A Day-by-day devotional

March 17, 2023

Greater

Chronological One Year Bible Reading Plan: Deuteronomy 23-27

Scripture of the Day: 1 John 4: 1-6

I have a bosom friend who is like a sister to me. One time, she and her husband passed by the supermarket and they saw outside some lettuce at special. They’re on sale. If you buy one, you get another one. In most of western Europe, however, there are no baggers nor free bags at the cashier when you pay for your purchase. Long story short, the husband had to carry two heads of lettuce, one on each hand.

Buy one take one offers are not uncommon. It is a package deal. In Christianity, if you acknowledged Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you also receive the Holy Spirit as your lifetime companion. It is the Holy Spirit who guides and directs us in our journey with Jesus. You cannot accept and receive Christ as Lord over your life without accepting and receiving the Holy Spirit too. That goes hand in hand. You cannot choose one but not the other.

When you decide to follow Jesus, it would be impossible to follow Him without someone leading you every step of the way. You would all the time encounter traps set by the enemy in order to lure you away from the truth and light. The Holy Spirit, however, leads you into all truth so that you would not get entangled in Satan’s pitfall (John 16:13). It is only when we are led by Him that we are considered children of God (Romans 8:14-17).

The Holy Spirit, however, is a gift from the Father, in the same way that Jesus is. If you would rather not receive this gift, it would not be forced upon you. It is your free decision whether you allow the Holy Spirit to direct your life or not. But once you do, even though the enemy sets plenty of traps before you, you have the power to overcome them. This is because the Holy Spirit, whom you allowed to live in you, is greater than he whose main mission is to take you away from the Father (1 John 4:4).

Reflection: Are you feeling weak and trapped in a cycle of sin? Remember who it is that lives in you! Ask for His help and guidance. Surely, He would lead you where you ought to go.

For more reflection, read this poem: https://ellainericiel.com/2023/03/17/your-habitation/

Prayer: Holy Spirit, come into my heart. Guide and direct my steps as I journey through this life. Lead me into truth. Amen.