Blog

Day 1: The Currency of the Kingdom

Devotional Have you ever wondered what makes someone truly attractive to be around? It’s not their wealth, status, or even their talents—it’s something deeper. When we look at the fruit of the Spirit, we’re not just examining nice personality traits or moral guidelines. These nine qualities—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—represent something far more profound. Think of them as the currency of God’s kingdom. Just as money reveals what we value in our earthly economy, the fruit of the Spirit reveals what God values in His eternal kingdom. When these qualities flow from our lives, they serve as evidence that something supernatural is happening within us. This isn’t about trying harder to be a better person or following a moral checklist. It’s about recognizing that God’s Spirit wants to produce something beautiful through us. When we yield to His work, these qualities naturally emerge, creating a life that draws others toward the goodness of God. The world is watching how we live, and they’re hungry for authenticity. They want to see what genuine transformation looks like. When the fruit of the Spirit becomes the currency we operate with daily, our lives become a preview of God’s kingdom—a glimpse of what restored creation looks like.

Bible Verse

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23

Reflection Question

Which fruit of the Spirit do you most need God to develop in your life right now, and how might cultivating this quality change your relationships and daily interactions?

Quote I love the term of thinking of the fruits of the Spirit as the currency of the kingdom, the currency of the kingdom, it’s the evidence of what the Spirit is producing.

Prayer

Lord, help me understand that the fruit of Your Spirit isn’t just about being nice—it’s about displaying Your kingdom life through me. Work in my heart to produce these qualities naturally as I learn to yield to You. Amen.

Day 2: The Choice That Changed Everything

Devotional Every day, we face the same fundamental choice that confronted humanity in the Garden of Eden: Will we trust God’s way, or will we rely on our own understanding? This decision shapes everything about how we live and who we become. When Adam and Eve chose to trust their own thinking over God’s clear instruction, something devastating happened. It wasn’t just a rule that was broken—it was a relationship that was severed. Spiritual death entered the human experience, creating a disconnect from the very source of life itself. This same choice confronts us daily. We can choose to live by the flesh—trusting our own instincts, desires, and reasoning—or we can choose to walk by the Spirit, trusting God’s wisdom and ways. The acts of the flesh aren’t just bad behaviors; they represent sub-human living that falls short of our created design. But here’s the beautiful truth: we don’t have to remain trapped in that broken pattern. Through Christ, we’ve been given access to a different way of living. We can choose to trust God’s Spirit to guide us, knowing that His ways lead to life, freedom, and genuine fulfillment. Every moment presents us with this choice. Will we trust our own limited perspective, or will we yield to the One who sees the bigger picture and loves us perfectly?

Bible Verse

“But you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” – Genesis 2:17

Reflection Question

In what areas of your life are you currently trusting your own understanding rather than seeking God’s wisdom, and what would it look like to surrender those areas to Him?

Quote They decided not to trust in God, but to trust in their own thinking. And what happened was a spiritual death. It was a disconnect from God’s life, just death, spiritual death.

Prayer

Father, forgive me for the times I’ve chosen to trust my own thinking over Your perfect wisdom. Help me recognize these moments and give me the courage to choose Your way instead. Amen.

Day 3: Made Alive by Grace

Devotional There’s something incredibly freeing about understanding that our transformation isn’t a do-it-yourself project. We don’t earn our way into God’s kingdom through good behavior, rule-following, or moral improvement. Instead, God made us alive in Christ through His grace—a gift we receive by faith. This truth changes everything about how we approach spiritual growth. We’re not trying to manufacture the fruit of the Spirit through willpower or religious effort. Instead, we’re learning to yield to the Spirit who is already at work within us, producing these beautiful qualities as we surrender to His leading. When we grasp this reality, it removes the pressure and performance anxiety that often accompanies spiritual life. We’re not striving to become something we’re not; we’re learning to live out of who we already are in Christ. The Spirit within us wants to produce love, joy, peace, and all the other fruits—we simply need to get out of the way. This grace-based approach doesn’t make us passive; it makes us responsive. We actively choose to yield, to surrender, to trust. But we do so knowing that the power for transformation comes from God, not from our own efforts. What a relief to know that our spiritual growth is ultimately God’s work in us, not our work for God!

Bible Verse

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” – Ephesians 2:4-5

Reflection Question

How does knowing that your transformation is God’s work rather than your own effort change the way you approach spiritual growth and daily challenges?

Quote We’re not just waiting for heaven to begin someday. Heaven’s life has already begun in us.

Prayer

Thank You, Lord, that my spiritual life isn’t dependent on my performance but on Your grace. Help me rest in this truth while actively yielding to Your Spirit’s work in my life. Amen.

Day 4: True Freedom Found

Devotional Our culture tells us that freedom means having the ability to do whatever we want, whenever we want. But this kind of freedom often leads to bondage—to our impulses, our selfishness, and our destructive patterns. God offers us a different kind of freedom entirely. True freedom isn’t found in serving ourselves; it’s discovered in serving others through love. When we walk by the Spirit, we don’t gratify the desires of the flesh. Instead, we find ourselves naturally drawn toward kindness, patience, and genuine care for others. This might seem counterintuitive, but yielding to God’s Spirit actually liberates us from the tyranny of our own self-centered desires. When we surrender to His leading, we experience the freedom to become who we were truly created to be. Consider how this plays out practically: When the Spirit produces patience in us, we’re free from the anxiety and anger that comes from demanding our own way. When He develops kindness in our hearts, we’re liberated from the bitterness that poisons relationships. When love flows through us, we’re released from the loneliness that comes from self-absorption. This is the freedom that comes from following Jesus—not the freedom to do whatever we want, but the freedom to want what God wants, to love what He loves, and to find our deepest satisfaction in His purposes.

Bible Verse

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” – Galatians 5:13

Reflection Question

What areas of your life feel most bound by selfish desires, and how might surrendering these to God’s Spirit actually bring you greater freedom?

Quote So often we think of freedom as being able to do whatever we want. And God says, you’ll find freedom when you follow me.

Prayer

God, help me understand that true freedom comes from following You, not from following my own desires. Teach me to use my freedom to serve others in love. Amen.

Day 5: Living as Light in the World

Devotional Imagine walking into a room and having your presence immediately brighten the atmosphere. Not because you’re trying to be the center of attention, but because something beautiful is flowing through you that naturally draws people toward hope, peace, and joy. This is what happens when we live surrendered to God’s Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit becomes visible evidence of God’s kingdom breaking into our world. Our relationships become places where love replaces indifference, where joy pushes out despair, and where peace quiets the chaos around us. The world is watching how we live, and they’re hungry for authenticity. They want to see what genuine transformation looks like. When we yield to the Spirit, allowing His fruit to flow through our words, attitudes, and actions, we become living previews of God’s kingdom. This isn’t about perfection—it’s about direction. As we learn to surrender more fully to God’s Spirit, His life becomes increasingly visible through ours. People begin to catch glimpses of what restored creation looks like, what it means to be fully human as God intended. The more we yield, the more His life shines through us. Our lives become invitations for others to experience the goodness of God’s kingdom, showing them that there’s a better way to live—a way marked by love, joy, peace, and all the beautiful fruit that flows from a life connected to the vine.

Bible Verse

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” – Galatians 5:16

Reflection Question

How can you intentionally create space in your daily routine to yield to God’s Spirit, allowing His fruit to flow more naturally through your interactions with others?

Quote When the people of God, that’s us, live by the Spirit, the world around us gets a glimpse of the kingdom.

Prayer

Lord, I want my life to be a light that draws others to You. Help me yield more completely to Your Spirit so that Your kingdom becomes visible through how I live, love, and serve. Amen.

Join us at Keys Vineyard Church in person or online or connect with our Bible Institute for more sermons, courses, etc.

Day 1: The Power of New Birth

Devotional Have you ever wondered what it truly means to be “born again”? It’s more than just a religious phrase—it’s the foundation of a hope that can transform everything about how you live. When we accept Jesus, something profound happens. We’re not just forgiven; we’re given a completely new beginning, a fresh start that’s rooted in the most powerful event in history: Christ’s resurrection. This new birth isn’t just about getting a ticket to heaven someday. It’s about experiencing God’s life-giving power right now. The same energy that brought Jesus back from the dead begins working in you today, bringing renewal to your thoughts, your relationships, and your circumstances. This isn’t wishful thinking or positive psychology—it’s the reality of what God has done for you. Think about the areas of your life that feel stuck or broken. Maybe it’s a relationship that seems beyond repair, a habit you can’t break, or dreams that feel impossible. The resurrection power that lives in you is greater than any obstacle you face. This living hope doesn’t promise that everything will be easy, but it guarantees that nothing is beyond God’s ability to transform. When you truly grasp this truth, it changes how you wake up each morning. Instead of facing the day with anxiety or resignation, you can approach it with confidence, knowing that the God who conquered death is actively working in your life. This hope isn’t fragile or uncertain—it’s as solid as the empty tomb.

Bible Verse

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” – 1 Peter 1:3

Reflection Question

In what specific area of your life do you need to trust that God’s resurrection power is greater than your current circumstances?

Quote Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Prayer

Father, thank You for giving me new birth through Jesus’ resurrection. Help me to truly believe that the same power that raised Christ from the dead is working in my life today. Transform the areas where I feel stuck and fill me with living hope. Amen.

Day 2: Life and Peace in the Spirit

Devotional Your mind is a battlefield, and what governs it determines the quality of your entire life. Every day, you’re faced with a choice: will you let your thoughts be controlled by worry, fear, and worldly concerns, or will you allow the Holy Spirit to guide your thinking toward life and peace? When the Spirit governs your mind, something beautiful happens. Instead of being consumed by anxiety about tomorrow or regret about yesterday, you find yourself anchored in God’s truth. Your thoughts become aligned with His perspective, and suddenly the chaos around you doesn’t have the same power to disturb your inner peace. This doesn’t mean you ignore real problems or live in denial. Rather, it means you process life’s challenges through the lens of God’s promises and power. When financial stress hits, instead of spiraling into panic, you remember that God provides. When relationships get difficult, instead of responding in anger, you choose love because the Spirit produces that fruit in you. The transformation happens gradually as you practice turning your thoughts toward God throughout the day. When you catch your mind wandering toward worry, you redirect it to prayer. When negative thoughts try to take root, you replace them with Scripture. This isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Each time you choose to let the Spirit govern your thoughts, you’re choosing life and peace over death and turmoil. This spiritual discipline becomes easier as you experience its benefits. The peace that comes from a Spirit-governed mind isn’t dependent on your circumstances—it’s rooted in the unchanging character of God.

Bible Verse

“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” – Romans 8:5-6

Reflection Question

What specific thoughts or worries do you need to surrender to the Holy Spirit’s governance today?

Quote The mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, I invite You to govern my mind today. Help me to set my thoughts on what You desire rather than being controlled by fear or worry. Fill my mind with Your life and peace. Amen.

Day 3: Understanding Your Hopes

Devotional Not all hopes are created equal, and understanding the difference can save your heart from unnecessary pain. Think about the things you hope for—some are casual, like hoping for good weather or a smooth commute. Others are precious, like hoping for your children’s success or a loved one’s healing. But there’s a third category that should contain only one thing: your ultimate hope. The problem comes when our hopes shift upward. Casual hopes become precious when we invest too much emotional energy in minor outcomes. Precious hopes become ultimate when we stake our entire sense of well-being on things that are temporary and uncertain. When this happens, disappointment doesn’t just sting—it devastates. Consider how this plays out in real life. If getting that promotion becomes your ultimate hope, losing it doesn’t just affect your career—it shakes your identity. If your child’s success becomes your ultimate hope, their struggles don’t just concern you—they crush you. These are good things to hope for, but they’re not strong enough to bear the weight of ultimate hope. Your ultimate hope should rest in something unshakeable: the renewal of all things. This is the promise that God will restore everything that’s been broken, heal everything that’s been wounded, and make all things new. When this becomes your deepest hope, other disappointments hurt but don’t destroy you. You can love deeply and hope boldly for precious things because your ultimate security isn’t tied to their outcomes. This perspective doesn’t make you care less about important things—it actually frees you to care more fully because you’re not carrying the crushing weight of ultimate expectations on temporary things.

Bible Verse

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” – Proverbs 13:12

Reflection Question

What precious hopes in your life have you been treating as ultimate hopes, and how might this be affecting your peace?

Quote The problem is that the writer of Proverbs says that hope deferred makes the heart sick. That’s Proverbs 13.

Prayer

God, help me to properly order my hopes. Show me where I’ve placed ultimate hope in temporary things, and anchor my deepest hope in Your promise to renew all things. Give me wisdom to hope well. Amen.

Day 4: Now and Forever

Devotional One of the most liberating truths you can embrace is this: if you love Jesus, it’s not “now or never”—it’s “now and forever.” This simple shift in perspective can transform how you approach every aspect of your life, from relationships to dreams to the work you do each day. When you live with a “now or never” mentality, everything feels urgent and desperate. You rush through relationships, panic about missed opportunities, and carry the crushing weight of thinking that this life is all there is. But when you understand that your story extends into eternity, that every good thing God has made is kept safe for you, something beautiful happens—you can breathe. This doesn’t make you passive or careless about the present. Instead, it frees you to love more deeply, serve more generously, and take risks for the kingdom because you know that nothing truly good is ever lost. That act of kindness you showed? It matters forever. The love you invested in difficult relationships? It’s not wasted. The dreams that seem impossible now? God holds them safely. Think about how this changes your approach to setbacks. When a relationship ends, when a dream gets delayed, when circumstances don’t go as planned, you don’t have to despair. You can grieve appropriately while holding onto the truth that God’s story for you is much bigger than this moment. Every good seed you plant, every prayer you pray, every step of faith you take—it all matters in the grand narrative of renewal that God is writing. This eternal perspective doesn’t diminish the importance of today; it actually magnifies it by placing it in the context of forever.

Bible Verse

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:19-21

Reflection Question

How would your daily decisions change if you truly believed that every good thing you do has eternal significance?

Quote I think what you need to know if you love Jesus is it’s not now or never, it’s now and forever.

Prayer

Father, help me to live with an eternal perspective. Remind me that my story with You extends far beyond this life, and let that truth free me to love boldly and serve generously today. Amen.

Day 5: Safe in His Hands

Devotional There’s a profound peace that comes from knowing that everything that truly matters is safe. Not safe from difficulty or challenge, but safe in the ultimate sense—held securely in the hands of the One who makes all things new. This truth has the power to help your heart exhale and your soul find rest. Life can feel so fragile. Relationships can be damaged, dreams can be shattered, and the things we love most can seem so vulnerable to loss. But here’s what changes everything: every good thing that God has made and created is kept safe for you. The love you’ve shared, the beauty you’ve experienced, the moments of joy and connection—none of it is lost. It’s all held safely in the hands of Jesus. This doesn’t mean that painful things won’t happen or that loss isn’t real. In this world, you will have trouble. But it does mean that the deepest, truest, most beautiful parts of your story are secure. The enemy cannot steal what God has promised to preserve. Death cannot destroy what God has chosen to keep. When you let this truth settle on your heart, something shifts. The anxiety about protecting everything you love begins to ease. The fear of loss loses its grip. You can love freely, give generously, and hope boldly because you know that what matters most is in the safest possible place—the hands of the God who conquered death. This living hope can never perish, spoil, or fade. It’s not dependent on your circumstances, your performance, or your ability to hold everything together. It’s anchored in the character and promises of God, and that makes it absolutely unshakeable.

Bible Verse

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

Reflection Question

What are you trying to protect or control that you need to trust into God’s safe hands?

Quote You can find some rest and peace knowing that everything that really matters is safe in the hands of Jesus and safe in the hands of the one who makes all things new.

Prayer

Jesus, I place everything I love and value into Your hands. Help me to trust that You keep all good things safe, and let that truth bring peace to my anxious heart. Thank You for being trustworthy. Amen.

Join us at Keys Vineyard Church in person or online or connect with our Bible Institute for more sermons, courses, etc.

Day 1: The Gap Between Who You Are and How You Think

Devotional Have you ever wondered why you still struggle with the same thought patterns even after becoming a Christian? You know you’re a new creation, yet fear, anger, or worry seem to have a permanent address in your mind. This isn’t a sign of spiritual failure—it’s simply evidence that your mind needs time to catch up with your new spiritual reality. Think about it: much of how you respond today was shaped by thoughts and choices you made years ago, many of which you don’t even remember. That defensive reaction when criticized? It might trace back to childhood wounds. That tendency to worry about finances? Perhaps it stems from early experiences of scarcity. These mental pathways were carved deep over time, and they don’t disappear overnight just because you said yes to Jesus. But here’s the beautiful truth: God isn’t frustrated with this process. He understands that transformation takes time, and He’s committed to walking with you through it. Your new identity in Christ is secure—now He wants to help your thinking align with that reality. This isn’t about shame or trying harder; it’s about recognizing where you are and trusting God’s patient work in your life. The gap between your spiritual identity and your thought patterns isn’t a problem to be solved quickly—it’s a journey to be walked faithfully. God sees your heart’s desire to think differently, and He’s already begun the good work of renewing your mind.

Bible Verse

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Reflection Question

What persistent thought patterns in your life feel disconnected from who you know you are in Christ, and how might recognizing this gap as normal (rather than failure) change your approach to growth?

Quote Much of our lives, much of my life, let me personalize it is the result of thoughts I don’t remember having and choices I don’t remember making many years ago. And they have continued to impact me to this day.

Prayer

Father, thank You that I am truly a new creation in Christ, even when my thoughts don’t always reflect that reality. Help me to be patient with the process of transformation and to trust that You are faithfully at work in my mind and heart. Give me grace for the journey ahead.

Day 2: You Can’t Renew Your Own Mind

Devotional One of the most liberating truths in the Christian life is this: you are not responsible for changing your own mind. That’s the Holy Spirit’s job, and He’s incredibly good at it. Too often, we approach mental and emotional transformation like a self-improvement project, gritting our teeth and trying to think better thoughts through sheer willpower. But this approach leads to frustration and burnout because we’re attempting something we were never designed to do alone. Consider how the Holy Spirit knows the very thoughts of God. Just as only you know your own thoughts, only God’s Spirit knows God’s thoughts completely. And here’s the amazing part: this same Spirit lives in you and wants to share God’s perspective with you. He doesn’t just know what God thinks—He wants to teach you to think the way God thinks about your circumstances, your relationships, and your future. This means your role isn’t to manufacture new thoughts but to yield to the One who can actually transform your thinking. It’s less about mental gymnastics and more about spiritual surrender. When you find yourself stuck in old patterns of fear or frustration, instead of trying harder to think positively, you can simply invite the Holy Spirit to show you God’s perspective on the situation. The pressure is off. You don’t have to figure out how to rewire your brain or force yourself into better thought patterns. Your part is to cooperate with the Spirit who is already at work, gently reshaping how you see and understand life.

Bible Verse

“For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.” – 1 Corinthians 2:11-12

Reflection Question

In what areas of your life have you been trying to change your thinking through willpower alone, and how might shifting to yielding to the Holy Spirit change your approach?

Quote You can’t renew your own mind. The Spirit has to do that, and he wants to do it. And our part is yielding to the Holy Spirit because you can’t bring yourself into truth.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, I acknowledge that I cannot renew my own mind. Thank You for knowing the thoughts of God and for wanting to share His perspective with me. Help me to yield to Your work rather than striving in my own strength. Teach me to think as God thinks.

Day 3: Yielding Deeper, Not Trying Harder

Devotional There’s a profound difference between trying harder and yielding deeper. When we try harder, we clench our fists and grit our teeth, determined to force change through sheer effort. When we yield deeper, we open our hands and hearts, creating space for God to work in ways we never could on our own. Picture a river flowing around a large rock. The water doesn’t fight the obstacle—it simply flows around it, gradually wearing it smooth over time. This is how the Holy Spirit works in our lives. He doesn’t force His way through our stubborn thought patterns; He gently flows around our resistance, gradually reshaping us from the inside out. Yielding deeper means learning to pause when old reactions surface. Instead of immediately acting on that flash of anger or surge of anxiety, you create a moment of space. In that pause, you can ask, “Holy Spirit, what are You saying right now?” This isn’t about suppressing your emotions or pretending they don’t exist—it’s about inviting God’s perspective into the moment before you respond. The beautiful paradox is that the more you yield, the more life and peace you experience. It’s counterintuitive to our achievement-oriented culture, but God’s ways often are. When you stop fighting so hard to change yourself and start cooperating with the One who is already changing you, transformation becomes less exhausting and more life-giving. This is the path of grace: not trying harder to be better, but yielding deeper to the One who is making you new.

Bible Verse

“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” – Romans 8:6

Reflection Question

Where in your life are you currently ‘trying harder’ instead of ‘yielding deeper,’ and what would it look like to create more space for the Holy Spirit to work in that area?

Quote The renewing of your mind, it’s not about trying harder, it’s about yielding deeper.

Prayer

Lord, forgive me for the times I’ve tried to change myself through my own effort. Teach me what it means to yield deeper to Your Spirit. Help me to create space for You to work and to trust Your gentle process of transformation in my life.

Day 4: Filtering Life Through the Spirit

Devotional Life has a way of throwing unexpected situations at us that demand immediate responses. Someone cuts you off in traffic. A coworker takes credit for your idea. Your teenager rolls their eyes and storms off. In these spur-of-the-moment situations, you don’t have time for lengthy prayer or deep theological reflection—you need a quick, reliable filter for your response. This is where the fruit of the Spirit becomes incredibly practical. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control aren’t just nice spiritual concepts—they’re a real-time filter for daily life. When something comes at you requiring an immediate response, you can quickly ask: “Is my reaction loving? Is it peaceful? Does it demonstrate self-control?” This isn’t about perfection or never feeling frustrated. It’s about having a spiritual compass that helps you navigate life’s challenges in a way that reflects your new identity in Christ. Sometimes the most loving response might be setting a firm boundary. Sometimes peace means walking away from an argument you could easily win. Sometimes self-control means taking a deep breath before responding to that inflammatory text message. The Holy Spirit wants to help you develop these reflexes of grace. As you practice filtering your responses through His fruit, you’ll find that what once felt like impossible self-control becomes a natural overflow of His presence in your life. You’re not just managing your behavior—you’re allowing God’s character to shape your character.

Bible Verse

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23

Reflection Question

Think of a recent situation where you reacted poorly in the moment—how might filtering that situation through the fruit of the Spirit have changed your response?

Quote When something comes at you in the spur of the moment that’s requiring a response, what I do is I can do it very quickly. I filter it against that. Is it loving? Is it joyful? Is it peaceful? Is it gentle? Is it self control?

Prayer

Holy Spirit, help me to develop spiritual reflexes that honor You. When life comes at me quickly, remind me to filter my responses through Your fruit. Let love, peace, and self-control become my natural responses rather than reactions I have to manufacture.

Day 5: Making Space for the One Who Can

Devotional Every single day, you face a choice that will shape not just your day but your entire life trajectory. Will you live with your mindset focused on old patterns of thinking—fear, control, self-protection—or will you open your heart to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to reshape how you see, think, and respond? This daily choice isn’t about perfection; it’s about direction. Some days you’ll choose well, creating space for God’s voice and perspective. Other days you’ll default to old patterns and realize later that you forgot to invite the Holy Spirit into your decisions. Both are part of the journey, and God’s grace covers both. Making space for the Holy Spirit is often more about subtraction than addition. It’s about removing the noise, the hurry, and the assumption that you have to figure everything out on your own. It might mean starting your day with a few minutes of quiet, asking God to guide your thoughts. It could involve pausing before responding to that difficult email or taking a walk when you feel overwhelmed instead of immediately trying to solve everything. The Holy Spirit is already speaking, leading, guiding, and encouraging. The question isn’t whether He’s active in your life—it’s whether you’re listening and making space for His work. You cannot renew your mind by willpower alone, but you can create room for the One who specializes in transformation. As you end this week of devotions, remember: God is not waiting for you to get your act together before He begins working. He’s already at work, and He’s inviting you to join Him in the beautiful process of becoming who He created you to be.

Bible Verse

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” – John 16:13

Reflection Question

What specific practices or changes could you implement this week to create more space in your daily life for the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts and responses?

Quote You cannot renew your mind by your own willpower, but you can make space for the One who can.

Prayer

Father, thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit who is always ready to guide me into truth. Help me to make space in my life for His voice and work. Give me the wisdom to know when to act and when to wait, when to speak and when to listen. I choose today to yield to Your transforming presence.

Join us at Keys Vineyard Church in person or online or connect with our Bible Institute for more sermons, courses, etc.