Hello Loved Ones! Yesterday's storm was intense, and it didn't come without warning. Since early morning we were told that a fierce storm was going to pass and rather quickly, but it wouldn't start until 7 pm. The meteorologists later said it was coming earlier, and it was so. The sky darkened, and rain came down, but the intense wind caused all the damage. As Dalia and I watched, almost immediately, one-third of a tree in front of our home fell. The storm was a bit scary, but the real enemy was inside our heads. Getting caught up (no pun intended) in the severity of the storm is expected, but our minds should be continually on Christ. Enemies are all around us. Some we recognize right away, but others are not so obvious. We can be under attack and fighting the wrong enemy. I believe we can be our greatest enemy. Paul speaks to this in today's passage. 2Corinthians 10: 1-6 New Living Translation 10 Now I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ—though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only when I write from far away. 2 Well, I am begging you now so that when I come I won’t have to be bold with those who think we act from human motives. 3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. 6 And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient. There is such strong imagery in our passage today—talk of weapons, war, and tearing down strongholds. People in general and especially preachers love quoting and these verses because it's a call to action. But most people believe the problem is only on the outside. The charge to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ is by default is something only we can do. We can be influenced or even deceived, but by God's Spirit and through God's word, we can be corrected and redirected, but we have to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. No one can make us do this. Both the believers in Paul's day as well as us today, are continually receiving information through social media, the web, TV, and many other ways. We have to trust that God wants to correct and direct His children as He did in Paul's day, which is why He gave us His Spirit, His word, Elders, leaders, and parents. Your greatest enemy can be you because you, ultimately, have to choose to receive or reject correction or redirection. Ask Yourself:
We all need correction and redirection. The question is, what will you do with it when it comes? My prayer as a pastor, friend, and fellow follower of Christ is to bring your thoughts to the obedience of Jesus Christ. Have a great day Loved Ones, and God bless you real good!
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