Today’s Scripture Reading: John 15:18-17:26
Let me just go ahead and tell you that I don’t like Halloween. I don’t like scary movies and I don’t like witches and ghosts.
I know it’s fun for the little kids to go trick or treating, but for me the whole Halloween thing just reminds me of evil.
The funny thing is that with all the attention “evil” gets during this 2nd most celebrated holiday of the year, most people don’t really believe evil exists.
Most people don’t really believe there’s a spirit world fighting for us.
In today’s reading Jesus was praying to His Father for his disciples and for you and me (John 17:20).
He had several prayer requests:
- Protect them by the power of Your Name (John 17:11)
- Keep them safe from the evil one (John 17:15)
- Make them holy by Your truth and teach them Your word (John 17:17)
- That they will all be one, just as You and I are one (John 17:21)
- May they be in us so that the world will believe You sent me (John 17:21)
- May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that You sent Me and that You love them as much as you love Me (John 17:22)
- May these You have given Me be with Me where I am (John 17:24)
Friends, Jesus wants us to know…
- That the evil side of the spirit world is a real danger
- That Satan is real and there’s a battle going on for our souls
- About the power His Name has over evil
- His Word, because that’s what He used to overcome the evil one when He was on this earth (Matthew 4:1-11) and that’s what we use as well
- About the importance unity plays is drawing others to Him
- That we will be with Him one day
Enjoy the candy, enjoy the family time, and make some memories, but take a minute and thank God that He made a way for us to live a victorious life; He made a way for us to overcome the evil one!
Heavenly Father, thank You for praying for us. Thank You for making a way of escape from all things evil. Teach us how to walk in Your Spirit today!
In Jesus’ Name. Amen and Amen!
© 2012 Dianne Guthmuller
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: John 18:1-2; Mark 14:32-42; Matthew 26:36-46; Luke 22:39-46; Mark 14:43-52; Matthew 26:47-56; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:3-24
