Love and the Holy Spirit

July 9, 2024

From Jackie Payne

Growing up (and even now) when I did something my mother couldn't believe I had done, like many moms, she would call me by my first and middle names - "Jacqueline Shavonne!" Even today when I have done something or said something that I can't believe I have done, I catch myself using the same format, "Jacqueline Shavonne!". It's amazing how many times I use my first and middle names in my self-talk, appalled at something I've done or said or thought.

Paul says in Romans 7:18-19:

For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.

Can you relate to Paul? I can!

The beauty of God is that 1) He still loves us no matter how many things we do or say or think that we shouldn't and 2) He has given us the gracious gift of the Holy Spirit to smooth out our rough edges and make us more like Jesus...and boy, do we have lots of rough edges!

Today, despite your screw ups (or maybe because of them) lean into the love of God and ask the Holy Spirit to work on you. He loves you and knows you're worth it!