Topic: Now is the Time to be Fervent [Archbishop Margaret E. Benson Idahosa] Above Only Daily Devotional 27 March 2020

Ephesians 5:14-18 (NLT) For the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Beloved, the Lord wants us to remain diligent in all we do and at the same time, He wants us to be fervent in Spirit as we serve Him continually. In the New Living Translation of the Bible, Romans 12:11 says, “never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.” In the Contemporary English Version, this same verse implores us never to give up. Eagerly follow the Holy Spirit and serve the Lord. What do the words ‘enthusiastically’ and ‘eagerly’ mean to you? According to Acts 6:3, 5 & 8, the Bible describes the men that were chosen as the first deacons as men who were of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, full of faith, full of God’s power and as those who did great because these men did not become this way because they were given titles, positions or roles to play among the believers. This had always been their way of living for God.

Note that despite all these attributes, they remained faithful and submitted to the authority of the apostles. You do not first have to become a pastor or spiritual leader before you become sound and fervent in spirit. As a child of God, you are equipped to be fervent and sound in spirit. You are supposed to be growing in your faith and drawing nearer to God every single day. You are supposed to be gazing into God’s glory and becoming more like Christ every day. The times we are in are not times to be dead (lifeless) or sleeping (insensitive to God) at all. They are times for us to be strong, fervent and alert in spirit. We are in the last days and by His Spirit, the Lord wants us to discern the times and seasons we are in and know all He wants us to be and to do. The grace to grow stronger and more fervent in the Spirit is upon you.

Prayer:

I desire to know you Dear Lord and to draw nearer to you more than ever before. I want to serve you passionately and be fervent in Spirit now.

Bible in one year reading plan: Judges 7-8, Luke 5:1-16.