ODJ: discover what’s yours


September 24, 2013 

READ: Romans 8:13-27
 

The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness (v.26).


Some residents in my town are discovering lost treasure. Many have reclaimed cash, property and other financial holdings. With the help of a cash reclaim programme, Melva recovered some money that her previous bank hadn’t sent to her. Robert logged into the programme’s website and discovered that his grandmother had left him a significant inheritance worth thousands. The programme’s motto is: Discover what’s yours.


Sometimes I wonder what our lives would be like if we discovered all that is ours through the Holy Spirit—untapped spiritual riches! One treasure we have in the Holy Spirit is the power to do what’s right. God’s power at work within us enables us to “put to death the deeds of [our] sinful nature” (Romans 8:13). We don’t have to try to be good on our own because the “Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness” (v.26). When willpower won’t cut it, we need supernatural help; then we can finally reconcile with the person who hurt us, avoid unwholesome websites or turn down that extra plate of food.


Another treasure the Holy Spirit affords us is the ability to think clearly and correctly. We don’t always wake up in the morning with God-honouring thoughts in our brains. Sometimes we wake up at midnight with notions of dread, fear or guilt. In those times, it’s comforting to remember that “letting the Spirit control [our] mind leads to life and peace” (v.6).


Just as people sometimes overlook their money and forfeit its benefits, many of us fail to notice and utilise the Holy Spirit’s power. Our lives are littered with our own efforts to do and to be good. Only God’s power working within us, however, will yield what’s best (Galatians 5:22-23). Discover what’s yours today! —Jennifer Benson Schuldt