Fri.'s Devo - Cause Us to Remember

Read Ro. 1:8-15
Paul is writing this prayer probably from Greece to the Church in Rome. He is hoping to visit Rome on his way to Spain. What a testimony of these believer's faith that they had been spoken about throughout the whole world. During this time the Christians in Rome had grown to such great numbers that the emperor Claudius had them expelled from Rome which means the church had to go underground. The Church always does its greatest growing under persecution.
I think it is noteworthy that Paul said he serves Jesus with his spirit. That is the only way to serve God and not get burned out. When you serve him with your spirit it takes the "work" out of it and puts the "joy" in it. Paul is wanting to come to impart some spiritual gift. I wonder what that gift. Hopefully we'll figure it out later in the chapter. All it tells us is that it will establish them or set their resolve firm on Christ. He seems to feel that being with them will help both of them in their faith. That is what hearing someone's testimony does. It strengthens the one who tells it and it strengthens the hearer. The other night I had a few of my Jr. High girls to give me their testimony. I couldn't get over how it changed the whole mood of the room. Just remembering that time caused them to be strengthened. I guess that is why God was always telling his people to put stones in piles to remember what God had done.
Paul lived to see people come to the knowledge of Jesus and accept him as Savior. He feels indebted to see this happen for the Greeks and the Barbarians. The Greeks were the non Jews that were educated and the Barbarians were anyone who wasn't Jewish or Greek. Since the Barbarian lived away from Rome which was the center of education, the further you got from Rome the more Barbarian you were considered. So Spain had to be full of Barbarians. Paul himself was very well educated but felt an obligation to minister to all types of people. But right now he is ready to preach in Rome.
Lord, bring us back to our first love when we first believed in you. May our testimony never get old or taken for granted. Cause us to remember all you have done for us.