Letters From PaulSample

### PREPARE Take a moment to quiet your heart as you set aside today’s distractions. Ask God to prepare you to read and receive his holy Word. ### READ: Galatians 5:13–16, 22–23 > Dear Friend, > As for you, my friends, you were called to be free. But do not let this freedom become an excuse for letting your physical desires control you. Instead, let love make you serve one another. For the whole Law is summed up in one commandment: “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” But if you act like wild animals, hurting and harming each other, then watch out, or you will completely destroy one another. > What I say is this: let the Spirit direct your lives, and you will not satisfy the desires of the > human nature. > The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and > self-control. There is no law against such things as these. > Free to be, > Paul ### REFLECT In this letter to the churches of Galatia in modern-day Turkey, Paul encourages believers to stay strong in their faith. What were some of the old desires these believers needed to set aside? Are there any old desires you need to set aside? How does the Holy Spirit’s influence in our hearts transform the way we live our lives? How can you ask the Holy Spirit to direct your life today? ### PRAY Paul tells us that “The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control.” Spend time in prayer asking God to grow your faith in each of these areas. Ask him to pour out his Spirit and continue transforming you into the image of Jesus Christ.