Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Thursday, July 23, 2015

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."¹

For any readers who have happened to visit Southern California during the New Year, you would probably be aware of and may have seen the incredible New Year's Day Rose Parade in Pasadena. Millions around the world have also seen the parade via TV.

An amusing thing happened in one year's parade when one beautifully decorated float suddenly came to a stand-still. It ran out of fuel! The irony was that this float was entered by and represented the Standard Oil Company—one of the largest fuel companies of North America. With all their vast oil and gasoline resources they failed to make sure their own vehicle was running on full.

I wonder how often do we—with all the vast resources of God and heaven at our disposal—try to run on an empty love, joy and peace tank when, if we truly trusted God and followed his instructions for getting these needs met, would be certain to keep topped up? And how often do we try to run on an empty spiritual tank by neglecting to spend time with the Lord in worship, praise and daily devotions?

Let us make sure each day that we live in harmony with God's will and his ways so we keep "topped up" and have our love, joy and peace tank filled and running over!

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to be faithful all year in spending time with You every day in worship, praise, Your Word, and prayer; and walk in obedience to make certain I am filled with Your Spirit and have my life "topped up" and overflowing with Your love, joy and peace, and thereby spread Your Son-shine wherever I go. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

1. John 15:5 (NIV).

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