Based on “Under His Influence – Emptied and Filled”
by Pastor Mark Balmer;
8/29-30/09, Message #MB387;
Daily Devotional #6 - “Take a Look Around”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:31, NLT)
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): Stop and take a look around today.
When you are at work, home, in a store, or at a restaurant, take a look at the faces of people. As Pastor Mark reminded us, every single person is going to spend eternity in one of two places: heaven or hell. It is as simple as that.
And it is God’s desire that every single person spend eternity with Him!
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
We live in a broken world where so many people are sadly lost and don’t live with the love of God inside of them. Many are walking around lost in the darkness of our world with no true meaning or peace, desperately searching for answers. As Christ followers, we are called to be a light for God, evident by the way we live on a daily basis.
We are to stand out, apart from the rest of the world, so when people look at us they see a difference – a supernatural difference. And more importantly, when they notice that we are different, we pray that they will desire what we have, which is God Himself, living inside of us—a free gift that He wants to give to every single person. He desires for every person to spend eternity with Him. As the body of Christ, we have no time to waste.
It is so easy to become complacent and to focus on ourselves instead of focusing on Jesus, as we are called to do. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2) It is time for us to take a stand and live a Spirit Filled life for God!
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): So what should we do?
First and foremost, before anything else, we must always remember to empty ourselves of us.
God cannot fill us if we are already filled. So spend time journaling, reading God’s Word and asking God to help you become empty of self. Pray to Him, talk with Him, and allow Him to help you. Completely surrender your life to Him. He wants to work in you and through you, but you have to be willing to let go and allow Him to accomplish His will in your life. Challenge yourself to do this on a daily basis. Constantly empty yourself of you, so God can fill you with the Holy Spirit. Do it today!
Cultivating (Additional Reading): Acts 1:12-14; Job 33:4; Psalm 143:10; Ezekiel 2:2
lh
