Mark Devotions
[Please do read the passage before (or after) reading the devotion.]
Reminder: There will be NO daily devotion tomorrow, Sunday. Hopefully most of you will be in a House of Worship listening to God yourselves. Go prepared with open hearts, though!
It must take a very cynical mind to imagine that spiritual (or religious) authority is used only by evil persons for evil purposes. Because that was what Jesus was being accused of, by the religious leaders of his time. And we must be careful not to fall into the same trap whether it is Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, or any other religion. According to Jesus, real spiritual authority comes only from God through the Holy Spirit; and it was to overcome evil, which was what Jesus was doing. Resistance to such authority was really resisting God. And when we intentionally resist God, even God cannot/will not change that, because He has chosen to limit Himself in His love. He does this so that we creatures have the freedom to either choose Him…or reject Him.
Prayer: Gracious God, forgive me for so easily judging and condemning others either for their convictions or religious stance, because I think they are resisting You. But have I been resisting You as well by my plans, activities, thoughts, that intentionally (or UN-intentionally) exclude you? Lord Jesus, I realize that I live in a world of evil, and the only way I can do my part in resisting evil is to choose to surrender to You. Come Holy Spirit and fill my life with spiritual authority to overcome every kind of evil that surfaces at home, work, play, anywhere! Amen.
