DAY TWENTY FOUR - BIG PICTURE IN A YEAR - THE CREATION

“You must be born again”

John 3: 7

Reading: John 3: 5-7; John 6: 63

Today we continue looking at the third person of the Trinity, the One who was actively engaged in Creation, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is truly a creator, and a re-creator. The role that he plays in regenerating us, in making us alive again, should engender our eternal gratitude. Our rebirth is no human effort, it takes the power of the creating Holy Spirit. 

No human person has the power to impart new spiritual life to another person, nor can we who are spiritually “dead in our trespasses” (Ephesians 2:5) make ourselves spiritually alive to God. This new spiritual birth can only come about by the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit . . . . You must be born again” (John. 3:5-7). He also said, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all” (John 6:63).

As great as that work of regeneration is, it doesn't end there.  The Holy Spirit works in the lives of believers to enable them to grow in personal obedience to God. We read about this in Romans 8: 13, where Paul says, “If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live”. It is the Holy Spirit who produces Christlike character qualities in the lives of believers, for “the fruit of (fellowship with) the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Prayer

Dearest Holy Spirit, I literally owe you my life.

For the family

Explain

Explain briefly the various roles that the Holy Spirit plays in our lives – but focus on the fruit of the Spirit.

Engage

Invite your kids’ to help you cut up some of their favourite fruits – and while doing so explain how sweet and lovely the character of the Holy Spirit is. His influence on our lives is known as the “fruit” or outcome of being in relationship with the Spirit. Younger kids may enjoy colouring in some pictures of fruit while you engage the older ones on a deeper level. Explain that as they spend time relating to, listening to and being aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence in their lives, he will lead them into being loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and self-controlled. Discuss any areas of temperament that your kids are struggling with and pray for the Holy Spirit’s intervention in that area.