Matthew 18:3
Then he said: I promise you this. If you don't change and become like a child, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Timothy has been staying with us lately, and I always marvel at how curious he is… and how we can almost see his thought processes. There are three decorative “nested” metal tins stacked on the floor beside our staircase. Each lid is painted with a picture of angels. Timothy loves them… mostly because the empty tins make a great noise when he bangs them together or on something else. But he also loves to try to stack the tins… although usually his efforts result in much clanging as the stack falls to the floor.
But lately, he has figured out if he will put the largest tin on bottom, then the smallest one next, and then the middle-sized one on top, they stay in place and he can pick the stack up and move it from one place to another. It’s really rewarding to see him develop – even in such a small way. His thought processes have progressed to a stage where he can reason out this little dilemma and come up with a viable solution.
Imagine how we must seem to God. Think of our faith in the context of a baby who grows and progresses in development. In the “toddler” stage, we begin to figure out how to use the gifts God has given us to handle difficult situations… to call on Him to give us wisdom and discernment to navigate challenges and problems. As we grow and mature, we learn even more about how God operates within us… how the Holy Spirit moves to guide us through every minute of the day. This must give Him such delight to see us grow and discover how He works.
None of us “knows it all” the day we become a Christian. None of us ever has all of the wisdom and potential that God wishes for us… we are all forever works in progress. We all began as babies… and we are hopefully growing and developing in our walk with Christ and our abilities to serve Him well. Just like children, some of us will progress more quickly than others… while some of us will be “slow learners.”
The key to this passage is our understanding that we must approach God with the innocence of a child… the wonder and awe at even the simplest things, like three nested tin cans! We must not come with a “know-it-all attitude” that we don’t need guidance… or that our salvation makes us better than anyone else. We must come to Jesus with humility, a hunger for knowledge, and the childlike enthusiasm for all He wishes to share with us.
For some of us, this means we need to make a change. Maybe we tried to “skip ahead” and be more than we were capable of too soon. Perhaps we need to humble ourselves and say, “Lord, I don’t know nearly as much as I thought I did… but I’m willing to listen and learn.” Maybe we need to rekindle our excitement and enthusiasm… our wonder and awe… for the amazing life we have in Christ. Maybe we need to reacquaint ourselves with the Holy Spirit. Whatever we need to do… the time for change is now. The day to start is this one. Are you ready to become like a kid again?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label Holy Spirit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holy Spirit. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for August 8, 2010
Acts 8:18-24
Simon noticed that the Spirit was given only when the apostles placed their hands on the people. So he brought money and said to Peter and John, "Let me have this power too! Then anyone I place my hands on will also be given the Holy Spirit.
Peter said to him, “You and your money will both end up in hell if you think you can buy God’s gift! You don’t have any part in this, and God sees that your heart isn’t right. Get rid of these evil thoughts and ask God to forgive you. I can see that you are jealous and bound by your evil ways.
Simon said, “Please pray to the Lord, so that what you said won’t happen to me.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The first thought I had when I read this scripture passage was of the old Beatles song, “Can’t Buy Me Love.” There are probably very few of us who don’t think about money at some point in the day … from whether we have enough to pay bills, to how much more we need to save to buy something new, to how we will survive in retirement and more. But for some, money (or something in lieu of money) has become the answer to everything.
The truth of the matter is that God cannot be bought! I’m not saying we shouldn’t fund missions and think about money. I’m not saying that the system of exchanging payment for services rendered and items purchased doesn’t work. But when it comes to God, the only “payment” He will accept is raw faith. And really, this is great news, because it means that everyone is equal with God. Nobody can plunk down money and gain favor. We can’t give money to the church, family and friends, and never give any of our time and energy. Your possessions and wealth don’t make you better than your friends, classmates or co-workers, and God does not play favorites based on income level.
God wants our time, talents, service and faithfulness … and yes, our money. But only in that order, and only if the money is given to further His kingdom, not to buy His approval. The Holy Spirit is free to any and all who wish to receive Him. The woman in Luke 8:43-48 had it right. Sick for over twelve years, she saw Jesus in a crowd of people and barely touched the hem of his clothes, and instantly she was healed. Jesus said in the last part of verse 46, “Someone touched me, and I felt the power going out from me.” The woman didn’t give Jesus as much as one penny, yet she received His power and healing because of her faith. The disciples laid down their jobs, walked away from their homes and families and all of their belongings, and followed Jesus. And when He died and ascended into heaven, He gave them the power of the Holy Spirit to continue ministering and witnessing.
The question becomes, what are we doing to receive the Holy Spirit? Are we like Simon, wanting to throw some money or another form of payment toward God and buy our relationship with Him? Or are we humbly believing in His power and offering our service in whatever manner He desires? Are we pulling out our wallets for a payoff, or are we touching the hem of His clothes and serving faithfully? The difference is huge, and the consequences are eternal. How big is your faith and commitment today? Is your heart right before God?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Simon noticed that the Spirit was given only when the apostles placed their hands on the people. So he brought money and said to Peter and John, "Let me have this power too! Then anyone I place my hands on will also be given the Holy Spirit.
Peter said to him, “You and your money will both end up in hell if you think you can buy God’s gift! You don’t have any part in this, and God sees that your heart isn’t right. Get rid of these evil thoughts and ask God to forgive you. I can see that you are jealous and bound by your evil ways.
Simon said, “Please pray to the Lord, so that what you said won’t happen to me.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The first thought I had when I read this scripture passage was of the old Beatles song, “Can’t Buy Me Love.” There are probably very few of us who don’t think about money at some point in the day … from whether we have enough to pay bills, to how much more we need to save to buy something new, to how we will survive in retirement and more. But for some, money (or something in lieu of money) has become the answer to everything.
The truth of the matter is that God cannot be bought! I’m not saying we shouldn’t fund missions and think about money. I’m not saying that the system of exchanging payment for services rendered and items purchased doesn’t work. But when it comes to God, the only “payment” He will accept is raw faith. And really, this is great news, because it means that everyone is equal with God. Nobody can plunk down money and gain favor. We can’t give money to the church, family and friends, and never give any of our time and energy. Your possessions and wealth don’t make you better than your friends, classmates or co-workers, and God does not play favorites based on income level.
God wants our time, talents, service and faithfulness … and yes, our money. But only in that order, and only if the money is given to further His kingdom, not to buy His approval. The Holy Spirit is free to any and all who wish to receive Him. The woman in Luke 8:43-48 had it right. Sick for over twelve years, she saw Jesus in a crowd of people and barely touched the hem of his clothes, and instantly she was healed. Jesus said in the last part of verse 46, “Someone touched me, and I felt the power going out from me.” The woman didn’t give Jesus as much as one penny, yet she received His power and healing because of her faith. The disciples laid down their jobs, walked away from their homes and families and all of their belongings, and followed Jesus. And when He died and ascended into heaven, He gave them the power of the Holy Spirit to continue ministering and witnessing.
The question becomes, what are we doing to receive the Holy Spirit? Are we like Simon, wanting to throw some money or another form of payment toward God and buy our relationship with Him? Or are we humbly believing in His power and offering our service in whatever manner He desires? Are we pulling out our wallets for a payoff, or are we touching the hem of His clothes and serving faithfully? The difference is huge, and the consequences are eternal. How big is your faith and commitment today? Is your heart right before God?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 7, 2010
Acts 1:8
But the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power. Then you will tell everyone about me in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and everywhere in the world."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I really enjoy listening to the teachings of evangelist Joyce Meyer. She truly tells it like it is, and she has a great knack for putting things in ordinary terms for ordinary people. The other day I heard her say that we can hardly pray without using the word “just” in a sentence. “Lord, if you will just heal me.” “Father, if you will just help me pay my bills.” “God if you will just get me out of this mess.”
Joyce said she looked up the word “just” in the dictionary, and it said “only or merely … by a narrow margin … barely.” Now I ask you what she asked … “Do you really want God to ‘barely, by a narrow margin’ meet your needs?” Do you see how we limit God in our prayers?
Acts 1:8 tells us that we have been filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. By that power, we can do amazing, incredible, seemingly impossible things. We can boldly go out and share the love of Christ with others. We don’t have to have a “just” mentality … “I am just one person,” or “I am just this or that,” or “I can just get by myself, so how can I minister to anyone else?” We are more than this by the power of the Holy Spirit.
We have so many resources right at our fingertips for sharing God’s love and the Good News of Jesus with others, starting with a smile on our faces and a cheerful attitude. We have great social networking tools like Facebook, where we can post positive encouraging messages for others. It’s one thing to share our need for prayer and a concern for our health or the well-being of someone else, but some of us have made these outlets our daily sounding board for everything to how poorly we slept to our pounding headache to how much we hate our job and can’t wait for the weekend! Do these comments and the attitudes behind them reflect the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives?
We need to be aware of the Holy Spirit within us. More than that, we need to be recognizing His power and living and speaking in a way that says to others… “He/she has something special … something extra that is above and beyond ordinary.” We need to live this way because it is the truth! We are not “just” Christians … we are driven by the power of the Holy Spirit, and for many of us, it’s time we acted like it! How much power are you operating under today? Are you fully filled with Holy Spirit power … or are you operating in “just” enough?
©2010 Debbie Robus
But the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power. Then you will tell everyone about me in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and everywhere in the world."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I really enjoy listening to the teachings of evangelist Joyce Meyer. She truly tells it like it is, and she has a great knack for putting things in ordinary terms for ordinary people. The other day I heard her say that we can hardly pray without using the word “just” in a sentence. “Lord, if you will just heal me.” “Father, if you will just help me pay my bills.” “God if you will just get me out of this mess.”
Joyce said she looked up the word “just” in the dictionary, and it said “only or merely … by a narrow margin … barely.” Now I ask you what she asked … “Do you really want God to ‘barely, by a narrow margin’ meet your needs?” Do you see how we limit God in our prayers?
Acts 1:8 tells us that we have been filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. By that power, we can do amazing, incredible, seemingly impossible things. We can boldly go out and share the love of Christ with others. We don’t have to have a “just” mentality … “I am just one person,” or “I am just this or that,” or “I can just get by myself, so how can I minister to anyone else?” We are more than this by the power of the Holy Spirit.
We have so many resources right at our fingertips for sharing God’s love and the Good News of Jesus with others, starting with a smile on our faces and a cheerful attitude. We have great social networking tools like Facebook, where we can post positive encouraging messages for others. It’s one thing to share our need for prayer and a concern for our health or the well-being of someone else, but some of us have made these outlets our daily sounding board for everything to how poorly we slept to our pounding headache to how much we hate our job and can’t wait for the weekend! Do these comments and the attitudes behind them reflect the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives?
We need to be aware of the Holy Spirit within us. More than that, we need to be recognizing His power and living and speaking in a way that says to others… “He/she has something special … something extra that is above and beyond ordinary.” We need to live this way because it is the truth! We are not “just” Christians … we are driven by the power of the Holy Spirit, and for many of us, it’s time we acted like it! How much power are you operating under today? Are you fully filled with Holy Spirit power … or are you operating in “just” enough?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 6, 2010
Matthew 3:11
I baptize you with water so that you will give up your sins. But someone more powerful is going to come, and I am not good enough even to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I bought a new digital camera, I researched all of the major brands, read reviews, and compared prices and packages. One option was to choose a basic camera, see how things went, and then consider adding lenses and other accessories at a later date. Another option was to choose a “deluxe package” and get extra lenses, an external flash, tripod, carrying case, and even lens cleaner. The question became whether I wanted the basic, bare bones camera or whether I wanted the whole enchilada… the full experience (or potential for it!).
John the Baptist offered the message to choose God and the promise of heaven. He foretold of the coming of Jesus … Who would bring the “full experience”. Some of us heard the John the Baptist sermon and stopped, so to speak. We live in the world of forgiven sins, love for God and the promise of heaven. But we have never fully acknowledged Jesus’ gift of the Holy Spirit. We’ve never embraced our faith on a level where our hearts are filled with the fire and excitement of recognizing the Holy Spirit’s continual presence within us.
There seem to be a whole lot of “John the Baptist” Christians who have invited Jesus to be the Lord of their lives and forgive their sins … but that’s where their walk with the Lord begins and ends. They are satisfied with the “basic package”. They live a good life, go to church and pray. They are nice to their neighbors, and most days, they are pretty content and confident. But Christians who have recognized the Holy Spirit and the “fire in the belly” of a continual relationship with Him have tapped into the potential for experiencing God on a level that is almost beyond description.
I bet if you think about it, you can name dozens of “John the Baptist” Christians, but naming those who appear to recognize their anointing by the Holy Spirit may be much more difficult. And only you know for sure which camp in which you fall these days. But the GOOD NEWS is that you can change camps! There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a “John the Baptist” Christian. If you have invited Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, you have chosen perfectly. But if you stopped at salvation, you’re missing out on all God wants to give you … and that’s a shame! God wants us to experience the presence of His Holy Spirit every day - all day. He wants us to operate in this anointing, companionship, and fire! He wants us to be so filled with His glory that we overflow with excitement, enthusiasm, joy and blessings.
John the Baptist said it best – if humbly. He knew that God had empowered him to share His message and to foretell the coming of Jesus. He was clearly chosen by God and given great responsibility. But he also realized that he was not even worthy to carry the shoes of Jesus … the One who brought the power of the Holy Spirit to His children. Just like salvation itself, the gift of the Holy Spirit is 100% free. It doesn’t cost us anything … there is nothing scary about it, and it doesn’t hurt! Haven’t we been “John the Baptist” Christians long enough? Isn’t it time to upgrade to the “Deluxe Package?” Won’t you invite the Holy Spirit to dwell in your heart today?
©2010 Debbie Robus
I baptize you with water so that you will give up your sins. But someone more powerful is going to come, and I am not good enough even to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I bought a new digital camera, I researched all of the major brands, read reviews, and compared prices and packages. One option was to choose a basic camera, see how things went, and then consider adding lenses and other accessories at a later date. Another option was to choose a “deluxe package” and get extra lenses, an external flash, tripod, carrying case, and even lens cleaner. The question became whether I wanted the basic, bare bones camera or whether I wanted the whole enchilada… the full experience (or potential for it!).
John the Baptist offered the message to choose God and the promise of heaven. He foretold of the coming of Jesus … Who would bring the “full experience”. Some of us heard the John the Baptist sermon and stopped, so to speak. We live in the world of forgiven sins, love for God and the promise of heaven. But we have never fully acknowledged Jesus’ gift of the Holy Spirit. We’ve never embraced our faith on a level where our hearts are filled with the fire and excitement of recognizing the Holy Spirit’s continual presence within us.
There seem to be a whole lot of “John the Baptist” Christians who have invited Jesus to be the Lord of their lives and forgive their sins … but that’s where their walk with the Lord begins and ends. They are satisfied with the “basic package”. They live a good life, go to church and pray. They are nice to their neighbors, and most days, they are pretty content and confident. But Christians who have recognized the Holy Spirit and the “fire in the belly” of a continual relationship with Him have tapped into the potential for experiencing God on a level that is almost beyond description.
I bet if you think about it, you can name dozens of “John the Baptist” Christians, but naming those who appear to recognize their anointing by the Holy Spirit may be much more difficult. And only you know for sure which camp in which you fall these days. But the GOOD NEWS is that you can change camps! There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a “John the Baptist” Christian. If you have invited Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, you have chosen perfectly. But if you stopped at salvation, you’re missing out on all God wants to give you … and that’s a shame! God wants us to experience the presence of His Holy Spirit every day - all day. He wants us to operate in this anointing, companionship, and fire! He wants us to be so filled with His glory that we overflow with excitement, enthusiasm, joy and blessings.
John the Baptist said it best – if humbly. He knew that God had empowered him to share His message and to foretell the coming of Jesus. He was clearly chosen by God and given great responsibility. But he also realized that he was not even worthy to carry the shoes of Jesus … the One who brought the power of the Holy Spirit to His children. Just like salvation itself, the gift of the Holy Spirit is 100% free. It doesn’t cost us anything … there is nothing scary about it, and it doesn’t hurt! Haven’t we been “John the Baptist” Christians long enough? Isn’t it time to upgrade to the “Deluxe Package?” Won’t you invite the Holy Spirit to dwell in your heart today?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 5, 2010
Acts 4:31
After they had prayed, the meeting place shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and bravely spoke God's message.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you asked most Christians, “Do you pray?” they would readily say, “Oh, yes!” If you asked them, “Does the earth shake when you pray?” most people would probably laugh at you – or look at you like you were crazy and walk away. Don’t miss my point. I’m not saying that we should expect the ground to shake every time we pray. But often we offer God “lip service,” and our prayers are more filled with ritual than the presence of the Holy Spirit! We are more concerned with “how” we pray than actual communion with God … and it shows!
During our prayer time, we need to be mindful of the Holy Spirit. We need to invite Him to fill us … and then we must recognize His presence. We need to pray with expectation! If you go back and read the verses leading up to Acts 4:31, you will see that Peter and John had been praying for courage. They were asking God to give them bravery as they shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ, healed the sick and lame, and ministered in Jesus’ name. And they didn’t say, “If you give us opportunities to minister and heal” – they asked for bravery when they did these things. You could easily argue that their “bravery” was the very essence of the Holy Spirit manifested in them!
So my challenge to you this day – and to myself – is to pray with sincerity and expectation. Let’s acknowledge the power of the Holy Spirit to work in and through us to accomplish great things in the name of Jesus. Let’s be specific in our prayers, humble before God, grateful for His blessings, and confident that He is going to answer in mighty ways. Let’s expect the ground to shake (at least figuratively), and let’s step out in faith that God will fill us to overflowing with His Holy Spirit and use us to accomplish great things for His kingdom. No more “lip service” – it’s time for a whole lotta shakin’ to begin!
©2010 Debbie Robus
After they had prayed, the meeting place shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and bravely spoke God's message.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you asked most Christians, “Do you pray?” they would readily say, “Oh, yes!” If you asked them, “Does the earth shake when you pray?” most people would probably laugh at you – or look at you like you were crazy and walk away. Don’t miss my point. I’m not saying that we should expect the ground to shake every time we pray. But often we offer God “lip service,” and our prayers are more filled with ritual than the presence of the Holy Spirit! We are more concerned with “how” we pray than actual communion with God … and it shows!
During our prayer time, we need to be mindful of the Holy Spirit. We need to invite Him to fill us … and then we must recognize His presence. We need to pray with expectation! If you go back and read the verses leading up to Acts 4:31, you will see that Peter and John had been praying for courage. They were asking God to give them bravery as they shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ, healed the sick and lame, and ministered in Jesus’ name. And they didn’t say, “If you give us opportunities to minister and heal” – they asked for bravery when they did these things. You could easily argue that their “bravery” was the very essence of the Holy Spirit manifested in them!
So my challenge to you this day – and to myself – is to pray with sincerity and expectation. Let’s acknowledge the power of the Holy Spirit to work in and through us to accomplish great things in the name of Jesus. Let’s be specific in our prayers, humble before God, grateful for His blessings, and confident that He is going to answer in mighty ways. Let’s expect the ground to shake (at least figuratively), and let’s step out in faith that God will fill us to overflowing with His Holy Spirit and use us to accomplish great things for His kingdom. No more “lip service” – it’s time for a whole lotta shakin’ to begin!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 4, 2010
Titus 3:5
He saved us because of his mercy, and not because of any good things that we have done. God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I am so thankful for contemporary translation of the scriptures. When I learned scripture as a child from the King James version of the Bible, the Holy Spirit was referred to as the “Holy Ghost.” There was a cartoon show, “Casper the Friendly Ghost,” and I loved this character. Since this was my point of reference, the “Holy Ghost” in my mind was this wispy, ghost-like spirit that floated around and came in and out of our lives. We could “call on the Holy Ghost” and he would come to us. But I have to tell you, this seemed more scary than comforting. So quite honestly, I tended just to push any consideration of the Holy Ghost aside and not think about Him.
Through study of contemporary scripture translations … and in-depth Bible study in general … I came to understand the Holy Spirit and how God operates within us in this form. I realized that salvation through Jesus Christ is not the end … it’s the beginning! When we accept Jesus, He sends the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts and rework us from the inside out.
The sad fact is that many Christians have never recognized the Holy Spirit within themselves. They have never tapped into His power. They have never felt His presence and understood the LIFE He brings to our daily walk as a Christian. If you truly recognize the power of the Holy Spirit in your life, you can’t help but feel differently. And I believe that this will radiate from you. Others will notice a change – if only subtly – and you will feel differently about your relationship with God.
I accepted Jesus Christ when I was seven years old. I recognized the Holy Spirit in my heart when I was almost 40. For over thirty years, I knew God and trusted Him. I called on Him in prayer … usually when I needed something! I believed that God was in control, and I had faith that He would take care of me. But when I acknowledged the power of the Holy Spirit on the inside of me, everything changed. I realized I have a constant companion Who is blessing me and interceding for me with God throughout each day.
I now recognize that I have an active relationship with God, via the Holy Spirit. I always believed that I was not alone – that God was with me – but now I know it’s more than this. The Holy Spirit permeates my heart and soul and truly never leaves me. I can tap into His power any time I want or need. And because of this, I feel a love like I have never felt before – for God, for others, and for myself.
I realize that acknowledging the Holy Spirit may seem daunting – or even scary. I understand that we are sensory creatures who need something tangible to touch, see and hear. But I am telling you, the Holy Spirit is real. If you have accepted Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit is living inside you, waiting for you to open the door of your heart and unleash His power. Start with a simple invitation. Sit quietly by yourself and sincerely say, “Come, Holy Spirit. Fill me.” Keep saying this until you begin to experience the release of your self and feel His presence. Make this day the day of new birth and a fresh beginning. Welcome the Holy Spirit, and keep Him close from this day forward.
©2010 Debbie Robus
He saved us because of his mercy, and not because of any good things that we have done. God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I am so thankful for contemporary translation of the scriptures. When I learned scripture as a child from the King James version of the Bible, the Holy Spirit was referred to as the “Holy Ghost.” There was a cartoon show, “Casper the Friendly Ghost,” and I loved this character. Since this was my point of reference, the “Holy Ghost” in my mind was this wispy, ghost-like spirit that floated around and came in and out of our lives. We could “call on the Holy Ghost” and he would come to us. But I have to tell you, this seemed more scary than comforting. So quite honestly, I tended just to push any consideration of the Holy Ghost aside and not think about Him.
Through study of contemporary scripture translations … and in-depth Bible study in general … I came to understand the Holy Spirit and how God operates within us in this form. I realized that salvation through Jesus Christ is not the end … it’s the beginning! When we accept Jesus, He sends the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts and rework us from the inside out.
The sad fact is that many Christians have never recognized the Holy Spirit within themselves. They have never tapped into His power. They have never felt His presence and understood the LIFE He brings to our daily walk as a Christian. If you truly recognize the power of the Holy Spirit in your life, you can’t help but feel differently. And I believe that this will radiate from you. Others will notice a change – if only subtly – and you will feel differently about your relationship with God.
I accepted Jesus Christ when I was seven years old. I recognized the Holy Spirit in my heart when I was almost 40. For over thirty years, I knew God and trusted Him. I called on Him in prayer … usually when I needed something! I believed that God was in control, and I had faith that He would take care of me. But when I acknowledged the power of the Holy Spirit on the inside of me, everything changed. I realized I have a constant companion Who is blessing me and interceding for me with God throughout each day.
I now recognize that I have an active relationship with God, via the Holy Spirit. I always believed that I was not alone – that God was with me – but now I know it’s more than this. The Holy Spirit permeates my heart and soul and truly never leaves me. I can tap into His power any time I want or need. And because of this, I feel a love like I have never felt before – for God, for others, and for myself.
I realize that acknowledging the Holy Spirit may seem daunting – or even scary. I understand that we are sensory creatures who need something tangible to touch, see and hear. But I am telling you, the Holy Spirit is real. If you have accepted Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit is living inside you, waiting for you to open the door of your heart and unleash His power. Start with a simple invitation. Sit quietly by yourself and sincerely say, “Come, Holy Spirit. Fill me.” Keep saying this until you begin to experience the release of your self and feel His presence. Make this day the day of new birth and a fresh beginning. Welcome the Holy Spirit, and keep Him close from this day forward.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 3, 2010
Romans 15:30
My friends, by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the love that comes from the Holy Spirit, I beg you to pray sincerely with me and for me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I had a really good visit recently with my cousin, J.D., and he was telling me that he has begun spending two hours or more in prayer each morning. He readily admitted that he is blessed to have uninterrupted time to devote to prayer. But he also said repeatedly, “I’m telling you, it works!” Having said this, we both agreed that sometimes we Christians become too legalistic about such things as prayer. In other words, we decide that we have to pray a certain way for a certain length of time on certain days. We become slaves to the “law” of prayer – and we lose the holiness and power that genuine prayer and communion with God brings.
If you think that genuine prayer with and for others doesn’t work, I have J.D.’s permission to tell you differently. See, he reminded me today that “someone prayed for me for years.” I was that someone, although I know countless others prayed for him, too. I do not recall this particular incident, but J.D. says that when my dad died eleven years ago, I approached him at the cemetery, touched his arm, and said, “I’m praying for you.” At that time, J.D. was a serious crystal methamphetamine addict. Ultimately, he spent time in prison because of his addiction and associated activities. And while he was in prison, I continued to pray for him – even when he wrote letters and demanded that I stop praying and told me how much he hated the world … and God.
Today, J.D. is a full-time Holy Spirit-filled evangelist, spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and leading worship wherever he gets an opportunity. He said he can hardly talk to anyone these days without saying, “I love you,” and meaning it. We laughed as I told him that nowadays, when I come up against a seemingly impossible situation, I remind myself and others, “If God can change J.D., He can change this!” J.D. wholeheartedly agreed … and anyone who spends a few minutes with him can see the joy he has found in his relationship with Jesus.
I will be the first to tell you that my prayer life could use some polishing. I need to be more diligent in my efforts to bring my own concerns and the needs of others before God. I need to make a more concerted effort to spend time in communion with God each day. I’m not saying there is a magic formula for all of us – and two hours a day may be far too difficult for many of us to set aside, while for others, much more time may be needed. But often, we hear people say, “All we can do is pray.” The fact is, often that is all we need to do, because in many circumstances, sincere prayer is enough! God will handle the rest.
By the power of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love that comes from the Holy Spirit, I challenge each of us to pray sincerely – with me and for me. I can’t even fathom the ramifications if we all got serious about our prayer life. The same God who changed my cousin J.D. is waiting to change zillions of other situations presented to Him in prayer. Are you willing to commit to this? Isn’t it worth a shot?
©2010 Debbie Robus
My friends, by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the love that comes from the Holy Spirit, I beg you to pray sincerely with me and for me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I had a really good visit recently with my cousin, J.D., and he was telling me that he has begun spending two hours or more in prayer each morning. He readily admitted that he is blessed to have uninterrupted time to devote to prayer. But he also said repeatedly, “I’m telling you, it works!” Having said this, we both agreed that sometimes we Christians become too legalistic about such things as prayer. In other words, we decide that we have to pray a certain way for a certain length of time on certain days. We become slaves to the “law” of prayer – and we lose the holiness and power that genuine prayer and communion with God brings.
If you think that genuine prayer with and for others doesn’t work, I have J.D.’s permission to tell you differently. See, he reminded me today that “someone prayed for me for years.” I was that someone, although I know countless others prayed for him, too. I do not recall this particular incident, but J.D. says that when my dad died eleven years ago, I approached him at the cemetery, touched his arm, and said, “I’m praying for you.” At that time, J.D. was a serious crystal methamphetamine addict. Ultimately, he spent time in prison because of his addiction and associated activities. And while he was in prison, I continued to pray for him – even when he wrote letters and demanded that I stop praying and told me how much he hated the world … and God.
Today, J.D. is a full-time Holy Spirit-filled evangelist, spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and leading worship wherever he gets an opportunity. He said he can hardly talk to anyone these days without saying, “I love you,” and meaning it. We laughed as I told him that nowadays, when I come up against a seemingly impossible situation, I remind myself and others, “If God can change J.D., He can change this!” J.D. wholeheartedly agreed … and anyone who spends a few minutes with him can see the joy he has found in his relationship with Jesus.
I will be the first to tell you that my prayer life could use some polishing. I need to be more diligent in my efforts to bring my own concerns and the needs of others before God. I need to make a more concerted effort to spend time in communion with God each day. I’m not saying there is a magic formula for all of us – and two hours a day may be far too difficult for many of us to set aside, while for others, much more time may be needed. But often, we hear people say, “All we can do is pray.” The fact is, often that is all we need to do, because in many circumstances, sincere prayer is enough! God will handle the rest.
By the power of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love that comes from the Holy Spirit, I challenge each of us to pray sincerely – with me and for me. I can’t even fathom the ramifications if we all got serious about our prayer life. The same God who changed my cousin J.D. is waiting to change zillions of other situations presented to Him in prayer. Are you willing to commit to this? Isn’t it worth a shot?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 2, 2010
Romans 15:13
I pray that God, who gives hope, will bless you with complete happiness and peace because of your faith. And may the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I’ve talked before about how much I love Oxi-clean. This is one amazing cleaning agent. Recently, I purchased two vintage coffee pots at an estate sale. They were really nice coffee pots … still fairly shiny on the outside, but completely darkened with stains on the inside. I sat them in my laundry sink and poured in a hefty scoop of powdered Oxi-clean, and then I filled the pot about half full of very hot water. Soon, all of that dirty black-brown stain came bubbling out of the spout of the pot! After thirty minutes or so, I was able to rinse out the insides of those coffee pots, and they sparkled like new!
I like to think that this is similar to how the Holy Spirit acts in our heart. When we give our heart to Jesus, God sends the Holy Spirit to fill us and clean out all of the dirt and grime on the inside, making us sparkling clean. All of the junk is rinsed away to make room for the Holy Spirit to fill us with hope, happiness, and peace. Just like the coffee pots can live to bubble with hot coffee again, we are filled with the warmth of the Holy Spirit.
I don’t think there are very many Christians who totally grasp the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives. I think we all fail to recognize the power of the Holy Spirit to fill us with hope, peace, joy, and much more. Or maybe we just like being miserable, fearful, and discouraged from time to time. We all seem to enjoy an occasional pity party.
Because of the Holy Spirit, we really don’t need to have this pity party to begin with, but most certainly, it doesn’t have to last long when it happens. Maybe our heart is somewhat like those old coffee pots … still in need of some scrubbing. Ask God to restore you today. Invite the Holy Spirit to return to your heart, if needed. At the very least, recognize the hope we have because Jesus gave us His Holy Spirit to be forever in our hearts – and be thankful for this incredible gift. This is truly a cause for great happiness and peace in all circumstances. The power of the Holy Spirit is more amazing than any cleaning agent. Have you experienced Holy Spirit power today? How clean is your heart?
©2010 Debbie Robus
I pray that God, who gives hope, will bless you with complete happiness and peace because of your faith. And may the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I’ve talked before about how much I love Oxi-clean. This is one amazing cleaning agent. Recently, I purchased two vintage coffee pots at an estate sale. They were really nice coffee pots … still fairly shiny on the outside, but completely darkened with stains on the inside. I sat them in my laundry sink and poured in a hefty scoop of powdered Oxi-clean, and then I filled the pot about half full of very hot water. Soon, all of that dirty black-brown stain came bubbling out of the spout of the pot! After thirty minutes or so, I was able to rinse out the insides of those coffee pots, and they sparkled like new!
I like to think that this is similar to how the Holy Spirit acts in our heart. When we give our heart to Jesus, God sends the Holy Spirit to fill us and clean out all of the dirt and grime on the inside, making us sparkling clean. All of the junk is rinsed away to make room for the Holy Spirit to fill us with hope, happiness, and peace. Just like the coffee pots can live to bubble with hot coffee again, we are filled with the warmth of the Holy Spirit.
I don’t think there are very many Christians who totally grasp the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives. I think we all fail to recognize the power of the Holy Spirit to fill us with hope, peace, joy, and much more. Or maybe we just like being miserable, fearful, and discouraged from time to time. We all seem to enjoy an occasional pity party.
Because of the Holy Spirit, we really don’t need to have this pity party to begin with, but most certainly, it doesn’t have to last long when it happens. Maybe our heart is somewhat like those old coffee pots … still in need of some scrubbing. Ask God to restore you today. Invite the Holy Spirit to return to your heart, if needed. At the very least, recognize the hope we have because Jesus gave us His Holy Spirit to be forever in our hearts – and be thankful for this incredible gift. This is truly a cause for great happiness and peace in all circumstances. The power of the Holy Spirit is more amazing than any cleaning agent. Have you experienced Holy Spirit power today? How clean is your heart?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 14, 2010
April 14 ~ Ephesians 2:8-10
You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God's gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own. It isn't something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about. God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live. That's why he sent Christ to make us what we are.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A friend of mine was telling recently about being in an airport restaurant early one morning. His flight was delayed three hours, and he was hungry, so he ducked into this restaurant as soon as it opened, just after 6:00 a.m., and ordered breakfast. He was watching the people around him, and one lady in particular seemed in a rush and rather frazzled. He noticed that she ordered a coffee, but before she could pay for it, someone from the baggage counter stepped in and said, “I’ve got a spot for you, but you have to come right now.” She asked the server to take her money for the coffee, but the server was busy. My friend said, “Go ahead… I’ll get your coffee.”
This lady did nothing to earn a cup of coffee from my friend. He freely offered to pay for it. She may or may not have been a nice person who deserved a break. We will never know. She might brag about the nice man who bought her coffee, but she cannot claim to have done anything significant to merit such a gesture. About the best she can do is to “pay it forward” and do something nice for another person down the line.
I’ve oversimplified this analogy just a bit, but I think you’ll see where I’m going. My friend didn’t know anything about this woman. He helped her because he is a kind, generous man. But GOD knows everything about us, and the amazing thing is… He gives abundantly to us anyway! Like the woman who can’t repay my friend, we can’t repay God. But like her, we can “pay it forward” – if only in small measure by comparison. God sent Christ to make us loving, caring, giving people who do for others out of a desire to serve and obedience to His commands. We can’t brag about anything we have done… not even giving a stranger a cup of coffee (and for the record, my friend was not bragging!)… but we can surely brag about what God does for us each and every day!
We can never earn God’s love and blessings… but the good news is, we don’t have to. All He asks is that we trust Him to care for us… and that we share His message with others. God has a spot for you, and you should claim it right now… He’ll make sure you get whatever you need for the journey… how will you respond?
©2010 Debbie Robus
You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God's gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own. It isn't something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about. God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live. That's why he sent Christ to make us what we are.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A friend of mine was telling recently about being in an airport restaurant early one morning. His flight was delayed three hours, and he was hungry, so he ducked into this restaurant as soon as it opened, just after 6:00 a.m., and ordered breakfast. He was watching the people around him, and one lady in particular seemed in a rush and rather frazzled. He noticed that she ordered a coffee, but before she could pay for it, someone from the baggage counter stepped in and said, “I’ve got a spot for you, but you have to come right now.” She asked the server to take her money for the coffee, but the server was busy. My friend said, “Go ahead… I’ll get your coffee.”
This lady did nothing to earn a cup of coffee from my friend. He freely offered to pay for it. She may or may not have been a nice person who deserved a break. We will never know. She might brag about the nice man who bought her coffee, but she cannot claim to have done anything significant to merit such a gesture. About the best she can do is to “pay it forward” and do something nice for another person down the line.
I’ve oversimplified this analogy just a bit, but I think you’ll see where I’m going. My friend didn’t know anything about this woman. He helped her because he is a kind, generous man. But GOD knows everything about us, and the amazing thing is… He gives abundantly to us anyway! Like the woman who can’t repay my friend, we can’t repay God. But like her, we can “pay it forward” – if only in small measure by comparison. God sent Christ to make us loving, caring, giving people who do for others out of a desire to serve and obedience to His commands. We can’t brag about anything we have done… not even giving a stranger a cup of coffee (and for the record, my friend was not bragging!)… but we can surely brag about what God does for us each and every day!
We can never earn God’s love and blessings… but the good news is, we don’t have to. All He asks is that we trust Him to care for us… and that we share His message with others. God has a spot for you, and you should claim it right now… He’ll make sure you get whatever you need for the journey… how will you respond?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 29, 2010
March 29 ~ Romans 8:10-11
But Christ lives in you. So you are alive because God has accepted you, even though your bodies must die because of your sins. Yet God raised Jesus to life! God's Spirit now lives in you, and he will raise you to life by his Spirit.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I saw a television show once in which a child asked his father what happens to us when we die. The dad took a glove and put it on his hand. Then he removed it and wiggled his fingers. He said, “The glove is like our body.” Pulling it off his hand, he added, “When our body dies, the soul inside still lives… just in another form.” I’ve thought about this simple analogy often – the concept of our body as a “glove” for our spirit.
Let’s think about gloves for a minute. Some gloves are heavy-duty and made of strong fabric or leather for manual labor like carpentry, farming, or working with things that are rough and dirty. We’ve all seen filthy work gloves that have been used for this purpose. And those dirty gloves are protecting the hands underneath. Once the gloves are removed, the hands inside are hopefully fairly clean, soft and free of scratches and blisters.
A few decades ago, a lady almost never left home without her gloves. She had gloves to match every outfit, and dress gloves were always worn to church! Even when dining out, a lady removed only one glove and kept it in her lap while she ate! Of course, her hands remained soft and supple inside the gloves.
The thing is… each person’s “gloves” are different. And once the gloves come off, we may each use our hands differently, but they still move and function without the gloves. This is, very simply, how our lives are with God. Some of us wear some pretty filthy gloves… caked with sin and hard living, while others wear nicer gloves. All of the gloves can get dirty from time to time – because we are all sinful. But if we accept Jesus, when the “gloves” come off, our spirit is still alive… clean and free of scratches and blemishes…ready to live forever with our Heavenly Father!
I know this is an oversimplified illustration. But think about your life as a glove. What does it look like? Are you still wearing an old dirty work glove, caked with the grime and filth of sin? Or have you put on your fancy dress glove? When you die and the “glove” comes off, what will be underneath? Will your spirit rise to new life by God’s Spirit? Just what sort of “glove” are you wearing these days? Are you alive in Christ Jesus?
©2010 Debbie Robus
But Christ lives in you. So you are alive because God has accepted you, even though your bodies must die because of your sins. Yet God raised Jesus to life! God's Spirit now lives in you, and he will raise you to life by his Spirit.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I saw a television show once in which a child asked his father what happens to us when we die. The dad took a glove and put it on his hand. Then he removed it and wiggled his fingers. He said, “The glove is like our body.” Pulling it off his hand, he added, “When our body dies, the soul inside still lives… just in another form.” I’ve thought about this simple analogy often – the concept of our body as a “glove” for our spirit.
Let’s think about gloves for a minute. Some gloves are heavy-duty and made of strong fabric or leather for manual labor like carpentry, farming, or working with things that are rough and dirty. We’ve all seen filthy work gloves that have been used for this purpose. And those dirty gloves are protecting the hands underneath. Once the gloves are removed, the hands inside are hopefully fairly clean, soft and free of scratches and blisters.
A few decades ago, a lady almost never left home without her gloves. She had gloves to match every outfit, and dress gloves were always worn to church! Even when dining out, a lady removed only one glove and kept it in her lap while she ate! Of course, her hands remained soft and supple inside the gloves.
The thing is… each person’s “gloves” are different. And once the gloves come off, we may each use our hands differently, but they still move and function without the gloves. This is, very simply, how our lives are with God. Some of us wear some pretty filthy gloves… caked with sin and hard living, while others wear nicer gloves. All of the gloves can get dirty from time to time – because we are all sinful. But if we accept Jesus, when the “gloves” come off, our spirit is still alive… clean and free of scratches and blemishes…ready to live forever with our Heavenly Father!
I know this is an oversimplified illustration. But think about your life as a glove. What does it look like? Are you still wearing an old dirty work glove, caked with the grime and filth of sin? Or have you put on your fancy dress glove? When you die and the “glove” comes off, what will be underneath? Will your spirit rise to new life by God’s Spirit? Just what sort of “glove” are you wearing these days? Are you alive in Christ Jesus?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 25, 2010
March 25 ~ Luke 24:46-48
He told them: "The Scriptures say that the Messiah must suffer, then three days later he will rise from death. They also say that all people of every nation must be told in my name to turn to God, in order to be forgiven. So beginning in Jerusalem, you must tell everything that has happened."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Suppose someone knew some really great news that would help you tremendously. Let’s say, for instance, that you were sick, and someone knew exactly how to make you feel better – or even cure you – but he/she kept the information from you. Let’s say you desperately needed a job, and family members and friends knew of several companies that were hiring, but they never bothered to let you know… and you did not have access to this information any other way. Or, let’s say that someone let you walk around all day with a hole in your pants or your skirt tucked into your underwear… and nobody told you about this and saved you from further embarrassment. Thankfully, most of these scenarios are unlikely today, especially given the lightning speed with which “news” travels over phone lines and Internet social networks.
Now consider if the disciples had not shared the knowledge of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection with others. Suppose that there was limited firsthand information about the crucifixion from those who observed it. Maybe the word traveled as far as nearby villages as people ventured away and spread the news. But suppose that nobody ever told about the empty grave… the rolled away stone… the resurrection of Jesus on the third day. What would have happened? Wouldn’t this negate the entire sacrifice and effort of Jesus on our behalf? If we didn’t know about Jesus… and about His sacrifices and the fact that He rose on the third day and is ALIVE… how would we ever come to know Him and believe in Him? How would we ever learn of His promises – and our promise of a home with Him for eternity?
The simple fact is that someone had to tell. Jesus commanded His disciples to tell everything that had happened… but only after He empowered them with His Holy Spirit? Why was this important? Because, as humans, we tend to color things a bit… make them fuzzy around the edges… sugarcoat the rough stuff or operate in fear instead of love. Jesus wanted to make sure that His Holy Spirit led us as we shared His story and message. But He definitely wants it to be shared! And honestly, if we can tell half the world on Facebook that someone just saw Miley Cyrus shopping in a department store, can’t we tell others about Jesus Christ and how He bought and paid for our sins on the cross and now LIVES with our Heavenly Father? Can’t we share the message of how Jesus has changed our life and will do the same for others? Can’t we ask the Holy Spirit to lead us in sharing the Good News with every nation?
God has given us everything we need to accomplish this – Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, technology and communication tools galore. Now all we have to do is get up and get going. We have people to tell… Good News to share! We must tell everything that has happened and encourage everyone to turn to God, in order to be forgiven. Who have you told this news today?
©2010 Debbie Robus
He told them: "The Scriptures say that the Messiah must suffer, then three days later he will rise from death. They also say that all people of every nation must be told in my name to turn to God, in order to be forgiven. So beginning in Jerusalem, you must tell everything that has happened."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Suppose someone knew some really great news that would help you tremendously. Let’s say, for instance, that you were sick, and someone knew exactly how to make you feel better – or even cure you – but he/she kept the information from you. Let’s say you desperately needed a job, and family members and friends knew of several companies that were hiring, but they never bothered to let you know… and you did not have access to this information any other way. Or, let’s say that someone let you walk around all day with a hole in your pants or your skirt tucked into your underwear… and nobody told you about this and saved you from further embarrassment. Thankfully, most of these scenarios are unlikely today, especially given the lightning speed with which “news” travels over phone lines and Internet social networks.
Now consider if the disciples had not shared the knowledge of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection with others. Suppose that there was limited firsthand information about the crucifixion from those who observed it. Maybe the word traveled as far as nearby villages as people ventured away and spread the news. But suppose that nobody ever told about the empty grave… the rolled away stone… the resurrection of Jesus on the third day. What would have happened? Wouldn’t this negate the entire sacrifice and effort of Jesus on our behalf? If we didn’t know about Jesus… and about His sacrifices and the fact that He rose on the third day and is ALIVE… how would we ever come to know Him and believe in Him? How would we ever learn of His promises – and our promise of a home with Him for eternity?
The simple fact is that someone had to tell. Jesus commanded His disciples to tell everything that had happened… but only after He empowered them with His Holy Spirit? Why was this important? Because, as humans, we tend to color things a bit… make them fuzzy around the edges… sugarcoat the rough stuff or operate in fear instead of love. Jesus wanted to make sure that His Holy Spirit led us as we shared His story and message. But He definitely wants it to be shared! And honestly, if we can tell half the world on Facebook that someone just saw Miley Cyrus shopping in a department store, can’t we tell others about Jesus Christ and how He bought and paid for our sins on the cross and now LIVES with our Heavenly Father? Can’t we share the message of how Jesus has changed our life and will do the same for others? Can’t we ask the Holy Spirit to lead us in sharing the Good News with every nation?
God has given us everything we need to accomplish this – Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, technology and communication tools galore. Now all we have to do is get up and get going. We have people to tell… Good News to share! We must tell everything that has happened and encourage everyone to turn to God, in order to be forgiven. Who have you told this news today?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 2, 2010
March 2 ~ John 14:1
Jesus said to his disciples, "Don't be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
“Prove it!” How many times have you heard this or said it yourself? We all want proof, don’t we?! If we can just see things for ourselves, we’ll believe them. If someone can just show us how everything is going to come together and work out well, we’ll go along with the plans. It’s sort of like those people who read the last page of the book first – we want to know how things end!
So often, we Christians are amazingly skeptical. We’re as bad as Thomas and the other disciples. We want nothing short of pyrotechnics, flashing lights and bright billboards on every corner to assure us that Jesus IS who He says He is and will do what He promised. We say we believe in Him. We say we trust Him. But then we act in the completely opposite manner. We need proof! We need to KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt – and with physical evidence, please – that God is real and will handle our problems and deliver us from the devil and his agents. For many of us, the miracles all around us are not enough… we need more!
If you read on in John 14, you will see that Jesus tells the disciples, in essence, to relax. He tells them that they have been together a long time – long enough for the disciples to know that Jesus is a man of His word. So when He says that He is taking care of everything and preparing a place for them and will return, that should be enough to satisfy them. When He tells them that He is one with the Father, and therefore, we have a one-on-one, intimate relationship with God, we should believe Him. And then, as if He knows this won’t be sufficient, He calls on the Holy Spirit to come and be our constant companion.
I don’t know about you, but it seems rather tiresome to me to be continually wondering if God is who He says He is and will do what He promised. I’m ready to relax. I’m ready to let go and trust Him completely – to believe in Him and rely on the Holy Spirit each day to be my constant companion and guide. I’m ready rest in the Lord and let Him handle my days, nights, weekends… the whole shebang! Are you ready? What’s keeping you from trusting Him for yourself?
©2009 Debbie Robus
Jesus said to his disciples, "Don't be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
“Prove it!” How many times have you heard this or said it yourself? We all want proof, don’t we?! If we can just see things for ourselves, we’ll believe them. If someone can just show us how everything is going to come together and work out well, we’ll go along with the plans. It’s sort of like those people who read the last page of the book first – we want to know how things end!
So often, we Christians are amazingly skeptical. We’re as bad as Thomas and the other disciples. We want nothing short of pyrotechnics, flashing lights and bright billboards on every corner to assure us that Jesus IS who He says He is and will do what He promised. We say we believe in Him. We say we trust Him. But then we act in the completely opposite manner. We need proof! We need to KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt – and with physical evidence, please – that God is real and will handle our problems and deliver us from the devil and his agents. For many of us, the miracles all around us are not enough… we need more!
If you read on in John 14, you will see that Jesus tells the disciples, in essence, to relax. He tells them that they have been together a long time – long enough for the disciples to know that Jesus is a man of His word. So when He says that He is taking care of everything and preparing a place for them and will return, that should be enough to satisfy them. When He tells them that He is one with the Father, and therefore, we have a one-on-one, intimate relationship with God, we should believe Him. And then, as if He knows this won’t be sufficient, He calls on the Holy Spirit to come and be our constant companion.
I don’t know about you, but it seems rather tiresome to me to be continually wondering if God is who He says He is and will do what He promised. I’m ready to relax. I’m ready to let go and trust Him completely – to believe in Him and rely on the Holy Spirit each day to be my constant companion and guide. I’m ready rest in the Lord and let Him handle my days, nights, weekends… the whole shebang! Are you ready? What’s keeping you from trusting Him for yourself?
©2009 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 21, 2010
February 21 ~ Romans 8:26
In certain ways we are weak, but the Spirit is here to help us. For example, when we don't know what to pray for, the Spirit prays for us in ways that cannot be put into words.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever been talking with someone and trying to think of another person’s name… or the right word to use… and the person you are talking with fills in the gap for you? Sometimes, words just won’t come. And sometimes, we find ourselves at a loss of what to say or how to pray… the words simply will not come to us. Skipping prayer at this time is NOT the solution. In fact, this is when we really need prayer the most!
Understand just how powerful the Holy Spirit is within you. When things are at a point where you find yourself at a loss… when you are so overwhelmed that you cannot express what you are feeling… the Holy Spirit can pray for you. How does this work? Try this… when you find yourself in a situation where you are at a loss for words to pray, sit quietly. Meditate on God and visualize Him handling your situation. Listen for that “Inner Voice” – do you hear it? God is speaking to you and communicating with you through the Holy Spirit. Open your Bible and read scripture… try the Psalms, for starters… and see answers, peace and reassurance come to life right before your eyes. THAT is the Holy Spirit at work, guiding you, interpreting what you cannot express and manifesting it in prayer… then giving you answers and consolation.
When I find myself overwhelmed or at a loss, I like to find a quiet spot where I can sit, close my eyes, and whisper, “Come, Holy Spirit.” And He does… He calms me, soothes me, listens to what I cannot verbalize and works within me. I don’t get up until I sense a change… that God has heard me… that I am more peaceful and my mood has lifted. Then I know that God is working… that through the Holy Spirit, help is on the way. I’m rarely at a loss for words, but when I am, I know God will hear me anyway. I am so grateful to know God has given us His Holy Spirit to be our constant Companion. Are YOU counting on the Holy Spirit to speak for you when words fail?
©2009 Debbie Robus
In certain ways we are weak, but the Spirit is here to help us. For example, when we don't know what to pray for, the Spirit prays for us in ways that cannot be put into words.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever been talking with someone and trying to think of another person’s name… or the right word to use… and the person you are talking with fills in the gap for you? Sometimes, words just won’t come. And sometimes, we find ourselves at a loss of what to say or how to pray… the words simply will not come to us. Skipping prayer at this time is NOT the solution. In fact, this is when we really need prayer the most!
Understand just how powerful the Holy Spirit is within you. When things are at a point where you find yourself at a loss… when you are so overwhelmed that you cannot express what you are feeling… the Holy Spirit can pray for you. How does this work? Try this… when you find yourself in a situation where you are at a loss for words to pray, sit quietly. Meditate on God and visualize Him handling your situation. Listen for that “Inner Voice” – do you hear it? God is speaking to you and communicating with you through the Holy Spirit. Open your Bible and read scripture… try the Psalms, for starters… and see answers, peace and reassurance come to life right before your eyes. THAT is the Holy Spirit at work, guiding you, interpreting what you cannot express and manifesting it in prayer… then giving you answers and consolation.
When I find myself overwhelmed or at a loss, I like to find a quiet spot where I can sit, close my eyes, and whisper, “Come, Holy Spirit.” And He does… He calms me, soothes me, listens to what I cannot verbalize and works within me. I don’t get up until I sense a change… that God has heard me… that I am more peaceful and my mood has lifted. Then I know that God is working… that through the Holy Spirit, help is on the way. I’m rarely at a loss for words, but when I am, I know God will hear me anyway. I am so grateful to know God has given us His Holy Spirit to be our constant Companion. Are YOU counting on the Holy Spirit to speak for you when words fail?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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