Spiritual Warfare
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Things are astir in Elgin. Just how do I know this? It's a discernment issue -- but the same conclusions could be reached either by intuition or logical reasoning. Sometimes two and two just equal four.
First the good news: An eight year old made a decision to be baptized today. She understands the issue of sin and forgiveness, at her level, and decided she wants Jesus to be Lord of her life. Her parents were there and her grandparents, both sets of them, to witness this momentous occasion. There was such a sweet spirit in the House as she emerged from the tank. She quietly exited, but afterward, in the dressing room with her mother, she broke into tears sobbing, "Mom, I just can't tell you how I feel. This is so different. I don't know how to explain, but I feel new."
Yes, sweetie, you're a new creature in Christ Jesus.
More good news: My friend from class was there. Following the service, she asked lots of questions. Her visit there was dual purpose. As a part of a multicultural education class we were to step out of our normal sphere and write a report about it. My friend is also interested in finding a church to attend with her husband and children. She had done her homework and asked pertinent questions about the infilling of the Holy Spirit, healing and baptism.
Other good news: Excitement among the children runs high for Highpoint. Andrew is gathering a group of young adults for Frontline Generation.
The visible battle: Octogenarian with PTSD issues from WWII has returned to the fold with a vengence. He persists in interrupting the morning sermon with scripture quotes totally unrelated to the sermon at hand, extraneous remark uttered loudly to the dismay of all and sundry. And for some reason our ex-soldier has managed to recruit a board member to defend his angry antics. Antics that threaten to turn our morning service into a circus.
The battle complication: In a small family-oriented church, even such a ill-matched duo bent on division could be able to create chaos in the complex web of relationships that bind us together.
The real battle: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
My prayer: "Lord please help me to remember that I'm fighting against spiritual influences and that the battle must be won on the spiritual level in order to see the results I'd like on the human level.
First the good news: An eight year old made a decision to be baptized today. She understands the issue of sin and forgiveness, at her level, and decided she wants Jesus to be Lord of her life. Her parents were there and her grandparents, both sets of them, to witness this momentous occasion. There was such a sweet spirit in the House as she emerged from the tank. She quietly exited, but afterward, in the dressing room with her mother, she broke into tears sobbing, "Mom, I just can't tell you how I feel. This is so different. I don't know how to explain, but I feel new."
Yes, sweetie, you're a new creature in Christ Jesus.
More good news: My friend from class was there. Following the service, she asked lots of questions. Her visit there was dual purpose. As a part of a multicultural education class we were to step out of our normal sphere and write a report about it. My friend is also interested in finding a church to attend with her husband and children. She had done her homework and asked pertinent questions about the infilling of the Holy Spirit, healing and baptism.
Other good news: Excitement among the children runs high for Highpoint. Andrew is gathering a group of young adults for Frontline Generation.
The visible battle: Octogenarian with PTSD issues from WWII has returned to the fold with a vengence. He persists in interrupting the morning sermon with scripture quotes totally unrelated to the sermon at hand, extraneous remark uttered loudly to the dismay of all and sundry. And for some reason our ex-soldier has managed to recruit a board member to defend his angry antics. Antics that threaten to turn our morning service into a circus.
The battle complication: In a small family-oriented church, even such a ill-matched duo bent on division could be able to create chaos in the complex web of relationships that bind us together.
The real battle: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
My prayer: "Lord please help me to remember that I'm fighting against spiritual influences and that the battle must be won on the spiritual level in order to see the results I'd like on the human level.
2 comments:
Seems like we all have battles like this to contend with. Best of luck.
You're so Right, Andrea. And for the most part, things have worked out. God has His ways. I kept quiet, tried to do only the right thing and...things are much better.
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