Who has your back?

Reading: Deuteronomy 33-34, Psalm 35, and Galatians 6

Scripture: Psalm 35:1-3, Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me! Take hold of shield and buckler and rise for my help! Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers! Say to my soul, “I am your salvation!” 

Thoughts: We are at war, war for the souls of this world. Every day we battle with the influences of the evil one from the most innocent looking cartoon, to the demonized people who are actively working against the kingdom of heaven. Not only are we told to take up God’s armor in Galatians 6 but here in Psalm 35 David is calling for God to come in and kick some butt, and speak to his soul and remind him who is in control and where our salvation comes from. With God’s armor on and God having out back why are we afraid, why do we doubt, why do we worry? Let us walk in the light of his goodness and grace, and in the power and authority we have as sons and daughters of the most high.

Prayer: Father God, I thank you that you are my strength and power to over come all things. You are my salvation. I ask that you open my eyes and give me the discernment to know and understand those things that are coming against me because I’m your child. Lead me and guide me that I may be a vessel of peace, joy and love.

Freedom gone wrong?

Reading: Deuteronomy 31-32 and Galatians 5

Scripture: Galatians 5:13-14, For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Thoughts: When in my 20s I found it easy and appealing to use my freedom as opportunity for my flesh. I spent time indulging in many of the fleshly desires that draw many in their early adulthood. Drugs, sex, and alcohol, permeated my life for nearly a decade, when in that frame of mind and allowing your bodily desires lead it is near impossible to think of others. The law is there to show us our inadequacy and Christ came to show us how to walk in love, when we can love our neighbors and he loves and as we love ourselves we fulfill the law through his sacrifice. How are we using the freedom that he had given to us through the death and resurrection of his Son? 

Prayer: Father God, your grace and mercy are sufficient for me and you have paid the price that I may be called a son. I thank you that you are still working in my life and that you helped me to release and move from those things that draw me away. I ask that you continue to work in my life removing the places where I still use my freedom for my flesh.