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SPIRIT-FILLED LIVING

In his book, Confronting Jezebel, Steve Sampson writes about a lesson he learned watching the family cat. Steve writes, “One afternoon, as I was sitting on our deck, my attention was drawn to our cat. As always, it would spend time in the back of the house, stalking birds. I watched the little sparrow run ahead a few feet as our large, gray cat stalked it. Suddenly, just when the cat was ready to pounce, the bird seemed to receive a revelation. The bird realized it had two dimensions. It not only could walk, but also could fly. Instantly it took off, leaving the earthbound realm, where the cat was destined to stay. As it gracefully and confidently flew away, it seemed to be saying, ‘See you later, Mr. Cat.’”

Steve says believers also live in a higher dimension. We have to decide whether we will live in a completely earthbound realm, where we are stalked and potentially defeated by the enemy, or if we will live in a higher reality. God has made the realm of living by the power of His Holy Spirit available to all believers, though few ever seem to take advantage of His provision.

—Steve Sampson, Confronting Jezebel Discerning and Defeating the Spirit of Control, 2003 Chosen Books. Pg 132. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Ephesians 5:18 NIV “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”

For more information on Confronting Jezebel, go to http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0800793455/fm082-20
 

SPIRIT LIVING

Jeff Reardon, one of the top relief pitchers in baseball history, was recently arrested and charged with robbing a jewelry store. Reardon who played for the Montreal Expos, Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox allegedly walked into a Florida jewelry store and handed an employee a note stating he had a gun and the store was being robbed. Reardon fled the store with an undisclosed amount of cash, but was arrested shortly afterward at a nearby restaurant.

Police said Reardon did not have a gun and offered no resistance. He was later released on $5,000 bond. A police spokesman said Reardon said he was sorry, and blamed his actions on medication he is taking. Reardon's attorney Mitchell Beers said Reardon was deeply impacted by the death of his son in 2004, which was "very difficult for him and his family." Reardon made over $11 million in his career and was not having financial problems. Beers added, "This bizarre incident is completely uncharacteristic of Jeff Reardon."

—Associated Press, Baseball's Reardon charged with robbing jeweler, December 27, 2005. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Romans 8:12-13 (NLT) "Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. [13] For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live."

SPIRIT FILLED

The Red Cross has medical treatment facilities at Oktoberfest, one of Germany’s biggest celebrations that treat up to 10,000 people every year. “About 800 celebrants become what Germans call Bierleichen—‘beer corpses,’ or people who drink so much they fall unconscious.” -- Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

The Week, October 3, 2014 p. 16.

Ephesians 5:18 (HCSB) And don’t get drunk with wine, which ?leads to? reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit: