A battle broke out in heaven. Michael, along with his heavenly messengers, clashed against the dragon. The dragon and his messengers returned the fight, but they did not prevail and were defeated. As a result, there was no place left for them in heaven. So the great dragon, that ancient serpent who is called the devil and Satan the deceiver of the whole world, was cast down to the earth along with his messengers. Then I heard a great voice in heaven.
A Voice: Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Liberating King have come. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who relentlessly accuses them day and night before our God, has been cast down and silenced. By the blood of the Lamb and the word of their witnesses, they have become victorious over him, For they did not hold on to their lives, even under threat of death. Therefore, rejoice, all you heavens; celebrate, all you who live in them. But disaster will befall the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to your spheres. And he is incredibly angry because he knows his time is nearly over. Down below the scene was very different. When the dragon realized he had been cast down to the earth, he pursued the mother of the male infant. In order to escape the serpent, she was given the two wings of the great eagle to fl y deeper into the wilderness to her own special place where she would find sustenance for a time, and times, and half a time.
Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a raging river that chased after the woman, trying to sweep her away in the flood. But the earth came to her rescue. It opened its gaping mouth and swallowed the river that spewed from the dragon’s mouth.
a f f i r m
Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle. Psalm 103:1-5
r e a d + r u m i n a t e
Mark 10:13-16 (CEV)
Some people brought their children to Jesus so that he could bless them by placing his hands on them. But his disciples told the people to stop bothering him. When Jesus saw this, he became angry and said, “Let the children come to me! Don‘t try to stop them. People who are like these little children belong to the kingdom of God. I promise you that you cannot get into God’s kingdom, unless you accept it the way a child does.” Then Jesus took the children in his arms and blessed them by placing his hands on them.
r e f l e c t
Walk Humbly: We often read our own notions of “child-like” into the text. But what about this text points to these interpretations? What if Jesus is not referring to the whimsical wonder of a child? What if he is reaching out to the persons in the society who had the least power, status and standing; to those persons others were trying to keep away. What if Jesus really means this: “If you want into my Kingdom, you cannot enter based on your own qualification, status or merit. You must humble yourself to a place like this child.” What would this mean for you?
d e c l a r e
“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.” Revelation 19:6-7
#41
Cover up all brand names, or at
least the ones that do not reflect the upside-down economics of God’s Kingdom.
Commit to only being branded by the cross.
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