The Father, Son, & Spirit Empower Us to Love
OPENING PRAYER:
Spirit, help us be in tune with the way that you guide us today.
This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:13-18
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. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Galatians 5:22-26
REFLECT:
As we spend time this week reflecting on how God’s love is reflected in and by us, and how Jesus has given us an example of what loving well truly looks like, it is important to remember the Holy Spirit and the way that the Spirit empowers us to love just like Jesus does.
We are commanded and encouraged numerous times in Scripture to love our brothers and sisters – to love our neighbors as ourselves – and to love like God first loved us. After the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf and his victory over death, we are left with The Great Helper --- the Holy Spirit, sent to help us live the way that we are called to.
APPLY:
As you go about your days, pay attention to the stirrings in your heart and in your mind that might be from the Holy Spirit. Make a decision to recognize and honor those stirrings – when the Spirit is pushing you to act or pulling you to rethink your behavior or words. Don’t dismiss what might be the Spirit empowering you to love well and do right.
Not sure if it’s the Spirit or something else? Check what’s happening against the verses from Galatians 5. If what you’re feeling led to do or say lines up with the fruit of the Spirit and with what you know about what Jesus has taught us about love, lean into it.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Spirit, help us recognize when you’re moving and help me to be obedient when you prompt. Thank you for helping us love others faithfully.
WORSHIP: