This week we've learned to find the power of God's Spirit for our problems and days. Five steps are mandated by Ephesians 5: know Christ personally; ask him to forgive whatever is wrong in our lives; seek his will; submit completely to his Spirit's control; and trust that the Spirit has "filled" or taken control of our lives. How does it feel to have made such a decision? The Bible doesn't say, because feelings are not the basis for faith.

Being "filled with the Spirit" is the secret to the joy of Jesus and power of God. So, how are we "filled with the Spirit"? Ephesians 5:15-20 gives us five steps; we have taken three already.

We're learning to find God's power for our problems at the start of every day. Ephesians 5:15-20 is our guide. Five steps are required. The first: examine your life in the light of his Spirit. "Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise" (v. 15).

I have in my study a rock, normal and ordinary to anyone else but very special to me. I took it from the valley of Elah, where David slayed Goliath. It reminds me daily of the power of God, of what God can do with a single soul fully yielded to his Spirit. There is no Goliath we cannot conquer in his power. So, where do we get our rocks for today?

This summer we have been engaged in a battle for the peace and purpose of God in our lives. We are learning to fight against the worries and fears which our enemy and fallen world bring against our souls. We are choosing to trust in Jesus' word and will, to live on Monday without fearing Tuesday, to give our problems and burdens to him in prayer and trust. But it's hard to practice his presence without his power. In fact, it's impossible.