In 32 years of living in Narrabri, I have never encountered a train on the crossing on Yarrie Lake Rd near Culgoora Road. The track was just about derelict a few years ago but now is used for grain transport. Be careful at country crossings!
Scripture
Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and make your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.
Observation
Paul concludes the letter with some benedictions and final instructions.
He blesses the Thessalonians with holiness and blamelessness of spirit, soul, and body. He assures them that God will make this happen.
He instructs them to greet one another in Christian love and to read the letter to all the brothers and sisters.
Application
We cannot walk the Christian way in our own strength. Christ calls us to be perfect as He is perfect.
However, God gives us grace to be holy and blameless in every part – body, soul and spirit.
God call us to live holy lives. But he doesn’t do this through legalism. He shows us the pattern of life and gives us the grace to live that way.
This is a lifelong process. We can always find some aspects of sin in our lives. We must not grow discouraged when we fall into sin. We confess and ask for more grace to be more like Jesus.
Prayer
Thank you Lord for the fact that you do not condemn us for falling short. You give us grace to overcome sin. Amen.
In my experience, much of what Christians think they know about Satan, demons, and other evil powers is guided far more by Christian tradition and hearsay than exegesis of Scripture in its own context. Michael Heiser
A warm and breezy morning. I almost decided not to ride, but I couldn’t not go! #cycling #Narrabri
Consequently, part of the good news of the gospel to those under the gods’ dominion was that they were free to turn from those gods and embrace Jesus. In fact, God was demanding their return to his family. The breach caused by the Babel rebellion had been closed; the gap between them and the true God had been bridged. Michael Heiser
Hot northerly wind this morning made riding less than ideal. Still, riding is better than screen time 😁 #cycling #Narrabri
The story of the book of Acts is nothing less than the liberation of the peoples of the world held captive by the gods of the nations who enslaved them in their idolatry and unbelief. Michael Heiser
Horsearm Creek on the northern side of #Narrabri is looking very happy for the end of summer. A delightful ride this morning to Bunnings and around the edge of town. #cycling
In short, Jesus never appealed to a higher power to cast out a demon, unlike the common procedure in other exorcism texts. The power to command evil spirits resided within him as God incarnate, the Son of the Most High. Michael Heiser
New Life Narrabri 