Dear Hope family,

Thought for the Week

Romans 8v13 “If by the Spirit, you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.”  (NIV)

Have you been filled with the Holy Spirit today?

God has graciously given us his Holy Spirit. This gift is possible because of Jesus. Jesus has “justified” us – that is he has taken our sins and made us holy in God’s sight. This makes us able to receive the Holy Spirit who “sanctifies” us – that is makes us holy in practice day by day.

What is your testimony of how the Holy Spirit has changed your character to be more like Jesus?

God said through the prophet Ezekiel 580 years before Jesus, “I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” Ezekiel 36v27. This is now fulfilled.

Our expectation as believers is that we do not continue in sin. Rather, the grace of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit enables us to overcome temptation and our sinful desires. Repentance is to say I’m not going to sin anymore. True repentance is only possible by the transforming work of the Spirit.

You and I may well fail. But for us who believe, failure should not produce despondency but dependency – dependency on the grace of Jesus and the power of the Spirit.

Thank you Lord. What a wonderful God we serve. Ask God to fill you with His Spirit now.

With love and blessing,

Roland