NorthStar Community Daily Devotional

February 18

Scripture focus: Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. Ephesians 6:12-18 MSG

Life is more than we can handle on our own. When we are given the information that God is in the business of restoration, renewal, and redemption, it will help if we can come to understand what our part is in the process of redemption – and what is God’s. First, let me encourage you: God does all the heavy lifting. But that doesn’t mean you sit around and wait for celestial reconstruction while watching reality tv and gorging on chips and dip.

We must prepare.

Life is more than we can handle.

Take all the help we can get. As we trust that God is coming to our aid and providing us with the rescue we so desperately need, we practice learning how to live and trust him.

Prayer is one of those essential tools that we need to learn how to use. Neil Anderson says, “What is prayer? It is communication with God by which we express our dependence on Him. God knows what we need in our battle with the powers of darkness, and He is more ready to meet our needs that we are to ask. But until we express our dependence on Him in prayer, God may not acct. In prayer we say, “You are the Lord, not I. You know what’s best; I don’t. I’m not telling You what to do; I’m asking.” Prayer is a means by which God guides and protects His children. (See Daily In Christ, by Dr. Neil and Joanne Anderson, January 12th.)

In the Christ-centered 12 step process, step one is the place where we begin to acknowledge our dependence on the wrong thing/s. Step two invites us to come to believe that a power greater than ourselves – God – can restore us to sanity. These are two very powerful steps. It is not easy to admit our need for sanity.

Life is more than we can handle on our own. It will drive us crazy if we try.
May we pray and ask God to rescue us today!

Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!

© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community

---