God's Holy Fire: 'Deep-Spirited Friends'

Saturday, February 15, 2025

If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care — then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends.
— Philippians 2:1-2 MSG

Key Thought

We have so many blessings being in Jesus. One of those blessings is the fellowship we have based on the Holy Spirit. Paul calls this blessing, "being in a community of the Spirit." Our relationship in the Spirit must affect the way we treat each other! As "deep-spirited friends" who are brothers and sisters through the Spirit's work in us, let's agree to treat each other with loving respect and support. This commitment will be empowered by the Holy Spirit and becomes especially essential when relationships are strained and tough. Being filled with the Spirit is more than just having a special power for difficult times and great opportunities; it also means always treating those in Christ - and, indeed, everyone else also - in ways that honor Christ!

Today's Prayer

O Father, forgive me for the times my selfishness, ego, or prejudice have kept me from displaying the character of the Holy Spirit toward my brothers and sisters in Christ and toward others with whom I interact. I ask that, by the power of your Spirit, you form me into the person you want me to be. May the fruit of the Spirit be present in my life, I pray, in Jesus' name. Amen.

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Illustration

Illustration of Philippians 2:1-2 MSG —

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About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

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