Log In Sign Up
Subscribe
  • Shop Subscriptions
  • Free Newsletters
Shop Donate
Upper Room logo
Discover more from The Upper Room
  • Subscribe
    • Shop Subscriptions
    • Free Newsletters
Shop Donate
  • Read
    • Daily Devotional
    • Disciplines
    • New Every Morning
    • Upper Room Books
    • Resource Articles
    • The Upper Room Blog
    • Subscribe
    • Free Newsletters
  • Pray
    • Request Prayer
    • Prayer Wall
    • Books on Prayer
    • Prayer Practices
    • Sight Psalms
  • Contribute
    • Write
    • Donors
    • Volunteer
  • Programs
    • The Academy for Spiritual Formation
    • Walk to Emmaus
    • Chrysalis
    • Face to Face
    • Journey to the Table
    • Discovery Weekend
  • About
    • About The Upper Room
    • Our History
    • The Upper Room Chapel
    • International Partners
    • Customer Care
    • Contact

Disciplines

  • Archives
  • About
  • Submit
  • Subscribe
  • Disciplines
    • Disciplines
    • Archives
    • About
    • Submit
    • Subscribe
June 4, 2019

Awaiting the Spirit

Michael E. Williams   |   Read John 14:8-17

(Image by: Pixabay)
  • Text Size
  • Comment
  • Share

Share on Socials

  • Share
  • Copy Link
  • Email
Lectionary Week
June 3–9, 2019
Scripture Overview

In preparing for Pentecost, we focus again on the work of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2 recounts the famous story in which the disciples are miraculously able to speak in other languages in order to preach to the crowds in Jerusalem. The psalmist states that God creates and renews creation through the Spirit. According to Paul, if we are led by God’s Spirit, the Spirit confirms that we are children of God. In the Gospel of John, Jesus promises to send the Helper, the Holy Spirit, who will teach us how to love him and to keep his commandments. In some branches of Christianity, fear of excess causes hesitation about the Holy Spirit; however, we must never forget that the Spirit is central to God’s redeeming work.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Acts 2:1-21. The miracle of Pentecost is not only in the multitude of languages but also in the act of listening. How can you experience worship in many languages or offer deep listening this Pentecost?
Read Psalm 104:24-34, 35b. How do you witness God’s experience woven through all of creation?
Read Romans 8:14-17. The author reminds us that spirit also means breath. When have you felt led by the breath of God?
Read John 14:8-17, 25-27. How has fear kept you from trusting God?

Respond by posting a prayer.

John 14:8-17

8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father; that will be enough for us.” 9 Jesus replied, “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been with you all this time? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I have spoken to you I don’t speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Trust me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or at least believe on account of the works themselves. 12 I assure you that whoever believes in me will do the works that I do. They will do even greater works than these because I am going to the Father. 13 I will do whatever you ask for in my name, so that the Father can be glorified in the Son. 14 When you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it. 15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 I will ask the Father, and he will send another Companion, who will be with you forever. 17 This Companion is the Spirit of Truth, whom the world can’t receive because it neither sees him nor recognizes him. You know him, because he lives with you and will be with you.

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

The older I grow the more I resemble both my mother and my father. When I look in the mirror I see many of my father’s features in my own face. He once said to me that the Williams family had strong characteristics. He was correct about that. Once, after...

Subscribe to Continue Reading

God, whom we see in Jesus, help us to embody your love. Amen.


0 Comments
  • Share:

Save as Bookmark

Log In to leave a comment

Loading more

The Spiritual Discipline of Curiosity

The Spiritual Discipline of Curiosity

Across Christian history, some have viewed curiosity as a distraction from faithful discipleship. Yet the witness… Read More

Related Resources

A Guide for Small Groups

View

Tips for Leaders of Small Groups

View

A Guide to Daily Prayer

View

How to Have a Daily Devotional Time

View
Read on the go with
The Upper Room Mobile App

Download on the App Store

GET IT ON Google Play

The Upper Room
1908 Grand Avenue
Nashville, TN 37212

Customer support:

800-972-0433

Contact The Upper Room

  • The Upper Room daily devotional
  • Store & Resource Library
  • Upper Room Books
  • Disciplines
  • The Prayer Wall
  • The Academy for Spiritual Formation
  • The Walk to Emmaus
  • Face to Face
  • Chrysalis
  • Journey to the Table
  • Discovery Weekend
  • Sight Psalms
  • New Every Morning
  • About Us
  • Upper Room Ministries Blog
  • The Upper Room Chapel
  • Donate
  • Contact Us
© Copyright 2026 The Upper Room
Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Help & Support
Notice at collection | Your Privacy Choices California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Opt-Out Icon

Log In to The Upper Room

Sign in with The Upper Room

or

Sign in with Facebook

Sign in with Apple

Don't have an account? Click here to create an account and sign in.