Saturday, Apr 26, 2008

TWG - April 26, 2008

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TWG - April 26, 2008
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
Genesis 39; Ezekiel 44; Matthew 5:21-48

Today is April 26, this is time with God, I’m Pastor Dennis - I’ve been waiting here for you. Welcome to our life transforming community. TWG is a covenant to seek the LORD God with all our heart and with all our soul. If you seek Him, He will be found by you.

How would you describe a ministry you can believe in? Good programs? Quality people? Solid teaching? Great music? Why not come this Sunday and find out. That’s what we will be talking about. I put a new header at the Pine Grove page by way of introduction to our new message series on 1 Timothy. That’s what I did all day Friday. In the morning we did music practice. Evie, Ken and Dee stopped in for a few minutes to pick up some work Evie had done. Isaiah was there as well. He came for his sucker! He knows that his grandpa loves him. After work I went to work out with Kyle & Marcia and then it was home for the Evening. Susan is working so very hard at home. I helped her dig out 3 landscape bricks that had gotten “root bound” in our front yard. I put a picture of Dee and Evie in my office on the blog at 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.

These are dark and evil days! We live in the constant shadow of the threat of terrorism. We live in a time when crime and corruption are rampant. We live in an age where our values are trampled upon. These are days of evil. But that’s not what this verse is talking about so much. It certainly includes them, but its emphasis is on a different kind of evil day. The word evil is one that gives us our English word “ponderous,” meaning difficult or hard. I’ve had some very hard days, and some of them I would characterize as “evil.” Any day that you are under attack from the forces of darkness is a ponderous, evil day. The day this verse is talking about is any day that the devils schemes are put into play against you. When you are under attack by the “evil” powers of darkness, then it is an “evil” day. When Satan tempts, it makes for a tough life. When he attempts to deceive, it ain’t easy. He may frighten you, plant seeds of doubt, distract you or openly harass you, even wrap your life up with such activity that you don’t know what hit you… all of these attacks happen on an evil day. How do you deal with a bad hair day? Go back to bed? I hope not! The answer to the bad day is “put on the full armor of God,” and then stand your ground. Don’t run away shaking or crying in fear. Don’t give up. Stand. The enemy may be insidious and invisible, but when you take your stand in the authority of Jesus Christ and refuse to give up ground, he’s got no choice but to show his true colors; around Jesus they are yellow! Resist the Devil and he will flee from you!

Father, I wish to stand strong in the strength of the Lord Jesus Christ. Give me courage in the face of fear. Fill me with the hope of your presence in me! I pray for good success in whatever I do as I follow your Word and your Will. I know that I need to expect dark days and prepare for them so they don’t take me by surprise. With you in my life, I can live with hope even in hopeless times. Thank you!

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