Listen to this devotion
Living in the Spirit … Helps Me Serve Others
In the Word
Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:18).
Of the Word
The fruit of the Spirit is … goodness (Galatians 5:22).
Goodness is simply showing kindness to others. It is a generous giving of ourselves as well as our possessions. Goodness is the ability to identify with others and their needs and then, whenever possible, help without expecting anything in return.
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith (Galatians 6:10).
Our daily goal should be to do good things for others. But doing good means putting others first, and we aren’t always willing to do that. God, the perfect example of goodness, sent His Son Jesus to teach us how to love and serve others. Jesus, in His goodness, put every one of us first on Good Friday when He went to the cross. The Holy Spirit works in us, helping us to be Christ-like in spite of our human weaknesses.
Walking with my Lord
Gracious God, You have shown goodness to me in all things. Forgive me for failing to follow Your example. Let the Holy Spirit guide me so that others will see Jesus in me. In His name I pray. Amen.
Mustard Seed: Living in the Spirit. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 26/30 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org
Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
