Reading Time: 5:25
The first of the year I started this blog to reflect on the past week and the events of Sunday. I really don’t know where it will lead, but I want the reader to understand that I am just sharing my heart, recounting events in my life and that of the church, and talking about where I feel the Lord is directing me. Not really a concise purpose statement, but like I said in an earlier post, this may be as much for me as it is for others who want to know me better.
In my last post I shared how I struggled in the past with contention in the church and how the price can be high to bring peace. Whether it’s a nation or a church, sometimes fighting the battle is the only way to peace. As a matter of fact, I am much more preemptive than I used to be. Allowing things to fester only makes the victory more costly.
It also amazes me how much can change in a week. Especially the direction of my preaching (more on that in a minute). This past week my brother-in-law, Gilbert Bridges (age 70), went into the hospital with what seemed to be a major heart attack. It ended up to be more than that with blood clots lodged in his brain. Sometime today they will be turning off his respiration and letting nature takes its course.
Much of my family is approaching that age when you begin thinking about your end. I’ve had several conversations with Gib over the past few years about his faith in Jesus and his relationship with the church. Gib is a tower of a man who carries the old adage that you work for what you want. He worked hard for many years for himself and his family. Basically a welder by trade, there was nothing Gib couldn’t do and do it well. Even in retirement he continued his home heating and air conditioning business. His knowledge of life was vast and he was a pleasure to talk to because of his understanding and compassion.
Gib was definitely rough around the edges, which was at one time acceptable and desirable among men. He was honest as the day is long and you could trust his word and the fact that he would never do you wrong. He was the sort of man who reached out to help others and maintained a definitive code of ethics for his life.
All in all we are waiting to hear how things go over the next few days. Then we will go to southern Indiana to spend a few days with family. Gib left a big footprint wherever he went and was loved and needed by many. It will be tough for his wife (my sister Sharon) and his children and extended family. The world needs more men like Gib waiting in the wings to raise up the generations of the future. His manly example continues to inspire me and my sons.
A Wind of the Spirit
I mentioned previously how much change can come in a week in life, in family, and also in ministry. I experienced that this past Sunday as I shared the final message in my series Stand Your Ground (4 of 4 - available on our Facebook page). The message was about standing against the enemy. We can never forget that Christians not only fight an internal struggle against sin (Hebrews 12:4) we also fight an external battle with the forces of darkness in this world. I tend to forget it and even ignore it until it gets so bad the devil shows his hand and I have to rise to his challenge.
Unfortunately that is the direction I see the Spirit leading me once again. I’ve enjoyed a season of relative peace at our church. It has allowed me to focus on internal structure and continue to improve the facilities, laying out a roadmap taking me all the way to retirement (I’ll be 62 in April). However, in the midst of this small progress I began to see evidence of demonic control creeping its way back into the church. You may feel it’s just the carnality of certain believers or the immaturity of others, but sometimes there is an evil motivation behind things which are born in the pits of hell.
So once again I take up the weapons of our warfare (2nd Corinthians 10:4) and begin the good fight of faith all over again. I’m not going to cower and wait until it’s so bad we are crying out to God for deliverance. I’m going to lead a strong army of believers into the fray, exalting King Jesus as Lord over everything that concerns us and God’s work through us. All of the devil’s devices will be exposed and all demonic influence will cease. Once again we will unite and collectively walk in victory as a church.
I expect you will be hearing more about this in upcoming weekly blogs. So continue reading and see how this plays out in our lives. Also, remember to pray for me, my family, and our church as we break free once again and rise up in victory.
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.”
2nd Corinthians 10:4
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Ephesians 6:12
Pastor Brian Jenkins
Calvary Assemblies of God