Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it is all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. – Ephesians 6:13-18
We live in a society that tends to exalt individualism. One need only look to the world of sports to see this concept in action. Despite the fact that each team has dozens of players, commentators and fans routinely look to one individual to lead the team to victory. When the team fails to live up to its expectations, some individuals are all but crucified. On the other hand, when the team is successful it is the individual who receives the honor. The kingdom of God, however, has a different stance.
God knows there is safety in numbers. No one person can handle all of the turns and spirals of life on their own. As believers, we are expected to recognize that for some situations we need to get a little back up. We know there are consequences for letting pride, not wisdom, dictate our actions. In the above passage, God makes it very plain what we should do: take all the help you can get.
Many of us have family members, friends or church members who would welcome the opportunity to bless us. Often times, we decline help because we genuinely feel we have everything under control. We quickly discover, however, we do not. Pride hinders us from allowing others to be a blessing to the people of God. It subtly triggers a false sense of sufficiency which eventually evolves into arrogance or denial. This causes many people to reject help even though they need it.
The bible says be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Your sickness, unemployment, inner turmoil or emotional pain is far more than you can handle. It is so beyond your capacity to deal with it that God directs us to take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it is all over you'll still be on your feet.
Problems, distractions, pain, doubt, fear and hopelessness all work to knock us down. This is where Samma Vayama is important as it promotes good thoughts and efforts. The word of God says that the enemy roams the earth looking for those he can devour. He purposes to kill what God has ordained for us in the earth. He will use any means necessary to drain our faith and resilience. His plan is simple: turn us away from God.
We live in a society that tends to exalt individualism. One need only look to the world of sports to see this concept in action. Despite the fact that each team has dozens of players, commentators and fans routinely look to one individual to lead the team to victory. When the team fails to live up to its expectations, some individuals are all but crucified. On the other hand, when the team is successful it is the individual who receives the honor. The kingdom of God, however, has a different stance.
God knows there is safety in numbers. No one person can handle all of the turns and spirals of life on their own. As believers, we are expected to recognize that for some situations we need to get a little back up. We know there are consequences for letting pride, not wisdom, dictate our actions. In the above passage, God makes it very plain what we should do: take all the help you can get.
Many of us have family members, friends or church members who would welcome the opportunity to bless us. Often times, we decline help because we genuinely feel we have everything under control. We quickly discover, however, we do not. Pride hinders us from allowing others to be a blessing to the people of God. It subtly triggers a false sense of sufficiency which eventually evolves into arrogance or denial. This causes many people to reject help even though they need it.
The bible says be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Your sickness, unemployment, inner turmoil or emotional pain is far more than you can handle. It is so beyond your capacity to deal with it that God directs us to take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it is all over you'll still be on your feet.
Problems, distractions, pain, doubt, fear and hopelessness all work to knock us down. This is where Samma Vayama is important as it promotes good thoughts and efforts. The word of God says that the enemy roams the earth looking for those he can devour. He purposes to kill what God has ordained for us in the earth. He will use any means necessary to drain our faith and resilience. His plan is simple: turn us away from God.
©2010-2013 Minister Claretta Taylor Pam, Global Ecumenical Ministries Inc. and Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts. All Rights Reserved
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