Philippians 3:2 Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh.
This verse was next in line for the devotionals. As tempting as it might be to expound on the last part, especially in light of Andy's case I will refrain. Rather let's talk about those men who do evil. I have prayed and studied the word on this and it is the right time and the right place.
I was reading a news article on msnbc.com a few weeks ago and found an interesting quote attributed to Andy. "By the power of Christ you will not mention me at your hearing." He is alleged to have used this as a threat against a fellow inmate at the detention center. I was surprised as you might be the quote. And so I decided it was time to look deep into the possible meaning of this, what scriptural references serve as the basis, and why it might have been used. For the record, I have no direct or indirect knowledge regarding whether or not Andy actually said what he is attributed with in the quote. This is just an exercise in reasoning and theology.
Invoking the power of Christ when facing evil is not something new. Our Savior tells the disciples to pray in his name in Mark 11:24. The power of Christ was used by the disciples in driving out demons and evil spirits. Mark 6:7-13 also keeps rolling around in my head. He gave the disciples authority over evil spirits. And there is one where the disciples tried to drive out a demon, but failed (Mark 9:14-29). Some demons come out only by prayer. In Mark 16:17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues. So my friends, there is a strong precedence for invoking the name and the power of Christ and it has to do with encountering evil in whatever form it presents itself. The power of Christ is able to drive out evil. The light of Christ drives demons away in terror. It is the ultimate weapon in the battle field we find ourselves on every single day. We put on the armor of Christ and go into battle. We call on our Lord and the enemy is left trembling. His is the name above all names. Every knee will bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. And so, If I am ever starring face to face with evil, I will without hesitation say "By the power of Christ." No one, or nothing else will save me or my soul. That's how it is and how it should be.
PRAYER: Almighty God, You are out rock and our salvation. You, and You alone stand against all forms of evil. You give us hope when all hope is lost. Your armor deflects all the slings and arrows of Satan. Help us O Lord to stay firm in our faith. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that our faith does not waiver. Strengthen us in all adversity. Defend us from all that seeks to harm us, destroy us, or take us away from Your side. We ask this in the strong name of Jesus, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Spirit. One God now and forever. Amen
This Is Where Everything Changed
Monday, November 8, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Rejoice in the Lord!
Philippians 3:1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.
I will be writing the next set of devotionals as if I were writing these to my Son, who can not read them. He sits in an Army jail awaiting his Article 32 hearing. This hearing is like a civilian grand jury hearing where evidence is presented and a decision is made whether the to go on to a trial by court martial.
I am writing this devotional on a Sunday morning. My wife Pam and I are preparing our house to host a visitors brunch today after our 11:00 AM worship service concludes. The house is quiet, for the most part. Our cat Kiah is doing her best to be annoying. But it is my favorite time of day to write. My mind is not cluttered with the debris of the day. No one has interrupted my thoughts and life is pretty good. This is how I wish all of my time in worship could be. But that is not always the case. There are times when I just want to go to church and worship and praise the Lord. I do not want to be disturbed I just want to keep it simple and let my heart empty out in praise. But that is not how it is. There are these little inconveniences like meeting friends and fellow worshipers who have problems in their lives, or someone wants to know how Andy is doing, when his trial is, etc. I become distracted and unfocused. But then I know that if God did not love me, these things would not be going on around me. He has surrounded me with a group of people who are just a broken in sin as I am. He has placed me in the middle of a bunch of people who care, are loving, and as devoted to worshiping the Lord as I am. And he helps me to understand that the love His Son shared is to be shared, and is being shared, at all times in all places and with all people. He knows exactly what I need. He gives me my daily bread. I can rely on that fact. I can take it to the bank! That is why we rejoice in the Lord. His love is the only constant. Every other aspect of our lives are like the variables in an equation. But the Lord, and only the Lord is the constant that yields the answer to all life's equations. And for that I say again "Rejoice in the Lord!"
PRAYER: Most merciful God, we struggle in our daily lives searching for the one thing we can hold on to. That one thing we can anchor our lives to. And all else, but You, is fleeting in nature. You O Lord are the strong anchor we can tie to that will weather all the storms of our lives. You, and You alone are our salvation. We can find our harbor of refuge in You and for this we give thanks in the name of Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
I will be writing the next set of devotionals as if I were writing these to my Son, who can not read them. He sits in an Army jail awaiting his Article 32 hearing. This hearing is like a civilian grand jury hearing where evidence is presented and a decision is made whether the to go on to a trial by court martial.
I am writing this devotional on a Sunday morning. My wife Pam and I are preparing our house to host a visitors brunch today after our 11:00 AM worship service concludes. The house is quiet, for the most part. Our cat Kiah is doing her best to be annoying. But it is my favorite time of day to write. My mind is not cluttered with the debris of the day. No one has interrupted my thoughts and life is pretty good. This is how I wish all of my time in worship could be. But that is not always the case. There are times when I just want to go to church and worship and praise the Lord. I do not want to be disturbed I just want to keep it simple and let my heart empty out in praise. But that is not how it is. There are these little inconveniences like meeting friends and fellow worshipers who have problems in their lives, or someone wants to know how Andy is doing, when his trial is, etc. I become distracted and unfocused. But then I know that if God did not love me, these things would not be going on around me. He has surrounded me with a group of people who are just a broken in sin as I am. He has placed me in the middle of a bunch of people who care, are loving, and as devoted to worshiping the Lord as I am. And he helps me to understand that the love His Son shared is to be shared, and is being shared, at all times in all places and with all people. He knows exactly what I need. He gives me my daily bread. I can rely on that fact. I can take it to the bank! That is why we rejoice in the Lord. His love is the only constant. Every other aspect of our lives are like the variables in an equation. But the Lord, and only the Lord is the constant that yields the answer to all life's equations. And for that I say again "Rejoice in the Lord!"
PRAYER: Most merciful God, we struggle in our daily lives searching for the one thing we can hold on to. That one thing we can anchor our lives to. And all else, but You, is fleeting in nature. You O Lord are the strong anchor we can tie to that will weather all the storms of our lives. You, and You alone are our salvation. We can find our harbor of refuge in You and for this we give thanks in the name of Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Welcome him in the Lord with great joy
Philippians 2:29 Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him,
I come from a fairly large family. Four boys and one girl. My sister is the middle child so she had two brothers to contend with as the youngest and two brothers to torment as the older child. Seems fair to me, but then I guess you would have to ask John & Greg how they feel ;-)
We have a tradition at Grace Lutheran Pocatello called First Sunday of the Month Brunch. it is part of our Connecting Ministries program. A member of the congregation opens their house to new attenders & visitors to stop by after the 11:00 service concludes for brunch. It is an opportunity for them to meet a Pastor, School & Church leaders, and other new attenders and visitors. This is one of my favorite ministries at Grace. There is good food, good people, good congregation, and we talk about a common love for Jesus. We welcome him (and her) in the Lord with great joy. We welcome those who join us as brothers and sisters in Christ. Our family grows with this gathering. And we share the love poured out for us on the cross with others. It is my favorite ministry because we satisfy so many basic needs at once. Good food, comfortable surroundings, fellowship, conversation, and Jesus. We never quite know how many will show up. One time it was 8 people. Another we hosted about 28 when two very large families joined us. We have our next opportunity to serve in this ministry on Sunday. I pray for guidance in how much to cook. And I remain confident that there will be enough because the Lord provides for this meal. He watches over us just as he was there for feeding the 5,000. Fishes and loaves are not on the menu, but chili and cornbread with Pumpkin dessert are. We will pray, we will talk, and we will welcome all in the Lord with great jo
Does your church do something like this? As the old commercial goes "try it, you'll like it!"
PRAYER: Almighty and everlasting God. We thank You for the gift of friends old and new and those we have not met. We thank You for the blessings of fellowship that gives those who serve opportunities to serve, and their guests to opportunity to be served. We ask that our conversation be salted with Your words. We ask for Your Spirit to be poured out in full measure on all who gather together in fellowship events where ever they occur. We thank You for the love Your Son showed all mankind and ask that our hearts be for those who are seeking Him. This we ask in the name of Jesus who with the Father and the Holy Spirit reign. One God, now and forever. Amen.
I come from a fairly large family. Four boys and one girl. My sister is the middle child so she had two brothers to contend with as the youngest and two brothers to torment as the older child. Seems fair to me, but then I guess you would have to ask John & Greg how they feel ;-)
We have a tradition at Grace Lutheran Pocatello called First Sunday of the Month Brunch. it is part of our Connecting Ministries program. A member of the congregation opens their house to new attenders & visitors to stop by after the 11:00 service concludes for brunch. It is an opportunity for them to meet a Pastor, School & Church leaders, and other new attenders and visitors. This is one of my favorite ministries at Grace. There is good food, good people, good congregation, and we talk about a common love for Jesus. We welcome him (and her) in the Lord with great joy. We welcome those who join us as brothers and sisters in Christ. Our family grows with this gathering. And we share the love poured out for us on the cross with others. It is my favorite ministry because we satisfy so many basic needs at once. Good food, comfortable surroundings, fellowship, conversation, and Jesus. We never quite know how many will show up. One time it was 8 people. Another we hosted about 28 when two very large families joined us. We have our next opportunity to serve in this ministry on Sunday. I pray for guidance in how much to cook. And I remain confident that there will be enough because the Lord provides for this meal. He watches over us just as he was there for feeding the 5,000. Fishes and loaves are not on the menu, but chili and cornbread with Pumpkin dessert are. We will pray, we will talk, and we will welcome all in the Lord with great jo
Does your church do something like this? As the old commercial goes "try it, you'll like it!"
PRAYER: Almighty and everlasting God. We thank You for the gift of friends old and new and those we have not met. We thank You for the blessings of fellowship that gives those who serve opportunities to serve, and their guests to opportunity to be served. We ask that our conversation be salted with Your words. We ask for Your Spirit to be poured out in full measure on all who gather together in fellowship events where ever they occur. We thank You for the love Your Son showed all mankind and ask that our hearts be for those who are seeking Him. This we ask in the name of Jesus who with the Father and the Holy Spirit reign. One God, now and forever. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)