God's Holy Fire: 'The Spirit's Work of Love'

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

[Epaphras is] the one who told us how thoroughly love had been worked into your lives by the Spirit.
— Colossians 1:8 MSG

Key Thought

Epaphras had told Paul about the Colossians' growth in Jesus. One vital element of this growth was their love for each other. Paul recognized that the power of the Holy Spirit is what had inspired, empowered, and worked this love into the fabric of their daily lives. The Spirit empowers God's character to be formed in us (Romans 5:1-5). We sometimes call this character the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) as the Spirit works to form Christ in us (2 Corinthians 3:18). Therefore, let's daily invite the Spirit into our lives to do his transformational work so that the influence of God's Holy Presence shows up in the way we feel about each other and treat each other.

Today's Prayer

Father in heaven, I yield my heart to be molded by the work of your Holy Presence, the Spirit. I want to be conformed to the character and compassion of Jesus. However, I know for this transformation to happen fully, I desperately need the holy fire of your Spirit to empower my changes into a full likeness of Christ. Burn away what is false and selfish. Fuel in me a holy desire to be conformed to your holy character and gracious compassion. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

3 Related Resources by Heartlight

Connections
Devo: Together in Christ
"You learned about the Good News from Epaphras, our beloved co-worker. He is Christ's faithful servant, and he is helping us on your behalf. He has..."
Harvesting Faith, Hope, Love
Devo: Praying with Paul
"Dear Father, God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Thank you for the fruit your Word is bearing throughout the whole world. Thank you that this..."
You Don't Have to Have an Apostle
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Disciple, I appointed My apostles as My emissaries to the world. I commissioned them to take My message everywhere to everyone. The original..."

Illustration

Illustration of Colossians 1:8 MSG — [Epaphras is] the one who told us how thoroughly love had been worked into your lives by the Spirit.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, February 17, 2026

What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Show Us the Father!' (Jn. 14:8-11)
"Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." Jesus replied, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still....."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Giants of Faith' (He. 11:1-7)
"Dear Father, trustworthy God, You alone are worthy of faith, for you alone have the power to keep promises. Increase my faith, Lord. May I have the....."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 21:30
"There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'You Stretch Them All Out' (Ps. 104:1-3)
"Let all that I am praise the Lord. O Lord my God, how great you are! ... You stretch out the starry curtain of the heavens; you lay out the rafters of..."

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.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations