Devotional 9-14-18

Help yourself with God !!

James 4:7-8 (Common English Bible (CEB))
⁷ Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you. ⁸ Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Back in the 70’s there was a TV show called “Laugh In” and during the show a phase was often used “the devil made me do it !! ”.  Well this phrase caught on and it seemed as everyone would use it at some time.  We all thought it was funny to use and blame everything that we did on the devil and depending on how it was used, we would laugh.
There are times though that the devil does try to disrupt our lives.  It is those times that we need to come closer to God.  Pray for God’s almighty hand to guide us and strengthen us to make right decisions.  To help us reject the what the devil is placing in front of us.

When a person in the United Methodist Church; joins the church, is confirmed into the church, is baptized for the first time or even wishes to reaffirm their faith.  A Litany from the UMC Book of Worship is used.
Below is a portion of the Litany that is asked of the individual.
“On behalf of the whole Church, I ask you:
    Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness,
      reject the evil powers of this world,
      and repent of your sin?

    Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you
      to resist evil, injustice, and oppression
      in whatever forms they present themselves?

    Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior,
      put your whole trust in his grace,
      and promise to serve him as your Lord,
      in union with the Church which Christ has opened
      to people of all ages, nations, and races?”
Reference UMC Book of Worship

When we reject evil (devil) forces of this world, call upon God to help us and for us to accept Jesus Christ as our savior, we can be a powerful force !!!!  Our life and the life of others can be made whole.

Prayer
God, I call upon you to help me through my troubles and decisions.  Guide me away from whatever the evil is placed in front of me, so that my life will be as full as it can be.  Then God, help me become the disciple that Jesus wants me to be to all I encounter, so that they too will have the joy I have through you and Christ Jesus.

Amen

If you have not accepted Christ as your Savior or you are in need of guidance, please seek the guidance of a pastor at our church or one close to you.

May the peace of God be with you.

Fred Herr