A Daily Devotion for Friday, August 29
- ontrakk
- 3 days ago
- 1 min read
Romans 7:18
I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
I am not fully in agreement with the idea that good does not dwell in me. I know that Jesus has given me the Holy Spirit to guide and lead and teach me. The Holy Spirit lives within me. But even with the Holy Spirit, I do still have a sinful nature, unfortunately. Thinking this through, it reminds me of an old saying, “If you are not full of the Holy Spirit, you are full of something else.” I am sure there are times when my Holy Spirit level is high, and times when it is hard to see there is a Holy Spirit around at all. I think there are ways to keep the influence of the Holy Spirit high and strong. Prayer and scripture study come immediately to mind. These are disciplines which are in my control. I want to be filled with the Holy Spirit, with little room left over for sin.
Holy Lord, help me to turn to you when I am not sure what to say or do. Help me to put my own needs aside. Be with my family, Lord, and help them to experience your presence. Soften their hearts, I pray. Amen
Becky, transforming
Pic by Kay
Friday, August 29th, 2025
Cycle of Grace
(Focus: those living with addiction
Romans 7:18
For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
(You can’t be occupied with Christ within you if you don’t know he’s there.)
As I continue to be in God’s word I find myself wanting to be committed doing what he asks of me and stop doing what he does not want me to do. I have quickly discovered that no matter how hard I try I cannot do it simply by my own willpower. Paul expresses the struggle that many believers face…
Romans 7:18 The idea that we, as fallen beings, are prone to sin is a hard one for postmodern, “I’m a good person, I don’t need God” folks to grasp. My past behavior, though not to the extent of the author of today’s Upper Room reflection, is enough to convince me I need the centering and settling power of the Word of God and prayer before I do anything else on any given day. I know deep inside I don’t have what it takes to be the best I can be without the guidance and correction provided by the Holy Spirit. Where some may see this as “oppressive,” I see and experience it as liberating. It may be a hard sell…