Tuesday, July 22, 2025

New Testament Reading Plan: Hebrews 12

The church I grew up in repeated the Apostles’ Creed every week. Within the creed, we said that we believed in God the Father Almighty and in Jesus Christ, his only son who was conceived by the Holy Ghost.

In my youth, saying I believed in a ghost felt kind of weird. I understood God and Jesus, but a ghost? Not so much! 

In my 40s, I received Jesus’ invitation and accepted him into my heart. I began trusting Christ to lead me. Speaking of the “ghost” was still mentioned, but the name had changed to the Holy Spirit. As a new Christian, I was curious and wanted to know what this Spirit was all about. 

John 14:17
“He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.”

I learned that as followers of Jesus, there is a powerful presence living in us - the Holy Spirit - and with his help, we can be the people God created us to be. 

The Holy Spirit shows us how God’s way is better. The more we ask to receive the Holy Spirit and listen to him through Scripture, talking with other Christians, and journaling our thoughts, the easier it becomes to discern when he’s speaking to us. 

Before I accepted Jesus' invitation to follow him, the Bible made no sense to me, so I didn’t apply it to my life. Now, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, he leads me into all truth. The Holy Spirit is the same Holy Ghost I wondered about in my youth. He’s always been with me, I just needed to ask him to live in me and let him lead. There is so much joy in that! 

You can have that joy, too! You just need to ask and receive. 

Questions: 
Do you know when the Holy Spirit is speaking to you? How do you know?

Next Steps: 
In listening to the Holy Spirit, Scripture is our final authority. The Holy Spirit will never tell you anything that goes against God’s Word. As you practice and learn to hear his voice, ask a Christian friend whom you trust to help you discern his voice until you are more confident. Ask in prayer, then listen.

Prayer: 
Holy Spirit, thank you for living inside me and for leading me in the truth. Your ways are not the ways of the world, so I need you to speak loudly so I can hear above the noise. I pray you help me make time to ask and then listen for your response. I am impulsive, wanting to jump ahead, but your way is better. Help me grow in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Only you, Lord. Only you.

Series Theme Verse:
Psalm 85:8
I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways.

This post was written by Lauri White, an Oregon attendee, and a regular contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.