DEVOTIONS

Monday, October 3 – “After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.  The Twelve were with him,” (Luke 8:1) It all started with Jesus showing the disciples who to be.  In Luke chapter 9, Jesus will send out the disciples on their first internship.  But, he shows them who to be, before he requires them to go out and be it themselves.  You might not always believe this, but God will always prepare you for whatever ministry into which you are sent.  This is the process that is a part of your success.   

Tuesday, October 4 – “All the people were amazed and said to each other, ‘What words these are!  With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!’” (Luke 4:36) Jesus was God incarnate.  God in human form.  So, he was fully human, but he was also fully God.  Thus, in the presence of Jesus one was in the presence of the “authority and power” of God.  Amazement was an appropriate response.  Hold onto your seat.  As a follower of Jesus, you are indwelled by the Holy Spirit.  God is living in you.  You aren’t Jesus, but you sure do have the “authority and power” of God in your life.

Wednesday, October 5 – “Is anyone among you sick?  Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.” (James 5:14) James was Jesus’ brother and a leader of the Jerusalem church.  James didn’t believe in Jesus until after the resurrection.  How then do you think that James was able to give this counsel?  James was able to give this counsel because he saw it work with his own eyes.  As a follower of Jesus, you are a healer, a demon possession exerciser and a disease curer.  Not because you are that great.  But because the Holy Spirit is that great within you.  

Thursday, October 6 – “Only let us live up to what we have already attained.” (Philippians 3:16) Are you living up to your potential?  Some of you are experiencing PTSD.  Thoughts of a parent, a coach or a teacher are swirling around your head right now.  Yet, Paul’s prayer for the Philippian church is just that – May they live up to their potential.  The Greek word “zoe” means a higher life.  A life that is living up to it’s potential.  That’s God’s goal for you.  God has given you everything that you need to be the best you that you can be.  All you need to do now is go out and live into all you “have already attained”. 

Friday, October 7 – “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.” (Matthew 10:14) The only thing that you can control in this life is yourself.  You can’t control the weather, the economy or other people.  You aren’t responsible for other people’s decisions.  You’re only responsible for yourself. Yes, share yourself with others. Yes, share what you have learned.  Yes, share the truth that you know.  But, in the end, what someone decides to do with you, what you have learned and the truth that you are sharing, isn’t your problem.   

Saturday, October 8 – “They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.” (Mark 6:13) This verse refers to the disciples driving out many demons and healing many sick people, in the name of Jesus.  Are you sitting down?  You can do the exact same thing (and even more), in the name of Jesus!  “I don’t believe it” you say?  Well, that’s exactly the reason why you don’t experience it.  Your faith is essential.  You will never experience something into which you don’t believe.  Through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, you have the power and the possibility.  Are you willing to take the risk to believe it?