Missionary Renegade: Daily Guide grow. pray. study. from The Resurrection United Methodist Church of Leawood, Kansas, United States for Friday, 12 June 2015 - “We aren’t fighting against human enemies”

Friday, June 12, 2015

Daily Guide grow. pray. study. from The Resurrection United Methodist Church of Leawood, Kansas, United States for Friday, 12 June 2015 - “We aren’t fighting against human enemies”

Daily Scripture: Ephesians 6:10 Finally, grow powerful in union with the Lord, in union with his mighty strength! 11 Use all the armor and weaponry that God provides, so that you will be able to stand against the deceptive tactics of the Adversary. 12 For we are not struggling against human beings, but against the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers governing this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm. 13 So take up every piece of war equipment God provides; so that when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist; and when the battle is won, you will still be standing. 14 Therefore, stand! Have the belt of truth buckled around your waist,[a] put on righteousness for a breastplate,[b] 15 and wear on your feet the readiness that comes from the Good News of shalom.[c] 16 Always carry the shield of trust, with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the Evil One. 17 And take the helmet of deliverance;[d] along with the sword given by the Spirit, that is, the Word of God; 18 as you pray at all times, with all kinds of prayers and requests, in the Spirit, vigilantly and persistently, for all God’s people.[Footnotes:

Ephesians 6:14 Isaiah 11:5

Ephesians 6:14 Isaiah 59:17

Ephesians 6:15 Isaiah 52:7

Ephesians 6:17 Isaiah 59:17]

Reflection Questions:
Manager Tommy Lasorda noted that every team wins at least 1/3 of its games, and loses 1/3 of its games. “The other third makes the difference,” he said. Ephesians said we’re up against serious spiritual darkness, not just “human enemies.” We face forces that ultimately involve the entire cosmos, or, we might say, the very nature of reality. We need God’s “armor” in order to win this battle, the one that makes the difference.

We usually think of everyday issues of money, work, school, houses, cars, even health and illness as “the real world.” Ephesians said prayer connects us to the real “real world,” with eternal issues at stake. How can your prayers connect you more fully with God? How will you raise your gaze beyond “this-worldly” worries to focus more of your energy in the “real reality” of God’s world?
The city of Ephesus held temples of many pagan gods and cults. Paul’s list of so many powers of darkness in verse 12 spoke, as scholar Clinton Arnold put it, to “believers [who] came to the Lord from a background in magic, astrology, witchcraft, goddess worship, and various mystery cults.” What forces in today’s world make it hardest for you to hold fast to your commitment to God? Which parts of God’s armor have been most important to you in pushing back the darkness in your own life, and in the lives of others?

Today’s Prayer:
O God, remind me today (and every day) to “put on” your armor. Empower me to join in your mission to push back the darkness and spread your light. Amen.Insights from Cathy Bien

Cathy Bien serves as the Director of Communications at Resurrection. She and her husband Rick have been members of the church for 20+ years and have four adult children.
This week has been Vacation Bible Camp at Resurrection Leawood. It’s been pretty exciting to see the thousands of kids having fun and learning about being a disciple of Jesus. Today’s GPS passage from Ephesians 6:10-18 took me back to when my own sons were running through the hall of the church at Vacation Bible Camp. (“Walk, please!”)
Like many little boys, the first time they heard this scripture passage they were captivated (“You mean God says we can put on armor and fight the devil? Cool!”) And this of course led to costumes and battles. (“No, your sister is not the devil, and no you may not have a sword fight with your brother in the living room.”)

My children are grown now, but as I read this passage today, I pray that they are still clothed in God’s armor. The world can be a dark place, and sometimes that darkness can penetrate our souls. As humans we can easily succumb to the evils of hate, greed and selfishness. On our own, we may forget about the God we serve. Or maybe it just becomes too hard when we’re struggling by ourselves. But we are not alone. God has promised that his strength will be our strength. When darkness engulfs us, the Lord of Light will protect and empower us.
We may have outgrown dressing up in armor, but let us never forget to look to God for the strength to push back the darkness through salvation (the helmet), truth (the belt), justice (the breastplate), faith (the shield) and God’s word (the sword). Oh, and don’t forget your shoes so you are ready to spread the good news of peace!
This scripture passage ends with the instruction in verse 18 to pray: “stay alert by hanging in there and praying for all believers.” So put your armor on and hang in there, and join me as we pray for one another.
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts;
so I am helped, and my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him.[Psalm 28:7]
*(Image used with permission from www.preschool-plan-it.com)