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Podcast 17.2 Transcript
Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.
Holy Spirit, Pow’r divine
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 ESV
Power. Who does not want more of that? But to what end? Though the rest of this stanza puts the focus squarely on the Spirit’s power to deliver us from the influence of sin in our lives, this Scripture applies that power to our witness for Christ. Before we consider their connection, first thank Him for His power.
Cleanse this guilty heart of mine;
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 ESV
How kind of God to give us this promise so that we may ask for His cleansing with confidence knowing He will grant it. This also pours confidence into our witnessing because we can assure those with whom we testify that God desires to forgive them. Praise God for His faithfulness and His forgiveness.
In Thy mercy pity me,
He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, Titus 3:5 ESV
“Not because of what I’ve done, but because of Who You are.” That line from an old Casting Crowns song plainly reveals the nature of God and His mercy. We do not get what we deserve because of His mercy. Thank God for His mercy, and the renewal in the Spirit it affords.
From sin’s bondage set me free.
For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2 ESV
We pray this once and it is accomplished, but we pray it again to acknowledge our need to walk in the reality of it. In Christ, the Spirit has set us free from sin’s bondage, but we sometimes act as though we are still captive. Ask the Spirit to help you walk in this reality today and every day.
Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more, with the refrain.
Holy Spirit, Pow’r divine,
Cleanse this guilty heart of mine;
In Thy mercy pity me,
From sin’s bondage set me free.
Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond. Until next time, be Resonant.
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