Wednesday Devo

Read Luke 11:23-28. This passage makes us re-examine Luke 8:26-39. Jesus sent the demons into the pigs - perhaps because he knew they would go somewhere and he was saving the people from the town? Perhaps not - but the point is quite clear here. When God saves us and cleanses from evil - we need to let him fill us. Ephesians 5:18 says, "do not get drunk but be filled with the Holy Spirit." Seems like a strange verse out of context - but the fact is - if we don't let the spirit fill us - something will.

Read Colossians 3:5-12. Notice there are many "don'ts" but Paul ends with instruction on what to do. Clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. We must realize that God is not just interested in a good defense. Actually the best defense is a good offense! We overcome our sin when we replace it with righteousness. We overcome jealously by celebrating other's success. We overcome anger by replacing it with forgiveness. We overcome greed by generously giving away.

I've said this before - but its appropriate here. The moment I feel jealousy coming on - I start celebrating what God is doing in and through another person. The filling of celebration - eliminates the foothold of jealousy.

questions

1) when have you fallen into temptation simply because you were not busy doing righteousness? (idle mind is the devils workshop!)

2) how does the devil use fallen Christians for his purpose more than non-Christians at times?

3) Think of a struggle you have been having - a habit, temptation etc. What is something you can do to replace that struggle? The last paragraph gives some examples.

prayer

Lord - fill us with your spirit. Let us yield deeper - love more and follow closer. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than we could ask or think - according to his power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever Amen.