In today's Bible text St. Paul says Jesus will one day bring everything under His control. I read an article last week, actually it written by a preacher, and he wrote like it was a commercial for a self-help program. Or a rally to fire up some people.

          "Are you in control of your Life?" the article said. "Do you own yourself, as to who and what you are, and what you can do and say? Do you even know who you are? Or what you are? Are you the free, unique and independent person you were born to be? How many people, in our secular world of today, can honestly and truthfully answer, 'Yes!' to all those questions? Very few, actually. And the tragedy of the situation is doubly compounded because we all do know why! It is prostitution of self, pure and simple. We're forced to compromise ourselves when we take orders and live like others tell us! We're selling our souls, we're paying tribute to a master called money...".

          And he went on and on about how we're trapped by the expectations others place on us, and how the have-nots are forced to live by those who have. He said we're victims of big corporations, bad government and worse religion. It was a lot of utopian talk, the kind that thinks life would be fair and just, and people would live in harmony if only the big, hungry power people would quit being so greedy. The article started out bad and went downhill. It was just awful. So, why did I read it? I was caught by the opening line - "Are you in control of your life?"

          That's not a bad question and one we all need to ask. Some think all life must be in control, and yet others think control in life is over-rated, and anyone who tries is a "control freak." But most of us know there needs to be a level of control in life that helps us live, work, have fun, pay the bills and maybe raise a family.

          Control itself is not an evil. We must drive in control of our car. Artists are in control of their artwork. Students must control themselves in the classroom and workers in the workplace. Of course, if people want to control other people that can be a bad thing. And yet any parent can tell you of the need to control children and to teach their children the same.

          But the world we live in often seems out of control. "24-7" instant news can do that. War with a faceless enemy can do that. Political strife and animosity can do that, as can drugs and debt. We all need some controls or we will sink into chaos. And the control that works best is Jesus. He brings control into life. Personal discipline can help, but Jesus works better, because He has power to change us.

          Paul says, "We eagerly await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." In Jesus Christ, we have a Savior, and we eagerly await His return. Jesus has power for us today. When we trust Him and follow His teachings, life is better. There will still be control problems, but with faith and trust in our Lord Jesus Christ, we can deal with it.

          Because of sin, life can and will be out of control at times. Too much personal debt from yesterday's purchases can ruin today's outlook. Bad decisions about a relationship can turn life upside down. Following the ways of the world can lead us into the blind alley of isolation from God, and even from people. Not giving God first place - or any place - in our life can lead to an emptiness that suffocates. I believe we must always be on watch for the enemy who wants to hurt us.

          In the days before these modern times, the enemy was anyone who wanted to steal from you, to take what you had, and that could include taking your life. People carried weapons to resist the enemy. They had freedom to resist the enemy as they chose. Personal safety was up to them. Today we are surrounded by so many laws we aren't sure what we can and should do when an enemy comes.

          My son's house in Phoenix was broken into last month. A thief was actually in the house when my daughter-in-law came home from shopping, but he escaped. There was little damage but a broken window and some disarray, so the thief was not in there long. They immediately called the police, got the window replaced and installed an alarm system. They also became more wary of their neighborhood. For a few days their lives seemed out of control, because an enemy had invaded them.

          Satan is a powerful enemy, of Christ, of the Church, and also of you and me. He wants to control us, and he often does it through chaos and destruction. I believe a large part of this war we're in against Islamofascism is the result of a new tactic Satan is employing. He is brainwashing young men, impressionable youth and even children to kill the enemy. And the enemy is us. Last week a TV program showed excerpts of Iranian children crying for the death of Americans and Jews and Christians. Adult leaders have taught them that, and someone has taught the adults. Satan does not reside in a people, nor even in a certain leader of people. Satan is the enemy of God and he is very real. He seeks to bring all things out of control, so he can wreak havoc and death where he wills.

          Jesus Christ is stronger than Satan. He has already defeated him. Satan still makes a lot of noise, still rattles our nerves, and still causes people to steal and kill and destroy. But Christ our Lord is stronger. As St. Paul says, He is, "The Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables him will bring everything under his control." And He promises He will "...transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.">

          No enemy can defeat Jesus our Savior. He may cause mayhem and chaos for a time, but all who trust Him will not be destroyed. All who hold to Christ as Lord and who follow His path of forgiveness and love, will be blessed forever. The news on Fox or CNN might be bad, but the news from Jesus is good. He has overcome the evils of Satan, and He will help us do the same. No evil, no matter where it comes from, is stronger than Jesus. In him, we will overcome the terrors of our time.

          But evil will be with us until heaven comes. In former days, we knew better who evil was, what he looked like and what he did to us. Today evil comes to us cloaked in the mask of worldly pleasures, or the pursuit of wealth, or even in the passion of religion. We should all know this - any religion that tells us Christ is not the Savior, or that non-believers should be killed - that religion is evil and must be avoided. 1 John tells us any religion that says Jesus is not the Son of God is the antichrist. And make no mistake about it - the antichrist is alive and well today, and he seeks to destroy Christians, those who follow Christ. He will cause trouble for awhile, but he will not succeed.

          Christ is stronger than the antichrist. Christ will bring things under His control, and it will not be forced submission, but willing trust and faith in Christ that will bring eternal life to all who follow Him.

I have an old Norelco cordless electric razor that I often use in the morning. It's many years old and the blades are getting dull. The battery doesn't hold a charge very long, and sometimes sounds like it is going to quit. But if I plug it in all night, or even a few hours, it's raring to go and does a fine job on the whiskers. But not using it - just leaving it on the counter unplugged, wears the batteries out these days. The best thing is to keep it plugged in, at least for several hours. Without recharging, the old razor isn't much good. Some days I feel like that old Norelco.

We all need recharging. Life is wearing us down, and our world is wearing us down. Our spiritual batteries don't last as long as they used to, so we need to keep connected to Jesus. But we needn't worry. One day He will replace the batteries, maybe replace the whole razor. One day soon Jesus make all things new. He will bring all things under His control and all who are against Him will perish, in His own way and time. And that day may be coming sooner than we think.

So stay connected to Jesus. Don't isolate yourself from other believers. Don't run off on your own. Don't cut yourself off from the Bread of Life and Water of salvation. Trust in Jesus, fellowship with others, and He will keep all things under control, amen.

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