A Devotion for the first week of Lent
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. (Luke 4:1)
Temptation-we see and feel it around us all the time. We feel it tempting us to cheat on a math test; we feel it tempting us to eat a second piece of cake, we feel it tempting us to be dishonest with a friend. Sometimes, we cannot make it 40 minutes without temptation tapping at our soul. Yet, Jesus made it 40 days. The first six words of scripture represent the difference between Jesus’ success and ours. He was FULL of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, our spiritual counselor.
What are we doing to fill ourselves with the Holy Spirit? Are we reading His word daily? Building our relationship with the Lord through prayer? Sitting quietly, listening for the Spirit’s counseling?
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Abba, Mighty Counselor, we pray that you help us prioritize our time to include daily scripture reading, to find two minutes to sit quietly to listen for what you want us to hear, to give us strength to obey the nudges to follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Help us to fill ourselves with the Holy Spirit to turn away from temptation. Amen!
Written by Sally Williams