My Faith Votes | Life to the Full

Weekly Devotional

Life to the Full

This week's focus: Spirit-Filled

While visiting Florida, I drove over a bridge that connects Pensacola to the Gulf Shores. Before I began my journey over the bay, I noticed a road sign that prominently displayed the following notice: Check Fuel, Long Bridge Ahead. With no place for a car to pull over, not paying attention to the warning would negatively affect every commuter on the road. The fact that the sign exists indicates the need for the reminder!

I’ve never run out of gas on a bridge, but I attempted the “how far can I drive on empty” game during my broke college years. The answer? Not very far. The result? Stranded on the side of a road, wishing I had made better life choices. However, as frustrated as I was, I never blamed my car. I understood it was powerless without fuel—no matter the reason. If I ignored the needle hanging out below empty, the fault was fully mine for not heeding the warning.

Like vehicles, we, too, need fuel to function both physically and spiritually. We enter dangerous territory when we find ourselves “running on empty” because we become easy targets for the enemy. Satan loves to take advantage of us when we are weak—even the Son of God wasn’t exempt from his sinister schemes and timing:

“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He became hungry. And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread” (Luke 4:1-2).

Satan’s purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy, which means he never has our best interests in mind. Knowing this, our Savior didn’t give in but fought the temptations with the sword of the Spirit when He replied, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone’” (Luke 4:4).

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, fought the enemy with the truth of scripture, using the exact words available to us today. Jesus modeled that Satan is no match for Spirit-filled believers who’ve hidden God’s word in their hearts. The Bible goes on to say, “When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left Him until an opportune time” (Luke 4:13).

This world provides many “opportune times” for temptation, so we must fill our minds with scripture to keep our swords sharp. If we disregard His warnings, we will find ourselves empty, defeated, and stuck—negatively affecting ourselves and all those around us. When our spiritual tanks are empty, we are powerless, but through Jesus, we are more than conquerors.

The road of life is rarely problem-free, so we must put our trust in Jesus, who gives us life to the full. With Him in the driver’s seat, we can be confident that we have enough fuel for the “long bridge ahead.”

by: Jennifer McAlister, Communications, My Faith Votes

John 10:10

...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Prayer Points:

Pray: Heavenly Father, Thank you for the gift of Your Holy Spirit who fills, empowers, leads, and guides us. We praise You, Jesus, for being the bridge that makes our Heavenly destination possible. We love you Lord, Amen.

Think: The acronym H.A.L.T. brings attention to four areas where we need to check ourselves before we react or make decisions. We are vulnerable when we are Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. Understanding this, we should always HALT before we react.

Act: The enemy wants to take us on the wrong road by persuading us to pledge our allegiance to the identities the world deems acceptable and good. It’s important that we, as Christians, make a personal pledge to honor God in every area of our life, no matter the cost. Will you make that pledge today? Use 1 Peter 3:13-17 as a basis.

We want to see God honored in America, and we pray for an unprecedented spiritual awakening.
This devotion was produced in partnership with Every Home for Christ.
This ministry is made possible by the generous support of friends like you.


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