Battles of the Earth and Spirit

By Peter Lundell –

The battles of this world often depict what goes on in the spiritual battles we cannot see.

For six months, the opposition movement in Libya has struggled against Kaddafi. For decades people in Libya endured his regime, which glorified him, benefitted the people just enough to keep most quiet, and executed those who dared oppose him. When people saw hope in the overthrow of neighboring Tunisia’s dictator, then Egypt’s, they rebelled.

Similarly, people often find hope for personal transformation when they see the victories of others.

The Libyan struggle was harder than most people expected. Early on, the Libyan rebels didn’t know how to fight, but learned as they went. NATO helped by bombing Kaddafi’s instillations, but didn’t send troops. For a long time the battle stood at a stalemate. Breakthroughs started in the unlikely corners of the mountains to the south. The war brought blood and grief, freedom and jubilation.

Similarly, unseen spiritual battles go on around us. Some are simple; others are long and agonizing. We may not know what to do, but learn as we go. God intervenes, but maybe not as much as we’d like—He makes us fight. Battles may stalemate. Breakthroughs sometimes come from unlikely places. We experience both grief and jubilation.

Some battles are disguised behind personalities and conflicts, beliefs and mindsets, maybe sicknesses or addictions, accidents or events. Some people imagine spiritual battles that really aren’t; others don’t acknowledge battles that really are.

If you or a loved one faces a spiritual battle, take heart from those rebels who didn’t give up against the oppressor of Libya. And take heart from God’s promise in 2 Thessalonians. 3:3, discussing our battles against the oppressor of the human race: “The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”

PRAYER: Lord, You are my hope and victory, even when days are dark or heavy. I choose to trust You and be faithful in my battles. Strengthen me and uphold me.

BIBLE VERSE: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10 NIV).

Putting the Pieces Together

By Hally Franz –

Now that the summer season is thoroughly behind us and trip pictures have been downloaded, uploaded, developed and printed, I have an observation about different types of vacationers. As friends and family shared their summer experiences, I noticed that no two sets of travelers do summer fun in the same way.

Some work-worn individuals enjoy timeless days lounging on the beach. They take long naps and enjoy cool drinks and good meals. If they feel energetic, they may read a book, but they savor the “down time.” Their goal is to become rejuvenated by soaking in as much peace and quiet as the world will allow. I’ll call them “meditators.”

While the first group may be luxuriating in some tropical paradise, a second group may be bound for Washington, D.C. Group two are those who want to see things. They crave opportunities to visit new places including national parks, monuments, historical sites, museums, zoos and pop culture destinations. They view vacation as a time to learn and expand horizons. They are the “learners.”

There are those among us that can’t resist an amusement park full of roller coasters. While I am decidedly not this type of vacationer, I know a few who need thrill and excitement to fully enjoy time off. Bungee-jumping and hang-gliding may be just what adventurous friends need when they seek to escape the daily grind. Of course, they are “risk-takers.”

Lastly, do you know folks that long for the great outdoors? Our country is rich with natural wonders, and many find solace in scenic vistas that abound. Whether it is vast mountain ranges or golden plains, group four is inspired and energized by those God-made images. They are “admirers” of God’s handiwork.

Do we approach our faith like we do our time off? Do we pray and listen intently for God’s word without taking time to study it? Are we willing to take chances and talk to others about God, but fail to make time to worship and praise our Lord? Meditating, studying, evangelizing and praising are all important elements of our faith. While each of us finds certain components easier or more natural than others, perhaps we should seek to do it all. We may find that when we build a balanced faith, we find just what we need and He desires.

PRAYER: Wise and wonderful God, help me to value and attend to all aspects of my Christian faith. Guide me in the activities of prayer, Bible study, witnessing to others and worship, so that I may more completely serve You.

BIBLE VERSE: “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts” (Colossians 3:16 NIV).

Pull the Wool Over Your Eyes

By Jodi Whisenhunt –

I relieved the nursery caregiver during the children’s naptime. For a few minutes, I rocked beside a little girl asleep on her mat. I glanced down to see one little eye peeking up at me. The other opened, and together they blinked away dazed confusion.

I smiled and kept rocking. The little girl’s eyelids heavied. She pulled her blanket up over her eyes, and returned to peaceful slumber.

I’ve done that before. I’ve believed, “If I can’t see the monster, it’s not really there!” And I have closed my mind to scary possibilities, believing if I shut my eyes and squeeze them tight, the danger disappears.

If I can’t see the monster, it’s not really there!

Obviously, in real danger, that way of thinking doesn’t work, but when it comes to writing for publication, it’s a downright good idea. Many times I’ve been on a roll, writing pages and pages and pages, when into my subconscious creeps a great big, ugly monster: Fear. Fear of rejection. Fear of acceptance. Fear of insignificance. Fear of importance. A dichotomy of desire and doubt that halts my progress and tempts me to hit DELETE.

Fear. In its grasp, a victim is paralyzed, bound by deception, held captive by miscues. Fear prohibits success.

So I close my eyes to the monster. Because you know what? It’s not really there! Fear is a perception. It’s an emotion. It’s a deceiver. It’s Satan’s trick to prevent me from accomplishing God’s goals. If I let fear scare me into quitting, I will make no impact on the world at all. I will not “go into all the world and make disciples” with my writing. I will not be a “good and faithful servant.” I will be serving the wrong master.

Next time that big, ugly Fear monster creeps up on you, do what I do. Go ahead and pull the wool up over your eyes!

Remember these words of the Lord and know there is nothing to fear:
I took you from the ends of the earth,
from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;
I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
All who rage against you
will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
will be as nothing and perish (Isaiah 41:9-11, NIV).

 

Father, Unveil Our Hearts

By Jennifer Slattery –

“At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split” (Matthew 25:41 NIV).

Most of us have heard that verse countless times. It occupies the chorus of songs and the the thrust of countless prose. Most likely we could quote it without much thought. In fact, I wonder if we’ve heard it so many times, the reality of what happened on the cross loses impact. We’ve grown so accustomed to the idea of “communing” with God, we forget what a privilege—no, miracle, it is.

To the first century Jew, the tearing of the temple curtain would have  been a knee-knocking, mind-blowing, heart-stirring, worship-inducing event.

For centuries, they’d known God as the Holy One, Almighty, El Sheddai, the Creator of the heavens and the earth who, upon occasion, met with a few select men. Like Adam before the fall, or Noah, or Abraham and Moses. They remembered the Ark of the Covenant, which signified God’s presence, and the great care the priests had to take in transporting it. God wasn’t Someone they took lightly, nor someone they expected to commune with. Perhaps they dreamt of one day hearing God’s voice like the young boy Samuel did as he lay upon his mat, but that’s where their hopes remained—in their dreams.

Until one day a plain looking man claiming to be God hung upon a cross, and cried out to heaven with his dying breath. Those who gathered around Him—some mocking, some gawking, some crying—felt the earth beneath them tremble. Darkness fell over the land and then, with a mighty rip, the curtain barring sinful man from the Holy of Holies—the place where God Himself dwelled—ripped apart from top to bottom. The barrier erected centuries past severed before their very eyes.

Can you imagine what that would have felt like? The joy, fear, confusion that must have welled up inside them as they looked upon the curtain, now flayed open before them? After centuries of waiting, of praying, of dreaming, the God of their fathers said, “Come. I have removed the barrier. I want to commune with you like I did with Adam. I want to share my heart with you like I did with Abraham.”

God says the same thing to us today. He invites us to catch a glimmer of His glory, experiencing the awe those ancient Jews must have felt on that victorious day.

Let us not become so accustomed to the Christian phrases and hymnals that we lose sight of the miracle. The Creator of the Universe, the Holy One, asks us to come and sit at His feet. He’s taken away everything that would keep us from Him. If you’re a redeemed child of God, the only thing standing in the way of unhindered fellowship with your Creator are those things you allow. Today think upon the veil when it first tore and worship Christ afresh. Don’t let apathy or business rob you of the divine romance. Pause and ask God to unveil your heart, drawing you into His.

“Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me” (Psalm 51:10-12 NIV).

Blockbuster

By Elaine James –

Do you know what the word blockbuster means? Alpha dictionary.com defines it as: ‘A stunning new and unexpected event or object that generates enormous sales or revenues.‘

When a great movie comes out and generates enormous sales, it is a “Blockbuster” movie.

While doing patient visits at the hospital, I share how God blesses us in so many ways. Whenever I share the blessing of God with others, I always use it in the context of the original definition, which means to be given favor by God. It reminds me of the times Jesus was returning to the Father in heaven and his last moment with the Disciples. Luke tells us in chapter 24 that they were troubled and there were doubts in their minds. They had trouble believing who Jesus was and why he came. But Jesus, in His great mercy opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures. He explained one last time that He came to die, conquer death and extend the grace and love of God to all. Finally he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. They stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

Sometimes we can have trouble and doubt in our minds and that can block your blessing. What is blocking your blessing? Could it be your inability to believe that Jesus came and by his grace saved you? I thought of the word Blockbuster: The buster of our block is Jesus. We all need, Jesus, he is a “BLOCK BUSTER.” 

Jesus opened the minds of the Disciples and left their presence. Yet they returned to their homes with great joy. They experienced supernatural joy!  They could not come up with joy on their own strength. Jesus did that for them and he can do that for you! It helped the Disciples to have Jesus right there with them and experience that event. Read His word and Jesus will be there personally to open your mind, explain things and give you great joy. That’s so cool!

Jesus (Blockbuster)-one who brought a stunning event and it generated a lot of enormous revenue. (Revenue=blessing)

PRAYER:  Father in heaven open my mind so I can understand the Scriptures.

BIBLE VERSE: “Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” (John 20:29 NIV).

 

Next Page »