DAILY BREAD OF LIFE

(KJV.)  EPHESIANS 5:18-21

(18)  And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess;  but be filled with the Spirit;
(19)  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
(20)  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
(21)  Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

WHAT IS IN YOUR CUP?

Brethren, as the year 2016 rolls away in a couple of days, plans are underway to celebrate the coming new year 2017;  let us take moments out of our busy schedules, and give thanks to the Almighty Father, for his victories, protections, healings, forgiveness, blessings, and grace, to be able to survive this year successfully, anticipate to make it through to the coming New Year:  however, the question we need to ask ourselves is, did we make it this far by own ableness?  If we can discern the question, know the answer to it, we will give glory to our Father for the rest of our lives; for there are many people who started the year 2017 with us, who, unfortunately, are not able to make to this point and time;  it is not because we are loved and more righteous than they were, that we are still in existence on the earth, but it is by the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we are accounted among the living;  therefore, as we make merry on the new year's eve, let us give thanks and adorations to our Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, and be aware that we will need the same grace to continue to abound, bless and protect our lives in the new year.

In reference to the above text, Apostle Paul advises believers not to drink wine excessively, and get drunk, but rather be filled with the Spirit;  why?  because, at times when we are under the influence of alcohol, we behave ourselves in disgraceful ways, also, believers are sanctified vessels for good works, our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, alcohol defiles the temple, and the Holy Spirit cannot dwell within the filthy environments;  for example, when the angel of the Lord announced the good news to Manoah's wife about the conception and birth of Samson the great warrior, he advised her not to drink wine or strong drink, cf. Judges 13:3-5;  why?  because of his sanctification, to possess the Spirit of the LORD, and he was to be a Nazarite, a set-aside vessel for the Lord;  are believers sanctified vessels of the Holy Spirit?  yes, they are!  so let us be careful what we consume into our sanctified vessels, not to defile, grieve the Holy Spirit of our Father, to which we are sealed until the day of reconciliation.

In another instance, the angel of the Lord appeared unto Zacharias the servant of the LORD, stood on the right side of the altar of incense,  announced the conception and birth of John the Baptist, said unto him, For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb." cf. Luke 1:15;  therefore, it is an abomination to have the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, consume strong alcohol to grieve him, destabilize the work of our Father within our innermost spirits, reduce its powers of manifestations;  rather, let us take advice from King Solomon, not to look upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moves itself aright, for at the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. cf Proverbs 23:31-32;  do not get me wrong!  To have a little wine is not an abomination, cf. 1 Timothy 5:23;  however, it becomes a no, no, when we drink it excessively, to points whereby we cannot reason with others, because drunkenness has taken control of our mentalities, and we stagger back and forth, to and fro, disgrace ourselves before others;  this type of behaviors should not be portrayed by the believers of Jesus Christ, therefore, let us not indulge ourselves.

At times, we mistakenly drive when we know that our minds are under the influence of alcohol, but think we can handle the steering wheels only to find ourselves in deadly car accidents, that can destroy our lives and the lives of innocent people;  as believers, let us try to avoid alcoholic beverages, if we should drink socially, let us drink wisely, if we feel tipsy, do not get behind the steering wheel to drive anywhere, rather allow someone who is not under the influence of any alcoholic beverage do the driving to our destinations.  

In conclusion; as we make merry in anticipation of the new year 2017;  let us portray ourselves wisely when it comes to alcoholic beverages;  King Solomon said, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." cf. Proverbs 20:1;  let us not be deceived by its redness, the devil is a liar!  rather let us rejoice exceedingly in jubilations, sing songs of praises, offer prayers of thanks to our Father, and Jesus Christ, expect greater blessings in the coming year, for his goodness and mercies endure forever and evermore.  Amen and Amen

QUOTE OF THE DAY:  

(KJV.)  St. Luke 20:1  Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging:  and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.