This is the Grand Need for the Day

Today I printed out the e-book The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit by Winfield Bevins. It is available in PDF format free on the Resurgence web site. I love that! I'll be using this study for my personal devotions for the next while and am very excited to get started.

I have been captivated today pondering the quote in the front of the book from J.C. Ryle:

"Pray daily for a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church and on the world. This is the grand need for the day - it is the thing we need far more than money, machinery, and men. The "company of preachers" in Christendom is far greater than it was in the days of Paul; but the actual spiritual work done in the earth, in proportion to the means used, is undoubtedly much less.

We need more of the presence of the Holy Spirit - more in the pulpit, and more in the congregation - more in the pastoral visit and more in the school. Where He is there will be life, health, growth, and fruitfulness. Where He is not - all will be dead, tame, formal, sleepy, and cold.

Then let everyone who desires to see an increase of pure and undefiled religion, pray daily for more of the presence of the Holy Spirit in every branch of the visible church of Christ."

P.S. Two other favorite books of mine on the Holy Spirit are: Forgotten God by Francis Chan, and The Holy Spirit by Bill Bright.