MORNING IMPACT: ALIVE IN THE SPIRIT | Pastor Brandon O. McAfee | June 15, 2026

Good morning, Morning Impact family! One of the most important truths we can understand is that God created us as spirit, soul, and body. Before we came to Christ, most of us lived primarily according to our soul and body. We made decisions based on what we thought, what we felt, what we wanted, and what seemed right in our own eyes. Our flesh was often in charge, and our spirit remained disconnected from the fullness of God's purpose. In Sunday's sermon, I used the illustration of an empty water jar. The jar represented our lives before Christ. We may have looked complete on the outside, but something essential was missing on the inside. Many people spend their lives trying to fill that emptiness with success, relationships, possessions, or accomplishments, only to discover that none of those things can satisfy the deepest longing of the human spirit. The good news of the Gospel is that when we receive Jesus Christ, our spirit comes alive. The Holy Spirit, which God promised through His Word, comes to dwell within us. We are no longer spiritually dead. We become new creations in Christ, connected to God in a way that we never could be through our own efforts. What I love about God's promise is that it does not depend on our perfection. The Holy Spirit is not earned through good behavior. The Holy Spirit is received through faith in Jesus Christ. The promise is available to every believer who opens their heart and says yes to God. Many people spend years trying to change their behavior without first allowing God to change their spirit. Real transformation begins on the inside. When the Spirit comes alive within us, He begins shaping our thoughts, desires, priorities, and purpose. God works from the inside out. Morning Impact family, let me ask you a question: Are you allowing your spirit to lead your life, or are you still being driven primarily by your emotions, desires, and circumstances? One of the signs of spiritual maturity is learning to listen to God's Spirit more than our flesh. Today's application is simple: spend five minutes in prayer asking God to help you become more aware of His presence within you. Thank Him for the gift of salvation and ask Him to help your spirit become more sensitive to His leading throughout the day. Prayer: Father, thank You for the gift of new life through Jesus Christ. Thank You for placing Your Holy Spirit within me. Help me to live according to Your Spirit rather than my flesh. Make me sensitive to Your voice, obedient to Your leading, and grateful for the new life You have given me. In Jesus' name, Amen.#MorningImpact #BrandonOMcAfee #DMVChurch #BaltimoreChurch #AMEChurch #HolySpirit #AliveInTheSpirit #FaithJourney #NewLifeInChrist #ChristianLiving