Snickers Really Satisfies

Daily Reading: Romans 15

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15.13)

Devotional Thought: Back in the 80's (Yes, I know that some of you weren't even born yet!) the candy maker Mars had a marketing slogan: "Packed with peanuts, Snickers really satisfies."  I thought of that when I read this prayer in Romans 15, for it is packed with truth and really satisfies!

What do we find packed in this prayer?

·       Joy.  Through the years, God’s people have learned: “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation” (Habakkuk 3.17-18).

·       Peace.  The only source of lasting peace was Jesus Christ then, just as it is today.  To have that inner peace, we must focus on Jesus: “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26.3).

·       Believing.  What do you believe in?  Only one thing is changeless, and that is God.  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13.8).

·       Power.  Power comes from the Holy Spirit.  Jesus told (and tells!) his disciples, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” (Acts 1.8).

·       Abundance.  Not only do we operate from a position of strength, but also from the principle of abundance.  Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10.10).

·       Hope.  Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16.33).

And that, my friend, "ain't just peanuts!"

Prayer:  "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." Amen. (Romans 15.13)

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 22.25-31

25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear him.

26 The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord! May your hearts live forever!

27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.

28 For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations.

29 All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, even the one who could not keep himself alive.

30 Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;

31 they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it.