The church of Christ on McDermott Road

Romans 8 has so much to teach us about the Holy Spirit. One of the things Paul says in this section is that the Holy Spirit is active in our prayer life. As we pray, the Holy Spirit is partnering with us. However, if we are neglecting prayer, we are forfeiting this prayer partnership with the Holy Spirit. Perhaps, many of us need to renew our commitment. (Scripture: Romans 8:26-32)

Though some people take this idea to an extreme by limiting the Holy Spirit’s presence to “the word only,” Scripture is absolutely essential to aligning ourselves with the Holy Spirit. In fact, Paul says Scripture is, “inspired.” We could understand that as something like, “inspirited.” Scripture has God’s breath in it. If we want to be aligned with, and filled with, the Holy Spirit, we must listen to, meditate on, and obey what is written in Scripture. (Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:12-17)

It’s easy to keep pushing yourself, long after the fuel light has come on and you’re running on fumes. But stubbornly refusing to pull over and refuel helps no one. Worse yet, it can be harmful and dangerous. God doesn’t need you to be a hero, trying to accomplish things on your own. He needs you to put your trust in him, so that you can work and rest in confidence and faith. (Scripture: Psalm 127)

Sometimes the threat to “pull this car over” was just that, a threat. But other times, it was a promise. And when the car was stopped and the door was yanked open, there was a good chance that the innocents would be punished as severely as those who were guilty. How can we  create an environment where discipline is decisive, correction is constructive, and punishment is proper? (Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-3)

We often pack more items than we need when we go on a trip with family, friends or on our own. Our life journey is similar. Traveling down life’s road is not meant to include carrying heavy unnecessary baggage. God wants us to travel light. (Scripture: John 3:16-18)

This whole series is about true love. Not just romantic love, but love that is true. Love that comes from God, that is demonstrated in the cross, and that is produced by the Holy Spirit in the lives of God’s people. Love that is true in the sense of being constant and dependable. Love  that doesn’t give up on people. And love that is true in the sense of being honest and in agreement with reality. This is the kind of love we ought to be able to find in the church. This is the kind of love that can help us navigate a world of confusing and conflicting ideas.