For a brother...

Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias.  The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.”  And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”  And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen a in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.  But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem.  And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on you name.  But the Lord said to him, “Go for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.  For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.  So Ananias departed and entered the house.  And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.   Acts 9:10-17

Personal Thought:

God visits Ananias in a vision and tells him, Rise and go lay hands on Saul and pray.  Could you imagine Ananias’ shock?  Lord, really Saul, an enemy, as he reminds God of who this man is, the man who persecuted Christians and has full authority from the chief priests to continue to do so.  God knowing full well who Saul was and what he had done tells Ananias, Go he is my chosen instrument to carry out my name.  So Ananias goes, probably many thoughts and fear of his own safety.  However, it is evident Ananias is a man who trusts God.  Ananias assured of God's love and comfort, enters the house laying his hands on Saul, calls him “brother”, and he prays.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you Father for Your grace and the change it brings into our lives.  It is your grace that draws us to the lost, to the sinners, and to see them without preconceived thoughts of who we think they are.  I pray Lord You fill us with Your love so we would love others.  I pray the words of Andrew Murray, Let us first seek to influence those around us in daily life.  Let us accept distinctly and joyfully our holy calling, that we are even now to live as the servants of the love of Jesus to our fellowmen.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 

Fighting the right battle…

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.  Ephesians 6:10-12

On Friday, Dec. 14, the news of a school shooting was completely horrific and devastating.  So many questions unanswered, and faced with difficulty of what to do next.  For many it will be a time of grief and healing that needs to take place.  On the broader scale the challenge becomes how to handle this and prevent it from happening again.  The battle now focuses on the factors involved guns and mental illness.  However, guns do not cause this nor does mental illness.  Not everyone who owns a gun does things like that nor does every person who has a mental illness. The governor had it right when he said, “Evil visited this community today.”  Although guns and mental illness were factors in this, evil was the cause. 

The Monday after, of course it was on my mind but unspoken with my daughter.  Until I pulled in the school and there was a police car in the parking lot.  And the conversation began.  My daughter asked, “Mommy do you think he was bullied when he was a kid?”  Of course we have no clear answers, but I wonder if there was truth to that. There could have been emotional wounds from when he was a kid that Satan had rooted deeply in his being.  Without healing and the love of Jesus, Satan had his chance to reign.  The battle is against the evil forces. 

As Christmas is here, the birth of our Savior it is the remembrance that Jesus came to claim victory and conquer Satan. 

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you Lord for sending Jesus our Savior and restoring us back to relationship with you.  Thank you for victory over evil through Jesus Christ.  I pray for the parents or families that lost children or loved ones.  I pray, Father, You comfort them at this time of grief in their lives.  I pray You would be their strength and guidance through the days to come.  I pray for the people You will place in their lives as comfort and support, to be Your hands of love reaching out to the families.  Lord I pray against the evil forces that they may be able to stand against the schemes of the enemy at this time.  I pray for the salvation of those that don’t know you.  I pray for the ones that do, that would draw nearer to you at this time.  In spite of the evil they are facing, I pray this Christmas for victory in their lives though Jesus.  May Your Presence protect them and bless them.  I pray in Jesus’ Name, Amen.