ROMANS 12:11

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord.

TO PONDER

My Bible has the heading prior to verse nine – Love,  and to the end of chapter twelve, Paul speaks about living in harmony with those around us based on Jesus’ teaching; our words and actions need to be authentic as we face situations that arise in our everyday lives.                                                                

Paul writes about ‘spiritual fervour’ in the text; it’s an active word, a bit like water boiling in a pot with bubbles bursting everywhere. When we totally embrace the Holy Spirit living within us and serve others using the gifts of the Spirit [Galatians 5:22-26] we can become like that pot of boiling water. Every word and action as we serve others has a richness of Holy Spirit coming from God’s word at work in us.  We cannot catch one of those bubbles from the boiling pot of water but as they burst, we can feel some droplets; as we serve others, no matter what their need, may the droplets from our bursting spiritual enthusiasm infect them with a desire to know God and love him and grow in them a desire to serve him.

PRAYER: Thank you, Lord, for your gift of the Holy Spirit living in me. May I always cherish this gift and share it wholeheartedly with others as I serve you by serving others using the gifts of the Spirit. Amen

Today's devotion written by Maureen Macpherson, LifeWay Newcastle