Tuesday, Apr 22, 2008

TWG - April 22, 2008

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TWG - April 22, 2008
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
Genesis 35; Ezekiel 41:1-12; Matthew 2

Today is April 22, this is time with God, I’m Pastor Dennis - I’ve been waiting here for you. Welcome to our life transforming community. This is your invitation to take one step forward every day in your relationship with Christ. We invite you to do something unbelievably radical. We invite you to deny yourself, take up your cross daily and follow Jesus

I am a goal driven kind of guy. I set up dates on my calendar and then I try my best to make them happen. Yesterday was no exception. I had “build dog fence” on my list. So most of the day, I cut a 350 foot long hole, about 2 to 3 inches deep to put in a low voltage wire underground for the dog. Now how could I possibly dig that wire in I wondered? The solution… a commercial lawn edger from United Rentals. Thanks to that I made it! Still a lot of work but doable! When I returned the edger, Tanner, the check in guy looked at the blade and said, “Wow! You really wore that down!” Yes I did! It was an exhausting day. Susan followed behind me and stuffed the wire down into the hole. We were both a dirty mess when we were finished. Then I worked out and spent a quiet night at home. I posted a picture of the snow that fell the other day… it is a view out my front window. You can see snow on my truck and car. www.timewithgod.mypodcast.com.

This week’s theme verse is Ephesians 6:10-13 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 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. 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.

Protection. We’re willing to pay for it. No, it’s not extortion (although it feels like it)… we call it insurance and taxes (wait! Maybe it is extortion!) Insurance is supposed to keep us from taking huge financial hits. Taxes are supposed to pay for police, fire and military protection. It would be nice if we didn’t have to pay for it… but that isn’t realistic. In our day, what would it be like to have no military to protect us against terrorism? (The answer is Kuwait!). We would be at the mercy of hostile forces. What would it be like to have no police or fire protection? It would also be bad to have an emergency and not have car or health insurance. I don’t like to pay for it, but let’s face it, when a problem comes up, I WANT full protection! So let’s say I decide that I make a decision that I’m not going to get say… homeowners insurance (Russian roulette! Spin the wheel; you decide which insurance you don’t want). I think that the odds of my house burning down are negligible. It’s a savings, but, what if the unthinkable happens. It just doesn’t make sense to have gaps in my armor. We are told to put on “the full armor of God.” If you only want partial protection, go ahead… don’t put on the helmet… no, make that the bullet proof vest… no, maybe I won’t put on my combat boots. Choosing to leave ourselves vulnerable to the enemies attacks is like saying, “Let’s see, I guess I’ll choose depression over suicide.” God has made provision for our spiritual and emotional protection. Make sure you get the full compliment of insurance for the soul.

Dear Lord. I want to be protected. I know that life is fragile. Relationships are easily broken. Emotions well up sometimes I don’t know how to deal with. Decisions are difficult to make. I need your guidance and protection. Please help me to know what I need to do to get protected, and then be willing to “pay the price” to insure that I remain protected. I need your Holy Spirit filling me so that I live above life’s problems. Build a hedge around my life I pray. Do not let me stray! Thanks for your loving watch care.

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