Resisting Evil

[I have not been posting on this blog much lately because I am guest posting over at algonaumc.org. Here is an example of the kinds of posts I'm making over there, feel free to check it out!]

http://www.algonaumc.org/devotional/

^{Ephesians 6:11-12, "}Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."

You don't have to look far to see examples of evil in our world. Turn on the evening news or search the internet and you will find countless stories of pain and suffering. Praise God that in the face of such brokenness, He gives us a reason to hope, by giving us new life and inviting us into a restored relationship with Him.

So how do we resist evil in the world? First, realize that the devil does exist and will try to tempt you. The Bible describes the devil, demons, and demonic forces. We don't need to get obsessed over this fact, just aware of it. As C.S. Lewis shares, "There are two equal and opposite errors into which we can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence; the other is to believe and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors."

Second, remember that no amount of effort by the demons will ever, or can ever, take away your salvation. If you have placed your trust in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ then your sins are forgiven for all eternity. So while spiritual warfare most certainly exists, we can feel secure in our salvation and confidently proclaim the protections of our King.

Third, we have the support of our Christian brothers and sisters. When our friends share about their experiences we hear evidence of the devil's accusations but we also hear how God strengthens us against those temptations. Fellow believers speak truth, offer encouragement, and lovingly provide well-timed rebukes.

Allow your prayer today to recognize the realities of spiritual warfare. Is there a part of your life that the devil is trying to attack, perhaps? Do you feel comfortable mocking the devil when you consider how God is our perfect strength and protection? What steps could you take to equipping more spiritual armor, as described in Ephesians 6?

Hidden Acres Camp in Dayton, Iowa

Yesterday my wife and I crashed the first day of a pastors and wives retreat at Hidden Acres Camp in Dayton, Iowa. At Hidden Acres there is a special cabin (called the 'Wester Cabin') which is available, for free, for any full-time ministry worker looking for some rest and relaxation.

We had such a wonderful stay. I think we drove down imagining we would be staying in the kind of camp cabins we've seen at other locations, with a few bunk-beds and a simple bathroom, no kitchen. We were not expecting king-size bed, full kitchen, fireplace, bath-tub with spa jets, etc.

Plus, the cabin is tucked away from the main buildings of camp which gives it a peaceful, secluded feel. I kept daydreaming about taking a writer's retreat there for an extended period, either a few days or a full week. Oh, that would be incredible.

But this stay was just a quick overnight, to visit with my grandparents, get a tour of the Wester cabin (and the rest of camp), and sit-in on what ended up being the best sermon on the feeding of the 5000 that I have ever heard, yeah-ah.

Another big highlight was learning the game Qwirkle. Have you heard of this game? It is like Scrabble but there are 6 shapes and 6 colors, and you fill a grid with sudoku-style strategy. When you get a full row of six (a complete set), you get bonus points. My wife got a triple-set at one point, which must be a big deal because my grandma excitedly grabbed the camera to document the occassion:

If you work in ministry, remember to give yourself a break. Sometimes we fall into the trap of thinking we need to be in all places for all people. That's God's job; and we are most effective when we take our Sabbath rest, trusting Him to provide strength, and seeking His will. So be blessed, be a blessing.