The Real Problem

I know that many times we go to church, worship God, interact with the family then go home [or to lunch].  

End of the weekend and back to work.

You may not often think about the role of church leadership, the next stages of church life, goals for personal and corporate spiritual growth or other broad stroke type thinking that comes with leading a spiritual family. These are things that we wrestle with all the time!

In recent weeks, there have been a few things that have happened that remind me that the life we live is so much more than just the day to day.   It is a spiritually supercharged life with so much interaction on levels we rarely take the time to acknowledge. 

• Jesus said that sometimes spiritual looking people are heavily influenced by the “father of lies”, Satan. [John 8:44]
• Paul reminded us to put on the armor of God each day and to pray always on all occasions for all of the people of God. [Eph. 6:12-20]
• Peter reminded us that the evil one is stalking us and seeks to devour us like a roaring lion. [1 Peter 5:8]
• John told us that we are swayed by the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the boastful pride of life distracts us from the love of God. [1 John 2:16]

Knowing that challenges will find us, I am reminded of the importance of prayer and refocusing our hearts and our trust on the One who can protect us, guide us and give us wisdom to act. 

There is an account in the life of Elisha (2 Kings 6:8-23) of a time when the King of Aram, a sworn enemy of Israel, was foiled each time he tried to trap the King of Israel.

It turned out that every time he made a plan, God would reveal it to Elisha, who would warn the king of Israel. 

When the King of Aram finally discovered the cause, here is what happened:

2 Kings 6:14-17 14  Then he [the king of Aram] sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city. 15  When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked. 16  "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." 17  And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 

• Oh how I wish we could ask God to reveal to us the mighty force of spiritual beings that surround us each and every day to protect us from the evil one.  
• I so wish we could see the plan that God has for us.  
• I wish that we could understand the way God works.  

Even though we only get a glimpse, at times, we have to trust God.   We KNOW that NOTHING is a surprise to Him.  

We BELIEVE He is working for His glory and we are a part of making His plan unfold.  

In the same way in which God protected Elisha and his servant, God also protects us.  He is the same God.  He has the same love for us.   He has a plan to use us to accomplish His will. 

Let’s pray.  

Let’s remember this “battle is not against flesh and blood [each other], 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.” - Eph. 6:12

Leading and setting direction may have its challenges but when we get to serve people like the people of Grace Church, who are praying and focused, it is a joy and thrilling adventure!