If you have ever seen the movie Gladiator then you may have an insight into Paul's teaching in Ephesians 6 about the weapons of spiritual warfare. You see when the apostle Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus the life of a gladiator in the coliseum would have been a very real experience in culture; and a vivid image that Paul knew would be able to solidify in the minds of those who would hear his message the reality of spiritual warfare. Ephesians6:11 tells us to "Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil". Our opponent in the amphitheatre of the spiritual realm is the devil,but Paul reminds us that the battle is also waged by four separate entities being rulers,against the authorities,against the world powers of this darkness,and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. Just as a gladiator would cover his body with a shield and stab into the flesh of a vicious tiger charging him according to 1Pt5:8 in the spiritual battle the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking,seeking for anyone he may devour.So be alert to resist him. The word devour means "to eat greedily,consume,destroy,and graze at eagerly." I can use a personal example. I remember being on a recent mission trip that really proved to be greuling and on the night before we were set to depart I was exhausted and worn with despair and I found myself alone and sitting at a desk in front of an open laptop with incalcuable internet possibilities. Now I remind you that at this moment in terms of service this was a peak experience in Christ. Beth Moore would describe this moment as seduction. Im thankful that through grace I was able to walk away unscathed and did not yield to temptation eventhough there was an enemy seeking to devour prey with teeth poised to strike and claws to rip apart and tear away. Imagine the consequence if I had of been destroyed. There was too much at stake such as my immediate reputation being "destroyed" and reproach brought to the church that comissioned us to serve. Yielding in this case to spiritual forces in the heavenly realms would have undermined the sanctity of the mission and all that had been gained in our rich crosscultural exchange. But you know what the siege of the rulers in spirtual places does not always have to be so clear and sinister. Busyness can be used to keep us so tied up in activity that it blinds us to the devil lurking until its too late and we are completely taken off guard. If we dont know there is a devil then what easy prey we can become. I wonder if all the vigorous blackberry activity we are confined to actually leads to productivity. We also have a preoccupation with sports in this country. I mean do we really need 32 televisions in Taco Mac to be complete. The environmental agenda probably serves a valid purpose,but it has become a religion in this country of exaggerated proportion. It is the seat of conviction for so many. At the supermarket where I work if customers forget to bring there green,cloth bags they can be devestated. It seems to me that matters of the soul that springs eternal should be awakened. What do you gain by conserving mother earth yet lose your own soul in the process. If you want conviction and guilt think of all the innocent babies that are aborted every day. President Obama has designated $426million toward abortion in the foreign world. You know its some of the change that has been promised.
The greatest weapon in our battle is the sword of the Spirit,the word of God,the Bible.In the book of Genesis it says that God spoke and creation came into existence by the word "Let there Be" The word of God and wisdom span the very laws of the universe(Jb38:33)"Do you know the laws of heaven? Can you impose its authority on earth?" "For the Lord gives wisdom;from His mouth come knowledge and understanding"(Prv2:6). "Lord your word is forever; it is firmly fixed in heaven"(Ps119:89) "Sustain me so that I can be safe and be concerned with Your statutes continually"(Ps119:117). "I understand more than the elders because I obey your precepts"(Ps119:100). Jesus Christ is the word of God made flesh who dwelt among us. So you see the word of God is worthy of our trust. This is not a theoretical, abstract notion,but it is foundational to life. In fact scripture teaches us that the word of God is "sharper than any two edged sword and piercing to the deepest thought, intent,and marrow itself". We must seek the Lord in prayer and meditate on His word. "Let my plea reach you; rescue me according to your promise"(Ps119:170). This is how we are able to put on the armor of Jesus Christ in the arena of our faith to not only withstand the ancient wiles; but to leave the role of gladiator to enter heaven as a welcome contender one day. Jesus has been overseeing your battle in the stands,and calls you victor through perserverance.
I wonder how many of us have been mauled by lies of the adversary. Lets get real all of us at one time in our lives have been overtaken by the devil which can tear apart the life of the heart; and leave only bone and scrap of our remains. Its never too late to be restored. In Ezekiel37 the prophet says "This is what the Lord says to these bones:I will cause breath to enter you,and you will live. I will put tendons on you,make flesh grow on you,and cover you with skin"(Ez37:4,5,13)

He also Resurrected from the dead on the third day.

There are so many helpful books that are Christian faith based which speak of and focus on the cross alone as if there was nothing else. Which made me wonder why arent there more books on the resurrection of Jesus Christ and your daily faith? I guess the cross and the act of crucifixion is tangible and matter of fact because we can see it. I can see people wearing the necklace of a cross with Jesus still hanging on it. The resurrection of Jesus recquires a greater level of faith which could procure a more whole and full work within. In pulpits all across the United States the primary focus is on our sin,but as we become more like the image of God it is important to claim our inheritance and the transformation of the heart in the resurrection power and glory. Jesus on the cross is mercy and grace and the act of one laying a life down for many,but what exactly does a new life of resurrection actually mean in my daily life? Many can believe in the reality of the cross;but often times the acceptance of the resurrected body of Jesus is another matter. Which is a divine matter that completes our Christian faith and salvation through fear and holy trembling. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead recquires a different set of questions doesnt it, to more clearly know the life of God who would invade the earthly existence and give us life tethered to the gound to see with our own eyes and recieve into our hearts and minds. A faith is imperfect without crossing the bridge from Jesus' death at the cross and his burial, through the stone removed and into the light of resurrection day! This faith based on concrete realities may prove all the difference in a relationship with God.

hematidrosis

I read in the Lee Strobel book A Case for Christ an account that described the actual medical condition which caused Jesus to sweat actual drops of blood in the garden of Gethsemane."This rare condition would have made Jesus skin extremely sensitive to the scourging that would follow."(Strobel,195)
The anxiety and the chemical produced to cause real drops of sweat mixed with blood is disturbing and speaks of the bitter cup the Father had given to His Son to partake of and stagger.But what took my breath away and caused me to be nauseous and put the book down for fear of being faint is reading that the" skin of Jesus was sensitive to the tearing of skin when he was beaten"(Strobel,195) which enabled so much blood to pour out of His veins untill nothing was left. Jesus completely poured out the life of God for all the people. All the sensitivity in my heart was instantaneously given to Jesus because of His work done for me. When you are intimate with someone or in this case with the living God it can be heartbreaking to see the lengths and depth a love will go to on your behalf. Then again to be known by the Lord of love who accomplished mighty deeds with His right hand is enthralling enough to be beside oneself.

Word Made Flesh

I recieve Christ the Word made flesh that is imparted,indwelling,manifesting,and unfolding in my life. The begotten son of God can be recieved freely and it runneth over. The spirit of God longs to share His prescence with those who seek and meditate on His word. This is not just an ethereal experience which does no earthly good. No, the life of God is made real in time and space and in a human life right here,right now.

As the notes of a grand symphony stir, God awakened creation

As God in Christ moved upon the surface of the deep and an unformed earth God the possessor of all pure faith exhibited such faith as He spoke and all things came to be. The love of God is evident as creation did abound from the most minute details of invisible atoms colliding and the delicate flower bloom. Each milisecond of divine order imposed celebrated the awakening of every element of the natural realm.
I believe when God delivered His succinct word in Genesis to be recorded by Moses possibly He may have realized many would run in every direction with speculation about the myriad possibilities of the workings of life on the planet rather than accept His word at face value. There is an innate need to try and understand it all which can take us further from simple faith that is rewarded as righteousness in the face of so many unanswered questions. Abraham was rewarded when He set out by faith through the promise of God without ever knowing where he was going. Jesus even said unless you humble yourselves like a little child you will never know the secrets of the kingdom of God. It is when we recognize that in the beginning God, the one true source created the heavens and the earth instead of being anxious over every detail we realize that God is good and can be trusted. Even if all we know about God is comprised in the exact text in the Old and New Testament it is still more than enough belief working through knowledge to be truth.

"Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest."(Mk6:31)
"Arise my darling. My love calls to me.Come away,my beautiful one"(Song of Songs2:10)

Come away my love to a deserted place.
Ill pour the wine to fill your cup with new grace.

Come away my love to a deserted place.
I have prepared a banqueting table, so come dine at your rightful place.

Happy New Year Greeting

I have a noble theme when I think of the passion of Jesus Christ for bearing the cross for this day of mine on January 2,2009; and for the new year afforded us all. When people are polled about what they think of Jesus the traditional word used to describe Him is meek. Yes, Jesus is meek,but when He went to the cross He was warring on behalf of every need of the world. How can anyone comprehend the fixed intensity of Jesus when He was stripped and scourged taking on each one of us and our weaknesses. Im amazed at the humility of Jesus and his sacrifice;but Im also in awe of all the power he withheld.
Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your breakers and your billows have swept over me.(Psalm42:7)

We Dance

Jesus can you hear this song?
I hope its like the gentle pluck of the harp,
summoning you to attend.
You clap, because you have joined in the dance of my soul.