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Discerning

Simon Peter writes to us in 1 Peter 5:8-9, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings."

As a pastor, I am sensitive to the trials and sufferings of those in our church. As of late I have been troubled by the sharp rise of hardships among our people. As a church, and in the lives of many individual members as well, we have chosen to go down a path we believe will allow us to continue to be shaped by the love of Christ and then be the servants Christ created us to be as we lead all people to be shaped by the love of Christ. There is a renewed interest in worship, engagement with the body of Christ, Bible study and discipleship, serving, missions, and evangelism. In response to all this I believe the enemy has been actively at work in the lives of many. The result has been anger, bitterness, broken relationships, discouragement, fear, and all manner of things to distract our people from the cause of Christ. I have not really noticed a grand, large scale assault of evil upon us. Instead the enemy is working in small, subtle, insidious ways to discourage, dishearten, and distract us.

Like Peter, I affirm that what many are experiencing is suffering. But his advice is sound. Don't let the enemy get the best of you...resist him. And don't believe the lie that it is only you who is suffering. Turn to your brothers and sisters in Christ in order to offer and draw strength from one another. At the same time, stand firm in the faith. God is still in control and God is not finished yet. The enemy cannot win unless you quit.

The holidays are stressful enough without the added oppression of the enemy. Please know that I love all of you and I am praying for you. Don't give out, give up, or give in. Keep walking in the darkness, but keep your eyes on the horizon to watch for the light. A new day will dawn at just the right time.

Comments

Anonymous said…
You are totally correct Scott! As we draw closer to Christ, the attacks WILL come. We can also lean on these verses: Isaiah 54:16-17 "See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to work havoc; no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD. We are also praying for you and Kimberlie...as well as Gains, Mary, Allen Ray, Betsy, Jordan and Hollie. We have such great leadership! Angela
November 18, 2009 at 8:28 AM
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