BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND BE LED BY HIM

SCRIPTURE:

“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them, he was hungry.  3 The devil told him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”  4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.”  5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.  6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.”  8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.”  9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully;  11 they will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” 12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”  13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.”  (Luke 4:1—13 NIV)

OBSERVATION:

            At the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry, he went through a tempting time by the devil.  Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit before the Spirit led him into the wilderness.  He was there for forty days and was tempted by the devil.  In the course of this New Year, there will be many opportunities for the devil to be tempting my life.  The devil does not test us but tempts us.  To test someone is to improve or strengthen that person for a greater purpose.  But to tempt someone, one is to entice or attempt to entice someone to acquire something that they find attractive. 

            God tests my resolve to stay true to the truth, but the devil entices me to do the opposite of God’s purpose.  Thus, anytime that we are called to do something for God, we will be proven and approved by God and, at the same time, enticed by the devil.  This year, as I prepare to tackle the challenges ahead of me, I am reminded of these truths that will help me overcome and breakthrough this year. 

• I must be Filled with the Holy Spirit…I desire this year to be continuously filled with the Holy Spirit in every aspect of my walk with Jesus.
• I must be willing to be Led by the Spirit…To be led by the Spirit is not only to places that are still but to places that are filled with challenges and difficulties.  It is not the challenge that I must fear, but not walking in the direction the Holy Spirit desires to lead me is. 
• I must fill my appetite with the Word of God and not earthly and worldly desires.  I want to be able to increase my love for the word of God.
• I must Worship no other power but hunger and worship God, who gives power to live life. 
• I must avoid testing God’s word in my life.  I seek to walk with Jesus in such a way that I trust God’s word and not testing his word. 

While the Holy Spirit is leading my life this year, I must not be ignorant that the devil seeks to lead me against the leading of the Holy Spirit.  I must not put the Lord my God to a test.  I must trust him at all times.  I must not be ignorant of the wiles of the devil.  The devil may not be active at times with his temptation, but he will be back at an opportune time to try to lead me astray.  Life is a spiritual warfare daily. 

APPLICATION:

            My desire this year is to be led by the Holy Spirit more as I serve Jesus.  I want to have a daily awareness of the tactics of the devil.  He does not rest.  He may not tempt me with the same thing, but he tempts me daily with other things.  My prayer this year is that Jesus may increase and I may decrease.  Furthermore, I want to continue to have the Holy Spirit lead and guide me as well as to fill me with his presence daily. 

PRAYER:

            Holy Spirit, I ask that today, you fill me afresh with your power and might.  Please help me to walk in a holy manner worthy of the calling that you have placed on my life.  I ask that you continue to teach me the fear of you.  Please help me to be led by you in everything that I do.  I ask that 2024 will continue to be filled with an awesome sense of your power and leadership in my life.  In Jesus name, Amen!