Galatians 5:22-23
Knock, Knock
Have you ever experienced someone who you deeply love being distant with you? Maybe your spouse has become swamped at work and “doesn’t have time” to talk. Perhaps a child or the person you were dating moved away and it seems they’ve forgotten you. Or, perhaps someone you care about has put Jesus on the “back burner” and doesn’t want to talk about spiritual matters anymore.
Just as we yearn for a relationship with those we love, James 4:5 tells us that Christ yearns, or longs for, a vibrant relationship with believers. “Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: ‘He jealously
Yes, the Lord created us with the spiritual capacity to have His Holy Spirit in our very being. His gift of the Holy Spirit to believers at salvation is not only for the purpose of sealing us for eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:21-22), but to also empower us to witness and vibrantly walk out our Christian faith (Acts 1:8, Galatians 5:22-23). Christ’s gift of the Holy Spirit also provides a way for us to have intimate conversations with Him (Romans 8:6, Ephesians 6:18).
James’ words are a wake up call to believers who are inundated with the world and neglecting time and intimacy with Christ.
What can we do if we have put Christ, His Spirit in us, on the “back burner”? We can respond to Jesus’ call. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me,” Revelation 3:20. What an invitation to intimacy!
How will you respond to Christ’s knock? Will you open your Bible to James 4 and have a conversation with Jesus?
YEARNING SAVIOR, SPIRIT OF CHRIST, forgive me when I am so preoccupied with the world that I neglect You, Your Spirit and Word. Rekindle my passion as I draw near to You in prayer and the Word.
Would you like to learn more about Christ’s gift of the Holy Spirit? Listen to this free podcast teaching: Listen UP! 31 Points Every Christian Should Know About the Holy Spirit.
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Praise to the God of SELF CONTROL
“the fruit of the Spirit is …SELF CONTROL;”
SELF CONTROL is not a highly discussed in relation to God. Yet, think about it. If God didn’t have self-control, He probably would have wiped us off the face of the earth. If SELF-CONTROL was not one of Christ’s attributes, He would have called down legions of angels to secure His freedom in the Garden of Gethsemane. He would have turned the lash on the one lashing Him. But our God is a God of self control. And because He has invested His life in us in through the Holy Spirit, He has given us the opportunity to bear the fruit of His Spirit – self control. What a gift!
Lord, Thank You for not only being a God of SELF CONTROL, but for also giving us Your Spirit by which we can bear self control. You are an awesome God!
Prayers of My Heart journal – Record each attribute in the Month-at-Glance section.
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