April 30 devotional

Scripture
Judges 11:29 “At that time the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephtah, and he went throughout the land of Gilead and Manasseh, including Mizpah and Gilead, and led an army against the Ammonites.”
Observation
It was the Holy Spirit that empowered Jepthah to lead an army. It was not his military training or experience. As far as we know, this was the first war he fought in. The Holy Spirit equipped him to fulfill God’s call upon His life.
Application
I must depend upon the Holy Spirit to equip me to fulfill God’s call upon my life. It is not just my education and skill level. It is the power of the Holy Spirit flowing through me. Dependence upon the Holy Spirit is the key. He develops his character through me and he gives me gifts to enable me to act. The Holy Spirit is my friend. He is the key to success.
Prayer
Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Give me a fresh touch today. I sense my overwhelming need of you. Help me. I can do nothing apart from you but I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

April 29 devotional

Scripture
Luke 24:49 “And now I will send the Holy Spirit just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.

Observation
1) The Father promised the Holy Spirit
2) Jesus is the giver of the Holy Spirit
3) The Holy Spirit was the priority. Jesus said don’t leave until you have received the Holy Spirit
4) The Holy Spirit comes upon you and fills you.
5) The Holy Spirit gives you power.

Application
The Holy Spirit is my priority. I have to full of the Holy Spirit. I am completely dependant upon him. He empowers me to be the person I need to be. The Holy Spirit empowers me to do what God calls me to do. I need the ministry of the Holy Spirit in my life.

Prayer
Jesus, you are the giver of the Holy Spirit. Fills me afresh and anew today. Thank you.

April 27 devotional

Scripture
Judges 7:14 “His friend said, “Your dream can mean only one thing-God has given Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite, victory over all the armies united with Midean!”
Observation
God constantly confirmed his vision to Gideon. He did it through the fleeces. He did by bringing fire on the sacrifice at the altar. Now he is confirming His word to Gideon by allowing him to overhear this conversation. The enemy was scared of Gideon and his God. This encouraged Gideon. God was building Gideon’s faith.
Application
God confirms his word to me. God builds my faith. I do not work up faith. I do not earn or purchase faith. God develops my faith. Faith is a fruit of the Spirit and faith is a gift of the Spirit. God is the giver of faith. God is the developer of faith. I love God because He first loves me. I believe in God because He gives me faith.
Prayer
I ask that you confirm your word that you have given me. Confirm the vision you have placed in my heart. I ask that you produce the fruit of faith in me. I ask that you give me the grace gift of faith. In Jesus name.

April 26 devotional

Scripture
Judges 6:34 “Then the Spirit of the Lord took possession of Gideon.”
Observation
1) Gideon was doing what he could to provide food for his family. It might not have been much but at least he was doing something.
2) God chose and called Gideon to deliver the people of Israel.
3) God empowered Gideon through the Holy Spirit
4) Gideon accomplished God’s will under the influence of the Holy Spirit
Application
I need to be under the influence of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit enables me to be the person God desires for me to be and to do what God has called me to do. The key to Gideon’s life and the key to my life is the Holy Spirit.
Prayer
Fill me afresh and anew with the Holy Spirit today. I submit to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. I ask that I will operate under His influence.