Luke 11: 14-23
Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed. Some of them said, "By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons." Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. But he knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters."
Dawg's Thought:
Today's prayer intention - for those who are struggling with depression.
You can see the scene on most playgrounds: two captains figure out a way to find out who has the first pick. When I used to play basketball more often, it would be the first person to make a three pointer from the top of the key. I was always bad at shooting free throws (the first two to make it were the captains) so I rarely had the opportunity to have the first pick.
If I did have the opportunity, though, my first pick would be the person who gave my team the best shot to win the game.
In a sense, we are all captains who have a choice at building a team that will help you win a game. The question now is what game are you playing?
There are a lot of people who like to play the game of being financially comfortable, and their draft choices may differ from someone who doesn't want to be lonely.
In the end, too many people settle for playing a single key on a grand piano. They settle for a C# or an Bb. If only they knew that there were 87 other notes on the piano, and that although C# may not get played very often, it will have the chance to be played as a part of a greater piece of work.
Going back to the playground, if you're playing a much grander game, why settle for the just players that are in front of you?
I know that most of you have, otherwise you wouldn't have signed up to get these emails. Yet, do we have our supposed #1 draft pick merely to play Bb? In other words, is your faith in the Strong One, Jesus Christ, restricted to just one "note" in your composition? If so, then wouldn't the soldiers who are against the Strong One find a way to get in?
Our Lord, Jesus Christ, is a mighty Champion. In humility, let go of the things you want to control, for ... (if you know it, sing with me now ...) "My God is mighty to save! He is mighty to save! Forever, author of salvation, He rose and conquered the grave. Jesus conquered the grave!"
Take care and God Bless.
|
