Megan Evans, Women’s Ministry Director LHBC
Galatians 5:25
Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives (New Living Translation).
Did you know that God is interested in every part of your life, not just the “spiritual” part? We compartmentalize God sometimes, don’t we? How often do we think about God’s interest in our vocation, social life, entertainment or hobbies? What about our physical or intellectual areas and interests? It can be hard to picture the God of all the Universe caring about the seemingly small stuff. Yet inviting God into the daily stuff is a big part of doing life with Jesus. What is on your heart today? Maybe you’re new in town and you wish you had a friend, someone hurt your child’s feelings, or things are rough at work. God cares. Maybe you’re a tired parent drowning in diapers and midnight feedings, your finances are tight, or you struggle to take care of your body. God cares about all of these and more because He loves you. This awesome God loved you first, and you actually get to love Him back (1 John 4:10). He delights in you (Zephaniah 3:17). In fact, Jesus tells us to hold nothing back, but to “love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.” Jesus continues by telling us to love others (Mark 12:30-31). That is a picture of doing life with Jesus.
How can we do life with Jesus? Seek Him. Ask Him. Follow Him. Thankfully, we are not on our own to figure all of this out. Our key verse explains that “since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives,” (Galatians 5:25). Notice that we are to follow, not lead. We are to walk in step with the Holy Spirit. On our lips we have prayer; talk and listen to God. On our fingertips we have the Bible; read God’s written Word to you. And the Holy Spirit’s power in our life makes doing life with Jesus possible. The Holy Spirit comforts, encourages, counsels as our advocate, and teaches and reminds us of what we’ve been taught (John 14:26). He produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in our lives when we are walking in-step with him (Galatians 5:22). If you have received Jesus into your life as your Lord and Savior, then the Holy Spirit indwells you at this very moment. Will you follow his leading in every part of your life today?
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, thank you for loving me, for delighting in me, for caring about what is on my heart today. Reveal areas I’m not following in step with the Holy Spirit. Teach me, remind me, and show me how to do life with you today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
MEMORY VERSE FOR THE WEEK:
Romans 1:20 – For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.