by Evaena Sumbayak
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You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you (Romans 8:9a).
Read Romans 8:1–17
In this season of Pentecost, we are reminded of the profound role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Today’s text offers us a powerful message about the contrast between living according to the flesh and living by the Spirit. The flesh, marked by sin, leads to death, while the Spirit brings life, enabling us to live righteously.
Paul emphasises that the Spirit of God is not a distant force but dwells within us. This is the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, and it is through this Spirit that we experience spiritual resurrection. Although our physical bodies are still subject to sin and death, the Spirit brings us life through righteousness, transforming us from the inside out.
Living by the Spirit is more than just following rules; it is about embracing a new way of life empowered by God’s presence. The Spirit guides us to resist the desires of the flesh and live in a way that reflects God’s righteousness. It is through the Spirit that we participate in God’s redemptive story, not merely as passive followers but as active witnesses to God’s love and power.
Pentecost reminds us that the Holy Spirit is not confined to the early church but is alive and working in believers today. The Spirit empowers us to live out God’s will, to love others, and to be agents of change in the world. He is a continuous presence, equipping us to reflect God’s character in our daily lives.
In this Pentecost season, let us open our hearts to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit and be reminded of the new life we have in Christ, both now and in eternity.
How is the Holy Spirit at work in your life? To what degree are you allowing the Spirit to guide your actions, shape your character and lead you toward a life of righteousness and peace?
Pray for the National Committee Lutheran World Federation in Indonesia (KN-LWF), as the Spirit works in and through it to bring life-transforming grace to others.
Evaena Sumbayak is the Program Officer, Gender Justice, Child Policy, Disability and Education, at KN-LWF, Indonesia.
by Luke Andrew
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… suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope (Romans 5:3b,4).
Read Romans 5:1–11
My father used to be an engineer earning a good salary; however, after receiving God’s call, he gave up everything to serve as a pastor. In Myanmar, pastors earn very little, and at one point, our family faced severe financial hardship. I was 17 years old, my mother was battling a brain tumour, and my father was struggling to provide for my mother’s medical expenses while feeding his children.
I vividly remember days when my sister and I searched every possible place to find even a small amount of money to buy dhal curry to eat with rice. Our life was filled with sorrow as we watched our mother suffer in her final days while we searched desperately for small change just to afford one meal.
Though we endured financial struggles as a family, we never once had to skip a meal. Every day, we found just enough money to buy food. We trusted that God would provide, and he did – every single day for a long time. Amid hardship, our faith was refined, our character shaped, and our trust in God strengthened. Despite our circumstances, we never lost hope because our hope gradually became anchored in God’s unfailing love.
As God miraculously provided for the widow in Elijah’s time, so he provided for us, one meal at a time. We never missed a meal, but my siblings and I learned from that suffering to love, trust and place our hope entirely in God. That season of hardship shaped our faith.
Dear friends, we have hope that is not fleeting or shallow but is rooted in the assurance of God’s love, poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Even in our darkest moments, we can cling to the truth that God is with us, working all things for our good and his glory.
What trials are you facing today? How can you shift your perspective to see God’s hand at work in your suffering? Take a moment to thank him for the hope he provides, even amid difficulty.
When have you noticed God’s support and sustenance in moments of suffering?
Pray for Luke Andrew that the Holy Spirit will use his experiences and learning to point people to the love and hope of Jesus.
Luke Andrew is an LCA International Mission scholarship recipient.
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I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you (John 16:7).
Read John 16:1–15
Pentecost is known as the day of the birth of the church and the beginning of the Christian mission. The event of Pentecost took place in Jerusalem around 2,000 years ago. The coming of the Holy Spirit gave the disciples the gift of love, boldness and power to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom to the whole world (Acts 1:8).
Before Jesus went to the cross, he comforted his disciples and the people by emphasising the hope and joy that would come after he departed from them and the world. He would give a great Helper, the Holy Spirit, to support and benefit the work of believers in continuing his mission (John 16:7).
The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in our lives, continuing Jesus’ mission on Earth. Today’s text reminds us that the Holy Spirit helps us remember Jesus’ teachings, explains the truth of the word and creates faith. Faith and trust in the truth are gifts of the Holy Spirit given to us.
The Holy Spirit is a wonderful and promised gift that God has given us as believers in Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit, speaking in the authority of God, will give us gifts and purpose. His goal is to build up the church for the glory of God.
Through the Holy Spirit, we can have the confidence to go forth to proclaim the gospel, for Jesus Christ told the Apostles that after receiving the Holy Spirit, they would be filled with his power. We can go forth without fear or hesitation. We can live with faith and trust in the one God, declaring his goodness.
In what ways have you experienced the help and support of the Holy Spirit in your life?
Pray that the Helper, the Holy Spirit, will equip the Lutheran Church in Cambodia with all it needs to proclaim the truth and promises of Jesus with boldness.
Duy Saran is a pastor of the Lutheran Church in Cambodia.
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‘My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth …,’ says the Lord, ‘from this time forth and forevermore’ (Isaiah 59:21).
Read Isaiah 59:1–21
Today’s text is a powerful promise from God. God is making a strong agreement with us, promising that his Spirit and words will remain with us forever.
God promises that his Spirit will always be with us, helping us make good choices, giving us strength when we feel weak and comforting us when we are sad. This is not just a temporary thing; it is a forever promise. Knowing that God is always with us gives us confidence and peace.
God’s words are the truths and promises found in the Bible. These words are important because they guide us and teach us how to live. God wants us to keep his words in our hearts and minds, to speak them, and to share them with others. He also wants us to teach these words to our children and grandchildren so they can know and love him, too.
One of the amazing things about this promise is that it is not only for us but for our families, too. God says that his Spirit and his words will be with our children and their children as well. This means that we have a responsibility to pass on our faith to the next generation. We can do this by reading the Bible together, praying and talking about God’s love and his plans for us.
In a world where things are always changing, it is comforting to know that God’s promises are unchanging. He is always faithful, and his love for us never ends. As we think about today’s text, let us be encouraged to stay close to God, to read and speak his words, and to share his love with others. Remember, we are not alone – God is with us, and his promises are true forever. Let us live our lives in a way that honours this amazing covenant, knowing that God’s Spirit and his words are always with us.
How is your church supporting families to pass on the faith to the next generation, and how can you advocate to strengthen this calling?
Pray for young people tasked with leadership positions in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELC-PNG). Pray God will give them wisdom and discernment and surround them with mentors and encouragers to support and cheer them on.
Jeremiah Chalaparau Moat is the IT Support Officer at the ELC-PNG.
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Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord. Work, for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts, according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not (Haggai 2:4b,5).
Read Haggai 2:1–19
The year 2025 began with a tragic wildfire in Los Angeles in the US, killing 24 people, burning more than 5,000 structures, and displacing around 170,000 people. Japan entered the new year with a 7.6-magnitude earthquake, which caused infrastructure damage and the loss of over 280 lives. Since then, there have been national and local disasters and no doubt you have had struggles in your own life. What should we say about all this? Should we fear and lose hope in moving on with our lives? Haggai 2:4b,5 answers: no, we should not. God speaks to us with words of encouragement, consisting of command and promise.
Be strong, work, fear not! We do not know what the future holds. Disasters, injustice and hardships are everywhere. When we try to solve these problems ourselves, we may lose hope, as often the problems are much greater than we are. When we rely on God to carry us through our problems, we will find hope. When we turn to God and listen to his word, we will be strengthened and encouraged. God’s word will take away our fear and build us up. Whatever your current fears are, surrender them to God and listen to his word. Be strong! Whatever your responsibilities and roles are, listen to his word: work courageously and fearlessly.
Why should we be strong and not fear? Because God is with us, and the Spirit of God remains within us. This is what God wants to remind us of as we celebrate the season of Pentecost. This wonderful promise is our strength and hope in facing all kinds of struggles, as our God is much greater than all those struggles. His Spirit strengthens us in our weakness, leads us in the darkness and heals our wounds. We can lean on and rest in him who says, ‘I am with you!’ Whatever troubles may come, be strong and continue the work God has given us because the Spirit of God remains in our midst to care for us now and forever.
How does the promise that the Spirit is with you help you amid the problems you are currently experiencing?
Pray for the work of the Lutheran World Federation as it spreads the good news of the transformative power of the gospel in word and action.
Rev Dr Rospita Siahaan is the Regional Secretary for Asia at the Lutheran World Federation.
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And I came to you in weakness … My speech and my proclamation were made not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a demonstration of the Spirit … (1 Corinthians 2:3a,4).
Read 1 Corinthians 2:1–16
Today’s text seems like a strange Scripture for Pentecost. Paul describes how his speech is not lofty but low, how he does not come with wisdom but with weakness. More specifically, he proclaims that his message is only Christ crucified. Paul’s words clash with what we usually associate with Pentecost: receiving the spectacular gifts of the Spirit, speaking in tongues, wowing a crowd, launching a world-changing movement.
Sometimes, God’s Spirit bestows presents that are easy to recognise and rejoice about, like healing, evangelistic success and intimate communion with God. But mostly, the Spirit moves in hidden ways that we cannot naturally regard as desirable. The Holy Spirit often gives weakness, empowering us to rely all the more on God alone. The Holy Spirit gives us faith in the crucified one who cries out and dies – and in this Christ alone, not in some unscarred conqueror, do we receive God’s power to overcome sin, death and the devil.
The Spirit is present and powerful and gives love, joy and peace. Here, Paul reveals how Christ’s Spirit abides with us in our lives, struggles and all. When Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit drove him into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Immediately afterwards, Jesus, still filled with the Spirit, taught throughout Galilee and was praised by everyone (Luke 4:1–15). Baptised into Christ, our Spirit-filled lives take a similar shape.
Here in Papua New Guinea, I often feel weak and foolish. But sometimes, there are moments when I am able, by God’s grace, to communicate the gospel with clarity to my students. In this, it is the Holy Spirit who is at work. The same is true for you. United by faith with Christ through your baptism, your life is in the Spirit. When you tremble with fear like Paul, when you can do nothing but point to the defeated Christ on the cross, and when you find yourself swept up in the joyful power of Pentecost, you are sustained and filled by the Spirit.
Where do you notice the Holy Spirit at work in your weakness?
Pray for Andrew, Meredith, Bea and Hans Ronnevik, sent by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, as they communicate the gospel through the strength of the Holy Spirit in Papua New Guinea.
Rev Andrew Ronnevik is a lecturer at Martin Luther Seminary in Papua New Guinea.
God Provides
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O Lord, how manifold are your works! (Psalm 104:24a)
Read Psalm 104:24–35
I love to walk in nature. I hear the crunch of bark beneath my feet and the songs of birds hidden in the trees. I smell the soothing oil of the eucalypts. I see the brilliant autumn colours, with fiery flame trees heralding the feast of Pentecost. I feel the fresh air fill my lungs, my thoughts quietening, my heart opening.
I am grateful that, despite my urban living, I am surrounded by gardens, parks and nature reserves. I am heartened that more people recognise the many physical, mental and spiritual health benefits of time in nature. In Japan, some doctors even prescribe ‘forest bathing’ for their patients!
There is a mountain near my home that is especially healing for me. Sometimes, when I go there, I arrive feeling overwhelmed by a particular emotion or challenge. The densely wooded mountain envelops me like a kind of divine embrace. At the end of my walk, I am delivered back into the world with my soul restored.
How wonderful it is to come close to the creator in creation! God is our creator, provider and sustainer. God opens his hands and fills us with good things – not just for our physical bodies but also our minds and hearts. God continues to create and renew us by his presence, his Spirit. We rejoice and sing to the Lord!
What practices help you to know God’s presence? Do you have a favourite place in which to be renewed by God’s presence?
Deep peace of the running wave to you,
Deep peace of the flowing air to you,
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you,
Deep peace of the shining stars to you,
Deep peace of the gentle night to you,
Moon and stars pour their healing light on you.
Deep peace of Christ, the light of the world to you.
Deep peace of Christ to you.
(Traditional Celtic Prayer)
Renée lives on Ngunawal country with her family and belongs to the community at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, ACT. She works as a teacher and enjoys listening to music, reading, walking in nature and the challenge of solving cryptic crosswords.
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God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM’ (Exodus 3:14a).
Read Exodus 2:23 – 3:15
‘I AM WHO I AM.’ A short sentence of simple words. But perhaps it sums up faith in a nutshell: God is certain but also full of mystery. ‘I AM’ brings us to the present. God is here now. God is present at all times and in all places.
‘I AM WHO I AM.’ God is certain of God’s identity and character. We can have confidence that God is consistent, dependable and forever.
But we don’t have the full picture yet. We see and know some of what God has revealed. We learn more of God as the Holy Spirit opens our ears to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd, opens our eyes to the way God is at work, and opens our hearts to love. And there is more that is beyond our current grasp.
We can know part of who God is as revealed through Jesus and the Scriptures:
- I am the bread of life (John 6:35).
- I am the light of the world (John 8:12).
- I am the gate for the sheep (John 10:7).
- I am the good shepherd (John 10:11).
- I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25).
- I am the way and the truth and the life (John 14:6).
- I am the true vine (John 15:1).
- I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End (Revelation 21:6).
Which ‘I am’ statement is your favourite? I wonder which one is especially for you today.
God Almighty and God of mystery: just as you breathed your name, Yahweh, to Moses, help us to recognise your presence within our every breath. May your presence give us confidence and peace as we wonder at your mystery. Amen.
Renée lives on Ngunawal country with her family and belongs to the community at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, ACT. She works as a teacher and enjoys listening to music, reading, walking in nature and the challenge of solving cryptic crosswords.
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When she could hide him no longer she got a papyrus basket … put the child in it and placed it among the reeds on the bank of the river (Exodus 2:3).
Read Exodus 2:1–22
As a mother, my heart aches for Moses’ mother and the anguish she must have experienced as she placed her baby in a basket in the water. How counterintuitive it must have been for her to let him go to protect him rather than hold him close. Her body would have been literally aching for him (ask any breastfeeding mother who is away from her baby when they are due for a feed).
What fate did she imagine might befall her son? There were so many risks – drowning, starvation, capture, murder. What courage and faith Moses’ mother demonstrated by putting him into the water! Our list of heroines in this story, starting yesterday with midwives Shiphrah and Puah, continues to grow.
The next heroine is quick-thinking Miriam, Moses’ sister, who seized an unexpected opportunity when Pharaoh’s daughter saw Moses. Not only did this reunite Moses with his family, but it also gave them income from Pharaoh’s own pockets as Moses’ mother was paid to breastfeed her own baby! I have so many questions about Miriam: Did her mother ask her to watch over baby Moses, or did she do that of her own accord? How old was she? Did she feel scared when she addressed Pharaoh’s daughter?
Pharaoh’s daughter. Perhaps the most surprising heroine in this story. She had compassion for baby Moses and rescued him, against her father’s mandate that all Hebrew boys be destroyed in the Nile.
In his papyrus basket (tevah in Hebrew), Moses was delivered from dangerous waters, with echoes back to the Ark (also called tevah) as a rescue from the waters of death. Perhaps this is also a foreshadowing of our own baptisms, as we are baptised into Christ’s death to be rescued from death, sin and evil. We are free to dance, just as Miriam did when the people of God crossed through the waters into freedom.
When are you touched by water in your daily life? As you bathe, cook, clean, farm, paint – whatever you do – you might like to remember your baptism and the blessings it brings. Perhaps you will also dance a little …
Loving God, you hear our cries. Thank you for rescuing us from death. Give us joy as we dance in the life that you give. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Renée lives on Ngunawal country with her family and belongs to the community at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, ACT. She works as a teacher and enjoys listening to music, reading, walking in nature and the challenge of solving cryptic crosswords.