Welcome to the Faith Family Reunion Newsletter

Behind the Scenes

I was chatting with a friend of mine over the weekend.   We had just attended a weekend women’s conference and were comparing notes: things we had learned and our takeaway of the meeting.   She was sharing with me her sadness about her son and his walk in darkness.  Since she knew that I had been a prodigal, she asked me what started my downhill spiral, had it happened all at once or gradually over time?  I began to share my story with her of how, at the age of 13, I turned my back on God.  My personal journey away from the faith began with the feeling I was not good enough, that I did not fit in and that I was not perfect. The process was slow and happened over the course of a few years.  

As I pondered on our discussion, I thought about how it is important to remember that we are all susceptible of walking away from the faith.  Children are not the only vulnerable one’s, but so are we as adults.   Each of us young or old has the potential to be pulled in the wrong direction.  The process is often slow and very subtle.  And oftentimes we can find ourselves in a pit, not even aware how we got there.  Forces from behind the scenes pull at us, pushing us to the right or left.

The Bible provides us encouragement throughout as it helps keep us on guard and to be aware of the distractions of the world around us.  Perhaps one of the most well known passages comes from Paul in the book of Ephesians.  These verses remind us that our enemy does not come in forces that we can see but is hidden from us.  However, we are enabled by the Holy Spirit to receive insight and protection from the lies and deception of this world as we read and follow guidelines of God’s word.  Read more in Ephesians 6:10-18”

“The Whole Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints”.

As I think back on my life (when I was walking in darkness) and compare it to my life now, I recognize some key elements that I have learned and were an important part of the process of the Holy Spirit bringing me back to the faith.  These truths are the armor, the Lord's protection from deception. The most important aspect was recognizing that the void in my life could only be filled by relationship with Jesus Christ, which enabled the Holy Spirit to move in my life.  It was not until I had reached bottom did I call out for help.  Then The Holy Spirit, through the word (that I began to hungrily read each day)  revealed to me the lies and deception that I had believed about myself, stripping them away one by one.  The neat thing about this process is that the truth very quickly demolished huge strongholds that I had been entrenched in for years.  With this new perspective I learned “who” I was and “whose” I was.  What incredible power the truth and life in Jesus Chris has!  Now each day, I am refined as the Holy Spirit reveals little bits and fragments of deception that I still hold on to and alerts me to the times when I am walking into a trap.   

Each and every day we are all tempted by the deception of the world.  The trap is very subtle and happens gradually over time.  As a child I fell away little by little.  The first part of my deception occurred with my wanting to fit in and adjusting my actions to match those around me.  Once I was in the hole I felt I could not escape and deserved to be there.  Fortunately the Holy Spirit, through the word, enables us to discern the deception and potential pit falls.  He is also aware of each of our personal triggers and knows the temptations we may encounter each day and then he provides a way of escape for us.  How wonderful (and what a relief) not to have to move through this life alone!

In closing, I wanted to share a powerful video that I saw at the weekend conference I attended.  The video shares the lies and deception that we can all fall into, but also reveals the Holy Spirit enables us to walk in the truth.  The video is called, “You Are Beautiful by Mike Young”.  Please share:  http://www.youtube.com/embed/eS_jo4s2s1A

Prayer:
You are a marvelous Heavenly Father.  Your goal is to win back your rebellious creation not by force but through the suffering death and resurrection of your beloved Son.  By the work of the Holy Spirit in word and sacrament you open our eyes and minds to recognize the deception of our sinful nature, the world and the power of satan.  Thereby you set us free from their domination.  We praise you for your tremendous grace in Jesus Christ that grants us daily joy and peace.  Amen. 

Bible Verses
Mathew 4: 1 ESV | [ The Temptation of Jesus ] Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

Mathew 26: 41 ESV | Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

John 8:44 ESV | ……….He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Ephesians 4: 14 ESV | so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

1 Corinthians 10: 13 ESV | No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.