Daily Scripture Reading:
1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.
Psalm 37:23-24 – “Our steps are made firm by the Lord, when he delights in our way; though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand.”
“Danger, Will Robinson” or “Danger, Trish Archer”!
Maybe a robot like the one in the 1960’s TV show, Lost in Space, is what everyone needs when there is impending harm. Maybe a blaring alarm if we are getting too close to a minefield. It’s not a bad idea, but actually we have a warning system. It operates more like “Holy Spirit flares” – those warning lights that say “Stop!” “Turn around!” “You’re too close to temptation!”
My guess is that everyone has experienced a Holy Spirit flare. The challenge is to see the flare and move no closer. It could be something simple like not ordering dessert if you’re on a diet. The flare is shining brightly, illumining the scales for the next weigh-in.
It could be something like a quick glance at a website or a movie that has the potential to lead you down a dark path. The Holy Spirit flare shines brightly and reminds you that God can deliver you from temptation.
The Holy Spirit helps us keep a distance – a margin – from the temptation that is before us. We just need to pay attention to the warning lights!
Prayer: Gracious God, thank you that Your Holy Spirit is always with me. Help me, Lord, to see the warning lights that show the approaching danger of temptation. Help me respond to the warning and turn to you for strength. In Christ’s name I pray, Amen.
Reflection Question and/or Application for the Day:
Think about the temptations that most often come your way. What do you do when you are tempted?
If you give in, what can you do differently today to escape that temptation?
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Devotion from Building Margin for a Balanced Life, devotional book, small group study and sermon series
©Tim Reaves and Trish Archer
All rights reserved
Photo by Jon Strother
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