September 18th, 2013 Commentary on Henri Nouwen's Daily Meditation

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Daily-Meditation--Living-in-a-State-of-Preparedness.html?soid=1011221485028&aid=e6E8QPcxO4Y'

In case the above link to Henri Nouwen’s Meditation doesn’t work:

Wednesday September 18, 2013 

Living in a State of Preparedness

Everything that comes from God asks for an open and faithful heart.  We cannot live with hope and joy in the end-time unless we are living in a state of preparedness.  We have to be careful because, as the Apostle Peter says:  "Your enemy the devil is on the prowl like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5.8).  Therefore Jesus says:  "Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened by debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life. ... Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to hold your ground before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:34-36).  That's what living in the Spirit of Jesus calls us to.

My Commentary:

Praying at all times for the strength of God in order to be able to survive is the best effort to take against Satan. Satan can come enveloped in the greatest temptations, those of “ease, comfort, speed…” He’s done that often enough to us all, luring the vulnerable back down to his Satanic places… where evil people preside.  There’s a bright future ahead if one can only find the straight path.  The path with no lures, no lies, no voices…  There’s a great scene in the Luther flick from about 20 years ago where Luther seems delusional rambling protests against Satan.  He’s in his room, naming Satan and calling him down—his words eventually trample Satan under foot, as where he should be! Those who claim to be leaders of the faith but trample down upon their brother or sister in Christ are working for the evil one.  We have to know where we are at all times as well as who we are.  The Spirit of Jesus carries us when are weak and weary.  He lifts us up when the evil one works through the indifference of others to wound us, try to break our courage to persevere!  Defiance against evil takes prayerful obedience to Christ—may his love be your strength and shield!

God Bless Your Wednesdays!

Nicole Collins