I had a major challenge ahead
of me. I was trying to backup all of my important computer files to my external
hard drive, but it was
not big enough! How can this be! I checked the files already stored on it, and
they didn't amount to the maximum capacity of that drive!
It's then that I discovered a large amount of hidden
junk files, 45 GB of them to be exact. How had they gotten there? Why were they
hidden? That large amount of junk was preventing me from successfully backing up
the files of this ministry!
In the same way, "hidden" junk in our lives prevent us
from experiencing utter success through Jesus, the Christ.
When dealing with someone who was formally
demon-possessed, but who had
accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, why did
the evil spirits still claim he was
theirs? Was
it possibly because he still had
some junk that belonged
to them that he hadn't
yet renounced!
In dealing with an addict, why had
he not
yet experienced success?
Was
it possibly because he was
unwilling to get rid of "not-too-healthy" material, if
you know what I mean.
Keeping things related to our illegitimate activities
of the past will keep us bound to our addictions!
The Ephesians were well aware of this and they made
sure that there was no going back to their former delinquent lives: "Many of
those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds. A number who
had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly."
(Acts 19:18-19 NIV)
If we want a clean slate, we need to make sure that it
will be clean indeed. Let's get rid of all the hidden junk that is keeping us
from experiencing Jesus fully.
Be aware however, that we need more than a thorough
cleanup!
"When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes
through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will
return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and
put in order. Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than
itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is
worse than the first." (Luke 11:24-26 NIV)
If we just clean out but don't replace our junk with
the One who has all authority (See Mat 28:18), we will be worse off than ever
before! It is up to us to give God's Holy Spirit free reign in our heart:
"Instead, be filled with the Spirit." (Eph 5:18-19 NIV)
I wonder why I have a computer glitch. Hmmmm. Have I
allowed a rogue program to install itself on my computer?
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.