The holy spirit even prays for you!

Word from the Center
Written By Dr. Gregory Seltz

Welcome to “Word from The Center” MONDAY, a devotional word from the Center of our faith, Jesus Christ, with reflections on His Word. I’m Gregory Seltz. Today’s verses are Romans 8:26-27, where the Bible says,

[26] In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. [27] And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

Romans 8 remains one of my favorite chapters in all of the Bible. It tells it like it is about the incredible blessings that believers have through faith in Jesus Christ alone. In Romans 7, the Apostle Paul expressed the wretchedness of our situation, our inability to keep the good Law of God due to our sinful flesh. In Chapter 8 he describes the rescue that is provided through the person and work of Jesus for us and for all. He speaks of “no condemnation” and “hope,” of being “set free” and “more than conquerors” (see verses 1-2, 24-25, 37). These are all realities in and through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. We need to read, mark, and inwardly digest these truths every day of our lives. They are daily bread for eternal life. They articulate the power of God for your salvation and mine.

Another way of describing our new status with God because of Jesus is to call us “co-heirs” with Christ, sharers in His cross-earned, resurrection-delivered glory (verses 17-18). To be co-heirs with Jesus means that everything He earned for us by His life, death, and resurrection (e.g., forgiveness, life, and salvation) are God’s will for us by grace through faith in Jesus alone. Paul encourages us by affirming that “all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” (verse 14). Because of Christ, you are God's child! As a result, the Holy Spirit invites us to take all of our imperfections and failures, and bring them to Jesus. He invites us to pack up our pain and hurts in life and lay them before our Savior. The Spirit even challenges us to give over our doubts and fears to God, for, in Christ, nothing that can separate us from His love (verse 39). In verses 16-17a, Paul assures us of our true identity with these words: “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.”

You are an heir of God the Father! Can you imagine? Sometimes it’s almost too wonderful to believe. Whatever seems precious and valuable in this life, it’s nothing compared to what a believer has in Christ.

That’s why I love the other point of our devotion today. The God who created you, redeemed you, and even brings life and salvation to you, also prays for you. Our weaknesses, our sin, and our moral and spiritual incapacities don’t stop the Holy Spirit from being God’s Helper for us in time of need. God the Father sent His Son as our Savior (John 3:16-17). Jesus then sent the Holy Spirit to be our Life-Giver, our Faith-Giver, our Counselor, and our Comforter (John 16:7-15; Acts 2:33). We sure do need that clear voice in our lives, as well as the loving attention that the Spirit provides. When we struggle with issues in our lives, the Holy Spirit is at work testifying to us through the Word of God that no matter the circumstances of the moment, we are God’s people in Christ, now and forever. When we are overwhelmed by the mortality of life or the transient nature of all things this side of heaven, the Holy Spirit takes upon Himself our groans and presents our prayers before God’s throne of grace. Isn’t it amazing to hear that our God is that concerned with our lives each and every moment of every day?

Sometimes we need straight talk that cuts through all the hype of this world and reminds us that there’s something way more precious than any of the “goodies” of this present age. That’s what Paul is trying to tell us all today. In Christ, by the power of His Spirit, we are adopted into God’s family by faith. We are His children; we are heirs with Christ. That’s the love that God the Father has for us in Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Believe it! And even when you struggle with faith in Him because of the circumstances of the day, remember that the Holy Spirit is right there with you lifting you up before the Father and comforting you with the blessings of Christ and His Word. I pray, and the Spirit prays, that you see how precious that really is for you today and always.

PRAYER: – Dear Heavenly Father, I believe in you; help my unbelief (Mark 9:24). Especially during those times when I can’t imagine why or how You love me in Christ, then and there may Your Holy Spirit give me courage to trust You then, and always. AMEN.

“The rainbow is a reminder that God’s grace will always preserve you and this beautiful world in which you live until He raises you and takes you to heavenly glory. This is God’s amazing grace, and His grace generates your life of genuine gratitude.”
— Rev. Peter Sulzle
See Also
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Happy “Christ the King” Sunday! On this past Sunday many Christian churches around the world celebrated the reign of Jesus Christ. The last Sunday of the liturgical church year commemorates His rule every year, no matter what is happening at the moment. It reminds us that all things are moving ahead toward the final day when Christ will come again and judge the living and the dead. This coming Sunday Christians who follow a liturgical calendar then enter into a new church year. In so doing, they join all believers in celebrating the fact that Christ’s Kingdom is already now present in this world. His Kingdom is here in the midst of worldly kingdoms that are passing away.

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Soft people in the church, those who are double minded and wish to run from the truth, will tell pastors not to preach about abortion. The disconnect is real, surely in the LCMS too. These folks will tell pastors not to bring political issues into the pulpit, and far too many otherwise faithful pastors comply. But, of course, as a popular meme says, abortion is distinctly a biblical issue.

December Bulletin Insert
December Bulletin Insert

The Bulletin Insert is designed to be printed and cut in half to fit conveniently inside a Sunday worship bulletin. Each month an insert will offer insight, encouragement, and information from the LCRL on the topics of Religious Liberty, Life, Marriage, or Education.

December Bulletin Blurbs
December Bulletin Blurbs

The dates identifying the LCRL bulletin blurbs are only suggestions. Please feel free to use any and all of the bulletin blurbs as your ministry needs allow.

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This morning I sip coffee from one of his mugs: "Masterpiece Cakeshop: Yeah . . . that cakeshop." What cakeshop? If you don't know, you're not informed, and you're watching the wrong news. Jack has been embroiled in legal battles since 2012, when the baker declined to use his talents to create a custom cake celebrating a so-called gay marriage. Phillips, mind you, served all people, no matter what. But he did not wish to use his time and talents to commemorate that which he believed was wrong. This is what the First Amendment is all about, freedom of speech, which means the freedom from compelled speech, along with the free exercise of religion.

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Prayer Partner Thursday provides a month-long prayer emphasis in one of the four Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty areas of emphasis: Religious Liberty, Sanctity of Life, Educational Freedom, and Marriage as an Institution (family).

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Is it alright for Christians to be involved with politics?

The Bible contains no specific command that either requires or forbids Christian involvement with politics. However, through the prophet Jeremiah, God teaches His people that they should, “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf” (Jer. 29:57). In other places, God teaches that Christians should obey and pray for those in positions of civil authority (Matt. 22:21; Rom. 13:17; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13).

November Bulletin Insert
November Bulletin Insert

The Bulletin Insert is designed to be printed and cut in half to fit conveniently inside a Sunday worship bulletin. Each month an insert will offer insight, encouragement, and information from the LCRL on the topics of Religious Liberty, Life, Marriage, or Education.

November Bulletin Blurbs
November Bulletin Blurbs

The dates identifying the LCRL bulletin blurbs are only suggestions. Please feel free to use any and all of the bulletin blurbs as your ministry needs allow.

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Every year on October 31, Christians from around the world are reminded of a “reforming” movement that brought back to light the central message of the Bible, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Freedom, life, and salvation were again heard as God’s gifts offered to sinners by grace alone, through faith alone, in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone. Martin Luther’s rediscovery of the uniqueness of the freedom of the Gospel as God’s saving work in the world for all shook the foundations of the medieval world. It ushered in many of the precious freedoms that we enjoy in this world today. It clearly identified and distinguished the uniqueness of the eternal freedom that comes from knowing and trusting in God’s gracious work in Jesus from the cultural/political freedoms that come from public policy, citizenship, and good government. Distinguishing, cherishing, and engaging both freedoms is part of what it means to be a Christian citizen in the world for the sake of the culture and the mission of the Church.

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The Bulletin Insert is designed to be printed and cut in half to fit conveniently inside a Sunday worship bulletin. Each month an insert will offer insight, encouragement, and information from the LCRL on the topics of Religious Liberty, Life, Marriage, or Education.

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Beyond the Booth

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October Prayer Partner Thursday
October Prayer Partner Thursday

Prayer Partner Thursday provides a month-long prayer emphasis in one of the four Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty areas of emphasis: Religious Liberty, Sanctity of Life, Educational Freedom, and Marriage as an Institution (family).

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Join me and Doctor Everett Piper on The Liberty Action Alert as we uncover why America’s Evangelical churches are lurching leftward—and what this means for Christians striving to be faithful 2 Kingdom citizens.

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Listen as Nicole Hunt and I discuss the crucial 'Pro-Life' movement and why now is the time for Christians to rise for the culture and the Church!

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October Bulletin Blurbs
October Bulletin Blurbs

The dates identifying the LCRL bulletin blurbs are only suggestions. Please feel free to use any and all of the bulletin blurbs as your ministry needs allow.

Dr. Gregory Seltz
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