THE GROWING-PLACE
Mark 4:21-34
Where Jesus’ touch is allowed full sway we shall grow. Little by little, day by day, pushing off the old, pushing out the new, becoming more and better: more victory in temptation, more purity in life, more patience with others, more knowledge of his will through the Book, more getting things done through prayer, more winsomeness in winning. But we’ll not be continually measuring how much—sometimes; we’ll just be staying in the sunlight and dew of Jesus’ presence.
KEEP THE ENEMY CLEAN OUT
Proverbs 23:29-35
There’s only one safe thing to do with alcoholics of every grade and kind: treat them as you would a poisonous snake. You never know when they’ll bite. Never take the first drink, or if you have, never take the next one. Drinking is like giving the front-door key to a burglar. Everything inside is in danger when the first glass is taken; nothing is quite safe —brain, tongue, heart, purity, character, loved ones, property.
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Think about these questions as you meditate on the verse. What does this verse teach me? How does this verse apply to my Life?
KEEP ON TOP
Ephesians 5:11-21
Evil insists on pushing its way in. Sometimes it’s very subtle and snaky. There are three things you can do: Yield to it; that’s bad. Play with it; don’t say no to it, but don’t oppose it; that’s bad, too, but very common. The only right thing is to be aggressively good and Jesus-like, in a tactful way; then you’ll overcome it. Be not overcome of evil, nor play with it, but overcome it.
DON’T GET DIZZY
Luke 21:29-36
To be drunk means you’ve taken so much of something that you’ve lost control. You may get drink-drunk, food-drunk, pleasure- drunk, or anxiety-drunk. The word rendered “surfeiting” really means to get dizzy. The only safe rule on liquor is total abstinence; and on other things this: don’t get dizzy; never lose control of heart, or head, or tongue, or hand. Live each day so you’ll be glad to see Jesus whenever he comes back.
WHO’S IN THE LEAD?
Galatians 5:16-24
There are two leaders. Everyone is walking behind one or the other. The evil leader covers up so we shan’t suspect whom we’re walking behind. But the things he leads you to do are a sure telltale mark—selfish, passionate, sinful things. The other leader is as open as the things he leads you to do are good. An unselfish love welling up inside controls heart, and tongue, and head. Today’s life tells whom you are walking behind.
