Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
In the midst of all that is taking place in our world we are often brought back to what is taking place in our lives. I realize that in the midst of these days there seems to be one struggle after another.
During recent days things seem to be going downhill. By that I mean that the struggles are continually coming against us. If it isn’t something that is happening in our nation’s capital it is something that is happening right here where we live. But it doesn’t stop there by any means.
I have been experiencing some issues recently. I know you don’t want to hear about all that I have going on but please bear with me. For some time I have been experiencing pain in my feet. A nerve induction study didn’t reveal much so then it was time to have an MRI.
The MRI showed that there were some issues in my lower back. The nerves were sending strange things to my feet that caused the pain. I was relieved to find out that it was something that could be dealt with. Doc gave me an option to either do physical therapy or shots. I chose physical therapy.
After I began therapy my back started to hurt more and my feet started feeling better. I don’t mind doing all the stretches and things the Physical Therapists make me do. But what I really look forward to is getting the tens unit put on my back and lying there on a huge heated pad!
Right now my back is hurting to the point that I want to get on the tens unit all the time. Yet from things I have read I should be on it only about 4 times a day. I can tell you that after being on the tens unit for just about 20 minutes my back feels much better. I am looking forward to being on it this evening for sure.
I will tell you that the pain often times causes me to get off of what I am thinking about. By that I mean the pain keeps me from being able to focus in the way that I need to focus. I am not sure how all the parts of the body work but when they are out of ‘order’ it really makes a difference in what we can do.
Now let me say this. The same thing applies to our spiritual lives. When we are ‘out of alignment’ in our spiritual lives we often wonder why. What could have happened that threw us off course? What is keeping us from being what God desires of us? I can think of only one thing – satan.
Paul wanted the church to know that while much of what they were doing was good they needed to watch for what satan would do. In Ephesians 6:12, Paul wrote -- For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
As Paul wrote this, he wanted the church to know that satan would do all he could to cause issues within the church. It was because of this that he encouraged them to put on the ‘full armor’ of God. He wanted them to be able to stand against satan and all that he would try to bring against them.
Paul’s admonition still applies to the church today. Satan is out there and doing all he can to stop us from doing what God desires of us. We may think it is an issue we had with another person, but it is satan doing what he can to bring us down.
So do some spiritual therapy each day. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:15 – “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” Pray, study God’s Word and share with those you meet the truth God shares with you. You may still have some issues but turn them over to the Lord. He will take care of things.
JESUS, JESUS, JESUS, there IS something about that name!!
Christ only, always,
Bro. Paul
Brother Paul Nachtigall is the preacher at Highland Baptist Church. He can be reached at bropaul@centramedia.net.
