Romans 13:13
Our lives exhibit the kind of conduct consistent with the day, in contrast to the parade of the night of intoxicated licentiousness and lust, with all the quarrels and jealousy it ignites. (Mirror Bible)

Are you living the day life or the night life?

Ever been to Mardi Gras? Depending on where you are celebrating, there are continual days and nights of parties and celebrations. There are floats and parades. During the day, families with children take part in the celebrations and have fun. At night, the riotous activities begin, eating and drinking in excess, nudity, reckless behavior, etc. Half or fully drunken men and women fill the streets. They have thrown caution to the wind. Everyone is invited to indulge in the revelry. Satan is still sending out the invitation.

James 1:13-14 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God” [for temptation does not originate from God, but from our own flaws]; for God cannot be tempted by [what is] evil, and He Himself tempts no one. 14 But each one is tempted when he is dragged away, enticed and baited [to commit sin] by his own [worldly] desire (lust, passion). (Amplified Bible AMP)

In the devotional on September 10, you explored night from the perspective of understanding the time you should spend with the Lord preparing yourself to be watched. Today you want to go deeper into your understanding of night life. You can compare the night life to taking a vacation. When people take vacations,  they get away from their jobs, their personal and professional worries, the weight of being in charge and responsible, etc. Often, they go away and become someone else. They don’t act the way they normally and act. They are free because they don’t know anyone where they are, and they think no one knows them. It is not true.

Luke 12:2-3 Everything hidden and covered up will soon be exposed. For the facade is falling down, and nothing will be kept secret for long. 3 Whatever you have spoken in private will be public knowledge, and what you have whispered secretly behind closed doors will be broadcast far and wide for all to hear. (The Passion Translation TPT)

You want to make sure you realize there are no vacations from the Christian life. And you should not want one.

  • Do you want a vacation from the protection and provision of the Lord (Psalms 91)?
  • Do you want a vacation from the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7)?
  • Do you want a vacation from your burden bearer and heavy load sharer? (Matthew 11:28-30)?
  • Do you want a vacation from your savior? (Acts 4:12)?

Christianity is not a job, a burden or a weight; it is a life choice. When your life is in Christ, and you are abiding in Him, you don’t need a vacation. You need to let go of those ideas about what life used to be like.

Isaiah 58:11The Eternal One will never leave you; He will lead you in the way that you should go. When you feel dried up and worthless, God will nourish you and give you strength. And you will grow like a garden lovingly tended; you will be like a spring whose water never runs out. (The Voice TVT)

Your life in Christ should not be overwhelming, it should be a party every day. You should be having a ball! Don’t be like the children of Israel who wanted to go back to Egypt. Don’t be like Lot’s wife, who turned to remember Sodom. Let go of those distorted “what life could be like” images the enemy plants. If you are  overwhelmed, you don’t need a vacation, you need is a revival (Psalm 51:12). You may decide a vacation and not a revival is what you need. You may even think, on your vacation, you have escaped the eyes of those who know you. However, do you want to take that risk?

Matthew 18:6 But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in and acknowledge and cleave to Me to stumble and sin [that is, who entices him or hinders him in right conduct or thought], it would be better (more expedient and profitable or advantageous) for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be sunk in the depth of the sea. (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition AMPC)

Your life has to be Christ centered and governed, at all times. You want everyone to enjoy and be blessed by how you live. It cannot be one way when people are watching (the day) and another way when you think they are not (the night). Always keep in mind, God is watching.

Please agree with me as I pray:

Father, I repent for wanting to go on vacation from the life You ordained for me to live. I want the day life. I know the nightlife is fleshly fun, however, there is a destined end for that life, and it is not You. I know if I am overwhelmed; I don’t need a vacation. I need You to restore the joy of Your salvation. I need You to remind me of Your awe-inspiring presence I felt as You picked me up and turned my life around. Though you cover me, I won’t have Your presence if I’m on vacation and I want You. I want my life to be an example of what happens when a person spends time with You. I want those, whom You’ve placed in my path, to enjoy Your blessings through something I might say, a song I might sing or just a smile on my face. I want You. I want a life that brings You glory and is the same in the nighttime as it is in the day. Please do what You need to do in me, in order for Your light to shine through me, 24/7…

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Ask the Lord what He wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal His response as described here.

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Stephanie Elizabeth Harden
Stephanie Elizabeth Harden
3 years ago

Thank You Father for teaching us that our walk of salvation is 24 hrs a day….not just in front of people but behind closed doors….in Jesus Name!!!

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