God's Holy Fire: 'A Life of Goodness, Peace, and Joy!'

Sunday, November 23, 2025

For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too.
— Romans 14:17-18 NLT

Key Thought

While we enjoy our blessings each day, let's all of us remember that life in God's Kingdom is not about what we eat or drink or what we have. Because of the Holy Spirit's presence and power within us, no matter where we are or what we have, we should always give thanks since the Spirit's presence leads to his blessings coming alive in us. Things like goodness, peace, and joy don't happen accidentally; they are the intentional work of God's presence within us through the Holy Spirit. So, let's always remember that the Holy Spirit is the source of all that is good in our lives and is the basis of our peace and the joy that sustains us. No wonder the Holy Spirit is called the gift of God, and no wonder we give thanks for this special gift!

Today's Prayer

O Father, thank you for all your many gifts showered upon me. Thank you especially for the Holy Spirit, who is transforming me to become more and more like Jesus and who empowers me to live a good life, to enjoy the peace that passes all understanding, and to know your deep and abiding joy. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Who Can Argue with These Qualities?
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with...."
Serve Christ with This Attitude!
Devo: Together in Christ
"I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then..."
Pursuing Peace
Devo: Praying with Paul
"Dear Father, giver of brotherly love, How wonderful that your kingdom, your rule in people's lives, is not a matter of food and drink, but of..."
Giving Grace
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved, Part of the challenge of being in a multi-cultural fellowship, is that people who are different from you are... different! Their..."

Illustration

Illustration of Romans 14:17-18 NLT — If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, November 23, 2025

Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Psalm 34:16
"The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Thomas Merton:
"To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything He has given us — and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Pray You Will Exhibit God’s Love and Patience'
"And we are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we commanded you. May the Lord lead your hearts into a full..."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'The Hall Will Be Filled' (Mt. 22:7-10)
"[Jesus continued his parable about guests killing a king's servants who brought an invitation to a wedding feast for his son:] "The king was furious,...."

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