November 23, 2016 – 31 Days Until My Head Explodes, Or
Devotions to Prepare Us For Christ’s Coming

“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:18-20

It took me several moments looking at this ornament to figure out what it was – and then I needed to look at the picture explanation on the website where I found it – it is a harlequin reindeer. Whoever heard of such a thing? A harlequin reindeer. Where would someone ever get the idea of a harlequin reindeer? Oh well – nothing about a jolly fat man who runs a factory where elves make toys somewhere in the arctic called the North Pole and then delivers them from a sleigh driven by flying reindeer needs to make sense – so why not a sleigh driven by harlequin reindeer. Maybe if you have had too many shots of moon shine, then the harlequin reindeer might seem like a real possibility.

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

The word here translated debauchery is the Greek word that means “without any limits, with reckless abandonment”. It refers to escapism and the tendency to live without control. In this day and age, we do not have to look far to see people living their lives without control. Just turn on any of the “reality TV shows” and you can watch people who are out of control. And often, the catalyst to their behavior is alcohol or drugs. It is shameful – yet it is the reality of so many people in this country.

We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit, not with alcohol or other forms of escapism, for that is G-d’s wish – it is the reason the Spirit comes to us in this life. There is no need to feel ashamed over the sense of our need for the Holy Spirit in our lives. We were not made to be self-sufficient, independent creatures. Just because you feel like you need something to help you, to strengthen you, to make you feel adequate to face life, like the Holy Spirit – well that does not mean you are “less than” or inadequate people. We all need the Holy Spirit. We all need some spirit to lead us, guide us, and direct us in our lives. But let it be the right kind of Spirit. Be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Dave