Surprise!

...lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

2 Corinthians 2:11 NKJV

So many books and movies turn on a good surprise ending. The best surprise endings are the kind that cause you to look back at the story and say, "Of course! Why didn't I see it before?" There are times in life where we, as believers, are surprised when we have no business being taken aback. We are surprised when our health gives out, yet we know that since sin entered the world decay became the norm. We act surprised when the world system is godless, cruel and unjust. We shouldn't be. We know the god of this world (Satan), and we know his goals, power and tactics. We act surprised when trusting in our sin nature causes monumental pain and spiritual loss. We shouldn't be surprised at that, we know that our sin nature is capable of no more than death and destruction. Rather than being surprised by our three fold Enemy (the Flesh, the World and the Devil), let us see them for what they are, and trust Christ and Christ alone as our only hope to escape the power of sin and death.

Posture Problems

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father... Ephesians 3:14

When a superior officer walks into a room all of the soldiers snap to attention. Their posture is one of obedience, alertness and respect.

When you tell your friend about something that is very important to you he leans in, put's his hand on his cheek and locks his eyes on you. His posture tells you that he is listening.

We are Spirits connected to bodies, and when these bodies are gone we will be given new bodies. As long as we have bodies (and Scripture tells us we always will) our posture is important. Paul, the Apostle of Grace, says that he took time to bend his knees and kneel before the Father in prayer. What does this posture say? To kneel is to put one's self in submission, kneeling is a sign of humility. Of course we can pray regardless of our posture. For many of us kneeling may not even be possible, approaching the Lord with the humility and knowledge of our true position is always possible. For Paul prayer was so important that he set everything else aside and knelt on the ground, while chained to a Roman guard. He was unashamed to physically show his humility before his loving Savior God.

A Great Ministry

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,

Colossians 3:23 NKJV

So many tasks make up our day. Small tasks like washing dishes, cutting the grass and going about the duties of our various jobs. These duties can easily become familiar, or seem trivial. Yet, the Lord offers us another viewpoint on them. Those tasks before you are exactly what the Lord has for you to do this day. If you do them with the strength He provides, He will be glorified in them. God's glory shining through a repaired sink, a well prepared meal, or some paperwork that is filled out with care! Imagine that! As we go about the small tasks that make up our days this week let us remember that each task is an opportunity for us to glorify the Lord and display the life of the Lord Jesus Christ in us to a dark world. View each task with the dignity that the Lord gives it.