pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: battle


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Be Gentle

We enter today’s story on the cusp of battle.  David’s son Absalom has rebelled and it has all come to a head.  David’s army will engage Absalom’s army this day in battle.  In this deadly battle 20,000 men will die.  David issues what many would think an odd order just before battle is about to begin: “Be gentle with Absalom.”  In spite of the rebellion, David still sees his son and still loves him deeply.

Lots has led to this point.  Absalom’s vanity has led him to think that he should be king.  As this thought grew so too did the lust and greed for power and control.  Through a variety of schemes, deceit, and trickery, Absalom built up a following and ann army.  And so it came down to battle to determine who would be king.

In our lives we too can fall to the lies we tell ourselves and to the lies Satan whispers in our ear.  We too can be guilty of thinking more of ourselves than we should.  To get there we often tear others down.  We too can be guilty of seeking more power, more control, more influence over others.  To get there we often rationalize and manipulate and bend the truth.  It can be easy to go down the same road as Absalom.  It can be easy to rebel against God.  And we too find ourselves in battle.

In spite of all that led up to this point, David still says, “Be gentle with Absalom.”  When we get to the point of battle and wrestling with our desires against God’s will for us, our God says the same thing: “Be gentle with ____.”  God holds out for the same things as David held out for: reconciliation, restoration, redemption.  God is our loving father.  No matter our choices or actions, He still loves us and longs for relationship with us.  What a great love God has for you and me!

Scripture reference: 2 Samuel 18: 5-9


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May the Spirit Reign

A healthy balance must be struck  between living in the ‘flesh’ and living in the ‘Spirit’.  But to live fully we need both.   The Spirit must be the more dominant force in the Christian walk.

God created us with all of our senses to taste, smell, feel, hear, and see His creation and to experience it to the full.  Nature, food, sex, and so on are things God made for our pleasure.

Yet often we must reign in our ‘flesh’ side so we do not slip into gluttony, overindulgence, or addiction.  This battle within requires pretty constant attention.  Satisfaction with what we have is also a key to true happiness.

When we live by the Spirit, these ‘flesh’ desires are kept in check.  May the Spirit reign in us all!

Scripture Reference: Romans 8: 1-11


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In Our Struggle

Inside of us is an almost constant tug-of-war between God and Satan.  We face choices and decisions every day that either draw us closer to God or pull us away from Him.  All the while the Holy Spirit is trying to guide us to do what is right.  On our other ‘shoulder’ sits Satan, bringing in temptations.

Paul knew this battle well.  I thin in His time here on earth, Jesus caught a glimpse of it.  Although Jesus was without sin, I like to think that He felt the pull of our human condition enough that He fully intercedes for me (and you) before God.  Maybe this is wishful thinking!

Paul also tells us in Romans 8:26 that the Holy Spirit “intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.”  It is amazing that we are being prayer for in ways that we cannot even understand!  But we can rest assured that we are being wrapped in prayer by the Spirit.

In our struggle we too have a role.  Through disciplines such as prayer, study, scripture reading, worship, meditation, and fasting we can build up our spiritual muscles t better fight off Satan’s attacks.  Bu it is still good to know that the HS has our back too.  Thank you God!!

Scripture reference: Romans 7: 15-25a