Galatians 5:22-23
Knock, Knock
Have you ever experienced someone who you deeply love being distant with you? Maybe your spouse has become busy 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 with you about spiritual matters.
Just as we yearn for a relationship with those we love, James 4:5 tells us that Christ longs for a vibrant relationship with us. “Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: ‘He jealously desires (longs for) the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us’?”
Yes, the Lord created us with the capacity to have His Holy Spirit in us and to be in an intimate relationship with Him through the Spirit. The Spirit seals us for eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).The Spirit empowers us to witness and walk out our Christian faith (Acts 1:8, Galatians 5:22-23). The Holy Spirit is the One through whom we have intimate conversations with the Lord. (Ephesians 6:18, Romans 8:26)
James 4:5 is a wake up call to believers who are neglecting time and intimacy with Christ. What can we do if that has been the case; if we have been ignoring Christ’s Spirit who dwells in us? We can open the door to intimacy with Him as Revelation 3:20 tells us. “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,”
Lord Jesus, YEARNING SAVIOR, You long for intimacy with me. Forgive me for my preoccupation with other things. I love You and desire increased intimacy with You, Lord.
Would you like to learn more about Christ’s gift of the Holy Spirit? Listen to this 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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