Angels and Demons: week 2
Here's a few thoughts to chew on:
Remember Jesus' encounter with Pontius Pilate? Pilate was looking in the eyes of truth, and yet Pilate asked Jesus, "What is truth?"
Under every war, decision and relationship, truth serves as the axis. Everything is done either according to the truth or against it? Is it true that in America, Satan and his demons are destracting us from the truth? So we collect possession, build bigger houses, watch more television, eat more food, drink more wine, chase celebrities and maintain our consumer lifestyle. What does this say about the involvement of demonic forces. So does Jesus TRULY mean we should sell all our possessions and give to the poor? Do you see angelic and demonic forces in America?
Kevin Spacey's quote says a lot doesn't it? "The greatest trick the devil every pulled was making the world believe he didn't exist."
Why was Jesus so forceful in revealing the truth?
Let the chewing begin.
Vicar Matthew
It's pretty easy to say "the devil made me do it" when bad choices are made or bad things happen, but I'm just not sure? (Is the devil behind every bad choice we make or bad thing that happens, or do some bad choices just happen AND perhaps bring us closer to learning our authentic self?)
"Chewing on this", maybe I've watched willy wonka one too many times with the kids I know, but somehow I have this vision of Violet chewing gum. She focued on the gum and made IT the most important thing, so much so that it was her one and only consuming goal.
A friend at work and I have been talking recently about callings and what we think God is "calling" us to do. Neither of us have a clue how this looks like in action in our own lives but we are relatively young and patient and trying to listen. In the meantime, we pray for each other.
I think it goes back to thinking about priorities and identifying distractions.
Although, being slightly superstitious as I drove home this evening I realized the full moon was yesterday and Friday was the 13th... This last week was pretty dismal and I did wonder if perhaps part of it didn't turn out that way because of my focus on "identifying demons" instead of balancing acknowledging demons with a steady dose of TRUTH.
Is TRUTH telling me I should sell my car, quit my job and serve the poor? Give up a week and help people in Ocean Springs? I'm not sure that EVERYONE is cut to be a servant in that EXACT way?
Turn off the tv and read my Bible? Open myself up to talking to people more and when opportunities present themself to bring up Jesus do so? I haven't figured that out either for myself yet. But I am confident that as long as I continue to keep my heart and mind open to the purpose God has for me it will become apparent someday. (Comment this)
Why does Paul list out the ruler, authorities, powers and spiritual forces in vs. 12? Why not lump them all into one group? Was that to give this battle size in relation to the wars and battles being fought in their time? What or whom would be considered an authority vs. a ruler whom I assume to be Satan?
(Comment this)
Why it chose to happen there and not five minutes later as I zoomed down the highway at 65 miles an hour in traffic (can you just imagine?) When I think about what MIGHT have happened I just truly understand that I was very blessed in this instance. Angelic intervention...maybe?
(I'm thinking this didn't have anything to do with a demon but more with the idea that I'm terrible at identifying car problems well before they happen.) (Comment this)