The Spiritman Update: Second Issue

The Spiritman Update can be read like a devotional. It follows the comics panel by panel mixed with commentary from the creators and a dose of scripture.

Page 3

Spiritman Daily Dose 136

Doubt is the shadow that creeps up on us. Just when we experience the amazing, incredible power of God we begin to doubt again. We doubt ourselves... we doubt God's ability to work through us.

But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Yeshua had sent them. 17 When they saw him, they bowed down to him, but some doubted. 18 Yeshua came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go† and make disciples of all nations, immersing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Matthew 28:16-20 WMB

Spiritman Daily Dose 137

Can you guess where the story takes place based on the skyline? ...spoiler... it's Des Moines. Scott and I grew up in Iowa and Scott lives in Des Moines so it seemed natural. Plus, it fits with the story of Spiritman. Martin is an average teenager. Nothing amazing. But God does amazing things in his life... where he is.

"For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble; but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world that he might put to shame the things that are strong. God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that don’t exist, that he might bring to nothing the things that exist, that no flesh should boast before God."
1 Corinthians 1:26-29 WMB

Spiritman Daily Dose 138

Des Moines is actually a pretty nice place. I travel down for the Comic Book I-CON, a convention put on by the Iowa Comic Book Club. There is one coming up on December 16. It is a much more family friendly convention than many I have been to. They do a nice job. There is also a really interesting sculpture park in downtown that may appear in a future issue of Spiritman.

"Be therefore imitators of God, as beloved children. Walk in love, even as Messiah also loved us and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance."
Ephesians 5:1-2 WMB

Spiritman Daily Dose 139

The minimal use of text in this panel juxtaposes humorously with the previous panel. Spiritman tells Martin just how much he knows about him. Socrates said that "the unexamined life is not worth living." How well do we know ourselves?

"Know that the LORD, he is God. It is he who has made us, and we are his. We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture."
Psalm 100:3 WMB

Spiritman Daily Dose 140

Martin is stunned. Spiritman just gave him a long list of details that only Martin would know. He is wrestling with this evidence that Spiritman is Martin. God also knows Martin's secret thoughts.

"Having then a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Yeshua, the Son of God, let’s hold tightly to our confession. For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need."
Hebrews 4:14-16 WMB

Spiritman Daily Dose 141

Some things we would rather not talk about. Talking about Chelsea seemed to be a little embarrassing for Martin. What about the shadow that was leaping from building to building in previous panels? I'm sure that won't become an issue.

"The nations will see and be ashamed of all their might. They will lay their hand on their mouth. Their ears will be deaf."
Micah 7:16 WMB

Spiritman Daily Dose 142

Ever look in the mirror and think, "Who is this person?" There is often a great difference between how we see ourselves and how God sees us.

"Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."
1 Peter 5:8 WMB

Spiritman Daily Dose 143

Having trouble explaining something to himself... reminds me of school. I think it is important to state again that Spiritman is not God, not an Angel, he is Martin... an imperfect person equipped by God.

"I thank him who enabled me, Messiah Yeshua our Lord, because he counted me faithful, appointing me to service;"
1 Timothy 1:12 WMB