One Pilgrim’s Progress
A couple of years ago I read an online article written by a faithful Christ follower. This believer, however, struggled with a “habitual” or “pet” sin for years. He did not struggle with it every day. No. In fact, he could suppress it for weeks and even months at a time. However, this “habitual” or “pet” sin would eventually rear itself in this man’s life.
He desperately wanted to put it behind him forever, however he could never seem to shake this self-destructive and reoccurring sin in his life. He did, however, begin to chronicle his journey and battle with this sin by keeping a daily prayer journal.
Through the process of journaling, this man discovered and incredible trend in his Christian pilgrimage, and the sin which he fought so hard to suppress. He discovered that the times in which he was able to fend off that sin, two key activities were taking place in his life. On the flip side, he also discovered that whenever that sin would rear itself in his life, those two key actions were missing from his daily life.
The two things that helped the man suppress the sin in which he desperately battled, eventually helped him overcome that sin for good, as he made these two practices part of his daily life.
You may wonder what two things helped this man defeat his oppressing sin for good. Through journaling, he clearly saw the two specific practices that helped him achieve victory, as he looked back on his journal pages. The two practices were: “expressing to God a heart full of gratitude” and “intercessory prayers in which he prayed for others.”
By including these powerful spiritual disciplines in his daily life, the man, equipped with God’s Word, and empowered by God’s Holy Spirit, defeated his oppressing sin for good.
These two spiritual disciplines may seem common for many believers. In fact, Paul wrote to the church at Philippi in Philippians 4:6: “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” (HCSB)
I want to encourage you, that as you deal with life’s day-to-day struggles, and the often crippling fear of your own depravity, to keep God’s precepts in His Word at the forefront of your life. By doing so, you will become equipped by His Word and empowered by His Holy Spirit. Thus, you will receive victory, and will stamp out defeat!
Nothing is as It Seems
I know it has been quite some time since I posted my last thoughts. However, while taking a much needed sabbatical from my doctoral studies, I haven’t focused much on things other than my family and the ministry in my congregation, up here in suburban St. Louis…For which I am truly grateful!
At the end of October, I wrapped up a long and tedious Trimester, and am now preparing to enter into my “Dissertation Project” phase of my degree program…Which upon completion next summer, I will graduate with my doctorate…YEAH!!! Still, it has proved as quite a fulfilling endeavor!!!
After that grueling stretch that led up to November 1st, my wife and I planned on taking our 6 year old daughter on an extended weekend to Chicago….We each got to pick one thing we wanted to do. My wife wanted to visit the Navy Pier. My daughter wanted to go to the “American Girl” store, which we did multiple times. However, all I really wanted to do was attend the Broadway hit musical “Wicked,” which was written as a prequel to the “Wizard of Oz.” It tells the unknown stories of the witches of Oz…It was AMAZING!!! I’ve never been quite as captivated in my life…The live theatre…the beauty in the story, and the amazing plot twist still provides a rush of adrenaline as I think back to the unknown story of the witches of Oz, especially Elphiba…the witch we all know as the Wicked Witch of the West.
Without giving away the plot and ruining the incredible story for any of you who may see it, as it tours the country, I have to provide one detail about this fascinating piece of fiction.
Unlike the great classic “The Wizard of Oz”…the villain in “Wicked” is not whom you think. The true villain has no magical powers or political sway…the villain is nothing more than a con artist…It proves as an amazing plot twist.
Not long after we returned to St. Louis from our weekend in the windy city, I went into our local Barnes and Noble and found a great read on the development and production of “Wicked.”
In that book, one statement stole my thoughts for some time…The musical’s producer and brainchild, Marc Pratt, made a statement regarding the villain. Pratt said: “The ‘Villain’ has no powers; he merely exploits the fear and ignorance of others!” His statement struck a chord that resonated deep within my heart…and still does every time I think about it!
As Christ followers, our enemy is Satan…And Satan; just like the villain in “Wicked” has no powers at all…He merely exploits our ignorance and fears to accomplish his work of thwarting the work of God!
Wow…what an amazing epiphany that was for me!!!
We all know that Satan has no power over us, because as Christ followers, we’ve been covered with Christ’s atoning love and the Armor of God.
So I’ll end with this thought…The next time things seem to be crumbling around you, and you feel your life is out of control…surrender your fears and ignorance to God as you empower yourself by following God’s precepts in His Word, and the promptings of His Holy Spirit…By doing so…You will more easily see your victory over your already defeated enemy!!!
Paul wrote the following words to the church at Corinth: “Death has been swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting?”
Remember “We are more than conquers through Christ Jesus our Lord” …and Satan has no power over us!!!
