Pastor Ellen's Daily Devo -- Brotherly (and Sisterly) Love
Posted on March 20, 2010 with 0 comments
Revelation 12:17 "Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring -- those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus."
Brothers and sisters can be our best friends and most loyal fans. They can defend us when we are being attacked (even if we are in the wrong!). They can offer comfort and caring when we are down in the dumps. And they are the first ones we call when we have joyful news to share. They love us deeply, and we love them back just like that, too.
Jesus wants us to know that Satan is after all the brothers and sisters of Jesus (and that would be us, you and I!). Because we are followers of Jesus, Satan will seek us out and try to destroy us. Because we obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus, we will be sought after mercilessly by him and perhaps even lose our lives. Hopefully we will not wimp out and cave to any dragon because we are scared and fearful for our lives (because saving our lives would actually mean losing them to Jesus -- definitely a permanently wrong move!). But here we have brothers and sisters to come alongside us when we are being attacked. Here we have those who love us fiercely and will stand by us when things get tough. Having siblings who know what it's like to be attacked and pursued by Satan is such a relief. It just feels safer to know that Jesus has us covered, not just by His grace and love, but also by flesh and blood brothers and sisters in Christ! They can pray for us when we cannot pray for ourselves (sometimes our troubles get that bad!). They can give us support and assistance when we need it (maybe they won't literally beat up that dragon, but they'll protect us!). And they can surely surround us with their love and caring, just the way Jesus would. They know Jesus and love Jesus like we do! Thank goodness for siblings -- they understand us, sometimes better than we do ourselves! That's why Jesus put them in our lives now and always!
Dear Jesus, I am so glad I have brothers and sisters in Christ who know you and love you like I do. They are my lifeline to you sometimes when I feel all alone and defenseless. I know you have put them in my life so that I can experience your love and grace fully. Thank you for them. I love them dearly! In your name, Amen.
Brothers and sisters can be our best friends and most loyal fans. They can defend us when we are being attacked (even if we are in the wrong!). They can offer comfort and caring when we are down in the dumps. And they are the first ones we call when we have joyful news to share. They love us deeply, and we love them back just like that, too.
Jesus wants us to know that Satan is after all the brothers and sisters of Jesus (and that would be us, you and I!). Because we are followers of Jesus, Satan will seek us out and try to destroy us. Because we obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus, we will be sought after mercilessly by him and perhaps even lose our lives. Hopefully we will not wimp out and cave to any dragon because we are scared and fearful for our lives (because saving our lives would actually mean losing them to Jesus -- definitely a permanently wrong move!). But here we have brothers and sisters to come alongside us when we are being attacked. Here we have those who love us fiercely and will stand by us when things get tough. Having siblings who know what it's like to be attacked and pursued by Satan is such a relief. It just feels safer to know that Jesus has us covered, not just by His grace and love, but also by flesh and blood brothers and sisters in Christ! They can pray for us when we cannot pray for ourselves (sometimes our troubles get that bad!). They can give us support and assistance when we need it (maybe they won't literally beat up that dragon, but they'll protect us!). And they can surely surround us with their love and caring, just the way Jesus would. They know Jesus and love Jesus like we do! Thank goodness for siblings -- they understand us, sometimes better than we do ourselves! That's why Jesus put them in our lives now and always!
Dear Jesus, I am so glad I have brothers and sisters in Christ who know you and love you like I do. They are my lifeline to you sometimes when I feel all alone and defenseless. I know you have put them in my life so that I can experience your love and grace fully. Thank you for them. I love them dearly! In your name, Amen.