Good morning, and happy Saturday. I hope that you had a good week. Plan to join us tomorrow as we continue our series in the 7 I AM statements in the Gospel of John. Also, here are the Easter weekend service times:
Good Friday service at 7:00 pm
Easter Service at 11:00 am
The other day I had some errand to run. When I came home a couple of hours later, I was able to drive right into the garage since I had somehow forgotten to close the door. Don’t you just hate that? One of our neighbors had someone enter through their garage door and take some stuff last year. Even more unsettling, have you ever woke up in the morning only to discover that the front door had been unlocked all night? Sometimes it gives you that weird feeling like you had left yourself vulnerable. There were times when the kids were younger that I searched the entire house just to make sure that no one had snuck in during the night. But now, since it has happened so often, I typically just shut and/or lock the door after a quick glance around. But you know, it is an interesting feeling when you recognize that you weren’t at your best, that you had let your guard down. You think to yourself, “Maybe I should remember to check the doors every night before I go to bed?” After all, what if something did happen? Well, fortunately for us, nothing has happened inside the house. We did have someone take stuff out of our unlocked car on time, but it needed to be cleaned out anyway. Of course, now that I am telling you all of this, feel free to come by some time in the middle of the night, since our door might be open
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Do you realize that the same thing happens in our spiritual life as well? There are times when we recognize that we have left ourselves vulnerable. It happens when we let our guards down. It is when we quit reading the Bible every day. When we stop praying as often as we once did. We stop going to Bible study and worship as much as we should. We allow ourselves to get so busy doing other things that we begin to neglect the spiritual disciplines in our lives that help protect us. Never forget, that if you are growing in your faith on a consistent basis, that helps you to be on guard against the enemy. The Bible says that he has come to “steal, kill and destroy.” That is interesting because that is what we are afraid might happen to us if we leave our physical doors unlocked. But that begs the question, “What about the spiritual ones?” How concerned are we with them? Most of the time we really don’t give this much thought. We are often more diligent about our locks, doors and alarms on our houses and cars than we are about safeguards in our spiritual life. However, I submit to you this morning that we need to be vigilant in our efforts. I like the warning and reminder that Paul gives in 1 Corinthians 10:12-13:
12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
Never get to the point where you think that you are beyond being vulnerable. Also, know that the Lord can guide you through all things, typically through the application of spiritual disciplines.
Not only is it important to be diligent on a personal level but as a church as well. One thing that is very evident in our church is that there is always spiritual warfare going on. There are so many families dealing with such a wide variety of things that it is obvious. Please allow me to ask you to be in prayer for one another. Continue to encourage one another. Commit to walking through difficult times together. That is what a church, a body of believers, is supposed to do. I am thankful that our church is fairly good at demonstrating the love of Christ to one another. Let’s not only keep that up but do so more and more.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:10-18)
Larry
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