Daily Devotion 09/09/26

Reading: Galatians 5:22-23

Devotional: Galatians 5:22-23 describes the fruit that grows in a life surrendered to the Holy Spirit -- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities do not appear automatically. They are the overflow of a spirit that has been consistently filled. When pressure comes -- and it will come -- what pours out of you reveals what you have been pouring in. A sponge saturated with bitterness and distraction will produce bitterness and distraction under pressure. A spirit saturated with the word of God and time in his presence will produce something entirely different. You cannot give what you do not have. Daily, intentional time with God is not optional maintenance -- it is the source of everything good that flows from your life.

Reflection: When life recently put pressure on you, what came out? What does your response reveal about what you have been filling yourself with?

Practical Application: Choose one fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23 that you want to grow in. Ask God specifically today to develop that quality in you through your time with him.