Daily Devotional: Monday, Sept 21

Speaker: Paul Diaz

Theme: Unforgiveness - a BIG bag!

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Your Grace Is Enough by Chris Tomlin; Sing to the King by Passion Worship Band; Gloryby Hillsong United; Mighty to Saveby Hillsong.
 

Read: Deuteronomy 23:14; Joshua 24:17; Psalm 91:4; 2 Corinthians 10

Think: In Pastor Paul's message on unforgiveness, he mentioned Ephesians 4:26-27. It says that if we sin in our anger it can provide Satan a foothold in our lives. I wanted to build a picture for myself of what that looks like in everyday life. So I did a little research... and if you bear with me I think you'll get a whole new understanding of this portion of the Bible!

I went to a military source to discover that a foothold is also called a bridgehead or a beachhead. It is defined as "an area that has been captured and is held awaiting further troops and supplies". The definition goes on to say "a territory is initially seized by an assault with the tactical intent of establishing a supply line across the geographic barrier feature to allow further operational maneuvers".

I like the imagery of the "geographic barrier feature". We have those in our Christian life. As I see it, the barriers we have are the blood of Jesus that covers and protects us and the protection of God Himself watching over us (see today's readings). However, we have a choice to keep those barriers firmly in place every day or to walk away from them leaving us vulnerable and unprotected.

Here's how I see this working: If in my anger I sin and if I don't deal with it the same day this provides an opening in my "geographic barrier feature" for my enemy (Satan) to "establish a supply line which allows further operational maneuvers". He can start moving in "bitterness, rage, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice" (Ephesians 4:31).

These "supplies" allow him to start building a stronghold - "a strongly fortified defensive structure". If I pray and don't get the answer I want I can get angry with God and have it turn into a stronghold of unbelief. If I get angry with my spouse and don't deal with it, the other schemes of the devil can start working to build a stronghold against him/her and put a rift in our relationship. And the end result isn't pretty, "...they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." 2 Corinthians 4:4

So start out right, deal with any unresolved issues now, not even allowing Satan that foothold!  Stay close under the protection of the Father who loves you and stands at guard over you.

Do: List in your mind people you know, then think about whether you could walk up to them and talk to them about the last time you met. If not you might think about whether you hold some anger or unforgiveness you need to deal with.

Pray: Father, show me any unresolved anger in my mind and help me deal with it. Help me rebuild any barriers I have broken down and come under your wing of protection once again. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Timberlake Church | 4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, Washington 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@tlcf.org