Kept in Faith
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
When I was new to faith, I tried reading through my Bible on my own, cover-to-cover. I never did finish that goal because I got bogged down in it and found that I didn’t really understand what I was reading. I didn’t have a church home yet, so I didn’t have a pastor or other support from fellow Christians when it came to faith.
But I did know one thing: The faith that I had was new, and that faith didn’t always feel very strong. So every day when I said my prayer before bed, I added the same line, “God, if there is ever a time that I might fall from faith, take me home to heaven first.”
I knew that temptations were always lurking around the corner. The devil is never far off. He works tirelessly to drag us away from God. So God wants us to be watchful for the devil, to be aware of him, and to flee from him. But we can’t do that alone. We need God’s help because he, alone, can create, strengthen, and sustain our faith.
I praise God for the faith he created in me and am so joyful that he continues to hold me in faith. I no longer worry every day about falling back into unbelief, but I do pray that God help to me see temptation when it comes knocking, to turn from it, but above all, to help me know and trust in the forgiveness that he has won for me for the times when I fall into temptation. I say a similar prayer for each of you.
Every time we receive the Lord’s Supper, we receive forgiveness for our sins. And each time, we’re assured that God will sustain us through his Word and his flesh, given for you. “May this true body and blood strengthen and preserve you in true faith until life, everlasting. Your sins are forgiven. Amen.”
Go now and know that you are saved by him who is greater than our enemy. Go in peace. In Christian love, Pastor Wolf B. Parsons
Pastor Parsons Contact Info
Pastor Parsons’ cell phone number is 715-584-2912
Email: yourparsonparsons@gmail.com
Church Office: 507-643-6381
Home: 507-643-6840
Please be sure to let him know if anyone is hospitalized and needs a visit.
