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Women in Discipleship (sm)
Devotionals for 2005
Week 12
Grace and peace to each of you in our risen Lord,
We may live here on earth in the flesh, but our true home is in heaven. The kingdom we belong to is eternal and filled with righteousness and peace. When I consider the eternal nature of God's gift to me, I become overwhelmed and humbled. We are given a wonderful principle in the Scripture to ponder for this week.
Scripture to ponder: Romans 14:17 - "for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."
The daily routine of life includes eating and drinking. To live here and now we need these things. This life also calls for many things, some we need, but most we don't need. God knows all of this. He tells us that to focus on the kingdom of God requires a very significant thing - knowing who God truly is.
The Bible tells us the true story of God made flesh. With His story, we see that Jesus is the one who brings peace to our lives through His gift of salvation. Then we receive the Holy Spirit and are sealed by Him. With the Holy Spirit indwelling us, we can have true joy in our lives. We know this because Paul tells us in Romans 15:13, "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
When Jesus sent the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, believers were given a wonderful person who instructs, convicts, and refines us while here on earth. In Romans 15:13 we are told that the God of hope will fill us. The only way genuine hope can be obtained in this life is by the power of the Holy Spirit. The reality is that hope only comes through faith in Jesus Christ. This is a wonderful thought to ponder. My hope is genuine, true, and real because Jesus gave it to me, and the Holy Spirit verifies it in me. What is my hope? That I will dwell in the house of the Lord with Jesus forever!
How exciting to be a Christian today and for eternity. :)
Enjoy your week, and remember to share the joy of your salvation with those around you.
Sandra Davis for the team at Women in Discipleship
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