Alive and Active

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:26-28 (NIV) When it comes to devotionals, I like to read the recommended Scripture first, and then spend some time praying and thinking about what I sense God is saying to me. I do that before I read what the contributor has written. It’s interesting because, more often than not, what I hear the Holy Spirit  speaking to me and what the devotional says are different. Sometimes what God has revealed to the writer is not what God is revealing to me at that moment—even though the same Scripture is being studied. That’s because God’s Word is alive and active. It is “sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12, NIV). And because God’s Word is alive, we can read a portion of Scripture, and read it again days later, and have the Holy Spirit reveal something new—about how to love others, show forgiveness, or perhaps gently show us something else that needs to be addressed in our lives. There’s power in the Word, power in the blood of Jesus, and the same power lives in us when we know Him as our Lord and Savior. What is God showing you from His Word today? Dear God, please open my eyes to the reading of Your Word, “that I may see wonderful things in your law” (Psalm 119:18b, NIV). In Jesus’ name. Amen. – E.H. Runquist Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website. Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org