During Advent, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Son of God who was born of a virgin to bring salvation and hope to the world. We rejoice in Immanuel, the Lord who is with us.
There’s something about the images of a newborn infant asleep in a manger next to an exhausted new mama and an overwhelmed new father that makes God oh so relatable. He’s not a distant God, far enough from us that we are unsure of how to pray to or approach Him. He is the One His followers could touch and feel, the One who stooped to conquer, who chose the vulnerable and weak form of a crying baby to save a broken humanity. It’s this God—who comes to us motivated by radical love—that we long for and rejoice in.
We often forget though that God’s nearness extends beyond Jesus’s birth. Jesus came to earth and dwelt among us so that the Spirit of God might one day dwell within us. Once Jesus came to earth, His arrival and departure back to the Father made a way for the Holy Spirit to come and reside in believers. So great is God’s love for us that He is not content to merely live amongst us, but it is His good will to live within us.
This is good news for those of us who feel alone, forgotten by those around us, left behind by those we loved and grieve for, or misunderstood by those we long to connect with. During a time of year where the idyllic Christmas images of family gatherings and exchanging of gifts and laughter around a Christmas tree awaken feelings of loneliness, we can take great comfort in knowing we are not alone. God is with us. His very Spirit brings us peace (John 14:27).
For those of us at a crossroads and unsure of what path to take or facing a difficult situation and unsure of what to do, we can rejoice because we are not alone in our decision-making. The Spirit of God is our Advocate who teaches and guides us (v.26). We can navigate life’s uncertainties because of the wisdom of the Holy Spirit at work within us.
This Advent, we rejoice in the birth of Jesus, yes—and we also rejoice in the gift of the Holy Spirit given to all who believe in Him! We are not alone in this world, and we are not left to our devices. We have power from on high, the Spirit of all wisdom and truth, leading and directing our steps. He empowers us to live in God’s love and in His will. Today, thank Jesus for the gift of His Spirit! Invite Him to minister to your heart, reveal truth, and lead you throughout your day.
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102 thoughts on "We Rejoice in the Holy Spirit"
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Amen
I can take great comfort knowing that I am not alone, for God is with us and the Holy Spirit is within me. ❤️
Thank you for always being with me and giving me the Holy Spirit!
I have one song in my head while reading this today- How great thou art!! Thank you Jesus.. for all you are
Amen
It is comforting, knowing that I’m not navigating faith or life alone. The Spirit walks with me, clarifying God’s will and empowering me to follow it ❤️
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Greetings Shes
Sweet, sweet Holy Spirit
Fill my soul with your very Essence
SO I won’t
Fill my stomach with left over Christmas cookies!!
Seriously…silliness aside…
Wonderful Counselor, Advocate, Guide & Mentor
Pray you be present, palpable, empowering within me.
Leading, guiding, instructing.
In beauty, goodness & truth.
Throughout this day & tomorrows yet to be.
So help me God!
I LOVE silliness!!!! I make a good chocolate chip cookie! I’m actually, going to make some here shortly with my daughter. I have everything ready to go when she gets home. Wish I knew where you lived and I would bring you some. Happy New Year!!
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Amen!!!!
Thank you Lord for never leaving me alone ❤️
Thank You for not leaving us as orphans!
THE Holy Spirit….WE have the Holy Spirit within us giving us strength and giving us “a push” when we can’t. Thank you JESUS for not leaving us alone but you gave us the HOLY SPIRIT and can’t wait till YOU come back for us! AMEN! Taking deep breathe here…Oh…do I remember calling out to JESUS within myself and I know that know it was His Holy Spirit guiding me and strengthening me during those court appearances. WHICH…today I need it again. I don’t have court appearance, but am going to the self-help department at the court house seeking information about revisiting the court order as the ex has not complied with his end of the order. I know, I can do this because I have Jesus, the Holy Spirit within me to do so. (BUT I’m human and still get scared and worked up). BUT GOD….I find it VERY encouraging this morning that I’m reading EXACTLY what I needed this morning. Happy Thursday sweeties…I am enjoying the tail end of my break and sleeping in, although I miss those early morning hours with all of you. WOKE up in the middle of the night again and just “peeked” to see how many comments. There were 25 and now a few hours later there is 53! Hoping to read all and pray for ALL OF YOU!
Peace as you go Mari
Praying you felt the Spirit with you today!
Oh…. I knew people were praying!! I walked into that place with my head up! Even the sheriff/officers were very kind. The rep at self help was very informative. I have to do this one-step-at-at-time. So today was enough! Need to seek some more information, so continue prayers are appreciated. This is going to be a long process.
Thank You, Jesus for the gift of the Holy Spirit! A couple of songs came to mind –
1) a chorus we often sang at a previous church,
2) Spirit Wind by Chuck Gerard, a beautiful and very moving song,
3) the one by Jesus Culture. Actually it didn’t come to mind, but was there in my search for the chorus and I thought, “Well, yeah, why didn’t I think of that one?!!”
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CHORUS:
Holy Spirit, Thou Art Welcome In This Place,
Holy Spirit, Thou Art Welcome In This Place.
Omnipotent Father Of Mercy And Grace
Thou Art Welcome In This Place.
Lord In Thy Presence
There’s Healing Divine;
No Other Power Can Save, Lord, But Thine.
Holy Spirit Thou Art Welcome In This Place,
Thou Art Welcome In This Place.
Holy Spirit, Thou Art Welcome In This Place,
Holy Spirit, Thou Art Welcome In This Place.
Omnipotent Father Of Mercy And Grace
Thou Art Welcome In This Place.
Fill All The Hungry,
And Empty Within;
Restore Us, Oh Father,
Revive Us Again.
Holy Spirit, Thou Art Welcome In This Place,
Thou Art Welcome In This Place.
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Holy Spirit (feat. Kim Walker-Smith) [Live]
Song by
Jesus Culture
There’s nothing worth more
That will ever come close
Nothing can compare
You’re our living Hope
Your presence, Lord
I’ve tasted and seen
Of the sweetest of love
When my heart becomes free
And my shame is undone
Your presence, Lord
Holy Spirit You are welcome here
Come flood this place
And fill the atmosphere
Your glory God
Is what our hearts long for
To be overcome
By Your presence, Lord …
Let us become more aware
Of Your presence
Let us experience the glory
Of Your goodness
Oh Lord!
Holy Spirit You are welcome here
Come flood this place
And fill the atmosphere
Your glory God
Is what our hearts long for
To be overcome
By Your presence, Lord
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Love, hugs, and prayers, with great appreciation for your inspiring comments, sister SHES!
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Great songs!
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I loved this message today from Nicole!
Loneliness has been my companion this past year.
I lost my husband of 65 years in December of 2023 and then my brother who had come to live with me in February of 2024.
But God!
I never really understood this saying until I experienced all that sorrow and heartache and loss.
But God ministered to me, he surrounded me with his loving presence, He carried my pain and grief and filled and led my by His Spitit.
He has worked through my family and my church to make sure I’m okay.
Don’t ever give up on God! Trust in His timing for everything new and good. Submit everything to Him. Live in His goodness. God is so good!
Oh…Deanna, SO glad your’re here with us. So sorry for your loss of husband and brother, but glad you’re here. It’s here where we can lay our burdens and sorrows and KNOW that YOU are being prayed for.
Dear Deanna
Thank you for your testimony.
Your faith is contagious.
Boundless Blessings!!
But God! Amen! Beautiful! Sorry for your loss! God gets us through the hard with Him.
Beautiful testimony, Deanna. We know our Almighty God will continue to comfort you- thankful you are with us!
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Lord thank you for your Spirit. I’m never alone. I have a guide and who is lovingly prompts instead of condemning. Without you Spirit, I wouldn’t get through the day! Thank you!
I saw a family doctor today and he referred me to hematology. He said the blood thinner I’m on should prevent more clots. I feel a little better after the visit.
Still praying, Danielle! Glad you feel peace after today’s visit! Please keep us posted. ❤
yes, amen!
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❤️ thank you Cee Gee. I will you updated, my sisters and prayer warriors!
Praying for your Danielle!! Thank you for the updates. Please continue.
❤️ thank you for your prayers! I will keep updating all of you sweet Shes
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Glad to hear this Danielle! Prayers for complete healing!!and peace while you rest!!❤️
Thankful for the Holy Spirit who abides. Within believers. Thankful for His guidance and transforming power!
Praying for all!
I thank God for His gift of the Holy Spirit.
Thank you for not leaving me alone. You know the hurt I feel when close family judges me. I still feel the pain, but I don’t feel lonely.
Sarah…so sorry for your pain. We love you and are praying for you.
Amen.
Praying the Lord will heal the pain and continue to confirm you aren’t alone.
So glad you feel His presence!
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“We are not alone in this world, and we are not left to our devices. We have power from on high, the Spirit of all wisdom and truth, leading and directing our steps. He empowers us to live in God’s love and in His will. Today, thank Jesus for the gift of His Spirit! Invite Him to minister to your heart, reveal truth, and lead you throughout your day.”
Thank you, Jesus. Please show and lead me in your ways❤️
Thank You so much for Your Spirit, God with us! Now You live within me, never to leave me. What an amazing reminder today!
I have to be honest, I didn’t know much about this 3rd person of the Trinity..I grew up Methodist so I thought of him as more of a “Holy Ghost,” a ghostly-like Spirit that moved in our midst. But God is always growing our wisdom when we are active, willing and trying for understanding. It has taken effort to distinguish between the dwelling and infilling as well, two distinct happenings. One happens at acceptance of Christ, the other is an “overflowing’ or an “active” moving over and in me. So what does this mean.
Plillipians 2:12-12 Paul writes, “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his purpose.”
What does this mean? We have the responsibility to “work it out.” We have to work it out with fear and trembling. It means to take it seriously- am I serious that Jesus is my Lord? Is it obvious in my life…to myself? To my family? Others I am around? We have the most powerful resource available to live a life for Jesus. How– He gives us the Holy Spirit! He is our direction, the enabling, the power! It is God within us, what He wills he gives us the how, the when, the what..to work it out in our life! We can be confident and sure that we are able, because He is able! It’s not because we HAVE to, it’s because we WANT to! It is a beautiful, amazing love that we have a RESPONSE to!
My word for this year 2025 is INSPIRE! I want to inspire others this year in every part of my life because of WHO Jesus is! I want my love for him and what he has done for me to be a powerful overflowing in me that shines on a hill!! Easy no, through troubles even harder, in tired and cranky–zero. But God- He knows this!!
What are we passionate about?! A great question this morning on the cusp of the new year? Are you passionate about Jesus?! Do you know people can look through your social media without knowing you and see what you are all about?! Your personality shows in what we share and put out there! It shows in our priorities and how we use our time! Lord, let it be YOU in 2025! Not for Pharisee showmanship…but because YOU ARE LORD of my life—first in everything, center of my life with Holy Spirit Power! Let it be Lord!
Thank you for your insights and reflections Rhonda.
Amen, let it be, Lord ❤️
AMEN!!! LOVE this Rhonda!!
As I was writing out all the roles of the Holy Spirit, I was comforted by verse 11 and the reminder that “the ruler of this world has been judged”, yes, past tense….our God is stronger and already has defeated him. When we see the havoc he wreaks in the the world, it is comforting to know he’s been defeated and our God is victorious in the end! We can hold on to that! Praise God! I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit and am praying I will be more in tune with Him in 2025. I want hear His voice and guidance more consistently!!
Yes amen! Definitely something to hold on to!
Amen amen ❤️
I am so thankful for the gift of the Holy Spirit!
Me too, sister! Amen!
Mia Faith……sending your hugs sweet lady!
Thank you, Father, for the wisdom, discernment and clarity from the Holy Spirit. The greatest gift is not only that You are with us, but within us, through the miracle of the Spirit.
I want to be more sensitive and aware of the Holy Spirit. To be honest I often don’t give him too much attention. I want to be open and learn more about the Spirits work in my life.
I just wrote about that…unaware most of my life! But being around Holy Spirit filled people in the last few years have really inspired me to tap into the amazing gift I hadn’t given much thought to either! I am leaning into it the past few years and it is life-changing seeing Him work IN and THROUGH ME!!! Thngs I would have never done or said, he has enabled!
praise God, Amen. powerful read
“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6 NIV)
In a loud world of chaos and distractions, I praise You, Holy Spirit, that You can govern my mind, giving me life and peace!
Amen ❤️
Dear Barb D
“…giving me life and peace”…I’ll add “freedom”!
Thank you for the simplicity.
Thank you God for not leaving us alone. For blessing us with your Holy Spirit. Such a gift.
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I pray that the Holy Spirit will nudge me when needed. Will help me pray when I cannot find the words because of grief becoming too heavy. It is so easy to fall back into complacency. I pray that I will be blessed with the strength to remain strong in my faith. AMEN
Amen ❤️
AMEN! We love you Traci!!
My word for 2025 is “open” and today reminds me that the Spirit is available to me when I make myself open, quiet and create the space to actually listen!
We receive the gift of the Holy Spirit again today. Thank you, God, for sending such a comforter who leads us in all truth. ❤️
Thank you, Father for the gift of the Holy Spirit – who nudges and points me in the direction I should go! Happy New Year to everyone!
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Have you ever discovered an unopened gift when you start putting away the Christmas decor? Or a gift you were given or one you’d planned to give is found tucked away in a ‘safe’ place as you clean out a closet in the spring?
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“We often forget though that God’s nearness extends beyond Jesus’s birth. Jesus came to earth and dwelt among us so that the Spirit of God might one day dwell within us… So great is God’s love for us that He is not content to merely live amongst us, but it is His good will to live within us.”
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A great, timely reminder of God’s abundant love for us. Praying this new year will be one of leaning into God’s love and the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Today’s Scriptures were filled with Christ’s words, those letters in red… impactful.
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Continuing to pray for the needs mentioned, sisters.
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Hymn coming to mind this morning, Sweet Sweet Spirit, Doris Akers, 1965.
I love your analogy Searching. Thank you for praying for Brandon.
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Appreciate your analogy and the reminder of that hymn. Thank you❤️
Dear Searching
LOVELovelove the way you put this!
Boundless Blessings!!
One of my favorite songs!
Yes Holy Spirit lead me through this day and each day after.
I’m so grateful that I’m not alone. The Spirit is with me.
What a thought to know God chose to come near. He chose to come to us when we were such rebels against Him. Wow. Thank you, Jesus! Thank you that you didn’t leave us when you ascended to the Father. You sent us Your very Spirit to guide us into all truth and put us in remembrance of your word. Help us listen. Help us feel it when you’re prompting
Amen!
Jesus in a manager was truly a gift, but I often don’t think about the Holy Spirit also as a tremendously gracious gift bestowed to believers. The Holy Spirit is who our hearts commune with as we eagerly await the return of the Savior. Such a good reminder and thing to think about.
Thank You, Jesus for the gift of Your Spirit! Minister to my heart, reveal Your truth, and lead me throughout this day.
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Great comments yesterday, ladies. ❤️ Praying for your requests.
This morning I am relating my spiritual walk to my weight loss journey this year. For years and years, every January I would vow to lose 5 pounds, then 10, then 20. I was never very overweight, so I think the motivation wasn’t that strong. I just knew I was not at my best with the extra weight. I wasn’t as disciplined as I wanted to be. But I never stuck with it. Whatever plan I started, I gave up about two weeks in because I wasn’t seeing big progress and besides, I wasn’t that bad anyway…
This year, I decided to really do it. I hired a nutrition coach who counseled me, encouraged me, gave me guidance, was my accountability. And I did it. I lost 20 pounds and I feel great. And I maintained over the holidays by continuing the same habits I learned and practiced all year. What does this have to do with my spiritual life? I am at my goal weight. I need to maintain it. But now that I am there, I am tempted to go back to old habits because the motivation is gone to lose, to get better. Things are good with my body.
Spiritually, I could feel the same way to a certain extent. Things are looking up. My family is back together. My husband and I are doing well. Life seems pretty good. BUT I DO NOT want to go back to old habits. I want to TREASURE what God has done, and stay the course. Keep abiding in Him and allowing His HS to mold me and grow me. To continue. That is my prayer this morning.
Abide in the Vine or starve spiritually.
Dear Kelly
LOVELovelove this saying!
Boundless Blessings!
Amen ❤️ I love this, Laura!
Absolutely perfect analogy!
Many say “Remember in the dark the lessens you learned in the light” but….I too have found the opposite is equally true….I need to remember the closeness of my Saviour, the beauty of Him as my Refuge, as MY GOAL, even in seasons when I may not “need” Him…He must ALWAYS be my focus and goal.
Yes, even on the mountaintops and Joy…or the seemly everyday…he must always be my focus and goal!!
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Thank you Father for the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit that guides my footsteps daily by teaching, guiding and ministering to my soul. Reminding me that I have been given power because you dwell within me.
Let everything that has breathe Praise the LORD..!
Praise the LORD! (Psalm 150:6)
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It is 7am here in my neck of the woods, and I am in awe! The stars are so bright I can see to the back of my garden!
I cannot remember ever seeing this before..
I am in awe..! Wonderment for sure!
Praising the LORD, this wonderfully lit sky morning!!❤
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Do you think it has anything to do with my chosen word being.. PRESENCE?
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I am hopeful!❤
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I have no idea, and I guess, I don’t need to have any, as to where I’d be without the gift of the Holy Spirit in me!
Recently I was out shopping with a friend, as we travelled down the escalator, we were laughing about something. At the bottom of the escalator, I was greeted by a friend I hadn’t seen in a wnile.
“I knew it was you, when I heard that laugh”
As I hugged her, I asked ” what do you mean”
Her response.. “I have known that laugh and voice for 34 years.. I would know them in a crowd of a zillion”
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Seriously!
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It’s a funny thing, don’t you think, that nothing visible or physical changes when we receive Christ as our personal Saviour, and yet WE change! I mean, that voice, that spoke foul words, didn’t change, the body that wore suggestive dresses ( Though now a tad skewiff) didn’t change.. And yet EVERYTHING changed. I agree not overnight, but it did over time!
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OMG.. the stupid things I have done. The ridiculous plans I have hatched and sometimes executed.. Good Lord, what was I thinking.. I never drunk alcohol or took drugs, so I have no excuse for some of the rubbish stuff I have done..
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BUT GOD..
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He excused them and I found favour in His Son, Jesus Christ, who did not leave me desolate, but gave me His Spirit to help me figure things out! To help renew my mind, my heart and my soul..
He renewed me from the inside. From the inner being of me, so from the outside I looked and sounded the same, but change, on Lord God, Thank you, beautiful change was happening! And it continues today!
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Everyday, with the Spirit is a New adventure, a new beginning, a new grace.. A new and beautiful awareness that I could not do this life, without Jesus..and His gift of the Holy Spirit..
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BUT GOD.
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Amen.
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Happy day 2 of 2025!
Wrapped in much, much love and totally covered in hug-filled prayers❤❤
Thank you Jesus for saving me from myself!
Let it always be so!❤
Amen!!
“Everyday, with the Spirit is a New adventure, a new beginning, a new grace.. A new and beautiful awareness that I could not do this life, without Jesus..and His gift of the Holy Spirit.”
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Blessings to you Tina. You have a beautiful testimony!
Amen! I am the same but I am different!! Everything changed! When I think of the old me…cringe is the word. Thank you Jesus that you make us new, a new creation- born again! Not perfect- but a pliable heart and soul to become like Jesus and to be used by the King of the Universe! That is something to get my toes tapping and the rest a dancing!
Wow Tina!! That’s a _____(I can’t think of the perfect word) story!! It gave me a lot to think about…in a great way!
Beautiful, Tina! Your last words reminded me of the song that says, “Everyday with Jesus is sweeter than the day before.” I haven’t heard that song in many years! ❤
Love this! ❤️
AS soon as I read your comment of the verse Psalm 150:6. The song “Let Everything That Has Breath Praise The Lord” by Ron Kenoly & Intertity’s Hosanna Music. Love you SWEET Tina!!!
Love you sweet sister and the story of your transformation!