led by God’s Spirit, the Spirit confirms that we are children of God. In the Gospel of John, Jesus promises to send the Helper, the Holy Spirit, who will teach us how to love him and to keep his commandments. In some branches of Christianity, fear of excess causes hesitation about the Holy Spirit; however, we must never forget that the Spirit is central to God’s redeeming work.
Read Acts 2:1-21. The miracle of Pentecost is not only in the multitude of languages but also in the act of listening. How can you experience worship in many languages or offer deep listening this Pentecost?
Read Psalm 104:24-34, 35b. How do you witness God’s experience woven through all of creation?
Read Romans 8:14-17. The author reminds us that spirit also means breath. When have you felt led by the breath of God?
Read John 14:8-17, 25-27. How has fear kept you from trusting God?
Respond by posting a prayer.
The book This Life That Is Ours is "a welcome traveling companion, helping us to connect to God and ourselves in the midst of what can be a disconnecting, lonely season." Learn more.
