You Can't Pour From An Empty Cup
"You can't pour from an empty cup." This is a phrase I'm sure you’ve heard before, and it’s something I often encounter as a teacher. I need to take care of myself first to be able to show up for my students in the best way possible. Fortunately, I’m writing this devotional on the first day of my Spring Break, which gives me the opportunity to rest and refill my cup.
When I picture an empty cup, I see an image of something that isn't yet fulfilling the purpose for which it was created. It might look like a great cup on the outside, but until it is filled, it is pretty much useless. The Holy Spirit has been using this image of an empty cup to remind me of some truths, and I hope He will speak to you through them too.
READ:
Romans 12:1
"And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him."
Isaiah 64:8
"And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand."
One of the best ways that we, as believers, can worship God is by showing up as empty vessels for Him. We are called to leave behind our shame, cast our anxiety on Him, and surrender our will to His will. When we allow the Lord to direct our steps and mold our choices, we become refined, sanctified, and prepared to serve His purposes rather than our own.
What area(s) of your life are you struggling to surrender fully to Jesus?
READ:
John 14:16-17
"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it isn’t looking for Him and doesn’t recognize Him. But you know Him, because He lives with you now and later will be in you.
When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, God gives us the gift of a helper to teach us and remind us daily of the purpose He has called us to and the gifts He's given us to glorify Him.
Do you sense the voice of the Holy Spirit calling you toward repentance, action, or faith in a specific area? If you do not, you have the opportunity to pray and be refilled with this gift of His Spirit now!
READ:
Galatians 5:22-23
"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!"
Acts 1:8
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Imagine the best version of yourself, one who is completely surrendered and locked-in to the voice of the Holy Spirit. How might this person engage with their spouse, their children, at work, or in ministry? What might it look like to pour from a cup that is not empty, but filled with the power of the Holy Spirit?
PRAY:
God, thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit and the way He empowers me to lead a life that is submitted to Your will! Help me to surrender my distractions, fears, and past mistakes to You and to remember that I am a new creation in Christ Jesus. When my cup begins to feel empty, remind me that I am filled with the Holy Spirit and that this gift will never run dry. Help me to be aligned with the purpose that You have determined for my life and to be Your hands and feet as I live out each day. I surrender this day to You completely!
When I picture an empty cup, I see an image of something that isn't yet fulfilling the purpose for which it was created. It might look like a great cup on the outside, but until it is filled, it is pretty much useless. The Holy Spirit has been using this image of an empty cup to remind me of some truths, and I hope He will speak to you through them too.
READ:
Romans 12:1
"And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him."
Isaiah 64:8
"And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand."
One of the best ways that we, as believers, can worship God is by showing up as empty vessels for Him. We are called to leave behind our shame, cast our anxiety on Him, and surrender our will to His will. When we allow the Lord to direct our steps and mold our choices, we become refined, sanctified, and prepared to serve His purposes rather than our own.
What area(s) of your life are you struggling to surrender fully to Jesus?
READ:
John 14:16-17
"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it isn’t looking for Him and doesn’t recognize Him. But you know Him, because He lives with you now and later will be in you.
When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, God gives us the gift of a helper to teach us and remind us daily of the purpose He has called us to and the gifts He's given us to glorify Him.
Do you sense the voice of the Holy Spirit calling you toward repentance, action, or faith in a specific area? If you do not, you have the opportunity to pray and be refilled with this gift of His Spirit now!
READ:
Galatians 5:22-23
"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!"
Acts 1:8
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Imagine the best version of yourself, one who is completely surrendered and locked-in to the voice of the Holy Spirit. How might this person engage with their spouse, their children, at work, or in ministry? What might it look like to pour from a cup that is not empty, but filled with the power of the Holy Spirit?
PRAY:
God, thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit and the way He empowers me to lead a life that is submitted to Your will! Help me to surrender my distractions, fears, and past mistakes to You and to remember that I am a new creation in Christ Jesus. When my cup begins to feel empty, remind me that I am filled with the Holy Spirit and that this gift will never run dry. Help me to be aligned with the purpose that You have determined for my life and to be Your hands and feet as I live out each day. I surrender this day to You completely!
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