Ephesians 6 15 As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. 16 With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Peace: In the Christian Way we don’t vanquish our enemies; we love them until they are won over. Our enemy is not the flesh and blood person but the harmful ideas and actions. We must not ever return evil with evil but return evil with good thereby dismantling the patterns of anger and violence that are directed at us.
Faith: Faith is not ideological belief. Faith is trust and allegiance. You can believe in UFO’s. You can believe in Jesus and not follow. When evil is assailing us the defense is to let God defend us. Trust in the way of Jesus even if it looks like the cross is coming because even if it does, the resurrection is also coming. Better to die under attack and let the power of resurrection rebuild us than to live but leave the way of Jesus.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Struggles with evil
Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Baptismal vow #1: “Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world and repent of your sin?”
Let’s face it, there is evil in our lives. We all do face struggles on a regular basis. How will we persevere?
Ephesians 6: 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness.
Truth: Telling the truth may not keep you out of trouble but it will keep you from unnecessary and even worse trouble. When it comes down to it you can’t stop people from attacking you but you can choose to be truthful always. Then at least you have your honor and you inner self of integrity will keep you from deep soul wounds.
Righteousness: Right living. Enough trouble comes our way naturally without it being caused by our own self damaging behaviors.
Help me out this week: When has Truth protected you from evil? How about righteousness, proclaiming the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, Spirit (word of God).
My devotional time this week will be on this list from Ephesians. Leave some comments on any one of these aspects of the spirit and how they protect you from the evils of this world.
Baptismal vow #1: “Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world and repent of your sin?”
Let’s face it, there is evil in our lives. We all do face struggles on a regular basis. How will we persevere?
Ephesians 6: 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness.
Truth: Telling the truth may not keep you out of trouble but it will keep you from unnecessary and even worse trouble. When it comes down to it you can’t stop people from attacking you but you can choose to be truthful always. Then at least you have your honor and you inner self of integrity will keep you from deep soul wounds.
Righteousness: Right living. Enough trouble comes our way naturally without it being caused by our own self damaging behaviors.
Help me out this week: When has Truth protected you from evil? How about righteousness, proclaiming the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, Spirit (word of God).
My devotional time this week will be on this list from Ephesians. Leave some comments on any one of these aspects of the spirit and how they protect you from the evils of this world.
Thank God for the ministers of the church
I can’t say how grateful I am for people like Marvin Northcutt who has a personal and pastoral relationship with the Fontaine family and is willing and able to preside at Clark’s funeral this Thursday. Or how wonderful it is to know with complete assurance that Pat Freebury and others have the hospitality ministry handled. Or how nice it is to trust that the training of people in Stephen’s ministry also equips the general church folk to be caring listeners.
As you can imagine it is very strange to be the pastor and be 2500 miles away during this important time in the life of the church. But it is a humbling reminder that ministry is never solely about the appointed pastor. It is the whole church family and the Spirit of God working through all of us that really makes the difference.
Life, death and resurrection are with us constantly both literally and metaphorically. While I will certainly be in prayer tomorrow you will be the resurrected body of Christ for the Fontaines and each other. Thanks be to God.
As you can imagine it is very strange to be the pastor and be 2500 miles away during this important time in the life of the church. But it is a humbling reminder that ministry is never solely about the appointed pastor. It is the whole church family and the Spirit of God working through all of us that really makes the difference.
Life, death and resurrection are with us constantly both literally and metaphorically. While I will certainly be in prayer tomorrow you will be the resurrected body of Christ for the Fontaines and each other. Thanks be to God.
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