December 2022 Memory Verse
“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
– Luke 11:13
Christmas brings back memories of gifts I received from my parents growing up. Although the presents brought me happiness, my intuition told me there was a deeper sense of happiness beyond those gifts.
During that time, God was deepening my spiritual roots (Matthew 13:21) through Sunday School and other life experiences, such as joining the church and publicly professing my faith in Jesus Christ at age twelve.
But during my late teenage years, my thoughts and actions became increasingly secular because of the negative influences around me. This change led me to lose interest in the desire I once had to pursue spiritual happiness.
Several years passed before I sensed God drawing me back to Himself (John 6:44), and I felt compelled to seek Him sincerely (Hebrews 11:6). This sense of drawing and seeking seemed to be the catalyst for a life-changing encounter I had with the Holy Spirit.
With a sudden epiphany, I was awakened from my spiritual slumber and set on a new path. Since I had difficulty explaining the extraordinary change that took place in my life, I looked for a deeper understanding through God’s Word (John 3:8).
God’s Word revealed that my encounter with the Holy Spirit was to be more than just an experience. He reminded me that He was living in me (1 Corinthians 3:16) and that He desired to do many good things for me and through me (Matthew 7:11).
After pointing out that these things were inherently practical (Matthew 7:24), the Holy Spirit emphasized five realities that would help me focus on God’s will for my life and show me how I should proceed down the narrow road.
- 1. It was God’s will for the Holy Spirit to lead me (Romans 8:14).
- It was God’s will for the Holy Spirit to give me the desire and power to do what pleased Him (Philippians 2:13).
- It was God’s will for the Holy Spirit to teach me (1 John 2:27).
- It was God’s will for the Holy Spirit to develop Christian character in me (Galatians 5:22).
- It was God’s will for the Holy Spirit to produce good works through me (Ephesians 2:10).
Yes, my parents knew how to bless me with Christmas gifts that brought happiness during my youth. But only God knew how to bless me with the Holy Spirit, a gift that gave me the spiritual joy I desired, and the wisdom and confidence to pursue God’s will for my life.
By Russ Walling
