Thursday, April 27
Ephesians 5:18-21 – Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Drunkenness is like a wedge; like any sin it divides us and destroys. The devil uses drunkenness to ruin our relationship with God. The enemy wants to keep our relationship with God stagnant and/or non-existent (so that we don’t see God and what He is doing). Drunkenness also leads to the deterioration of other aspects of our lives (for example, relationships within our families). Drunkenness leads us into selfishly making other sinfully destructive choices, which create shame and affect many other aspects of life (e.g. self-worth). All sin distracts our heart from seeking our only true Treasure.
The Holy Spirit on the other hand is a restorer. God uses the Holy Spirit to restore our very soul. The Holy Spirit can restore, comfort, strengthen, and guide us (just to name a few). Our response of praise often looks different from one person to the next–though each one of us is called to worship Him. We are called to worship our Saviour with thankful hearts; He encourages us to praise Him with our voices in song, through prayer and meditation, and by loving acts of [sometimes anonymous] giving and serving. God has given us reason (and ability!) to praise Him joyfully at all times; even when we are going through a life-struggle. The Holy Spirit brings us closer to Christ… hallelujah!
Prayer Topic:
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas of your life that may be out of balance and/or distracting you from Him. Ask God for help and direction. Next, thank Him for the amazing things He has done, is doing, and is going to do in your life. Take time to praise Him. Celebrate your relationship with the risen Jesus!
Peggy Duclon