TODAY'S FOOD FOR THE SOUL Romans 5:1-8 TODAY'S RHEMA Romans 5:5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
A long time ago, in Kentucky, United States, there was a hereditary conflict between two families who lived side by side. It began when Grandpa Smith's cow jumped over stoned fence and ate Browns' corns. Brown then shot that cow. One of Smith's children took a revenge by shooting two of Brown's sons. Bill Brown had planned to take revenge. However, he was assigned to go to war. When he was away from home, Bill's mother experienced financial difficulty because Bill was the backbone of the family. When it was time to commemorate Passover, Grandpa Smith went to the church with all his family members. The preaching was about Christ, the Prince of Peace who died to take away our sins. The Holy Spirit touched Smith so that he turned to God. With God's overflowing love, he hired a boy to send a basket of food to be given to the Browns every day until Bill came home.
When Bill came home, he wanted to know who had helped them that much. He then followed the boy, whom Smith assigned l, and at last found Smith. Smith then said, "Shoot me, Bill, if you really want to do it. Christ has died for my sins and I hope you can forgive me as well. Bill them forgave the Smiths and they became harmonious neighbors.
As believers, the Holy Spirit doesn't only help us to have faith in Jesus or give us hope for the future, but also makes us able to love with all of our hearts. When we make the Holy Spirit the center of our attention, He guides us freely to live with love. Also, the Holy Spirit will help us to apply His overflowing love in our hearts to do things we have never thought of doing for God and others.
REFLECTION Saudara Terkasih, Without GRACE from the HOLY SPIRIT, you won't be able to LOVE GOD, and OTHERS, with all of your hearts.
APPLICATIONS 1. How is your love relationship with God and others? 2. Why do you need the grace of the Holy Spirit to love God and others? 3. How can you depend on the grace of the Holy Spirit in terms of love? TODAY'S PRAYER "My lovely Holy Spirit, I open my heart widely to You. Please work and change my hard-heartedness so as I can gain a new heart. Fill me with Your tenderness. Let my life be more pleasing before You. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen."
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