John 14:15-17
“If you love me, show it by doing what
I’ve told you. I will talk to the Father, and he’ll provide you another
Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is
the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can’t take him in because it
doesn’t have eyes to see him, doesn’t know what to look for. But you
know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be
in you!
Scripture
quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002
by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs,
CO. All rights reserved.
When Timothy was a toddler,
Greg and I sat out on our driveway one warm fall night and looked at a
bright full moon. He would point and say, “Moon!” And we would remind
him that wherever he was, all he had to do was look at the moon and know
that we would be looking at it, too. “When you look at the moon,
remember how much we love you,” I told him. In recent years, my mother
has commented more than once when she was traveling that she looked at
the moon and reminded herself that we at home were seeing the same
moon. This is indeed a comforting thought.
When I was a child,
the concept of the Holy Spirit – or “Holy Ghost” as people referenced
Him…was nebulous and confusing enough to make me go, “Whaaaa???” I
don’t know how or why I found this such a difficult – and even scary -
concept…but now that I understand the “Spirit of Truth” and what a
friend and comforter He is and how He guides me and protects my every
breath, I am totally in love. And I want to do all I can to show Jesus
how much I love Him for sending this Friend.
Just
as a child of any age looks at the moon and knows that a grown-up sees
the same lunar orb, I know that the Holy Spirit of Truth is always with
me. Just as we can understand that others who look at the same moon we
are viewing may think of us and care about our every thought and
breath…we know that the Holy Spirit is with us wherever we are - that He
cares about us and is available to help us with anything and
everything!
The Holy Spirit is another gift from Jesus…a
“Forever Friend” to accompany us 24/7. All that Jesus asks of us in
return is that we demonstrate our love for Him by following His
commands…loving others as we love ourselves…operating in humility,
kindness and respect…feeding and clothing the hungry, homeless, widowed,
orphaned and needy…spreading the Gospel…and offering hope and salvation
through His cleansing blood to those who are lost, confused and
hurting. This may sound like a tall order…but in comparison to the
gifts of Salvation and the Holy Spirit, it is quite literally the least
we can do.
You may be one of many who have received the gift of
Salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ...and this is wonderful!
But have you received His gift of the Holy Spirit? Does He dwell in
your heart…and do you feel His presence? Do you recognize the Spirit of
Truth…is He your Forever Friend? Don’t you want this? Will you spend
some time in prayer today and call on the Holy Spirit to fill your
heart? All you have to do is ask…“Come, Holy Spirit…wash over me.”
He’s waiting for the invitation…are you ready to extend it?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label serving others in Jesus' name. Show all posts
Showing posts with label serving others in Jesus' name. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for April 1, 2015
Luke 22:24-30
And they began to argue among themselves as to who would have the highest rank in the coming Kingdom.
Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men order their slaves around, and the slaves have no choice but to like it! But among you, the one who serves you best will be your leader. Out in the world the master sits at the table and is served by his servants. But not here! For I am your servant. Nevertheless, because you have stood true to me in these terrible days, and because my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I, here and now, grant you the right to eat and drink at my table in that Kingdom; and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I cannot tell you how many times I visited my Mam-ma Polly when she was sitting down at her table to a plate of food that would barely feed her, and she would say, “Sit down and eat with me.” And when I did, we’d both walk away from the table stuffed to the gills. Somehow those “little piddlin’ amounts” multiplied into a feast that sustained us…and filled our bellies AND our souls. Even now as I remember this…or especially when I cook one of grandmother’s signature dishes, I get that same warm feeling. I sense her presence…her love…her generosity and servant’s heart.
Like all of us, my Mam-ma Polly was not perfect. But for the most part, she always thought of others first. She found someone to serve virtually every day of her life, and did not discriminate in the least. And while she might have told you that she was “a poor ‘widder’ woman” she was one of the “richest” women I ever knew.
When we eat and drink at the Holy Communion table, we should all be reminded of Jesus and how He served us…how He taught us to love and serve ALL others…and how He took OUR sins upon himself. When we eat the bread and drink the wine that Jesus told the disciples were his “body and blood,” we are in reminded of our sins…because His body and blood of were exchanged for them.
We cannot physically share a meal with Jesus until we enter into His presence in Heaven. But this rite of Holy Communion serves as a reminder of Him…of what and who Jesus died for…and warms our heart and soul with His presence. This particular practice of the church is truly one of the most holy and precious demonstrations that we make as Christians.
At some point this week, many of us will likely share Holy Communion. As you do so, think of Jesus…the “Servant” who became last so that He could be first…our King of Kings. Remember that He gave His body and blood so that we can once again dine with him someday in His Kingdom. Remember that Jesus promised His disciples a place at His table. Remember how a “little piddlin’ amount” of bread and wine have come to symbolize the greatest gift we will ever receive…salvation through Jesus Christ – and a heart and soul that are brimming full!
Humble yourself as His servant…become “last” on this earth in order to be one of the first in line for a seat at His table in Heaven. In Jesus, we will never go hungry. He is inviting each of us to…”Sit down and eat with me.” Won’t you take Him up on His offer?
©2015 Debbie Robus
And they began to argue among themselves as to who would have the highest rank in the coming Kingdom.
Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men order their slaves around, and the slaves have no choice but to like it! But among you, the one who serves you best will be your leader. Out in the world the master sits at the table and is served by his servants. But not here! For I am your servant. Nevertheless, because you have stood true to me in these terrible days, and because my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I, here and now, grant you the right to eat and drink at my table in that Kingdom; and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I cannot tell you how many times I visited my Mam-ma Polly when she was sitting down at her table to a plate of food that would barely feed her, and she would say, “Sit down and eat with me.” And when I did, we’d both walk away from the table stuffed to the gills. Somehow those “little piddlin’ amounts” multiplied into a feast that sustained us…and filled our bellies AND our souls. Even now as I remember this…or especially when I cook one of grandmother’s signature dishes, I get that same warm feeling. I sense her presence…her love…her generosity and servant’s heart.
Like all of us, my Mam-ma Polly was not perfect. But for the most part, she always thought of others first. She found someone to serve virtually every day of her life, and did not discriminate in the least. And while she might have told you that she was “a poor ‘widder’ woman” she was one of the “richest” women I ever knew.
When we eat and drink at the Holy Communion table, we should all be reminded of Jesus and how He served us…how He taught us to love and serve ALL others…and how He took OUR sins upon himself. When we eat the bread and drink the wine that Jesus told the disciples were his “body and blood,” we are in reminded of our sins…because His body and blood of were exchanged for them.
We cannot physically share a meal with Jesus until we enter into His presence in Heaven. But this rite of Holy Communion serves as a reminder of Him…of what and who Jesus died for…and warms our heart and soul with His presence. This particular practice of the church is truly one of the most holy and precious demonstrations that we make as Christians.
At some point this week, many of us will likely share Holy Communion. As you do so, think of Jesus…the “Servant” who became last so that He could be first…our King of Kings. Remember that He gave His body and blood so that we can once again dine with him someday in His Kingdom. Remember that Jesus promised His disciples a place at His table. Remember how a “little piddlin’ amount” of bread and wine have come to symbolize the greatest gift we will ever receive…salvation through Jesus Christ – and a heart and soul that are brimming full!
Humble yourself as His servant…become “last” on this earth in order to be one of the first in line for a seat at His table in Heaven. In Jesus, we will never go hungry. He is inviting each of us to…”Sit down and eat with me.” Won’t you take Him up on His offer?
©2015 Debbie Robus
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