Pause

What good is love, really, unless it is true?

Actually, love requires trust, and none is more trustworthy than our Creator.

Trust God now to show you trustworthy love, and to grow it more deeply within you.

Listen

By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.

And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. So we have known and believe the love that God has for us.

1 John 4:13-16a

Think

In Acts 8:26-40, Philip met a man from Ethiopia who was reading the book of Isaiah. Philip asked him, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And the man replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” So Philip sat down and taught him the words’ full meaning.

The Holy Spirit is our guide, much like Philip guided the Ethiopian. With the Holy Spirit in us, we experience the love that God showed the world in the person of Jesus. With the Holy Spirit shining forth from us, we are the evidence that the very same love is still alive today.

In the story from Acts, it was the Spirit who guided Philip to the Ethiopian in the first place. The Holy Spirit may also guide us to unexpected people and places. Wherever we may find ourselves, we can be sure it will be for the purpose of sharing God’s love.

Julie Ball

Pray

Holy Spirit, be my guide today. Teach me the full meaning of God’s love. Show me what to do and tell me what to say in the place where I am. Amen.

Go

Hear the voice of God so tender, gathering us in righteousness.
Giving, as our sure defender,
Steadfast love and faithfulness.

Bless God's holy name together, as the Spirit brings new life.
Giving, as our sure defender,
Steadfast love and faithfulness.

Lavon Bayler