1-18-2014

Good Morning to All,

      Psalm 119:11; “I have stored up your word in my heart; that I might not sin against you.”

     I watched a show on television the other night.  It was about survivalists.  Survivalists are people who expect some sort of calamity that will lead to a breakdown of the government and society.  The survivalists have homes or camps or compounds somewhere away from heavily populated areas where they have stored up non-perishable food and water and guns and ammo.  The survivalists are prepared to stay in these homes for years.  The television show was about “survivalist experts” who rated and ranked the ideas of the participants.  I watched this show and mused about the concern of these survivalist.

    Then I thought back to my youth when almost every community had a “civil defense center” where canned food and water and Geiger counters were stored.  This was in case there was a nuclear attack and you needed a safe place to hide.  There were also pamphlets about what to do in case of an attack.  Farmers were supposed to wait about six months and the scrape the top two inches of soil, which would have be contaminated, off and then begin to farm again.  No one ever said what to do with all that dirt.

    So we prepare ourselves for disasters; maybe not to this level but we do prepare.  Most people who drive in real winter conditions have some form of survival gear in their vehicle.  They may have blankets, water, canned soup in their vehicle in case they get stuck in inclement weather.  Most of us have flashlights or candles in case the electricity goes out.  We need to prepare for some potential disasters in our faith life as well.  There will be times in our life when we will be vulnerable to the devil’s attacks and we need to be prepared for them.

    The best way to prepare for the devil’s lies is to always have God’s truth at hand.  We can do this by reading, studying and meditating on God’s Word.  We can do this by prayer.  By the careful reading of God’s Word, we will store up God’s Word in our heart.  God’s Words become the first thing that comes to mind when the devil’s assaults come and they will come.  They will come at the worst time for you.  They will come when you are grieving a death, suffering a setback at work, when a relationship is going through a rough time, when health questions arise; they will come.  The devil will try to weasel his way into your life, whispering into your ear any lie he can think of trying to cause doubt.  All it takes is doubt, like he gave to Eve, “Did God really say?” 

   By storing up God’s Word in our heart, it becomes the first thing we think of in our head. So when the devil challenges we have God’s truth to come to the forefront.  We will remember, “Cast all your anxieties on him for he cares for you”; or “When my heart is overwhelmed lead me to the rock that is higher than I” or “So do not fear for I am with you do not be dismayed for I am your God.”  Trust God.

Father give me the certainty of your Word and the confidence to trust it when the attacks occur.  Be with those who are in battle at this time.  Guard them with your Spirit and bring to mind all your promises.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret