Heart for the House DevotionalSample

## Day 7: The Source Thought: Read. Think. Pray. Live. “Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16) As we come to the end of this short devotional, let us reflect on the source of our Christian life and endeavours: The power of the Holy Spirit at work within us. Remember, this is not a life to be lived in our own strength. “At the heart of every cry for revival today, there is always a deep longing to find the way to the majestic, all-powerful Ekklesia that Jesus launched, free from any form of restraint or containment and overflowing with power.” – Ed Silvoso The early Church is a beautiful subject for study. If you have a few moments, read the first few chapters of Acts. It is an overwhelming story when you think about it. From a group of confused disciples in a small room in Jerusalem, the growth of Jesus’ ekklesia explodes at a phenomenal rate - tearing through Jerusalem, then Judea and then out into the entire interconnected world in a shockingly small amount of time. What caused this? It is fair to say that it was not some carefully curated and well presented “Church growth strategy”. Rather, it was the awesome and incomprehensible power of the Holy Spirit. If we want Church to feel exciting and explosive again, perhaps it is time to stop trying to fashion our own maps and strategies to grow the Church. Instead, we need to submit to the Source and surrender to the Holy Spirit. The Church is called to be explicitly Christ-like, not just generally. For that to be the case, we desperately need the Holy Spirit to help us, guide us and counsel us as we undertake this corporate life of counter formation - becoming a distinctive people that confronts the culture of the world around us. We need to be filled with, led by and obedient to the Holy Spirit. The Church relies on the power of the Spirit. Meditate on that today. It’s a reality that encourages us to embrace our weaknesses, live in humility and confront the idea that we can achieve anything for God in our own strength. Rest in His power today. God loves you and wants to use you. Be filled with His Spirit. “Without God's Spirit, there is nothing we can do that will count for God's kingdom. Without God's Spirit, the Church simply can't be the Church.” N.T. Wright Prayer and Application Engage in a few moments of quiet and contemplative prayer. Simply be present with God today and ask Him: “Where are you working and how can I join in?” Ask God to fill you with His Spirit. Surrender your desire to do things in your own strength. With Jesus, the burden is light and the yoke is easy (Matthew 11:28).