Confused by the world? What is good?

Dear Family,

Do you find yourself anxious this week? Last night, just before going to sleep, I realized that Carah was very worried. The toll of evil on the people of Israel had taken a toll on Carah. Are you upset, emotional, confused, or fearful of the future? You are not alone. 

 I am bombarded all day with images on the news and posts on my social media. The sole purpose of terrorism is to cause fear. Hamas is very good at what they do. They not only killed and hurt the people of Israel, but they are causing anxiety around the globe. I have a question: are we fighting against Hamas and Iran? 

  Paul, in his letter to the church of Ephesus, tells them this in chapter 6 “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.”

  We are not at war with evil people but with the ruler of this earth. The serpent that destroyed the Garden of Eden is at work worldwide. So what do we do? How do we determine what is correct in our schools, media, and the evil around us? 1 John 4:1-4 gives us a way to test what we see. 

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

  I encourage you to be on your knees not in fear but in the confidence that this battle was won on the cross on that fateful day so many years ago. Yes, put on the full armor of God ( read Eph 6:10-18) and pray! 

Remember, we are more than conquers (Romans 8:30). Do not walk in fear but in confidence that we have already won this battle. Can we all find our prayer life deeper and fuller during this evil attack? This Sunday’s topic is timely with prayer and fasting as we learn to Abide in Christ. Join us this Sunday as we worship the King of Kings and grow our prayer life. See you at 9:30 AM.  

In Him, 

Pastor Chris