Sunday we talked about the spiritual battles that have been taking place since the beginning of humanity.  Looking at Revelation 12:7-12 we see the battle that caused Satan to lose his place in heaven and be cast down to earth.

“But woe to the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you with great wrath because he knows that his time is short!’  

Woe, indeed!

From the beginning of humanity Satan has been trying to do his damage.  And though we know that in the end, Jesus is victorious (remember—the Victorious Secret), the devil still has the ability to do damage here on earth.

You know that image of the angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other—it might not be such a ‘cartoon.’  ’   Michael the archangel and his angels fought against the devil and his demons in heaven and still continue to battle them in the ‘heavenly realms’ for control of our souls.   

What can happen in 21 days?  Daniel 10 gives us a picture of what happens when spiritual warfare takes place.  Daniel fasted and prayed for an answer from God and for 21 days, evil forces fought with God’s messengers and tried to stop the answer from reaching Daniel. 

 There was another 21 day period we talked about.  It involved George Frederic Handel, the composer of ‘Messiah.’  If you haven’t caught a performance of the full work (a three hour performance!), you’ve probably heard the famous ‘Hallelujah Chorus.’(click here)

May 18th, 2010

I am titling this Blog 'Pastor Soup' in honor of Colin B. who, quite adorably calls me 'Pashta Soop.'  

 I hope to be faithful about sharing (but I ask for your patience!).

 I've been thinking alot about Singing Hymns at Midnight.

Sunday's sermon called "Exorcism, Escape and Evangelism" was about Paul and Silas in prison   (Acts 16:16-34).  But more than that, it is a story of how we are all imprisoned in some way--how we are all are vulnerable to demons possessing us.  Spiritual warfare is very real and just like the slave girl possessed by a 'snake spirit,'  forces still seek to distract us and take our eyes off of Jesus and our ears off of the Gospel message. 

What demons attack us?  Demons of fear and anxiety.  Demons of depression and hopelessness.  Demons of pride and selfishness.  Demons of prejudice and hate.  Demons of envy and malice.  These demons threaten our lives, our families and our churches.  And the only power that can defeat them is the power of Jesus Christ.  Paul and Silas experienced  it when the earthquake-power of Jesus Christ crumbled their cell walls and broke their shackles.  That power can free us too.