Another prayer Paul prayed for the Corinthians was that they be made complete. Complete meaning "a strengthening, perfecting of the soul", and "training, disciplining, and instructing". We know that we will never be perfect until we get to heaven. Until then, we are constantly undergoing training. During this time, it is easy to get discouraged and/or lazy. We can pray for each other that our souls would be strengthened and perfected, something we cannot do on our own.  Read less

Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there. Romans 15:31 Paul was not afraid to ask for specific prayer requests. Here he requests prayer for his rescue from the unbelievers in Judea. He also prays that his service is acceptable. In my mind I think, "Well, God already knows if he will be rescued or not. Why pray?" It doesn't matter if I understand right now. I just have to be obedient to God's word. He says pray, I have to pray.  Read less

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 I want my life to be transformed. I want there to be certain changes in my life. I don't want to be controlled by my flesh any longer. First of all, this verse says not to be conformed to this world. I must stop following the patterns of this world. That's on me. What patterns of this world do I follow? The TV shows I watch. The conversations I have with my coworkers. Keeping Christ to myself instead of boldly speaking for Him. In order to stop living in conformity to this world, I must renew my mind. Transformation to the image of Christ can only happen when I turn away from the things of this world and renew my mind. Renew means to change completely for the better. I cannot do this. My heart is too attached to this world. Only God can transform me. But I must give Him something to work with. How do you renew your mind? Pray, read the Bible, etc. These answers are so basic, yet I am not following them myself. In order to stop thinking how the world thinks and begin thinking how God thinks, I need to know His mind. I only do that by drawing closer to Him, getting to know Him more and more, spending time with Him. Only God can do the transformation, but I have to be willing.  Read less

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14 This verse supports the fact that there is a Trinity and they work together in the lives of the believer. Grace was given to us by the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. God, the Father, showed us His ultimate love by sending His son to die for us. The Holy Spirit gives us fellowship with God. All three are very important. It is the Holy Spirit working in our lives that is evidence to the grace and love of God in our lives. If the Holy Spirit is not at work in me, what proof is there that I have a relationship with Christ?  Read less

Therefore, I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed." and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. I Corinthians 12:3 There is nothing good within me that can bless God in any way except what is given me by the Holy Spirit. It is the spirit within me that testifies that Jesus is Lord, not me. Even now, my heart is divided and my thoughts go in the direction they shouldn't. But because of the Spirit within me, I can declare that Jesus is Lord. Jesus is Lord! Even when I might not be feeling like it or living like it, it is the Holy Spirit that declares who Jesus is.  Read less

"sanctified by the Holy Spirit" Sanctified means to be set apart for the purposes of God, to be made holy. Once again, I am reminded that this is not a process that is dependent on me. I am sanctified by the blood of Christ. I am sanctified by the Holy Spirit. I have no power in and of myself to make myself holy. I have proved over and over again what a failure I am when I try to be holy in my own strength. My desire to please my flesh is stronger than my desire to please God. For the sanctification process to be complete it can only be God. He uses the Holy Spirit to sanctify me. It is the Holy Spirit that sets us apart from unbelievers. Unbelievers go to church, some of them read their Bible. Many unbelievers are good, giving, compassionate people. But they don't have a relationship with God. They don't have the Holy Spirit living inside of them. I'm not out here on my own. I think sometimes, I let myself think I am, but it's not true. I surrender myself to Christ. Then it is not me in control, it is the Holy Spirit.  Read less

Romans 15:13 "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Joy, peace, boldness, now hope. Again, I see that I am not in control. When I let my emotions control me, it is I who am trying to be in control. God has not done away with emotions. He, Himself, is emotional. He grieves, He rejoices, etc. But there is a correct way to use your emotions. They must be controlled by the Holy Spirit. We've already seen that the Holy Spirit brings joy. Here we see that the Holy Spirit brings hope. Paul prayed for other Christians by praying that the Holy Spirit's power would fill them with hope. When our feelings or emotions are from the Holy Spirit, they are good. God wants us to experience joy, peace, hope, and even anger and grief. Righteous anger concerning things that go against Him. Grief concerning our sin. The Holy Spirit gives us hope. Hope in our salvation, and hope in eternal life.  Read less