There is more going on than what we see. Like Violet, Klaus, and Sunny, we land in the midst of a battle that was already raging before we arrived on the scene.
The Whole Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 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. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
– Ephesians 6:10-20 ESV
19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above [1] proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
4 Their voice [2] goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
I thank you for your great glory, goodness and majesty, which I see in the heavens and all creation. Thank you for the Sun, Moon, planets and stars, and for the telescopes you’ve given me to view and appreciate them.
I thank you for salvation in Jesus Christ, for the gift of faith, for the blessings of worship and fellowship yesterday with your people at St. Luke’s Lutheran and Chippewa Lutheran. Bless the people of these churches, and bless Chippewa as we wait to see how you lead the man to whom we recently issued a call to be our new pastor. Give him wisdom and peace.
LORD, I believe you’ve called me to be a writer. Help me to be disciplined to carry out this task. Thank you for the opportunity to write devotionals for the W. Douglas County Record. Thanks for the recent interview with Hollie, Natural Family Planning instructor. Help me to be a good steward of the things I learned, and help me this week to finish at least a draft of my first article based upon this research. Bless her and her family.
Thank you for the recent Writer’s Conference and the insights I gained there. Especially bless Reg and his wife as they direct similar conferences, and bless Jim as he seeks to build his own writing career.
Help me to carry out the daily schedule I’ve planned for myself, so that I have time for writing as well as all other important tasks I have each day.
Bless the nursing home residents, shut-ins, and hospital patients of our church as I visit them during this interim period. Help me to carry out this task. Bless the churches where I have served as pastor, and bless and encourage their current pastors.
I intend to write about being a good listener. Help me to be a good listener to you, to my neighbor, to nature, and to my inner self.
Help me to have a clear mission, both in what I write for a Christian market and for a secular market.
Thanks for opportunities to minister, bless, and entertain through music, at St. Mary’s Church where my wife belongs, and other places as well. Help me to be a good steward of my musical gifts by practicing cello regularly, and help me to share joy and life with others through music.
Bless my wife as she prepares to reopen her small bookshop. Give her success and good health. Bless my Mother and family, and the people I work with at the industrial plant.
Bless all those who may read this prayer, and I agree in prayer with them as they bring you their prayers, praises, burdens, and requests according to your will.
This is a time of change and controversy among Lutherans. May Lutheran Christians be encouraged to follow your will and your Word more closely, and may your true followers in all church bodies find, bless, and encourage one another, maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
In Touch With the Sky 