A Daily Devotional with Pastor Doug Crouse  January 13, 2018  

Yes - You Can   Scripture Reading – Philippians 2:13 (NLT)

“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him."  

It is most certainly important and beneficial for us as God's children to commit ourselves to the memorization of the Bible. As we do, it becomes a great resource and strength for us in the living of our Christian lives with the power and approval of God.

I always will remember one of my Bible College professors teaching us concerning the proper understanding of the Word that, 'a text without a con-text is a pre-text'. Or that if we only take one verse of Scripture and ignore both what comes before or after it, that it may not give us the full understanding of the heart of the Father. Today's text is a prime example.

Many of us will have heard often, and therefore committed to our memory the verse that says that we need to work out our own salvations with trembling and fear. That verse standing alone, especially during the 'dark nights of the soul', that all of God's children walk through can seem devastating and impossible.

Today's verse is the one that follows right after, and gives the 'Yes, You Can', or explanation of exactly how we can successfully work out our own salvations. It is by realizing that God is working within us, by the Person, presence and the power of the Holy Spirit. He will give us the will and the ability to do exactly what is pleasing to Him with our lives day in and day out.

So remember today that you are able, because He is within you, leading and guiding you into each and every good promise and purpose He has planned for you in Christ Jesus.  

Prayer Heavenly Father I come today in the strong name of Jesus my Lord, and remember that You are working in my life. Holy Spirit, help me to see, hear and obey You in such a way that it brings a smile to the Father I pray in Jesus name.  

Memory Verse:  Revelation 21:5 NLT “And the one sitting on the throne said, 'Look, I am making everything new!' And then he said to me, 'Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true."