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Glory Seed Devotionals, 2015: Year of Promise
Easter, solidifying our relationship with God…
The bible is filled with stories of conflict between God’s people and their enemies. I’ve been watching the mini-series the “Bible” that was on television a couple of years ago on Netflix although I am only on episode 4 there has been a great deal of warring and violence between God’s people and their enemies. In chapter 10 of Matthew Jesus talks about the real unseen enemies all people face. “Don’t be afraid of people. They can kill you, but they cannot harm your soul. Instead, you should fear God who can destroy both your body and your soul in hell.” (Matthew 10:28, CEV)
While not a biblical scholar I understand Jesus to be saying we are to fear (respect) God more than humans but I also understand him to be cautioning us about the unseen enemies that lie below the surface, those enemies that take up space in our hearts putting us on a dangerous path away from God. I’ve experienced them in my own life and the life of people that have come in and out of my life as indifference, prejudice, hopelessness, helplessness, greed, depression, discouragement, disconnectedness, low or no self-esteem, conflict.
While I can’t be sure which unseen enemy you’re facing now or even if you are even facing one but I am sure of this as one of God’s People the Holy Spirit stands and moves with you in opposition and protection from any and all enemies. And because you fear (respect) God the words of Paul are given to you both as words of comfort and words of promise. “Be brave when you face your enemies. Your courage will show them that they are going to be destroyed, and it will show you that you will be saved. God will make all of this happen, and he has blessed you. Not only do you have faith in Christ, but you suffer for him.” (Philippians 1:28–29, CEV)
The Easter season is a time not only to reflect on the reasons for Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice but also a time to gain the courage we need to overcome the unseen enemies that have the power to destroy our relationship with God. The Easter season is a time to solidify our relationship with God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and ourselves.
Anticipate! Experience! Believe! Be transformed!
Grace and PEACE, Amen!
Gary
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Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 LEB)
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 LEB)
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Scriptures marked CEV, “Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.”