DAY 456: COME DO YOUR WORK IN ME - Devotional

The Return ^ | May 18, 2022

[metmom]

I believe if a Christian has an intensity for a holy life — if he desires to give his all to the Lord — there can be only one reason why he fails to enjoy the freedom promised by the Holy Spirit’s indwelling. That reason is unbelief. Jesus could not perform his works when there was unbelief, and his Spirit cannot do anything in our lives when we harbor unbelief.

It is vital for every follower of Jesus not to judge God’s promises according to past experiences. If we cast ourselves fully on his promises and hold the Spirit to his own word, we can know the results are all God’s responsibility. We simply cannot give up our desire to obtain his promised blessings. If we continue to press on, we’ll be able to stand on judgment day and be called faithful.

There was a point in my life when I had to cast my eternal future on God’s promises. I had to trust his Word at the risk of my very soul. I put out a challenge to God. “Lord, I’m going to believe you’ve given me your Holy Ghost. I believe he alone can deliver me from every chain that binds me. I believe he will convict me, lead me and empower me to overcome. I believe he will never depart from me, nor will he let me depart from you. I won’t limit your Spirit in me. I’ll wait on him, call on him and trust in him.”

We’re to do what the Lord told Ezekiel to do: pray the Word of God. “Again he said to me, ‘Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, “O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!”’” (Ezekiel 37:4).

We are to remind the Holy Spirit of God’s promises to us. We’re to tell him, “Holy Ghost, the heavenly Father promised me that he would put you in my heart, and I’ve committed myself to that promise. I will yield, and I will cooperate because I want to be holy. You said you will cause me to walk in your ways and obey your every word. I don’t know how you plan to do that, but you made an oath, and you cannot lie. This is all written in the Word, Holy Spirit. So, come. Do your work in me. I’ve entrusted my very soul to this promise.”

[metmom]

The Return ping

[Scarlett156]

Hi, metmom! Good post. I want to know if you think there is a difference between faith and belief. This is not one of those liberal type questions to trick you into fighting, but I just sincerely want to know. I do ask annoying questions sometimes but take your time answering. Thank you!

[metmom]

Well, James tells us that even the demons believe and tremble, and clearly they do not have faith.

Belief can be as simple as intellectual assent to something. Like lots of people believe God exists. But that doesn’t mean they are exercising faith either to save them or provide for their needs. Faith as I read it in Scripture, implies a deeper level of trust and commitment rather than just acknowledging something is so.

That’s how I see the difference..

[Scarlett156]

I agree.

Belief changes, but faith is something you know without having to think about it - not a kneejerk reaction like “Oh this smells bad so it IS bad!” but “Soon it will be morning and the sun will come up.” (And whether you want it to or not, that’s what happens.)