Page 5 - Living Light 89 sample

Wednesday May 28 - The call to follow
“Come, follow me” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
Mark 1:17
“Come, follow me!” I can remember that invitation as if it were yesterday, though in reality it was 51 years ago. I had no idea where Jesus would take me, but I knew I had to come to him; it was to the echoes of Charlotte Elliott’s great hymn, ‘Just as I am, without one plea... O Lamb of God, I come! I come!’
Jesus continues to call men, women, boys and girls to himself with the same intent, namely to change direction and change life-purpose. Yes, Peter would from time to time return to fishing, but now he had a higher calling – one given by Jesus, wonderfully fulfilled on the day of Pentecost (see Acts 2) when he cast his new net, the good news of Jesus, and 3000 souls were born anew into the Kingdom of God.
Peter’s call was more than just to come, but also to follow. In a modern context, he was being invited to be Jesus’ apprentice. It did not happen overnight, but by learning as he followed. Jesus’ invitation still stands: ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened... Take my yoke upon you and learn from me...” (Matthew 11:28-29). Let’s take a moment to consider our response; if we’ve stopped following, we’ve stopped learning. Today, let’s all choose to be the Master’s apprentice.
Father, teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name (Psalm 86:11). Amen.
Thursday May 29 - The presence of evil spirits
“What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth?...I know who you are – the
Holy One of God!” Mark 1:24
It is a measure of the success of Satan’s strategy that many people today consider Satan as either insignificant or non-existent. Yet already in this, the first chapter of Mark, we find the devil tempting Jesus, working in people through in-dwelling evil spirits, and such spirits being driven out by Jesus (Mark 1:34). Unlike the populace, these spirits knew about Jesus and his mission.
Satan is a constant adversary; throughout the Bible we see him seeking to thwart and undermine the purposes of God. I believe evil spirits are fallen angels, cast out of heaven along with Lucifer (Isaiah 14:11-15). They need bodies through which they can operate, but have no free right of entry. Their means of entry is to gain a toehold through besetting sin or involvement in demonic activity.
This is a huge issue, too big to address in a daily devotional but far too important to ignore. We should not fear, but resist (James 4:7), put on the full armour of God (Ephesians 6:10-18), pray and fast (Matthew 17:21) and take authority (Mark 16:17) – always remembering that ‘You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them (evil spirits), because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world’ (1 John 4:4). If you have concerns about this, please seek wise, balanced, godly counsel.
Father, thank you that we are called to be the temple of the Holy Spirit; please fill us with your glory and give us discernment to recognise falsehood. Amen.
3
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY