Daily Devotions with Pastor Jim Cymbala

In this episode, Pastor Jim Cymbala unpacks the historical context behind the book of Ezra, exploring the history of Judah and Israel. Discover how the people of Israel fell into idolizing other gods and how God sent prophets with urgent warnings to turn His people back to Him. Understanding the broader scope of biblical history is key to grasping the message of each book in Scripture. Even when we are tempted to turn away from God today, we can find true hope and salvation by trusting in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Scripture warns us not to quench the Holy Spirit when God begins to move. While no one can ultimate hinder God’s work, bringing a worldly mindset or watering down God’s Word limits our ability to experience what the Spirit is able to do. To walk in His power, we must guard against suppressing the Holy Spirit and remain fully open to His truth and miraculous work.

When we are born again, the Spirit of God comes to live within us. Yet believers are also called to continually seek a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit. Remaining filled keeps us from becoming lukewarm or slipping into habits that do not honor the Lord. Rather than waiting passively, we must continually yield to the Spirit in order to walk in obedience and live a life dedicated to God.

On the Day of Pentecost, when the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit, they began to speak in tongues as the Spirit led. The Holy Spirit enables us to do what we cannot accomplish in our own strength. We must, however, yield to His direction, following the Holy Spirit’s leading rather than seeking to bend His will to our own.

Scripture describes fire as a symbol of the Holy Spirit, marking His presence and purifying work within believers. When God baptizes us with the Holy Spirit and fire, He cleanses our hearts, consuming everything that is not from Him and refining what remains. This fire rests upon us to sanctify, cleanse, and empower us for His purposes.