“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:16-17 (ESV)

I don’t tend to watch a lot of TV, unless it’s college football season or a new episode of Fixer Upper is airing. Then I’m all in. So I was thrilled to hear that Fixer Upper would return in 2021. Not only are Chip and Joanna Gaines so enjoyable to watch, but I love getting inspiration for my own home by witnessing the way they transform others.

It’s rare that I finish an episode and don’t move a chair to a different place in my living room, dream of a different paint color in one of our bathrooms or just drive straight to Target for the latest Magnolia merch to refresh my kitchen.

I put a good amount of energy into caring for our home, which is no small feat with five boys and a very large golden retriever. I’ll confess I exercise my desire to control the uncontrollable with things like organizing shoes on the mudroom shelf and fluffing the pillows just right on the couch. But beyond that, I care about creating a welcoming and loving space for our family and friends to enjoy. Shows like Fixer Upper give me inspo for making our home the best it can be and a restful place for my family to dwell in.

Recently, however, while reading our verse for today, I was challenged to consider how much (or how little!) energy I invest into making my heart a welcoming home for the Holy Spirit to dwell in. Our key verse in John 14:16-17 says, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” And I had to confess my tendency toward inattention to the Holy Spirit’s home.

I’d been following Jesus for more than 35 years before the magnificence of the Holy Spirit living in me became beautiful to me. I knew that when we put our trust in Jesus, we receive the free gift of eternal life. What I didn’t appreciate is that when we put our trust in Jesus, God puts His mighty Spirit in us. Our hearts become the home of the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 3:14)

How wild to think that belief in Jesus is the only prerequisite to receiving the powerful Holy Spirit inside us. Do we know the many benefits of this?

Just as Jesus was home to the Holy Spirit during His earthly ministry, so too are you home to the Holy Spirit now if you’ve put your trust in Jesus. We have the same power Jesus had when He was tempted to sin by Satan and didn’t succumb. We have the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead. We have the same supernatural power of God inside us today!

When I reflect on how our gracious God chose to place His precious Spirit inside my heart, and I reflect on all that He longs to do in me and for me and through me, I am energized to pray like David, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10, ESV). I receive a renewed desire to walk in obedience to God and not grieve the priceless gift of His Spirit with my intentional sin or a heart of unrepentance or bitterness.

This isn’t about being perfect for Christ. This is about being in pursuit of Christ! When our eyes are fixed on Jesus, the Spirit settles ungrieved in our hearts, and His power is unleashed in our lives!

What will make a dramatic difference in how we live is knowing that God Almighty dwells inside us by His Spirit and then believing that everything that is His is ours. His power and wisdom. His strength and joy. His peace and comfort. His love and hope. God manifests all of Himself in His people through His Spirit.

Where there are strongholds of sin that need to be broken. Where there is bitterness that needs to be released. Where there is toxic thinking that needs to be replaced with life-giving Truth. This is where the Spirit of God in us can do more than we ask or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20) Our role is to make our hearts a welcoming home for Him to dwell in.

Father, thank You for the gift of Your Spirit. Empower us to walk according to Your Truth so that we might live empowered by Your Spirit. We don’t want to settle for less than everything You want to do in us and through us, for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY

Acts 2:38, “And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” (ESV)

Ephesians 4:30, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (ESV)

RELATED RESOURCES

To discover 30 incredible benefits to the Holy Spirit’s presence in you, grab a copy of Jeannie Cunnion’s new book, Don’t Miss Out: Daring to Believe Life Is Better with the Holy Spirit.

CONNECT

For a free download of “5 Reflections for Welcoming the Holy Spirit’s Presence,” visit  JeannieCunnion.com.

Enter to WIN your very own copy of Don’t Miss Out by Jeannie Cunnion. To celebrate this book, Jeannie’s publisher will give away 5 copies! Enter to win by leaving a comment here. {We’ll randomly select 5 winners and then notify each one in the comments section by Monday, May 17, 2021.}

REFLECT AND RESPOND

What’s a situation in your life where you need God’s mighty power? Take hold of the truth that you have His mighty power inside of you through His Holy Spirit.

What is one way that you can make your heart a welcoming home for the Holy Spirit today?

© 2021 by Jeannie Cunnion. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries thanks Bethany House Publishers for their sponsorship of today’s devotion.

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