Our grandson was fishing across the lake with his friend when the thunderhead began forming to the southwest. I was away for the day but my husband was in the backyard with the dog when the wind began to pick up. Storms move fast over water and by the time Paul was inside, the first raindrops began to fall and then lightning struck in the distance. He texted the boys to make sure they were headed in and the next instant, he saw their boat round the bend. The fish seem to bite best as a storm front moves in. We tell ourselves, “just one more cast and then I’ll head in.” But lightning is nothing to play about, especially on the water.
“Then Jesus turned to the crowd and said,
“When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say, ‘Here comes a shower.’
And you are right.
When the south wind blows, you say, ‘Today will be a scorcher.’
And it is.
You fools!
You know how to interpret the weather signs of the earth and sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the present times.
“Why can’t you decide for yourselves what is right?”
Luke 12:54-57 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.12.54-57.NLT
Jesus came to earth as God in human flesh to right a cosmic wrong. He witnessed war in the heavens long before the earth was created, before the deceiver set his sights on humanity. John was given a vision from God to reveal to us, a peek into the spirit realm, enough to see what we’re dealing with when we face temptation, trials, and day to day struggles. As Paul wrote to the Ephesian church, and by extension to us, we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies but against unseen evil in this dark world. (Ephesians 6:12) God has provided us a Champion, outfitted us with armor, and offered His indwelling Spirit to insure our victory. But our enemy is wily and he’s the master of the sucker punch. He’s opportunistic to the core and he loves to hit while you’re down. (Matthew 4:1-11)
“Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels.
And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven.
This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels.
Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens,
“It has come at last— salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ.
For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night.
And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony.
And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.
Therefore, rejoice, O heavens!
And you who live in the heavens, rejoice!
But terror will come on the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time.””
Revelation 12:7-12 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/rev.12.10-12.NLT
“Stay alert!
Watch out for your great enemy, the devil.
He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.
Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.”
1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1pe.5.8-9.NLT
The Bible repeatedly instructs believers to fix our eyes on Jesus, to abide in Him, to trust in Him , and to seek His Kingdom above all else. We are repeatedly told not to fear, not to trust ourselves but to deny ourselves, to repent and confess our sins to God and to one another. Our human nature rankles but scripture even addresses this, reminding us that we are but dust, that the good we want to do, we cannot do, and that God is not mocked. We reap what we sow. We must learn to deny self in order to submit to God. As Jesus said, we must take up our cross daily. What did that require of Jesus? How might it require the same of me?
Mastering self is a daily challenge but it is possible with God. I’m reminded of my first pregnancy. My grandmother said I was so health conscious that I told everyone else how to eat the entire time I was pregnant. Aware of the life growing inside me, I determined to feed my body only what would most benefit my baby. I cut out sugars and ate whole grains like shredded wheat. Not the iced and flavorful variety either. The original. I ate Grape Nuts, oatmeal, fish, and fresh fruits and vegetables. I learned to like some of these things over the course of my pregnancy, but many of them I endured, knowing I was benefiting my firstborn. Determining to live crucified with Christ is a choice I make for the selfsame reason.
“Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path.
And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.
Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.
For we are each responsible for our own conduct.
Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God.
You will always harvest what you plant.
Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature.
But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good.
At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”
Galatians 6:1, 4-5, 7-9 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/gal.6.1-9.NLT
“Then Jesus gave the following illustration: “Can one blind person lead another? Won’t they both fall into a ditch?
And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?
How can you think of saying, ‘Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?
Hypocrite!
First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.”
Luke 6:39, 41-42 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.6.41.NLT
We belong to each other in God’s Kingdom of Light and Love. We live bodily (and temporarily) in a world of darkness but a day is coming when the bright Morning Star will rise in our hearts. (II Peter 1:19 NIRV) Until that day, the gospel message, Jesus alive in us, is a light shining in darkness. (Matthew 5:14-16)
“Now it’s time to be made new by every revelation that’s been given to you. And to be transformed as you embrace the glorious Christ-within as your new life and live in union with him!
For God has re-created you all over again in his perfect righteousness, and you now belong to him in the realm of true holiness.
So discard every form of dishonesty and lying so that you will be known as one who always speaks the truth, for we all belong to one another.
But don’t let the passion of your emotions lead you to sin!
Don’t let anger control you or be fuel for revenge, not for even a day.
Don’t give the slanderous accuser, the Devil, an opportunity to manipulate you!
If any one of you has stolen from someone else, never do it again. Instead, be industrious, earning an honest living, and then you’ll have enough to bless those in need.
And never let ugly or hateful words come from your mouth, but instead let your words become beautiful gifts that encourage others; do this by speaking words of grace to help them.
The Holy Spirit of God has sealed you in Jesus Christ until you experience your full salvation.
So never grieve the Spirit of God or take for granted his holy influence in your life.
Lay aside bitter words, temper tantrums, revenge, profanity, and insults.
But instead be kind and affectionate toward one another.
Has God graciously forgiven you?
Then graciously forgive one another in the depths of Christ’s love.”
Ephesians 4:23-32 TPT
https://bible.com/bible/1849/eph.4.25-32.TPT
“Jesus looked at them and said, “With people, this is impossible.
But not with God.
All things are possible with God.””
Mark 10:27 NIRV
https://bible.com/bible/110/mrk.10.27.NIRV
Be the Light.
A Fitting Reply 