Day #14 All Things Work Together for Good - February 21-Day Firm Foundation Devotional: “Principles of Empowerment”



DAY #14:  All Things Work Together for Good

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. 

Romans 8:28 is one of the most abused scriptures in the Bible. Too often it is used as a catchall or a cliche, something for which God’s word was never intended. God is certainly merciful towards us, but if I write a bad check and pass it on nothing good will come of it! As a matter-of-fact, it could result in a criminal prosecution. This is not the proper application of Romans 8:28.

This text was not intended to cover our mistakes. This text, and all of God’s word, was given to encourage and teach us. The main focus of the text is not “all things work together for good” but  “those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” and “be conformed to the image of His Son.” 

God’s purpose is the foundation of your purpose. God is deeply concerned about the circumstances of your life, but He frames your life in the larger context of His purpose. First you are predestined, which means that before you were born God had a plan for you. Second, you are called, which means He gives you the opportunity to follow Him through Christ. Third, you are justified which means He makes you righteous through the redemptive gift of the Lord Jesus Christ. Fourth, you are glorified meaning that you enter into the purposes for which you were born.

REFLECTION QUESTION: What are the two qualifications to fulfill the promise of having “all things work together for good?”

Key insight I gained today:

Today’s action item based on insight:


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Day #13 Praying with the Help of the Holy Spirit - February 21-Day Firm Foundation Devotional: “Principles of Empowerment”



DAY #13:  Praying with the Help of the Holy Spirit

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Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 

If I asked you to pray for your family, you would be able to do that without much difficulty. If I asked you to pray for churches in Eldoret, Kenya, you would have difficulty praying specifically for those churches. You don’t know the people of those churches in that small town in East Africa. You may have never heard of that city before. Here is the benefit of praying with and through the Holy Spirit: God knows all about the people of Eldoret, Kenya, as well as everyone and everything else in this world.  This is a place to which I've traveled on three occasions for mission trips.

Our great weakness is not knowing. How can you pray for what you do not know? As the Scripture says, “the Spirit makes intercession for us.” It also says that the “Spirit makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” When you pray with and through the Holy Spirit you’re able to have impact in ways you could never do praying with your understanding. 

For many believers, praying with the Holy Spirit also means praying in tongues (“...groanings which cannot be uttered”). This heavenly language is often misunderstood, but it is most certainly biblical (1 Cor. 14:14-15; Jude 1:20; et. al.). There are times when you cannot form the words in your mind to pray. Praying “with your understanding” is sometimes not effective. The Holy Spirit helps you to pray “as you ought.” When He is praying through you, it does not always sound like your native language.  Sometimes there are actual groanings.

Intercessory prayer can only happen with the help of the Holy Spirit. He is the Senior Partner in that arrangement.

REFLECTION QUESTION: What are 1-2 ways you can allow the Holy Spirit to help you pray?

Key insight I gained today:

Today’s action item based on insight:


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Principles of Empowerment Devotional

Day #12 From Suffering to Glory Revealed - Principles of Empowerment February Devotional - Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute #158 for February 19, 2025



DAY #12:  From Suffering to Glory Revealed

Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 


It is very important to have proper perspective in life. How we perceive our life can determine our reality and influence our circumstances. The Apostle Paul endured a lot of suffering–much more than most of us will endure in a lifetime. Suffering and difficulties have a way of reshaping our thinking and putting us into a negative mindset, if we allow it. That’s the danger of suffering, not only what we’re going through (which will pass!) but the false sense that the suffering is defining our life.

Paul states that the sufferings of the present time cannot be compared to the glory that shall be revealed in us. 

Here is the key: Focus on what God is revealing...not on the suffering!

I’ve come to understand that the revealing of that glory is not only later in heaven, but a lot of that glory happens now while we are yet on earth.  That glory is not some "glory cloud" or other temporary manifestation. God’s glory is His purpose and presence revealed in and through your life.

God has the unique ability to turn “ashes into beauty.” He will transform our darkness to light.

REFLECTION QUESTION: What glory is being revealed in you?

Key insight I gained today:

Today’s action item based on insight:








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Principles of Empowerment Devotional

Day #11 Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ - February 21-Day Firm Foundation Devotional: “Principles of Empowerment”



DAY #11:  Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ

Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 

It is important to remember that as a Christian, you operate under a different set of laws and principles. When I travel to places like Africa or England, I am reminded every moment of every day that I am in a foreign country. I recognize and operate according to the laws of the host country, such as driving on the left side of the road in England. 

In your life in Christ, you have the opportunity to live by something called “the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ.” This is exactly what it sounds like. It is most certainly as good as it sounds! It is the Holy Spirit, it is God’s life in Christ, and it is powerful!  After more than 38 years of living a Christian life, I’m still discovering the benefits of the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ in every part of my life and ministry. It is something better experienced than explained.

Christians have been delivered from the law of sin and death. This is as bad as it sounds. It is the cycle of defeat that we left behind when coming to Christ. Today, we want to introduce others to Jesus and to the many benefits of the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ. 

REFLECTION QUESTION: What is the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ?

Key insight I gained today:

Today’s action item based on insight:


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Principles of Empowerment Devotional

Day #10 How to Do What You Should Do - February 21-Day Firm Foundation Devotional: “Principles of Empowerment”



DAY #10:  How to Do What You Should Do 

Romans 7:15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do...21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. 

This is an amazing and frank discussion of a conflict that we all deal with sometimes. Paul described in vivid detail a dilemma that we all face. What do you do when you feel pressured to do something wrong, or you’re not doing what you should? Paul said that there was a “law” (or principle) that when you want to do good evil is present.  

We live both in the physical world and in the spiritual world. Through our physical senses we are aware of our physical world, and sometimes tempted by things in the world. However, many believers are less aware of their advantages in the world of the Spirit of God. Prayer, God’s presence, and His Word make us aware of the benefits available to us. 

People who are intent on serving God quickly discover that there is resistance to doing God’s will. It’s kind of like a football game in which the person who carries football will find eleven men trying to take him down! 

When Paul uses the term “body of death” or “flesh,” he’s talking about that part of our human nature that does not cooperate with God. No one is entirely spiritual...we are not in heaven yet! Everybody has to contend with his/her “flesh” but that does not mean that we have to fall or fail. The good news is that the more you serve God the weaker the flesh becomes. 
In our spiritual walk, the devil does not have actual power over us. He is a master of distraction and deception. Paul talked about a principle “warring in his members,” referring to his body and its passions. Temptation is obviously real...you can feel it! 

So how did Paul resolve his dilemma? Here’s how he did it and how you can do it: Paul recognized that it was useless to try to force his flesh to serve God (remember, we don’t have to “fight” in that manner). He decided that with his mind and soul he would serve the law (Word) of God. It’s sort of like deciding there are people you are not going to listen to, and there are people you are going to listen to. It’s also like deciding to travel down one road, and not down the other road. We cannot do two things at once. When you decide to serve God, there won’t be time for lesser things.

“I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.” (verse 25)

REFLECTION QUESTION: How did Paul come to victory? How will you do the same?

Key insight I gained today:

Today’s action item based on insight:


SUBSCRIBE to the Firm Foundation blog to receive weekly insight and encouragement to your email in box

Visit and save this link to enjoy other Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute Talks.

 

Send a gift to Bryan Hudson: https://cash.app/$BryanIndy
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Principles of Empowerment Devotional
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