The Spirit of the Matter – Today’s Family Devotion

The Spirit of the Matter

Bible Reading: Acts 1:4-8

When the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere. Acts 1:8

“Fine!” Alissa spat. “Maybe God thinks I’m his masterpiece. But no one else does. To­day at school I had to read the grade I got on my reading homework out loud. Every­one snorted when they heard my score. They all know I’m stupid.”

Alissa’s aunt hugged her and said, “You aren’t stupid. Maybe you struggle with reading, but you’re learning. And you do other things really well. You know how to do math problems that even I can’t do!”

Being sure that God has made you his masterpiece doesn’t mean thinking untrue things about yourself. It isn’t telling yourself nice lies. It’s realizing that God has built into you real strengths you can use in the real world.

Paul wasn’t bragging when he said, “I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need” (Philippians 4:13). He just knew he was gifted and equipped to serve God. And that fact is true of you too.

Being gifted by God doesn’t mean you’ll never flunk a homework assignment or struggle with spelling. But God wants you to be sure of this: He has given you all sorts of abilities—physical, mental, and spiritual—and equipped you to use those abilities successfully. God sees you as capable and useful. And the key to grasping that truth is understanding how the Holy Spirit is at work in you:

• You are born again by the Spirit (John 3:3-5).

• The Spirit lives inside you and will be with you forever (John 14:16-17).

• The Spirit teaches you what you need to know (John 14:26).

• The Spirit guides you (Romans 8:14).

• The Spirit equips you with talents, abilities, and spiritual gifts so you can serve God (1 Corinthians 12:4, 11).

• The Spirit prays for you when you’re weak (Romans 8:26-27).

• The Spirit develops his fruit in you: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

God says this: “You are equipped for a successful Christian life.” You can read in 1 Corinthians 1:7: “Now you have every spiritual gift you need.” God has given everything you need to serve him. That fact doesn’t mean you won’t fail, but it does mean you have everything you need to succeed.

TALK: What difference does it make to you that the Holy Spirit lives inside you?

PRAY: Thank God for valuing you enough to give you everything you need to serve him.

ACT: Sharing with a Christian friend what you’ve learned about the Holy Spirit will make you confident—and capable!