September 26: HOLY SPIRIT

Believe it:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25 (NIV)

Live it:

We can learn three lessons from today’s text:
1. The work of the Holy Spirit is to transform us. Some people believe that the Holy Spirit is just a force, and that its primary work is to help us speak in other languages. From this text we can see that His first assignment is to make us like Jesus. It is not through emotional events, but day-by-day contact with God that we are transformed.
2. Don’t try to do the Holy Spirit’s work. We waste a lot of time and energy trying to change ourselves, and worse yet, to change others. Psychologists tell us, “Only you can change and control yourself.” This saying contains some truth, but if we carry it further, we must say, “Only you can permit the Holy Spirit to control and change you.” Decide today to let Him do His work.
3. It’s your job to create an environment where this change can occur. There’s a part we can play in this process. Our key text for today encourages us to crucify our sinful nature. This is done through personal Bible study, taking time to pray, attending church regularly, and sharing Jesus with others.

Share it:

If you have already started trying to change someone, turn the work over to God.

·         Ask your family: If you could change one thing about me, what would it be?

·         Do you sense that God is calling you to be an intercessor? Contact your pastor or prayer coordinator. Special things happen when we pray.

My prayer today: for the intercessory prayer group

            -Pray for God to send us intercessors.

            -Pray that God will protect the intercessors from the devil’s attacks.

from God’s City, My City