(Luke 11:20)

We are so sophisticated these days. We are scientific and educated. Getting brighter and brighter.  So we scratch our befuddled heads when horrible crimes are committed in our society, like the shooting at the synagogue.

Jesus says that we are in a struggle against the demonic which seeks to pilfer, disable and destroy us. In Luke 11 he casts out the demon that stole a man’s voice and kept him from praising God. Still, they want a sign that God is acting?!

Some in the crowd accuse Jesus of acting as a minion of Satan, but Jesus says his driving out demons is a sign the kingdom of God is coming upon us. And for God demon hurling  is less than a flick of his finger indicating there’s more power where that came from. The same power that defeats demons will overcome the grave.

As Lutherans we tend not to talk much about spiritual warfare, yet the Lutheran fight song, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” is all about the spiritual battle.

Jesus warns us against assuming we can tidy up our spiritual life on our own. He says the demon may leave for a season, but unless the LORD occupies our life it will only come back with more wickedness to infest our well-ordered lives.

Which is why we pray “hallowed be thy name.”  We are praying that the LORD would take up holy residence in us. We are praying Jesus would dwell in us so we will be united with Christ.

Are you praying for Christ to cast out the wickedness in your life?

What are you doing in your daily life to dwell with Christ?

“The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.”  (Revelation 9:20–21).

When I was 6 yrs old Greg’s older brother enjoyed watching the two of us fight. Greg was the better fighter because he had his brother beating on him. Greg had me pinned and I would not cry “Uncle”, wouldn’t say I give up. So I bit him!  It didn’t go well after his mother showed my mom the bite mark.

Revelation 9 tells us about the sixth angel who carries out God’s wrath releasing a horde spewing plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur (Rev 9:13-18).  This end time text tells us that a third of mankind is wiped out.

Yet for all the calamity people will not seek the LORD. Even though they are wasting away and dying they insist on clinging stubbornly to their idolatry and wickedness.

As we look around today, we see that people trust more in the feeble works of their hands and efforts than to rely on the Living God. We see people giving their time and resources to idols of this world. They worship lifeless idols of work, wealth, sports, sex, leisure, or politics. We see people engaging demons in  their lives that will destroy them spirit and soul, yet they eagerly chase after them.

So, the LORD sends the consequences of our sin that burn us up. It doesn’t go well after that. Wrath that obscures real light and chokes breathing in life. In our daily lives we are gagging, inflamed and can’t see straight – and we know it! Yet, this world refuses to proclaim the LORD as the true God of Life.

The LORD unleashes the consequences of our rebellion, idolatry, wickedness and sin to drive us into the arms of His grace in Christ Jesus.

Are you willing to repent? To turn over to the LORD the ugly things in your life?            Will you cry “Uncle” and give in to his grace?

“And out of the smoke locusts came down on the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth.” (Revelation 9:3).

Scorpion Fly

We are at the end of the lectionary year as we head towards Christ the King Sunday so the readings on Sundays and in the daily lectionary are eschatological – end time focused.

In Revelation 9 a fallen star unlocks the Abyss to release toxic smoke which blots out the daylight.  A star which used to give light is now rebelling its created purpose. A powerful star is aiding the powers of the Abyss, of Hell, to keep humanity from seeing the light, especially the light of God.  We all can think of people who were once rising stars in our eyes who have given themselves over to this world and selfishness. Rather than blessing people, these fallen stars now add to the obscuring of what is truth and light in this world, especially obscuring the truth and light of Christ.

Out of the toxic smoke pours these locusts with the power of scorpions that certainly sound ominous and strike dread into us. Later in Revelation 9 ominous descriptions are given of these scorpion locusts. The scorpion locusts are scary to behold. These scorpion locusts have the power to torment people who are not sealed with the Holy Spirit. Carrying the destructive power of wickedness [Abaddon], the torment of these bugs is so great people wish they were dead.

What toxic stings cloud our perceptions so much we wish we were dead? Money concerns, relationship hiccups, career setbacks, peer acceptance, etc.

As fearsome as they look, they are still insects. Small insects. Having lived in Texas, I have been bitten by scorpions. Yes, the sting hurts. But unless you are allergic to the venom you will not end up in the hospital.  We get so distracted by the stings, the light of the Gospel is obscured.

Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Mt 11:28–29).

When you get stung by this transitory life, don’t lose your mind and give up hope in life. Take your bites and stings to Jesus.

The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” (Luke 10:17)

Do we believe the LORD has sent Concordia to wrestle with demons and wickedness?  

The mere message of Jesus Christ can tear down strongholds and bring healing in our lives. We have been sent with the authority and power from Christ himself.  All we need do is to call for it.

Do we call for Christ’s demon butt kicking power? 

It may not look like what we expect. The demons may only stumble in our eyes, but we fail to see their stumbling is the beginning of their falling. Perhaps the healing is not the full recovery we expected, but our life is simpler or more fulfilling.

Do we intercede for those in the grip of serpents that entwine their lives?

Jesus said, “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” (Luke 10:19)  Nothing will harm you?  When it comes to the ultimate identity. “Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20)  All Saints Sunday is the celebration that those who died in Christ are raised with Christ. Their names, and ours, are written in the Book of Life.

Do we tap into the joy Jesus has for toppling demons?

When Jesus hears about the demons thrown down from their perches in people’s lives, he is filled with joy through the indwelling Holy Spirit. I pray that Concordia can be filled with joy to praise God for all the demon toppling power he sends into our lives through the WORD and the SPIRIT.

We should be so excited and joyful on Sundays and throughout the week – with Jesus – to God’s kingdom power blessing our lives.

Do we celebrate the Revelation from the Spirit?

Every Sunday we join in the Joy of Jesus to celebrate His demon toppling, sin canceling, death defeating authority and power. From songs exalting divine victory, to the message exhorting our trust in Christ, to the Lord Supper celebrating his death and resurrection, we revel in the joy of Jesus. The world may not see or hear it, but you see it, you hear it (Luke 10:23-24). The Joy of Jesus that demons are toppling in your life!

As we go through November we celebrate that Christ has won the victory! From All Saints Sunday through Christ the King Sunday, Jesus Christ is the Son of God the Father who frees us from sin, evil and death and makes us God’s precious and awesome people.

May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1Ths. 5:23)

Pastor Douglas

As a Roman soldier takes Paul back to Rome, they board a ship that is making slow progress with the wind going against them. Rather than listen to the traveling teacher Paul and to the voice of Prayer, to the voice of God, they listened to the experienced seafaring experts. They listened to the voice of man.

Rather than heed a warning and stay put, they sailed on. Thinking a wind was an opportunity to get where they wanted they sailed into hurricane winds. Caught by the wind the ship was out of their control and they were driven by the storm. Even their plans B, C, and D to save themselves did not work. They were adrift.

Again Paul shares the voice of God; “Be encouraged.” We are going to be dashed against the rocks and shipwrecked, but . . . But God is going to save us. “Have faith.”

Too often we trust the expert advise of this world.

Too often we rely on our own efforts to avoid the shipwreck.

Do we trust the voice of God? Do we rely on the practice of prayer to seek God’s counsel? Will we have faith that when all our plans and efforts get dashed against the rocks that the LORD will save us? Have faith! Keep up your courage because the LORD has something in store for you.

“to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry.” (Jonah 4:1)

When the LORD saw the people of Ninevah repent and how they turned from their evil ways, the LORD relented from his wrath.

Jonah is angry. So angry. He thinks it is “very wrong” the LORD forgave the Nineveh foreigners, these enemies, these unbelievers.

“I knew!” I knew You Lord are gracious and compassionate. I knew You are slow to anger and overflowing with never ending love!  Jonah’s response to a loving and compassionate God: “So just kill me!”

God sends a tree to shade Jonah that a worm eats. Again Jonah just wanted to die.

The LORD responds, “Should I not have concern for people who do not know their right from the left?”  Should I not have compassion for a world that is out of tune?

I really hope I am not a Jonah. That I am only concerned about my salvation and don’t give a damn about those who caught up in  the chaos of this world?

• How do the wayward perceive self-righteous “Christians” who do not share the compassion of the Lord?
• How do those whose lives are turned upside down feel about so-called messengers, prophets, who care more about the roof shading their bowed religious heads?

No wonder those who don’t know their right from their left don’t want to gather with those who don’t know God’s compassion from their wrath.

Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time:  “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” (Jonah 3:1-2)

After Jonah obeyed the LORD and proclaimed this message for three day, the people turned to God.

All we ever have is what the LORD gives us. As this is true of our bodies, it is true of our spiritual lives. We (I) must remember this as we seek to serve the LORD by serving others. The most critical act of preparation and empowerment for effectively carrying out my calling is deepening my relationship with God. When the LORD is nourishing and strengthening me then I truly have something fresh and powerful to share with others.

I have been off my regular devotional schedule for most of October. You can tell from my posts. I need to get back into the rhythm of Scripture and Prayer. The most important resource for ministry is this time with God. My ministry is not about my skills, my work, or even my success. The ministry I have been given is all about how the LORD is residing and dwelling in my life.

Don’t think because you are not a pastor that your life ministry is not the same. Whatever your vocation or career, you are still simply exuding what the LORD pours into you to bless others.

 All the nations may walk in the name of their gods, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever. (Micah 4:5)

Don’t you go nuts when you get a tune in your head that you don’t want to hear? Oh, it drives me crazy. When I start to hear such songs, I cover my ears and start chanting, “NaNaNaNa.”

Then there are other tunes I want to echo inside my brain and heart. To have a tune playing in my head that I can hum along to which will put a skip in my step.

Whose tune are you walking to? 

All the world is filled with sounds that influence our hearts and minds. What tunes are bagging out a beat in your life? The music of this world beats a drumbeat of competition, physical pleasure, selfishness, and self-righteousness. The tunes of lust, greed, piggishness, coveteousness, laziness, resentment, and arrogance are the top 40 tunes of the gods / the ultimate values of this world. But classic tunes from the world also include somber tunes like dissatisfaction, rejection, and self-loathing.

The LORD wants you to hear a new tune in your head and heart.

“The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders.” (Rev 14:2–3)

Come to worship this Sunday. Come hear the song of joy and victory that the LORD has composed for your life. Come sing a song of confession and forgiveness to feel your heart lighten up. Come sing songs of thankfulness and praise to give you a positive perspective of all the blessings in your life.

Are you a Christ follower? If we are gonna follow Jesus like never before, shouldn’t one of the first steps be to worship with Christ?

Then come join in singing. Come to worship to hear the eternal song of God’s love for you – so it can get stuck in your head and bless you!