Daily Devotional

OPEN AND FREE HEARTED WORSHIP OF GOD

September 22

eloved, do you know that there are several ways by which you may be resisted by the Holy Spirit. This resistance comes to you in the forms of poor communication reaching your heart and mind from God; a breakdown in interpersonal relationships with fellow Christians; stunted growth and a lack of the release and development into maturity in your Christian daily life. You should be asking the question: what are the causes of these breakdowns with my Father in Heaven? Here are a few: When you fail to see the brokenness and needs of others, and withhold your love and kindness from anyone sent to you by God, this grieves the Holy Spirit. Fearfulness and isolation of your self are often at the center of this flaw in your Christian life. You may think "these are hard times and I have very little time or money to give away." Beloved, you are deceiving yourself if you are closing yourself off from the broken and needy around you. You should remember the phrases from the precious word of God which say, "It is more blessed to give than to receive;" (Acts 20:35b) and "freely you have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:8) What is at the center of these verses? The very true fact that when you observe the needs of another and when you respond in love and release to them your tenderness, kindness and earthly goods, now of that release to others, you become in that instance most like the Lord Jesus Christ. You should ask the question: "Shall I bow down to fear and withhold kind words or should I hoard and grip tightly with fear my money when there are others around me in great need and pain from their poverty and lack?" How can you do this beloved? The word of God plainly says, "But whosoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart to him, how does the love of God abide in him?" (I John 3:17 NKJV) Can you see this anymore plainly? The best thing that you can do right now is to take out a portion of your finances and write out a check or give a good portion of your money to someone or some organization that feeds the poor or to one which reaches out to the broken and hurting of this world! You would please your Father, and He would see the freedom and love of Christ in you!

Prayer

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Father, I do not wish for any breakdown in my love and receiving your mercy, kindness and grace. Forgive me for living in fear. I will give freely and love freely in the Lord Jesus, amen!