Supply Lines

Every day we get up out of bed and face a new day. Some people bounce right out of bed, excited for what lies ahead. Then there's me. I no longer "bounce". It's more of a "creak".

We all have to get up sooner of later and, when we do, what do we do? Many head right for the coffee pot. Gotta wake up, right? I head for the bathroom. Others turn on the computer (me) or the television. Many check their phones. What do you do?

 We all are connected to something. Something that gets us, and keeps us, going. Sometimes that connection is good. Sometimes we plug ourselves into something bad. What do we do if we become addicted to something sinful or evil? Well . . .

²⁷ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ²⁸ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ²⁹ If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. ³⁰ And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell." - Matthew 5:27-30

In our battle against the enemy - Satan - we must constantly examine ourselves and our defenses. Where are we prone to sin? Where are we straying off the path? All of us need help in this area.

Take a close look at the picture to the left. What can you discover about it? Well, it's a black and white photo so it was taken before the 1960's when color photography became popular. The soldier in the foreground (a German Nazi) tells me this was taken in World War II. And indeed, this is a picture of a German supply line heading for the Eastern Front.

One of the tactics our enemy Satan uses is to get us addicted to something so our focus is taken off God and placed on ourselves. We become obsessed with OUR desires rather than God's. My question this morning is, "What are our sinful supply lines?"

For some it might be alcohol. Others might get consumed by gambling, pornography or work. Maybe it's idolatry - like worshiping our phones. When that happens, when we lose our focus on God, we lose ourselves in the process.

So, what can we do about our sin? Our temptations? Our addictions? We need to do what the guy in the picture of this de-railed train did. Destroy the enemy supply lines. Cut off the supply of alcohol. Get some help through Christian addiction counseling like Alcoholics Anonymous. Don't drive by the liquor store on your way home from work. Get rid of it, cut it off, whatever it is that supplies you. Then fill that void in your life with Jesus.

Turn off your television. Don't go to that party. Turn off the computer. Quit staring at the woman at work with the big boobs. And those are just some of the obvious things we can do to break up the enemy's supply lines to our soul. And turn of that phone! Then, we can go on the offensive by augmenting our supply lines that come from God.

Read your Bible more, listen to messages from trusted pastor on YouTube. Christian music can uplift the soul, not through the melody but through the words. Remember what "Supply Chief" John the Baptist said,

³⁰ He must increase, but I must decrease. ³¹ He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth." - John 3:30-31

We must attack the enemy supply lines to our hearts. God lives there! Our heart is HIS temple. Close the doors to sin. Blow up the bridges the enemy uses to supply the war Satan is waging on you and on God. We must emerge victorious in our daily battle with Satan. He is very good at what he does. But God is better. WAY better.

I leave you today with these words of advice from 70's folk singer John Prine.

"Blow up your TV, throw away your paper
Go to the country, build you a home
Plant a little garden, eat a lot of peaches
Try and find Jesus on your own."

Amen! And pass the ammunition!

Spanish Pipedream - John Prine