Monday, May 05, 2008

TWG - May 5, 2008

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TWG - May 5, 2008
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
Genesis 44; Psalm 2; Matthew 10:1-25

Today is May 5, this is time with God, I’m Pastor Dennis - I’ve been waiting here for you. Welcome to our life transforming community. Together we are strong. As we walk though the word together we help each other grow.

It feels like summer. Nothing but sunshine and blue skies wherever you look. Saturday we had a great work day! And a great group of people out. We laid the forms for quite a bit of sidewalk. I started work on the upper handrail but didn’t have enough rail to finish it. Phil smoothed out the top of the amphitheater and we are now ready to put topsoil on part, and build a form for the concrete for the stage. Sunday the message was called “Be True to the truth.” No matter how many “fans” you have, stay at the task and stay true to the truth. In Discovery Class we talked about the tools that lead to maturity. And Sunday Evening we saw a great Creation Science film. Tonight or tomorrow night Susan and I plan to see the film “Expelled.” By Ben Stein. I have heard it is really good. I put a cute picture of Grandson Isaiah driving the riding lawnmower, with Gene and Ryland looking on at the blog at www.timewithgod.mypodcast.com.

This week’s theme verse is Ephesians 6:14-18 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

The final weapon in our arsenal is Prayer. Paul does not identify any part of the Roman armor coinciding with this weapon but I like to equate it to an indispensible piece of gear no soldier should be without; “communication equipment.” Communication is essential to any good battle plan. The Romans would coordinate their battles through their Generals, captains and lieutenants down to the infantry, cavalry and charioteers. The best possible way to coordinate a battle was to have your commanding officers perched on a hill above the fight so they could see the movements of the troops. Messages were sent back and forth with tactical information and strategic commands. The Romans could have used runners, birds, mirrors and lights to signals their troops. A well coordinated and disciplined army meant the difference between victory and defeat. The soldier down in the trenches usually had no way of knowing the grand scheme of the battle, but as long as the general was coordinating things well and as long as communication was not disrupted, they could gain a tactical advantage over the enemy. Communication is the difference between victory and defeat. Prayer is the way we communicate with God. As a Soldier down in the trenches, we may need to ask our General for reinforcements, or we may send a request for help for our comrades in arms. A little thanksgiving and praise for his omnipotent ability and strategy is not a bad idea either. And we may need to confess our failure to obey orders on occasion. Our General communicates back using several key communication methods. 1. He constantly refers us back to our military strategy manual, the Bible. It is there we find his clear, standing orders for the troops. 2. He regularly communes with our spirit. He may convict us of error, he may give us wisdom when we are stumped, and he may give guidance when we need it. He does this through the Holy Spirit. We must develop a sensitivity to God’s Spirit so that we can see where God is working and work with him. 3. God communicates through his “officers,” godly men and women who come along side to encourage, teach and lead. In order to decipher God’s messages for us, we have to refer back to method 2 and especially method #1. It’s the final authority. Above all things… Pray! Pray always! Pray with sensitivity to the spirit. Pray with passion and intensity in the spirit. Prayer is the difference between victory and defeat.

Dear Holy Spirit. I want to be sensitive to your leading. Help me to hone this wonderful gift of love you have given me. I never want to be out of communication with my Father. So many times the enemy harasses me and gets me to focus on other things, and I forget to pray. Father keep me from that error! I need to know your will. I need wisdom and guidance. Teach me to pray and help me to listen and gain the victory down here in the trenches.

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 11:43 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

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