Devotion

This past Sunday, the congregations across the world celebrated Pentecost. On Pentecost
we celebrate both the birthday of the church and the gift of the Holy Spirit. This
combination is important for us to remember. We cant be a church without the Holy Spirit.
At our core a church is a spiritual organization.
We Presbyterians have historically had problems with the idea of the Holy Spirit. We are
stereotypically known as head people. Weve been taught that what we think about God
is very important. We have a grand tradition of theological thinking.
Knowing God and knowing theology is important, but this knowledge is not enough. We are
called to know God with our heartto value experiences of God. These experiences happen
because of the movement of the Holy Spirit.
The following readings share some basic teaching about the Holy Spirit. The Scriptures
share many other places where the Holy Spirit is mentioned, but these five give an
introduction questions like Who is the Holy Spirit and What happens when the Holy Spirit
is active? and Where does the Holy Spirit originate? Enjoy!!

Monday, May 25
Read Genesis 1:1-8
In the New Revised Standard version translation of verse two we find the word, wind. The
word comes from the Hebrew word, ruah. It is the wind from God or the wind of God.
The New International Version translates the word as Spirit.
This wind, Ruah, is the Spirit of God, or the Holy Spirit. In this story the wind or Spirit of
God started creating from nothingness or chaos.
Who is the Holy Spirit? One definition is the wind of God. This wind creates out of chaos.
We might be experiencing chaos in our life right now, or we might know of someone who
might be experiencing chaos.
As you pray today, pray that you or this person might experience ruah, the wind of God,
the Holy Spirit. Pray that the person might experience Gods creative power. That
something will be formed out of chaos.

Tuesday, May 26
Read Galatians 5:16-26
The Apostle Paul encouraged people to live by the Spirit. One result of living by the Spirit is
the Fruit of the Spirit. This fruit is a powerful description of Christian character. In verse 22
we read that the nine characteristics of the Fruit of the Spiritlove, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
These nine characteristics are the working of the Spirit. To use a metaphor, think of the
Spirit as the seed and the resulting fruit as these nine characteristics.
Which of these nine characteristics come easy to you? Which of these nine come more
difficult? If you are doing this devotion with another person, have some conversation about
these two questions.

As you pray today, pray to live out all nine of these characteristics. Pray that people will
know you by the Fruit of the Spirit. And, pray that we at Chain of Lakes can be people who
are known by the Fruit of the Spirit.

Wednesday, May 27
Read John 20:19-23
The disciples were scared to death as they were with each other; they were afraid for their
lives. Then Jesus appeared to them, breathed on them, and said Receive the Holy Spirit.
Another description of the Holy Spirit is the breath of God, in this case the breath of Jesus.
In some ways this story is similar to the second creation story in Genesis 2 where the Lord
God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into the man the breath of life.
The disciples received life from the breath of Jesus; the man received life from the breath of
God.
One result from this breath of God is life. Where could you use the breath of God today?
Imagine Jesus breathing on youthat you are receiving the Holy Spirit. Imagine that you
are experiencing life because of this divine breath.

Thursday, May 28
Read John 14:15-31
Another description of the Holy Spirit is the Advocate. Jesus was sharing with his disciples
that even though he would be leaving them physically, he would give them this Spirit of
truth. Another way to describe the Advocate is helper or comforter. Jesus wanted to
make the point that even though he would soon physically leave the disciples, the Advocate
would be his spiritual presence with them. The disciples would not be orphaned.
We believe that in baptism this Advocate was sealed into us. We carry the Holy Spirit, the
Advocate, with us in all of our life.
Try an experiment. Today when you have a chance silently talk to your Advocatethe Holy
Spirit. Share with the Spirit what is going through your mind and happening in your heart.
Consider this Advocate as a being that is with you during the dayguiding you, comforting
you, showing you Gods way. This might seem a bit goofy, but if we reflect that the Spirit
was sealed inside of us during baptism it doesnt seem that strange.
Jesus wanted his disciples to know that this Advocate was with them. He would want us to
know that the Advocate is with us. Try and follow Jesus instructions by cultivating a
relationship through conversation with the Advocate today.

Friday, May 29
Read Romans 8:18-27
We could pick apart this passage from Romans and talk about it for quite a long time!! One
idea we can take from this pass is how the Spirit helps us to pray. Look at verse 26,
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought,
but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.
As you go through your day today, ask the Spirit to help you to pray. Consider saying
something as simple as, Holy Spirit, help me to pray right now. Your prayer doesnt have
to be longthe Spirit will help you with whatever prayer the Spirit wants.

This type of Spirit-led prayers could take place as you are walking, or biking, or gardening,
or driving the car, or sitting on the bus. This is a wonderful way to pray as we go on an
adventure with God. We never quite know where we will end up in prayers, but we enjoy
where the Spirit leads uswhere we end up praying.
May this be your prayer today, Holy Spirit, help me to pray right now.

Saturday, May 30
Read Luke 4:16-21
When Jesus started his ministry he took out a passage from Isaiah that started out saying,
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. Jesus then said that this Scripture was fulfilled. Jesus
was saying that he carried the Holy Spirit.
All of us carry the Holy Spirit, but it is obviously different to say that Jesus has the Spirit.
The Spirit originated from Jesus and his abba or Father. Another way to think of Jesus is
the Holy Spirit with a human body.
As you pray today, give thanks for the connection between the Holy Spirit and Jesus.