Throughout Lent, we’ll be publishing daily devotionals written and narrated by members of our congregation. This year, our theme is Transformed in Christ. Today's episode is narrated by Rebecca Seitchick, and features a reflection written by Roger Theimer, followed by an application written by Rebecca Seitchick.
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Thanks for listening!
Hello! I am Rebecca Seitchick and welcome to King of Kings’ Lenten Devotions, “Transformed in Christ”
Today is April 6th and this week we are reminded to Be Like Jesus with Power in the Holy Spirit.
Today’s truth that transforms is: Seek the Holy Spirit to Bring You the Intimacy of God
Our Scripture reading is from John 17
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you[e] known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them”
How are we “Transformed in Christ” and shaped to be more like Him?
Jesus valued intimacy. He was passionate about His love for the Father, regularly spent time in His presence, and depended on Him for strength, guidance and help. He not only obeyed His Father, He worshipped Him. He gave His followers frequent insight into His relationship with His Father. One of the most stirring was that He let them listen to Him praying to His Father as He asked His Father that His followers too would have such a close relationship! He also prayed for intimacy between His followers and Himself after He completed His mission. Are you ready to seek the Holy Spirit and ask for this intimacy with the Father and the Son? It’s the best that God has to offer. More of Himself. God invites you to ask!
I once thought God was beyond my reach, but when I better understood my identity in Christ as His beloved daughter, I began to grasp the whole point of Christianity - not religion, but relationship.
Relationship is cultivated with levels of intimacy through seasons. We have our acquaintances, our extended family, good friends, and our inner circle. Then if we are really honest, we have a place deep within ourselves, that we may prefer to keep hidden. That’s the place, when we are still, where the Lord can fellowship with us best through His Word because His Spirit is in us.
I love when the Holy Spirit enlightens a scripture to my mind, bringing me understanding and delight in discovering more about Jesus and more about our Father. The Holy Spirit has a way of taking the written “logos” Word, adding power to it, making it personal to a present situation. This makes serving Him and helping others exciting.
I sometimes have over-complicated or even overly strived to be closer to the Lord, but have learned relationship with the Holy Spirit is simple and easy because He does the work to connect me when I ask. No need to anxiously search or much consider what words to pray. It’s a simple ask, that’s all. Just a humble contrite heart, reverence, and thanksgiving helps me stay connected. Little prayers, a look of amazement, or smile of love also helps my focus, like a radio receiver, tune in to His presence and powerful love working all around us.
Jesus warns us of a whole subculture of “Christianity” that is disconnected, out of oil, without the power of the Holy Spirit, with very clear words, “I never knew you” (Matthew 7:21). The world needs Jesus, and we will only fulfill the great commission by staying connected for the Vine, filled with God’s love through the Holy Spirit.