Store It or Pour It? 💧
What Defines Us as Followers of Jesus? 🙌
Hey friends! Everything Jesus said carries weight, truth, and authority. But some words just leap off the page and grab our hearts. Today, let’s dive into two powerhouse teachings that shape our identity as Christians.
The Greatest Commandments
And he said to him,
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
— Matthew 22:37-40 (ESV)
The Great Commission
And Jesus came and said to them,
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
— Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
These aren’t just suggestions—they’re the core of who we are: lovers of God and people, and disciple-makers on mission! 🚀
God Is Generously Pouring Into Us 🌊
God doesn’t hold back. He’s constantly pouring His grace, mercy, and Spirit into our lives.
But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
— Titus 3:4-7 (ESV)
And Jesus promises:
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’
— John 7:38 (ESV)
God fills us not to hoard, but so that living water flows out to others!
What Has God Poured Into You? 🎁
Think about your S.H.A.P.E.—the unique way God has wired you:
- Spiritual Gifts
- Heart (Passions)
- Abilities (Natural Talents)
- Personality
- Experiences
These aren’t random. They’re gifts from a generous God, meant to bless the world.
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.
— 1 Peter 4:10 (ESV)
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
— 2 Corinthians 9:6 (ESV)
Remember the Parable of the Talents? The servants who invested and multiplied what they were given heard: “Well done, good and faithful servant!” But the one who buried his talent out of fear lost everything (Matthew 25:14-30). Don’t bury what God’s given you! 🌱
The Big Decision: Store It or Pour It? ⚖️
We all face this choice daily:
Store It 🏦
- Feels safe and sterile…
- But leads to stagnation 😴
Or Pour It 🌧️
- Can be messy and muddled…
- But brings multiplication and life! ✨
God poured out everything in Jesus—so we could pour out to others. When we generously share our time, gifts, love, and faith, we see Kingdom growth!
Choose to pour it out. Get messy for Jesus. Watch how He multiplies it for eternal impact.
A Prayer to Pour It Out 🙏
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for pouring Your love, grace, and Spirit so richly into my life. Forgive me for the times I’ve stored up Your blessings out of fear or comfort. Help me to love You with all my heart, soul, and mind—and to love my neighbors boldly. Stir my spiritual gifts, passions, abilities, personality, and experiences to flow out like rivers of living water. Make me a faithful steward who sows bountifully for Your glory. Give me courage to pour it out, even when it’s messy, trusting You for the multiplication. I want to hear “Well done” one day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
The Most Important Habit for Spiritual Fitness
📖 Scripture Spotlight: 1 Timothy 4:8 (ESV)
“While bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”
Loving like Jesus requires a full spiritual tank, but you can’t pour out what you don’t have! ⛽️❤️ The secret to spiritual fitness—and the key to loving well—is one simple habit: daily quiet time with God. Let’s explore why this habit is a game-changer and how to make it part of your life. 🙌
🌟 Love Like Jesus Requires Spiritual Strength
1 Corinthians 13:7–8 (ESV) describes love that “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” That kind of love doesn’t come from scrolling social media or chasing worldly success—it comes from a deep, daily connection with God. 💥
You can’t love others well when your spiritual tank is empty. Just as physical exercise strengthens your body, time with God strengthens your soul, equipping you to love with His power.
💡 The #1 Habit for Spiritual Fitness: Daily Quiet Time
The most important habit for spiritual fitness isn’t complicated—it’s daily quiet time with God. Not out of duty, but out of relationship. Even 10 minutes before the day’s chaos begins can transform your heart:
- 📖 Reading His Word
- 🕊️ Listening for His voice
- 🙏 Pouring out your heart in prayer
As 2 Corinthians 4:16 (ESV) says, “Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” This daily renewal fuels your ability to love others like Jesus.
⚠️ Watch for Signs of Spiritual Burnout
When your spiritual tank is low, you’ll feel it. Here are some warning signs:
- 😩 Nothing feels worth the effort.
- 😔 You start blaming God.
- 💔 Loving people feels impossible.
Even biblical heroes like David, Moses, and Elijah faced these moments, but they found strength by returning to God’s presence. You can too! 🙌
🔥 Practical Challenge: Start Tomorrow Morning
Make a commitment to prioritize your quiet time with God. Before you check your phone 📱, try this:
- ☕️ Grab your coffee.
- 🪑 Sit in a quiet spot.
- 📖 Open your Bible (try a love-focused verse like 1 John 4:7 or John 15:12).
- 🗣️ Talk to your Father in prayer.
Your relationship with God shapes the quality of every other relationship in your life. Start small, and watch how it transforms your ability to love. ❤️
💬 Let’s Talk It Over
Reflect on these questions to deepen your commitment:
- What’s one small change you can make to prioritize your time with God?
- How have you seen your relationships grow when you’re spiritually full?
- Do you believe you can love others like Jesus? Why or why not?
Journal your thoughts or share them with a friend for accountability. 📝
🙏 Prayer for Spiritual Renewal
Lord, help me build the habit of meeting with You daily. Renew my heart, refill my spirit, and teach me to love like You. Let Your Word and presence give me strength for every relationship and every challenge. In Jesus’ name, amen. ✝️
💫 Build a Life of Love Through Daily Discipline
Your spiritual fitness determines your capacity to love like Jesus. By making daily quiet time with God your top priority, you’ll refuel your heart and transform your relationships. Start tomorrow—one small step can lead to a lifetime of powerful love! 💪❤️
This blog post is a call to prioritize your daily quiet time with God. Share it with someone who needs encouragement to refuel their spiritual tank today! 📲✨