Water has a powerful effect on stones. As it flows over rocks it smooths and shapes them into precious little stones. Erosion from water can carve deep grooves into the landscape of our hearts just like the word of God, but just like the beaver, we try to set up areas in our hearts to prevent the forceful effect of the word of God on our minds and hearts. Often we think our lives are open and willing to yield to the waves of the Spirit and the powerful force of conviction in our lives. We would much rather wade in the warm estuaries of our deception where silt and debris collect and the water is lifeless. But God desires that we enter into the waters of His word with total abandon. The water in Lake Michigan has been cold this week, hostile to my flesh. I find myself inching my way in instead of diving headlong. How often do we proceed gingerly through His word running back to the shore of our comfort when it does not feel good to our flesh. As we come to Him i...
Yesterday my oldest son Elijah and my middle son Caleb were outside enjoying time together in the snow. They were building a snow fort. Suddenly they burst into the house, Caleb crying and Elijah obviously furious. They both began to spew incriminating evidence against the other. From what I gathered they were both at fault but Caleb's action had caused retaliation by Elijah. Elijah announced very emphatically that, "I am NEVER going to play with you outside again!!!!!", and he stormed off to his room. Caleb was hurt and standing there naked and so I instructed him to get dressed. As I prepared dinner the Holy Spirit brought to my attention the fact that Elijah was not going to forgive Caleb. I quickly remember several scriptures: 25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. ( Mark 11:25 , New King James Versio...
The enemy of our souls seeks to devour and destroy us. 1 Peter 5:8-9 gives a clear picture of how he seeks to devour us. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. He is looking for someone to pick off, like the lions of the Sahara that roam about waiting for that weak or aged gazelle to eat. But we are not clueless like that gazelle. Here Peter exhorts us first to be sober-minded. This implies that Satan will work to attack our minds. Often times if he can just get us to believe something that is not true or even take the truth and twist it then as we begin to believe the lie, it effects our view of God. In our weakness God is strong so we can stand against the enemy of our souls just like Jesus did. In Luke 4 , Jesus was full of ...
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