Spiritual Warfare

Spiritual warfare is a topic that in the western church we often dismiss as fanciful occurrences in segments of charismatic Christianity. Still greater is the temptation to assume that spiritual warfare only takes place in third world countries where witch doctors and voodoo reign in terms of religious practice. Christians in America should take to heart the words of the Apostle Paul, "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" (Eph. 6:12). What does Paul mean in this verse? He is reminding us that there are other forces at work in the world trying to subvert the gospel of Jesus Christ. We certainly wage war with very real, tangible temptations to sin and walk away from the faith. Paul isn't denying this struggle with the flesh that he describes in Galatians 5, but he is trying to open our eyes to the reality that there are other factors, forces, and beings at work in the world seeking to cause destruction to the church and the work of God's kingdom. 

Calvin Miller's book Disarming the Darkness, is a brief book in which he offers the two-fold counter attack to spiritual warfare, prayer and Bible reading. At the very least, the Christian ought to devote his/herself to prayer and saturation with the word of God. We know that this is in fact what we should do however, getting in the word and spending time in meaningful prayer is a struggle for most of us. These vital components of the Christian life are part of the armor of God that Paul tells us we need if we will be able to do spiritual warfare. If you are not currently engaged in a Bible reading plan, let me encourage you to spend some time over the next few weeks reading through the Gospel of Mark. It's the shortest of the New Testament Gospel's so it is quite manageable. Mark also writes with a great deal of action, so you will not get bored easily. Maybe spend time reading and reflecting on one chapter a day. Before you read each day, ask the Lord to give you understanding and insight into what you read. After you read the chapter for that day, spend time praying to the Lord by sharing what concerns you for your day ahead. He longs to hear the concerns of his children. The more we practice prayer and scripture reading the more ready we will be to do spiritual warfare with Satan and the forces of evil.

The Beauty of Liturgy

 One of the things I discovered in college and seminary is the beauty of liturgy in Christian worship services. If like me, you count yourself among the Baptist family of faith, you may say, we don't have liturgy. That's the stuff those high church people like Episcopalians and Methodists do. Liturgy in one sense means the work of God's people in worship. In this sense, all churches, even free church traditions like Baptists and non-denominational churches have a set liturgy, even if they don't always recognize this fact. Having an order, an expectation of what comes next in worship is helpful for God's people to tune their hearts to sing His praise. Two days ago, Christians observed Ash Wednesday. In our congregation, we held a simple service with singing, prayers, scripture reading, and the imposition of ashes as a way to prepare our hearts for the season of Lent. There is something refreshing for the people of God, when worship is simple yet intentional to direct our hearts to the Lord and to musicians, people, or preachers. Whatever your church's liturgy, may you find space in the next few weeks to be attentive to the work of the Holy Spirit in your life, calling you to repentance and renewal through the atoning death of Jesus. 

Lent 2021

Today is February 17, 2021. This is Ash Wednesday. A day that marks the beginning of the season of the Christian calendar as Lent. Lent has been observed by Christians of many different traditions throughout the centuries. Lent is a way of allowing the believer to spend time reflecting on the biblical idea of repentance. Repentance involves a turning from our sin and towards God. In our repentance we identify our sin and rebellion towards God through confession, in order that we might more earnestly seek Him. Lent reminds me of my humanity. It reminds me of my brokenness. Lent reminds me that I cannot live the Christian life apart from the work of the Holy Spirit in my life. As much as I think I am aware of my sinfulness before a holy God, I have only just begun to scratch the surface. Lent beckons me back to the grace of Christ Jesus offered in the cross. I invite you to join me in this journey to the cross, with the anticipation of what is beyond the cross...the resurrection.