The Devotion
Turning Point
POWER UP: Use Divine Power to Conquer Sin
APRIL 27, 2024
And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.
Romans 8:2, NLT
Recommended Reading: Romans 8:1-8
Jeremiah described our hearts as “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9). We’ve all experienced the guilt and shame of passions we couldn’t control, addictions we couldn’t break, sins we couldn’t resist. Some of these are sins of commission—things we do; some are sins of omission—things we should do but haven’t; some are sins of disposition—attitudes that need correcting.
We can never have victory without the spiritual power of the Holy Spirit within us. We can’t resist temptation in our own strength. We need the Lord Jesus within us by His Spirit. Yes, it requires constant effort on our part. We can never give up or give in. The Bible likens us to soldiers who continue fighting. But we can ask the Lord to strengthen us through His Spirit within.
Don’t keep yielding to the same sins over and over. Yield yourself to God, and ask for the Spirit’s power to set you free from the power of sin.
All indwelling sin can be stripped of its dominion through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
David Wilkerson
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Max Lucado
Take Hypocrisy Seriously
April 26, 2024
Hypocrisy turns people against God, so God has a no-tolerance policy. Let’s take hypocrisy as seriously as God does. Expect no credit for good deeds. Give financial gifts in secret. Don’t fake spirituality. When you go to church, don’t select a seat just to be seen or sing just to be heard. And if you raise your hands in worship, raise holy ones, not showy ones.
Bottom line: don’t make a theater production out of your faith. Slay the desire to be noticed. Stir the desire to serve God. Heed the counsel of Christ: “First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too” (Matthew 23:26 NLT). Do good things. Just don’t do them to be noticed. You can be too good for your own good, you know.
Turning Point
POWER UP: Use Divine Power to Conquer Sin
APRIL 27, 2024
And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.
Romans 8:2, NLT
Recommended Reading: Romans 8:1-8
Jeremiah described our hearts as “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9). We’ve all experienced the guilt and shame of passions we couldn’t control, addictions we couldn’t break, sins we couldn’t resist. Some of these are sins of commission—things we do; some are sins of omission—things we should do but haven’t; some are sins of disposition—attitudes that need correcting.
We can never have victory without the spiritual power of the Holy Spirit within us. We can’t resist temptation in our own strength. We need the Lord Jesus within us by His Spirit. Yes, it requires constant effort on our part. We can never give up or give in. The Bible likens us to soldiers who continue fighting. But we can ask the Lord to strengthen us through His Spirit within.
Don’t keep yielding to the same sins over and over. Yield yourself to God, and ask for the Spirit’s power to set you free from the power of sin.
All indwelling sin can be stripped of its dominion through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
David Wilkerson
————————————————————————-
Max Lucado
Take Hypocrisy Seriously
April 26, 2024
Hypocrisy turns people against God, so God has a no-tolerance policy. Let’s take hypocrisy as seriously as God does. Expect no credit for good deeds. Give financial gifts in secret. Don’t fake spirituality. When you go to church, don’t select a seat just to be seen or sing just to be heard. And if you raise your hands in worship, raise holy ones, not showy ones.
Bottom line: don’t make a theater production out of your faith. Slay the desire to be noticed. Stir the desire to serve God. Heed the counsel of Christ: “First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too” (Matthew 23:26 NLT). Do good things. Just don’t do them to be noticed. You can be too good for your own good, you know.