Morning Devotional 100924 Filled With the Spirit

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

  October 9, 2024

1 John 3:16-24

16 This is how we know love: Jesus laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 But if someone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but refuses to help—how can the love of God dwell in a person like that? 18 Little children, let’s not love with words or speech but with action and truth. 19 This is how we will know that we belong to the truth and reassure our hearts in God’s presence. 20 Even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts and knows all things. 21 Dear friends, if our hearts don’t condemn us, we have confidence in relationship to God. 22 We receive whatever we ask from him because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 23 This is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love each other as he commanded us. 24 Those who keep his commandments dwell in God and God dwells in them. This is how we know that he dwells in us, because of the Spirit he has given us.

Good Morning! Oh, How I Love Jesus!

Today’s scripture underscores a profound truth: love is not a passive concept, but a dynamic force that calls us to action and truth.

This past Sunday, one of our church member’s young grandson told me before church that he had money from his allowance in his pocket to give to help the people suffering from the hurricane. I have no idea how much he had in his bank nor how much he gave, but I knew that he was giving freely from his heart. 

Truly, I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." Mark 10:15

We are called to show Christ to the world through action and truth. This means we must do more than speak and create a Christian persona. We must push up our sleeves, get our hands dirty, and serve the needs of the lost and most vulnerable. 

We must be careful not to become too comfortable in our earthly trappings. I think of the Pharisees who praised the rich who gave large sums of money to the temple that they would never miss, but failed to notice those who gave all they had. 

To love God is to walk and serve as Christ taught. Those who love and believe in Christ, our Lord and Savior, and love one another shall be filled with the Holy Spirit. Through this, God creates a symbiotic relationship where God dwells in us, and we dwell in God. Praise be to God!

Dear Lord, We are your children! You sent your Son to show us the way! Open our hearts to the message of truth, and help us share Your message with the world. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Thought for the day: Share generously with others!

May you be filled with the spirit of Christ on this day! Pastor Liz