2021 Daily Devotion - Day 364

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D.L. Moody was an American evangelist in the late 1800’s. Once, a committee of ministers in a certain city was discussing the possibility of having D. L. Moody serve as the evangelist during a city-wide evangelistic campaign. Finally, one young minister who did not want to invite Moody stood up and said, “Why Moody? Does he have a monopoly of the Holy Spirit?” There was silence. Then an old, godly minister spoke up, “No, he does not have a monopoly of the Holy Spirit; but the Holy Spirit has a monopoly of D. L. Moody.”

Does the Holy Spirit have a monopoly on our lives?

This is the mission of our Lenten season. When God calls us, through the Church, to serve or go deeper in some way, we often say “no”. How about in this period of preparation for Holy Week and Easter, we turn our “noes” into “yeses”. This is a great deal of what Moody did, and we can do it too. What can you say “yes” to? Write it down right now, and then start to carry it out.

Galatians 5:24-25 NRSV
And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.

Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, through Your Church, You are calling us to go deeper in Your Word and fellowship. Through Your Church, You are asking us to commit ourselves to greater service. Too many times we so easily said “no” to You. Help us to turn our “noes” into “yeses” and find the Holy Spirit has a “monopoly on us”. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Yours because of Him,
Pastor John R. Steward
Senior Pastor
Mount of Olives Church
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