Journey to Easter – 40-Day Creative Lent Devotional – Day 21: The Spirit of Christ

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spirit of christ

 

Day 21: The Spirit of Christ

Opening Prayer

opening prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before You now seeking to know You more fully through Your Holy Spirit. Illuminate our minds to understand the deep truths about the Spirit of Christ who dwells within all believers. Open the eyes of our hearts to perceive more of who You are and Your gracious work in our lives.

We ask that Your Spirit would guide our thoughts and reflections on what it means to be led by the Spirit of Christ. Give us hearts of wisdom and understanding to comprehend the character and ways of Jesus that are to be lived out through us. May any areas of independence from Your Spirit be laid bare, that we would surrender fully to Your control.

We long to know the fullness of Your presence and power available to us. Fill us afresh with Your Spirit today. Bring increase of His fruit in our lives – love, joy, peace and all righteousness. May deep communion with Christ characterize our paths from this time onward.

We ask in the precious name of Your Son, our Savior Jesus, Amen.

Scripture Reading and Reflection

holy spirit

Romans 8:9 KJV

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Reflection:

When we place our faith in Jesus Christ, we receive the incredible gift of the Holy Spirit coming to dwell within us. No longer are we defined by our sinful flesh, but by the very Spirit of the risen Lord. “If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ” (Romans 8:9). Without the Spirit of Christ, we are not true Christians as we don’t belong to Christ. This indwelling Spirit is none other than the third person of the Trinity. He is God Himself taking up residence in our hearts. What an astounding reality that the creator of the universe chose to make our bodies His temple! Through the Spirit, we have direct access to the Father. The Spirit works to transform us into the image of Jesus from the inside out. He produces in us “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Without the Spirit’s work, we have a tendency to be arrogant, self-assertive, or self-pleasing. As we walk by the Spirit rather than our fleshly desires, Christ is fully formed in us. What a privilege it is to have the Spirit of the resurrected Christ living within us. He empowers us for holy living, equips us for service, and leads us into all truth. As we quiet our souls daily to commune with Him, He reveals more of Christ to us. May we embrace fully all that it means to be Spirit-filled and let His fruit abound in our lives.

Hymn:

O Spirit of the Living God, Thou Light and Fire Divine

1 O Spirit of the living God, thou light and fire divine, descend upon thy church once more, and make it truly thine. Fill it with love and joy and power, with righteousness and peace; till Christ shall dwell in human hearts, and sin and sorrow cease.

2 Blow, wind of God! With wisdom blow until our minds are free from mists of error, clouds of doubt, which blind our eyes to thee. Burn, winged fire! Inspire our lips with flaming love and zeal, to preach to all thy great good news, God’s glorious commonweal.

3 Teach us to utter living words of truth which all may hear, the language all may understand when love speaks loud and clear; till every age and race and clime shall blend their creeds in one, and earth shall form one family by whom thy will is done.

4 So shall we know the power of Christ who came this world to save; so shall we rise with him to life which soars beyond the grave; and earth shall win true holiness, which makes thy children whole; till, perfected by thee, we reach creation’s glorious goal!

Lyrics: Henry Hallam Tweedy, Music: Henry Hiles

Creative Activities: 1. Scripture Writing

scripture writing   Write out Romans 8:9 in your best handwriting on the Scripture writing page which you can download below. Please download the Scripture Writing Page below. It is for personal and educational use (school, homeschooling) as well as for use at church and in ministry only. Commercial use not allowed.

Download Scripture Writing Page

scripture writing printable day 21DOWNLOAD NOW

Creative Activities: 2. Bible Journaling

bible journaling

Slow your mind and open your heart now to what the Spirit may say to you through thoughtful meditation on Scripture. Reflect prayerfully on one of the key passages about the indwelling presence of the Spirit of Christ. Notice any words or phrases that stand out as you read slowly. Seek impressions for symbolic images, textures or colors that resonate with the Spirit’s work within. Allow your creative expressions through journaling to give voice to insights and prayers stirring from time in God’s presence. Simple sketches, patterns or abstract shapes can communicate understandings from the heart. There is no wrong way to respond through art. Let your reflections flow freely as a dialogue with the Spirit. May your creative writings lock in spiritual truths and strengthen your commitment to walk thoroughly in step with the indwelling Christ.

Creative Activities: 3. Doodling

doodling

  Clear your space and gather paper, colored pens and pencils. Sit quietly and focus your mind on the name of Jesus, listening for the Spirit’s still, small voice. Allow your hand to move freely across the page without overplanning designs. Curves, repeating patterns or written words may emerge in response to spiritual impressions. Doodle leaves, vines or abstract shapes without criticism. Pay attention to any symbols that represent God’s working in your life through the passage meditated on earlier. Incorporate doodles of hearts, crosses or waves as you contemplate the love, grace and guiding nature of the indwelling Spirit. Let intricate yet intuitive lines and textures be part of your prayerful dialogue. Fill whole pages if needed to fully release all to God through this creative yet contemplative expression. Seek Him alone through surrendered scribbles that welcome His artistic inspiration. May your doodles serve to further strengthen your relationship with the Spirit who indwells, directing your steps moment by moment. Please download the Doodle Printable below. It is for personal and educational use (school, homeschooling) as well as for use at church and in ministry only. Commercial use not allowed.

Download Doodle Printable

doodle printable day 21DOWNLOAD NOW

Creative Activities: 4. Journaling

journaling

 

Reflect and Journal:

  • What areas of your life have you noticed the Spirit of Christ working to transform most recently? How might you cooperate more fully with His redemptive work today and in the days ahead?
Please download the Journal Printable below. It is for personal and educational use (school, homeschooling) as well as for use at church and in ministry only. Commercial use not allowed.

Download Journal Printable

journal printable day 21DOWNLOAD NOW

Applying and Taking Action

applying and taking action

  As your time of reflection draws to a close, consider ways to implement spiritual lessons gleaned from God’s Word and your creative dialogue with His Spirit. Identify specific next steps:
  • How might you nurture continued awareness of the indwelling Christ? Make spending time with Him through prayer, reading His Word or fellowshipping with believers a priority this week.
  • In what situations does relying on your understanding fall short? Pray for humility and wisdom from above as conflicts arise.
  • Where could expressing spiritual fruits like love, joy and patience impact relationships most? Ask the Lord to fill you afresh for opportunities to build others up.
  • Remain attentive to promptings to sacrifice selfish desires. Respond in obedience, trusting the Spirit’s guidance into all truth and righteousness.
May your actions now be empowered by the Spirit of Christ within you. Go forth to walk in step with Him each day this week and beyond.

Closing Prayer

closing prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for this time set apart to focus our hearts and minds on Your Holy Spirit. We are grateful for the way He works to transform us more into the image of Your Son.

As we conclude our time together, may the truths learned today continue to resonate within us. Help us to walk in obedience to Your Spirit’s leading in every situation. Give us strength each day to rely on His power rather than our own understanding or desires.

Use the insights gained and steps identified to draw us nearer to You. May we cooperate fully with Your redemptive work through loving obedience. Equip us to represent Christ well in how we live.

Thank You for indwelling us by Your Spirit. We pray You would increase our love, joy, peace and all fruit as testimony to His presence within. Please bless believers with opportunities to build one another up as we seek to glorify You in all things.

We ask in the mighty name of Jesus, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever. Amen.

 

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