Ephesians 6:10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Believe it or not, we are in a war. It is a war for the human soul, a war for our minds, a war for our hearts, a war for our families, a war for "the church!" WAR!! As Christians, we should be lifting each other up and forming more unity in our fellowships and we can use the early church as our example. Here is how they bonded together. Acts 4:32 All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had.33 The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all.34 There were no needy people among them because those who owned land or houses would sell them 35 and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need. That unity has been reduced to a lesser state where so many Christians plot against each other and shoot their wounded and laugh as they fall before their very eyes. This should not be so, but I am afraid it is so. See if the story below doesn't bring into focus how we as believers should fight this war together with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
In the fall of the year, Linda, a young woman, was traveling alone up the rutted and rugged highway from Alberta to the Yukon. Linda didn't know you don't travel to Whitehorse alone in a rundown Honda Civic, so she set off where only four-wheel drives normally venture. The first evening she found a room in the mountains near a summit and asked for a 5 A.M. wakeup call so she could get an early start. She couldn't understand why the clerk looked surprised at that request, but as she awoke to early- morning fog shrouding the mountain tops, she understood. Not wanting to look foolish, she got up and went to breakfast. Two truckers invited Linda to join them, and since the place was so small, she felt obliged. "Where are you headed?" one of the truckers asked. 'Whitehorse'
"In that little Civic? No way! This pass is dangerous in weather like this." "Well, I'm determined to try," was Linda's gutsy, if not very informed, response. "Then I guess we're just going to have to hug you," the trucker suggested. Linda drew back. "There's no way I'm going to let you touch me!"
"Not like THAT!" the truckers chuckled. "We'll put one truck in front of you and one in the rear. In that way, we'll get you through the mountains." All that foggy morning Linda followed the two red dots in front of her and had the reassurance of a big escort behind as they made their way safely through the mountains. Caught in the fog in our dangerous passage through life, we need to be "hugged." With fellow Christians who know the way and can lead safely ahead of us, and with others behind, gently encouraging us along, we, too, can pass safely.
Don Graham
We cannot fight this war alone. We must rely on the Spirit of God and yes, we must be able to rely on each other or we are defeated. Strengthen those in your circle of influence, yes even dive into their situation and minister the best way you can minister to them. When God says to love one another, I know He means to love one another. That is how we win this war on our souls.
The Pilgrimage Continues...
David Warren
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