KEEP IN STEP WITH THE SPIRIT: LOVE
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love…
Galatians 5:22 (NLT)
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires.
Galatians 5:16-17b (NLT)
Today's Scriptures guide us in the way of love. As we make room for the Holy Spirit, He fills us with a love that's powerful enough to overcome our sinful nature and fill us with the very desires of God.
I remember when I first opened my heart to Jesus. We hadn't had any conversations about God or Christianity when I was growing up. I never learned that Jesus died a cruel death to pay the penalty for my sin and that He rose from the dead to give me new life. All I knew was that my life was falling apart, and I needed help. Soon after I became a follower of Christ, I celebrated my first real Christmas. Up to that point, Christmas had been all about putting up a tree with tinsel and colorful lights and getting new toys (sometimes I got socks, which felt like a rip-off!). But this first Christmas was different. I'll never forget the pastor reading John 1:29, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" At that moment, I felt the weight of guilt and shame rush away from my body. For the first time, I was overwhelmed by the love and acceptance of God.
The reality is that when we experience God's love, it changes us. It purifies and often replaces our deepest desires. God's love guides us in how we see ourselves and enables us to truly love others. God's love changes our decisions and keeps us anchored during times of hardship and trial.
When was the last time you truly felt God's love?
Today, may you be overwhelmed by God's love in new and beautiful ways that change your life forever.
APPLICATION: Consider these questions throughout the day: What past failures are you projecting into new situations that are robbing you of God's love? In what ways are you trying to make God happy with you rather than relying on the work of Jesus as a basis for how God feels about you?
PRAYER: God, I believe You love me. I trust this is true, and I pray You'll help me experience Your love more now than ever before. I ask You to break down any walls or obstacles in the way and fill me with Your love. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?