Do we not understand that everything in this world is bent on our destruction? Not that we need to be concerned about it because Jesus is our protector, but we need to at least be aware that we live and breathe in a hostile environment. When we walk in the light, any brush with darkness has the potential to discourage us. This is the reason why the day after great spiritual breakthroughs it can seem to be filled with so much discouragement.That's when it is good to remember Jesus' promise:
I have told you this, so that you might have peace in your hearts because of me. While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world. (John 16:33)
The darkness may be bent on our destruction but that's because it has already been defeated by Jesus. It is too bad that we can so easily be distracted from the truth of who we are in Jesus and what Jesus has made possible through him. Yes, each day is a great challenge but the challenge is to keep our focus on the source of all things; the source of joy, hope, peace, and power. Paul asked:
If God is on our side, can anyone be against us? God did not keep back his own Son, but he gave him for us. If God did this, won’t he freely give us everything else? (Romans 8:31-32)
We are deep in the Spirit, surrounded by Jesus Christ and every promise he has given. Don't philosophy about it. The promises were given to us to act on every single day of our life. Because our Father has given us the Son, he also freely gives us everything else, including joy in the midst of the darkness. Paul continues to ask:
If God says his chosen ones are acceptable to him, can anyone bring charges against them? Or can anyone condemn them? No indeed! Christ died and was raised to life, and now he is at God’s right side, speaking to him for us. Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death? (vv. 33-35)
When we come away from an incredible spiritual experience with Jesus Christ, we are not coming away from Jesus. We are simply walking through the darkness where it is easier to be distracted by its limited attractions. We still walk in the Spirit, are still surrounded by the promises, are still under Jesus' protection, are still blessed and partake in all the benefits of a relationship with Jesus. Despite the challenges you may face because of the darkness today, remember:
In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us. (v. 37)
I know the dark can provoke fear and anxiety but when you turn the light on you see there is nothing to fear. Let Jesus be that light today, so the emptiness offered by the darkness will be revealed and all those fears and anxieties will flee:
I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, 39 and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord! (vv. 38-39)
And that's all we need today as we walk in the Spirit in a world that is hostile toward us. Yes, be aware that everything is bent on your destruction but don't fear it. Just be aware of it so you will never desire to leave the protection of the Spirit; be aware of it so you know why you should always have a thankful heart. This is an excellent day because we get to spend it with Jesus. It is excellent because we get to see his promises in action. It is excellent because we have an opportunity to serve him so the darkness can see that the Light is alive and well.
Showing posts with label spiritual warfare. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spiritual warfare. Show all posts
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Pay Attention!
Good morning everyone,
Well, I must love my students. Here I am rushing to get out the door to go to Gatineau yet I take a few moments to discuss this morning's reading with you. :-) Can't you feel the love? Or is it that I am compelled to do it. In either case it will probably be short.
So, Joshua, son of Nun, followed the Lord's instructions to the letter and he defeated the great city of Jericho. Jericho was not just any city, it was one of the original cities in the world, according to the people who know such things in the world today. Joshua did not win it by superior numbers or great battle tactics. He won it because he followed the directions of the Lord. But then sin entered the community as sin tends to do. Achan liked the shiny stuff. This is where Joshua made his first mistake.
Joshua figured he now knew what he had to do, as many of us think. We have our instructions so we head out to complete our mission. But things change. Even the spiritual world is not static. There are adjustments that are made, especially because of the introduction of sin into the situation. Joshua should have been praying. Joshua should have checked with God on the next battle. They did not lose because they only had half the troops. They lost because it was a spiritual warfare and they had just lost their strength. If Joshua had been praying he would have known that fact.
Like everyone else Joshua tried to place this failure at the "feet" of God. But God was having none of this. Joshua seemed to have been a matter-of-fact guy and God dealt with him in a matter-of-fact manner:
"Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction."
"They have been made liable to destruction." So the great spiritual condition the people were in for the Jericho battle did not exist for the next battle. They could have entered the fight with 100,000 warriors and they would have still lost. We keep forgetting that this work is not a physical work with prayers thrown in. It is a spiritual work with some physical stuff thrown in.
The point is that we cannot tune in to God once a month or once a year or once in a life-time. We need to be constantly tuned in, every day so we can stay on top of our situation and the situation of our context. When we remain sensitive to the Spirit he shows us things, he makes us aware so we can adjust. This is important. Pay attention spiritually and the enemy will never put you to flight.
Well, I must love my students. Here I am rushing to get out the door to go to Gatineau yet I take a few moments to discuss this morning's reading with you. :-) Can't you feel the love? Or is it that I am compelled to do it. In either case it will probably be short.
So, Joshua, son of Nun, followed the Lord's instructions to the letter and he defeated the great city of Jericho. Jericho was not just any city, it was one of the original cities in the world, according to the people who know such things in the world today. Joshua did not win it by superior numbers or great battle tactics. He won it because he followed the directions of the Lord. But then sin entered the community as sin tends to do. Achan liked the shiny stuff. This is where Joshua made his first mistake.
Joshua figured he now knew what he had to do, as many of us think. We have our instructions so we head out to complete our mission. But things change. Even the spiritual world is not static. There are adjustments that are made, especially because of the introduction of sin into the situation. Joshua should have been praying. Joshua should have checked with God on the next battle. They did not lose because they only had half the troops. They lost because it was a spiritual warfare and they had just lost their strength. If Joshua had been praying he would have known that fact.
Like everyone else Joshua tried to place this failure at the "feet" of God. But God was having none of this. Joshua seemed to have been a matter-of-fact guy and God dealt with him in a matter-of-fact manner:
"Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction."
"They have been made liable to destruction." So the great spiritual condition the people were in for the Jericho battle did not exist for the next battle. They could have entered the fight with 100,000 warriors and they would have still lost. We keep forgetting that this work is not a physical work with prayers thrown in. It is a spiritual work with some physical stuff thrown in.
The point is that we cannot tune in to God once a month or once a year or once in a life-time. We need to be constantly tuned in, every day so we can stay on top of our situation and the situation of our context. When we remain sensitive to the Spirit he shows us things, he makes us aware so we can adjust. This is important. Pay attention spiritually and the enemy will never put you to flight.
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