Gifts From God: Devotions From Time of GraceSample

The Gift of God Himself: The Spirit’s indwelling

Do you ever feel like a laboratory rat? You know, the little animals used in behavioral experiments that have to perform some actions or negotiate a maze in order to get food. Do you ever feel as though God in his white lab coat and clipboard is analyzing your performance to decide if you’re worthy of his rewards, that you’re struggling all alone in a hard and cruel game where the odds seem stacked against you?

Fear not. Your Creator is also your Savior. He cares intensely that you should succeed in your life. What’s more, God’s salvation gifts to you don’t stop with the empty cross and empty tomb of Christ. He gives you accurate information of his great victories in language that you can understand. He gives you the faith you need to believe it and trust it. And he gives you the power to live it.

Those three amazing gifts come from the Holy Spirit, who loves you enough to take up residence in your mind and heart. St. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 6:19, “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God.” More good news--the Spirit’s presence in your life is a gift from God, and thus it is unconditional and free. You have a daily companion and counselor from heaven!