Before we go far in our Christian walk we realize that in a real way, we are on a battleground. Here is an online study to help you: Suiting up for Battle
Noreen knew God had plucked her life from the ruins. And she was so grateful. When she read Isaiah 61:1-3 she knew she was one of those who had been broken hearted and a prisoner in another lifestyle. She knew the power of His love as He bound up her broken heart and brought beauty out of the ashes of her life.
Yes, she was grateful … but still rather timid to step out and do much for God. She still felt so inadequate and sometimes worried about what people would think if they really knew the path she had come.
She read the familiar verses again but this time she saw something more. The Spirit of God opened the eyes of her heart. After the words describing how God binds up the broken hearted, brings beauty out of ashes and joy out of mourning, she read these words that had never penetrated her mind before:
“They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor” (Isaiah 61:3b)
Wow! Her mind could barely take it in. God said she was an “oak of righteousness”, planted right where she was today by the Lord… to display God’s splendor and show what He can do in a life that says “yes” to Him.
She thought awhile about the oak tree; strong, durable, able to weather the storms of time, and mighty. Yes, a mighty oak. She didn’t feel very “righteous”, yet someone had just told her that righteousness was simply having a “yes Lord” attitude in all areas of her life. She truly did want Him to permeate every decision and every part of her life.
Noreen got ready for work with a new view of herself and a new purpose in her heart. She would be that mighty oak today, planted just where she was in order to show the splendor of God’s healing touch.
As she headed out the door she breathed a prayer asking God to give her an opportunity today to share the difference He had made in her life. Yes, her broken heart had been touched by God and beauty was beginning to come from the ashes in her life … and she would declare His splendor.
Even though she knew she was still in the process of her healing journey, she caught a glimpse of how God saw her today, and she would walk in it because He had declared it!
Father God, thank you so much for seeing me differently than I see myself. May I honor You today and display Your splendor in living a changed life by the power of the Holy Spirit! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Question: What difference does the power of the Holy Spirit make in ones’ life?
About the Author: Gail Rodgers
Image credit: Old Shoe Woman, Used with permission under a Creative Commons 2.0 License.
Tags: broken hearted, God, healing, righteousness, ruins
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Gail, thanks you so much for another great devotional.
I became mushily in my love for our GOD because once again HE reminded me how HE lavished us with HIS love and how HE lavished us with HIS generous, unparralled description that I thought belongs only to spiritual giants. But in here, that description of “oak of righteousness” belongs to everyone who are dependent on HIM, who leans on HIS chest, while setting on HIS lap to hear HIS heartbeat.
“DADDY, YOU are so generous in YOUR loving description of us. That’s more than I can take in. Fill us LORD with the knowledge of YOUR will with all spiritual wisdom and understanding so that we may live a life worthy of YOU pleasing YOU in every way bearing good fruits, in JESUS name, amen.”
Romel H
Gail as usual thank you for a wonderful devotional! Now to answer your question what difference does the power of the Holy Spirit make in ones’ life? Well my answer is “WOW” He gives us power and strength to witness, to know what to say, to know who we are in Christ Jesus. He brings such Joy and when you are filled with the Holy Spirit completely filled it is like the last step before entering Heaven. It is a glorious experience to be a truly Spirit Filled Christian and I pray that I can live ever day of my life as one.
I just wanted to mention to all you ladies who have been praying for me about getting an earlier appointment with the specialist about my rheumatoid arthritis that I got a call yesterday a got in to see him. He is putting me on some new medication and confirmed that I am getting worse and because I have fibromyalgia the pain is magnified 10 times more than it would be for a normal person. I so desire the Lord to heal me. I am already on so much medication and now adding this will make it 13pills a day which is not good for my body. I would really appreciate your prayers.Hugs, Linda!!!
Hi Romel! Greetings Linda. I know what fibro pain is and was also shocked when the doc’s explained the intensity of the pain over simple arthritis; but I did not know it was considered to be 10X’s! Wow.
Gail I think this is the MOST powerful devotional I’ve read since coming to this site.
We know that we are sinners saved by grace and so often we get stuck there rather than learning of th wonders of ‘growing in HIS grace’ and ‘being a new creation’ as a result and of ‘having the renewed mind’ w/all of it’s wonders and joys or allowing HIM to ‘replace a heart of stone and turn it into a heart of flesh’ that is open to delight and laughter and joy as we allow HIM to transform every aspect of our being; even to accepting the knowledge that HE sees us in a new light! HIS kids ……..praise God for this devotion today
Ladies First of all Rheumatoid Arthritis is not simple arthritis it is extremely painful and more painful as it advances. I have had it for 15 yrs. What the doctor was saying to me was because I have Fibromyalgia that my Arthritis pain is intensified 10 time more on me than on a person who has rheumatoid arthritis and not the fibromyalgia and that is not to say in any way whatsoever that the person with Rheumatoid Arthritis is not in a terrible amount of pain too. I didn’t say what I said to get any ones sympathy I was just asking for pray and I am sorry if you took it the wrong way or I came across the wrong way. I find it very hard to ask for prayer for myself in the first place and it seems that now I stepped out and have done that I was totally misunderstood and I am so very sorry for that. Hugs, Linda
gail,
this devotional, change the name of noreen and put in kanj. as i read the paragraphs it was like you, a total stranger, saw me for who and what I was in my past and decided to write about me. as i read the pray at the end of the devotional out loud, i was brought to tears. it was just myself in the room but I knew I was not alone. God heard me. my Christian walk on some days feels the battlefield of the mind and the body, my body feels the ramifications of one who had been on a battleground. I think at times I act like that toddler in my faith. i take a few steps forward only to realize that i haven’t paid attention to the obstacle in front of me and I fall down. but in and through prayer I ask again and again to receive His instruction with an open heart and mind.
to answer your question to what difference does the Holy Spirit make in my life? my answer is unequivetably the wisdom to know that He is always trying to help me grow and to keep me on the path that I should follow.
linda r i am so glAd you got in to see the dr. earlyer then you thought i know the pain your are in it is afwal. my husband has the same type of artheratis as you do and i have fybro along with some other things, so i can relate to the pain you are having i am still praying for you and i know God will heal you .
sharon
Sharon thank you so much for your prayers and your thoughtfulness. The love of Jesus radiates through you in such a beautiful way and I just pray that He will bring Healing to You and Bill too and work a Miracle in your daughter-in-laws life too. I will continue to prayer for you all . May The Lord Richly Bless You & Continue to Use You For His Glory! Hugs Linda !!!
thank you linda r for your kind words
sharon
and for your prayers