Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Friday, October 23, 2020

"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice."¹

Ron Ledford reports how "each year thousands of tourists journey to Mount Rushmore National Memorial that is carved above the town of Keystone in southwestern South Dakota. It is there that the images of four of the great presidents of the United States are carved in granite.

"What the average tourist does not realize is the constant work that goes on to keep this giant sculpture from deteriorating. For one week in September workers go over this magnificent piece of art removing bird nests, pulling shrubs that have grown in the crevices in the rock. But the most important task of all is filling the hundreds of natural rock fissures that crisscross the executive figures. Workmen carefully fill these cracks with a special mixture of white granite dust, linseed oil, and white lead. If these fissures were left unattended, the autumn rains and melting snow could creep into the rock and freeze, thus shattering a president's image."²

Our life is like that too. We need to constantly be on guard against all things that in time, if not put away or cleaned up, could destroy our Christian walk and testimony, and eventually lead us far from God.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me to be aware of anything in my life that is not pleasing to You and is harmful to me and my testimony for You. Let Your Spirit convict me of these things and lead me to confession and 'cleaning up my life.' Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Ephesians 4:30-31 (NIV).
2. Ron Ledford. Cited by King Duncan http://www.sermons.com/.

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