Matthew 18
John Piper indicates - and I agree with him - that we should view life as war in terms of the battle for our soul over sin. From Piper:
"Until you believe that life is war — that the stakes are your soul — you will probably just play at Christianity with no blood-earnestness and no vigilance and no passion and no wartime mindset. If that is where you are this morning, your position is very precarious. The enemy has lulled you into sleep or into a peacetime mentality, as if nothing serious is at stake. And God, in his mercy, has you here this morning, and had this sermon appointed to wake you up, and put you on a wartime footing."
That is why we MUST go to God. He is the only One to help us defeat the sting of sin and death.
See also Ephesians 6:10-18 and "[p]ut on the full armor of God".
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has helped me so far immeasurably in the battle for my soul - thank You Jesus! You have transformed my heart and life. I am not worthy of such love and blessing. I worry - I neglect my relationship with You....please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble,
cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed
or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into
eternal fire. v8
John Piper indicates - and I agree with him - that we should view life as war in terms of the battle for our soul over sin. From Piper:
"Until you believe that life is war — that the stakes are your soul — you will probably just play at Christianity with no blood-earnestness and no vigilance and no passion and no wartime mindset. If that is where you are this morning, your position is very precarious. The enemy has lulled you into sleep or into a peacetime mentality, as if nothing serious is at stake. And God, in his mercy, has you here this morning, and had this sermon appointed to wake you up, and put you on a wartime footing."
That is why we MUST go to God. He is the only One to help us defeat the sting of sin and death.
See also Ephesians 6:10-18 and "[p]ut on the full armor of God".
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has helped me so far immeasurably in the battle for my soul - thank You Jesus! You have transformed my heart and life. I am not worthy of such love and blessing. I worry - I neglect my relationship with You....please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
