Note: This post is associated with a call to 50 days of prayer at Bethel Church of Houston in association with the Houston Church Planting Network. You can find the HCPN daily devotion by following this link: Day 4
Devotion
Yesterday we were introduced to Evan Roberts who was a catalyst in the Welsh revival in the early 1900’s. After feeling burdened by God to pray for an awakening he preached a series of sermons. His message began as a one night invitation and lasted all week.
Evan’s first word for the people was to confess their sins to God and make right broken relationships. I encourage you if you did not take that step yesterday do it today or at least send the text to set up the needed meeting.
Evan’s next exhortation according to J. Edwin Orr, “You must put away any doubtful habit out of your life.” A rather interesting way of stating his point. I am not even sure he meant sin but rather anything that might be considered unworthy of a walk with the Jesus. A habit is something that has become part of your modus operandi of life.
Here is a question: is there anything in your life that would make an unbeliever doubt the glory of your Savior Jesus? It is time to put those things away.
“But that is not the way you learned Christ!— assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
The Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:22-24
Paul lists the doubtful things to be put away such as falsehood (more comprehensive than lying), anger, stealing, corrupting talk, bitterness, and slander. I think you get the point.
What do you need to put away today. Paul’s exhortation was clear. You don’t just put these away but you replace them through the renewing of your mind. Read God’s Word. Sit under teaching this week that teaches God’s word. Interact with other believers who point you to God’s Word.
As you pray today pray that God would reveal any “doubtful habit” in your life. Turn to the cross of Christ as a reminder of your forgiveness. Then saturate your mind with the things of Christ and ask the Spirit’s power to overcome these habits so you may be a vessel of honor and useful to the master in bringing an awakening to the City of Houston.
