Daily Devotional - Transition to Power - WK23 - 06/06/24 - Day 137 - “God’s power"

Author: Elder Laron Sheppard

Author: Elder Larond Sheppard

Ephesians 5:18
"And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit"

Devotion:
In this passage of scripture, we don't know a more important verse in the New Testament for the believer than Ephesians 5:18-honest, no exaggeration. This verse tells the believer how to live an authentic, empower life: "And do not get drunk with wine, all your life which the unbeliever makes seem so important; "I got to get my drink on", for this is dissipation, but the most important thing in life is to be filled with the Holy Spirit. It begins with a negative command: "Don't get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation" (which means excess, existing hopelessly out of control). When you're drunk with alcohol, you lose control. You also lose self-respect and the respect of others. "Don't get drunk.' A positive command follows with a "But" always be more attentive to the word, "but" because it changes the phrase which was worded before usually to the opposite.

A positive command immediately follows, "but be filled with the Spirit." This is a command, not a suggestion. It's an urgent imperative, not a casual option... "be filled" is a command, which means I play a part in it. For example, I cannot be filled with the Spirit while I have unconfessed sin within me. I cannot be filled with the Spirit while at the same time conducting my life in pleasing my flesh. I cannot be filled with the Spirit while I am resisting God's will and relying only on myself. I need to be sure that I have confessed the sins that have emerged in my life, that I have not ignored the wrong that I have done before God and to others. I need to walk in conscious dependence on the Lord on a daily basis.

Many mornings I begin my day by sitting on the side of my bed, saying: "This is the day You have made Lord. I want to be at Your disposal. I have no idea what these next twenty-four hours will contain.” But before I sip my first cup of coffee, and even before I get dressed, I want You to know that from this moment on, throughout this day, I'm Yours, Lord. Help me to lean on You, to draw strength from You, and to have You fill my mind and my thoughts. Take control of my senses so that I am literally filled with Your Spirit and empowered with your Holy Ghost.

Prayer
Lord, thank You for the indwelling of Your Holy Spirit that guides me into all truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.