Acts 2:1-4
Seven weeks had gone by since Jesus’
death and resurrection, and the Day of Pentecost had now arrived. As the
believers met together that day, suddenly there was a sound like the
roaring of a mighty windstorm in the skies above them and it filled the
house where they were meeting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues
of fire appeared and settled on their heads. And everyone present was
filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in languages they didn’t
know, for the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
Today I’ve been thinking a
lot about my mother…probably because I visited one of her lifelong
friends earlier, and we reminisced about the fun adventures they
shared. I also encountered some dear friends and fellow church members
as I shopped at Walmart who spoke of my mother and asked how I was
doing. I told them that I am doing well – and for the most part, I
believe this. But later, I asked myself, why is this the case? How is it
that I have been able to function somewhat normally in the two-plus
months since my mother’s fairly sudden death? And the only answer that I
can muster is…”I am acting under the power of the Holy Spirit.”
I
didn’t feel the “whoosh” of a windstorm, as described in the Book of
Acts. In fact, I don’t “feel” anything at all, except a profound calm
and confidence. But I do sense that I am operating under the presence
of the Holy Spirit in my life, because this is the only explanation that
makes any sense.
Today is “Maundy Thursday,” the day we
Christians take note of Jesus’ “last supper” with His disciples…His
prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane and His betrayal there by Judas. We
ponder Jesus’ arrest, Peter’s denial of any relationship with Him, and
the horrific beating and torturous “interrogation” inflicted upon Him by
the Roman soldiers. And one has to ask how Jesus endured all of
this…knowing every step of the way exactly what would happen to Him.
We
see in scripture that Jesus actually asked God if there might be
another way – one that did not involve so much suffering and agony. And
yet, He obediently surrendered to God’s will and sacrificed His life for
the sins of each of us. Jesus trusted that God would provide…that He
would make a way for Him to endure all of this. And that’s what we must
do with the Holy Spirit. This presence is not something we can
physically see – or even tangibly feel. But we know when we are
experiencing the Holy Spirit’s power, and we must trust Him to steer us
through every circumstance that the day brings.
We sense when
the Holy Spirit is equipping us with abilities that we would not
otherwise possess…when we have an Inner Strength that we are quite
certain is not of our own making…when there is Peace and Comfort that
defies logic. The God who appeared to a crowd of believers on the Day
of Pentecost and caused them to speak in unknown languages is the same
God who can fill us with His Holy Spirit and enable us to accomplish
things we never imagined we would be able to handle.
If you do
not yet recognize the power of the Holy Spirit in your own life, there
is no time like the present. All you have to do is call on Him to fill
your heart and mind…then trust that He is with you. I have found that
sometimes it helps to actually sit and repeat the phrase, “Come, Holy
Spirit, and fill me!” And He does!
Jesus sacrificed so much so
that our sins could be forgiven…and so that we could have this special
Comforter to guide and protect us each day. Won’t you recognize His
presence in your heart and mind today? You may not feel the wind and
fire or speak in unknown tongues…but He will be with you, all the same.
Aren’t you ready to get to know Him?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label coping mechanisms. Show all posts
Showing posts with label coping mechanisms. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for November 26, 2012
Revelation 21:4
He will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, suffering, crying, or pain. These things of the past are gone forever.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The other night, Timothy did not want to go to bed. I knew he was exhausted. It was late, and his day had been full. But he also had not visited our house in a few weeks, and he was having so much fun playing with toys that sleeping was the last thing on his mind. I assured him that we would play all day the following day – after we rested – but he would have none of that! We sat on the edge of the bed and he tearfully cried, “We can’t do this! There has to be a better way!”
My heart broke for this little guy, as I hugged him and wiped away his tears. I know… I know… he was being dramatic and working me. But at the same time, I know that he is only three years old, and these are confusing times for children his age. They want to exert their independence, yet they often lack the skills and abilities to express themselves properly. And let’s be honest, sometimes things in life just make us want to have a good cry.
Soon enough, three-year-old children discover real problems… pain, suffering and truly hard life lessons – even death. As we grow, we may have a friend, family member, or spouse who comes to our rescue and wipes away our tears and reassures us. But often, we may find ourselves wandering in a wasteland of sorts… carrying burdens and frustrations on our own without anyone to physically offer us comfort and encouragement.
The GOOD NEWS is that God is always with us… ready to shoulder our burdens and soothe us when we cry. We can take anything to God… He is always ready to hear our deepest hurts and to comfort us. And we have the hope and promise of a day when there will be NO MORE tears, sickness, hurt, confusion, frustration, suffering or pain. That is glorious news to me!
This is what keeps me going on days when I would really like to throw up my hands and say, “I’m done!” And don’t tell me you don’t have those days… because we all do! But God understands… and He is right there to lift us and help us put one foot in front of the other. All we have to do is say, “LORD, I can’t do this… there has to be a better way. Please help me.”
Don’t you want to call on God? Don’t you want to feel His gentle hand on your face, wiping away your tears…His strong arms wrapping around you and holding you close? Aren’t you encouraged by this promise of heaven and no more pain, sorrow and tears? Isn’t today the perfect time to start depending on God to handle whatever challenges you… and to trust His promises for your future?
©2012 Debbie Robus
He will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, suffering, crying, or pain. These things of the past are gone forever.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The other night, Timothy did not want to go to bed. I knew he was exhausted. It was late, and his day had been full. But he also had not visited our house in a few weeks, and he was having so much fun playing with toys that sleeping was the last thing on his mind. I assured him that we would play all day the following day – after we rested – but he would have none of that! We sat on the edge of the bed and he tearfully cried, “We can’t do this! There has to be a better way!”
My heart broke for this little guy, as I hugged him and wiped away his tears. I know… I know… he was being dramatic and working me. But at the same time, I know that he is only three years old, and these are confusing times for children his age. They want to exert their independence, yet they often lack the skills and abilities to express themselves properly. And let’s be honest, sometimes things in life just make us want to have a good cry.
Soon enough, three-year-old children discover real problems… pain, suffering and truly hard life lessons – even death. As we grow, we may have a friend, family member, or spouse who comes to our rescue and wipes away our tears and reassures us. But often, we may find ourselves wandering in a wasteland of sorts… carrying burdens and frustrations on our own without anyone to physically offer us comfort and encouragement.
The GOOD NEWS is that God is always with us… ready to shoulder our burdens and soothe us when we cry. We can take anything to God… He is always ready to hear our deepest hurts and to comfort us. And we have the hope and promise of a day when there will be NO MORE tears, sickness, hurt, confusion, frustration, suffering or pain. That is glorious news to me!
This is what keeps me going on days when I would really like to throw up my hands and say, “I’m done!” And don’t tell me you don’t have those days… because we all do! But God understands… and He is right there to lift us and help us put one foot in front of the other. All we have to do is say, “LORD, I can’t do this… there has to be a better way. Please help me.”
Don’t you want to call on God? Don’t you want to feel His gentle hand on your face, wiping away your tears…His strong arms wrapping around you and holding you close? Aren’t you encouraged by this promise of heaven and no more pain, sorrow and tears? Isn’t today the perfect time to start depending on God to handle whatever challenges you… and to trust His promises for your future?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 17, 2012
Proverbs 15:18
Losing your temper causes a lot of trouble, but staying calm settles arguments.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I am reminded once again of Emily Litella, Gilda Radner’s character on “Saturday Night Live.” Litella was a little old lady who was hard of hearing. She appeared during the “Weekend Update” newscast with Chevy Chase and/or Jane Curtin. Emily Litella got things all mixed up and made a huge fuss over nothing. For instance, once there was a “news” report about a Supreme Court ruling on the death penalty, and she “heard” the reporter say “deaf” penalty. She went ballistic! Deaf people had enough problems already! In all of these spoofs, the “reporter” was finally able to get Litella to calm down, and the misunderstanding could be explained. Litella always replied, “Oh, that’s different! Never mind!”
We are all “Emily Litella” at one time or another. Whether we fail to listen carefully or to gather all the facts… or we fly off the handle in what we feel is a justified reaction…losing our temper can cause a lot of unnecessary trouble.
Do you remember the scripture verses in John 8 where a crowd gathered and tried to get Jesus to condemn an adulterous woman? Do you remember how Jesus quietly kept drawing in the dirt? With one sentence, He diffused the situation. He did not rant and rave. He didn’t stomp his feet and jump up and down. He did not yell and scream. Jesus merely said, “If any of you have never sinned, then go ahead and throw the first stone at her!” And then He began to write in the dirt again.
Some of us seem to be “wired” to fly off the handle. But we can change this. We can ask God to give us wisdom, patience, tolerance… and control. We can ask Him to help us count to ten, breathe deeply, or take time to pray… to do whatever is necessary to remain calm and avoid trouble. Arguments are almost never productive… and in most cases, they can cause real, lasting problems.
Let’s all work on controlling our temper and staying calm. With God’s help, We.Can.Do.This! Let’s ask Him to show us how to exercise self-control… and to give us the necessary tools to avoid conflict. We don’t want to find ourselves in a position where we have to admit, “that’s different”… much less utter, “Never mind!” Put your “Emily Litella” persona to rest and start emulating Jesus. Learn to draw in the dirt… and do your best to stay out of trouble!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Losing your temper causes a lot of trouble, but staying calm settles arguments.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I am reminded once again of Emily Litella, Gilda Radner’s character on “Saturday Night Live.” Litella was a little old lady who was hard of hearing. She appeared during the “Weekend Update” newscast with Chevy Chase and/or Jane Curtin. Emily Litella got things all mixed up and made a huge fuss over nothing. For instance, once there was a “news” report about a Supreme Court ruling on the death penalty, and she “heard” the reporter say “deaf” penalty. She went ballistic! Deaf people had enough problems already! In all of these spoofs, the “reporter” was finally able to get Litella to calm down, and the misunderstanding could be explained. Litella always replied, “Oh, that’s different! Never mind!”
We are all “Emily Litella” at one time or another. Whether we fail to listen carefully or to gather all the facts… or we fly off the handle in what we feel is a justified reaction…losing our temper can cause a lot of unnecessary trouble.
Do you remember the scripture verses in John 8 where a crowd gathered and tried to get Jesus to condemn an adulterous woman? Do you remember how Jesus quietly kept drawing in the dirt? With one sentence, He diffused the situation. He did not rant and rave. He didn’t stomp his feet and jump up and down. He did not yell and scream. Jesus merely said, “If any of you have never sinned, then go ahead and throw the first stone at her!” And then He began to write in the dirt again.
Some of us seem to be “wired” to fly off the handle. But we can change this. We can ask God to give us wisdom, patience, tolerance… and control. We can ask Him to help us count to ten, breathe deeply, or take time to pray… to do whatever is necessary to remain calm and avoid trouble. Arguments are almost never productive… and in most cases, they can cause real, lasting problems.
Let’s all work on controlling our temper and staying calm. With God’s help, We.Can.Do.This! Let’s ask Him to show us how to exercise self-control… and to give us the necessary tools to avoid conflict. We don’t want to find ourselves in a position where we have to admit, “that’s different”… much less utter, “Never mind!” Put your “Emily Litella” persona to rest and start emulating Jesus. Learn to draw in the dirt… and do your best to stay out of trouble!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)