Focus

Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God.

Read

Ephesians 6:10-20 (NRSV)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.

Reflect

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” These words, attributed to Martin Luther King, Jr., were spoken during the movement to combat civil and racial divides in the United States.

In writing to the church at Ephesus, the Apostle Paul spoke to these same truths. He reminded the people of Ephesus to “put on the whole armor of God” against the enemy, “the cosmic powers of this present darkness.”

On Christmas Eve, our church has a candlelight service. The only source of light is from the Christ candle. The members of the congregation, each holding an unlit candle, gather to form a circle of disciples around the sanctuary. The first candle is lit from the Christ candle. As the light is shared, a room that was once dark is filled with light.

In our world, “Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”

Pray

God, may your light shine brightly in our soul. Help us to have the courage to shine your light into the world. Amen.

Go with God.