Sword of the Spirit – Beyond Rote #1386

Posted on February 22, 2026 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1386

“Beyond Rote”

And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words… Pray then like this:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. – Matthew 6:7-13

I grew up in a church tradition with a highly ritualistic and structured worship service. Prayers were recited responses by the congregants in unison. We were like automatons following a rote sequence of predetermined instructions.

I can only speak for myself, and I confess my hypocrisy as I was only in church to ‘put in my time’ and check the box of my weekly duty. My relationship with God was based upon a works relationship of religiosity and tradition. My heart was far from Him.

You hypocrites! Well, did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. – Matthew 15:7-9

How freeing and powerful it was to experience being born again by the Holy Spirit. Through repentance of my sin and by faith inviting Jesus into my heart as my Lord and Savior I felt renewed and spiritually alive.

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh; Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. – Ezekiel 36:26; 2 Corinthians 5:17

I now understood Jesus’ instructions on how to pray. My prayer life became real, dynamic, personal, and relational as a friend of Jesus and child of God. My prayers were no longer the rote rituals of the past.

No longer do I call you servants…but I have called you friends… – John 15:15

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so, we are… – 1 John 3:1

The following is an example of going beyond rote into relational prayer. As you read Scripture in segments, meditate on it and allow the Holy Spirit to give it meaning and relevance to your life. Pray with your heart as well as your intellect. I encourage you to make it personal – make it your own.

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. – Psalm 62:8

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. I praise You, my Father. How precious and wonderful it is to come to You as Your child. You are my Abba, Daddy, and Father. Thank You, Jesus, that through Your sacrifice, I can be clothed in Your righteousness and saved from the penalty of my sin. I worship and revere Your Name.

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. I yield my will to Your perfect will. I seek first Your kingdom and I trust in Your steadfast love and plan for my life. I desire to live as a citizen of heaven while here on earth bearing fruit for Your kingdom.

Give us this day our daily bread. Thank You, Father for providing our daily needs. Help me to be content in whatever circumstances I am in, trusting in Your love, care, and provision. Lord, You know the needs I have, and I confess that they tend to make me anxious. I stand on the Truth of Your Word in Philippians 4:6-7 and make my requests known. Thank You, Jesus for Your peace as I wait patiently, trusting in You.

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. My sin is ever before me, and I have been forgiven much. Jesus, as You taught in Your parable about the man who was forgiven much yet failed to forgive the one who owed him little, Matthew 18:21-35  help me by the power of Your Holy Spirit to have a forgiving heart toward those who have done me wrong. May there be no root of bitterness in my heart, and may I forgive others as You have forgiven me.

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Lord, I confess that temptation to sin is all around me in this world. I ask for a hedge of protection and that You would contend with those who contend with me and try to trip me up. I stand on the promise of Your Word in Psalm 119:133 that You not let any iniquity get dominion over me. By the power of Your Holy Spirit and in Your Name, Jesus I demolish all the strongholds I have allowed the enemy to establish in my heart through willful sin. Purge me, cleanse me, and fill me with the Light of Your presence as I seek to be holy as You are holy.

May your prayer life go beyond rote recitation and become relational as a friend of Jesus and a child of God.

May the Holy Spirit lead you in heartfelt conversational prayer as you read and meditate on the Word of God each day.

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Sword of the Spirit – Embracing Grace #1385

Posted on February 15, 2026 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1385

“Embracing Grace”

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ… The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen. – Galatians 1:3, 6:18

Notice how Paul’s epistles are bracketed with Grace to you at the beginning and Grace be with you in closing. Our Christian life walk with Jesus starts with grace from God and continues through this life and for eternity in the next with the grace of Jesus.

Grace is the Gospel in a Five Letter Word.

Grace is God’s free unmerited favor to those who are unworthy of it. In a nutshell, God loved us when we were unlovable. He loved us enough to die in our place, bearing the punishment we deserved for our sin, so that we may have eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ, our resurrected Lord and Savior.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. –  John 3:16

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us… For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. – Romans 5:8-10

Embracing Grace – The Hebrew word for embrace is chabaq, meaning to clasp and hold. To embrace God’s grace means to go beyond the intellectual understanding that it is God’s unmerited favor to that of actively receiving, holding, trusting, and living in it. God’s grace to us is abundant and sufficient and through it we have a path to overcome the penalty of sin and reign in life through Jesus.

For from his fullness, we have all received, grace upon grace. – John 1:16

Embracing Grace as a Gift – We cannot earn it. We do not deserve it. The enemy of your soul seeks to keep you from embracing God’s grace by telling you that you are too much of a sinner and unworthy of a relationship with God. He intends to hold you back, discourage you, and keep you steeped and in bondage to a life of sin. Jesus tells us to come as we are. Embrace His grace and be set free from the penalty and bondage of sin.

I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. – Luke 5:32, 19:10

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. – Matthew 11:28

Embrace the Grace of Forgiveness – Embracing grace requires repentance and accepting the free gift of salvation through faith in Jesus. We embrace God’s grace when we realize that our worth is defined by God’s love rather than our performance and attempts to be righteous.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9

God has forgiven you by His grace – can you forgive yourself? Can you embrace His grace with the realization and understanding that you are no longer condemned by your past?

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. – Romans 8:1

Embrace the Grace of Circumstances – We embrace God’s grace by a daily reliance on His power working in and through us to handle all of life’s challenges. Nothing is too trivial for the Lord, and nothing is too hard for Him.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose; Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. – Romans 8:28; Hebrews 4:16

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness…”– 2 Corinthians 12:9

Embrace the Grace of Freedom – The grace of God in Christ Jesus sets us free from the bondage of sin. Embrace His grace and hold on to His freedom and peace.

Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me; So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. – Psalm 119:133; – John 8:36

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age; For sin will have no dominion over you since you are not under law but under grace. – Titus 2:11-12; Romans 6:14

Benediction – May the grace of God flow to you. May you do life empowered by His grace and may His grace flow through you to bless others in His Name.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. – 2 Corinthians 9:8

And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.   The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. –  Acts 20:32; Revelation 22:21

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Sword of the Spirit – Reign in Life #1384

Posted on February 8, 2026 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1384

“Reign in Life”

For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive; For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one-man Jesus Christ. – 1 Corinthians 15:22; Romans 5:17

In the beginning, God created us to have dominion over His creation. The Hebrew word is radah meaning to rule, reign, prevail against, and subdue.

And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” – Genesis 1:28

Death Reigned Through That One Man. Because of the original sin of Adam, mankind abdicated our God-given authority to Satan who became the ‘ruler of this world’ who actively works to exercise dominion over us.

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. – 2 Corinthians 4:4

The spiritual death of eternal separation from God reigns over us and this is a battle that we cannot win by our own devices. The battle is only won through faith in Jesus.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places; Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! – Ephesians 6:12; Romans 7:24-25

Are you a slave to the old nature? Are you being ruled by a sin habit or addiction that you cannot seem to overcome?

For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved; But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. – 2 Peter 2:19; James 1:14-15

The Abundance of Grace. Through God’s love and grace, we have a path to overcome the penalty of sin and reign in life through Jesus.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life; For from his fullness, we have all received, grace upon grace; Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. – John 3:16, 1:16; Hebrews 4:16

The Free Gift of Righteousness It is through born-again faith in Jesus that we receive saving grace and His imputed righteousness that we become children of God.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord; For by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God; For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. – 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:19

Reign in Life Through the One-Man Jesus Christ.

Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. – 1 John 5:51; John 5:4

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. – 1 John 4:4

How do we Live a Victorious, Overcoming Life Through Jesus?

Repent and be born-again through faith in Jesus. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance; No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. – Luke 5:32, 13:5

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God; Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. – John 1:12-13; 2 Corinthians 5:17

Love Jesus more than the sin that you have allowed to dominate you.

Flee Immorality: Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions; So, flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. – Romans 6:12; 2 Timothy 2:22

Seek the Lord’s Help in Prayer: Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me; Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. – Psalm 119:133; 19:13

Walk by the Spirit: But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. – Galatians 5:16-18

May you reign in life through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior!

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Sword of the Spirit – Home Care #1383

Posted on February 1, 2026 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1383

“Home Care”

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body. – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

God’s Creation Was Very Good …Then we sinned.

And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. – Genesis 1:27-31

All that we see of God’s creation was perfect until sin entered into mankind. We are now reaping the harvest of that original sin through environmental pollution, sickness, and disease. As greedy, selfish, and slovenly tenants, mankind has literally ‘trashed the place’. World society, believers, and unbelievers alike, have been actively working to clean up our environment which remains an uphill battle for sure.

Our planetary environment is one thing, but what about our bodies, created in the image of God?

The Temple of God – To an extent it is understandable that unbelievers may not care for or acknowledge their stewardship mandate from God concerning care for their bodies as a Temple of the Holy Spirit, but what about those who profess to be Christian followers of Jesus? What is our excuse?

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. – 1 Corinthians 3:16;  John 14:23

Just as Moses would enter into the Tent of Meeting, as Born-Again Christ followers our bodies are a temple of our Triune God.

Stewardship Care – God expects His children to be wise stewards of all His creation including our bodies. We are to work it and keep it, which means from the original Hebrew: cultivate, and preserve it.

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. – Genesis 2:15

For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church – Ephesians 5:29

Discipline not Defilement. – God expects us to discipline our flesh for if left to follow its own cravings it will defile itself to destruction.

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. That each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor – 2 Timothy 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 4:4

But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank; “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive; But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. – Daniel 1:8; 1 Corinthians 10:23 (NIV), 9:27 (ESV)

Our lack of discipline in controlling our bodily cravings is akin to idolatry. We give in to cravings for ‘comfort foods’ rather than finding comfort in the Word of God. We allow ourselves to become addicted to things that defile our mind, spirit, and body through food, drink, and sexual immorality. Such defilement brings death, both spiritual and physical.

What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God… Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. – 2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1

“Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other; If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple; The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. – 1 Corinthians 6:13, 3:17, 6:18

Living Sacrifice – It has been said that the problem with a living sacrifice is that they tend to crawl off the altar. We have to decide: Do we love the Lord more than the self-destructive cravings of our body? Are we committed to being good and faithful stewards of our body as the Temple of the Holy Spirit?

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. – Romans 12:1

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me; Therefore, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. – Luke 9:23; Hebrews 12:1-3

Honor Christ in Body – By caring for the health of our body we honor Christ and His great commission, for it is through spiritual and physical health that we serve others in His Name.

As it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death; So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. – 1 Corinthians 10:31; Philippians 1:20

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Sword of the Spirit – Now I See #1382

Posted on January 25, 2026 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1382

“Now I See”

One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see. – John 9:25

Whenever I have an eye checkup it always amazes me that with the flip of a few dials that a blurry mess of letters and numbers becomes crystal clear. I marvel at the physiology of vision, how light is transformed through our eyes and processed by our brain allowing us to see the world around us. We are truly fearfully and wonderfully made.

I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; – Psalm 139:14

Now I See – Human Worth: Our physical sight is only one aspect of our marvelous creation. Of greater importance is that we were made in the image of God. Nothing else in God’s creation is granted this dignity of being a spiritual soul that reflects our Creator God. It is this Truth that gives human life non-negotiable worth and why abortion and human trafficking is such an abomination to God.

And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. – Genesis 1:27

Now I See – My Need for Jesus: Because of Adam’s sin I was born with a sinful nature and was blinded to my need for a Savior. Through the measure of faith God gave me I was able to see the Light of the Truth of the Gospel through hearing the Word of God. I now realized that I was a sinner and on the wide path to eternal destruction and separation from Him.

For…God has allotted to each a measure of faith. So, faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ – Romans 12:3; 10:17

I would not have come to know sin except through the Law. For I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “You shall not covet.” For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! – Romans 7:7; 3:23; 7:24-25

Now I See – The Way to Eternal Life: I was a slave to sin, entangled by it and unable to free myself from it. Through repentance and the baptism of the Holy Spirit I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Now I see my way clear to walk the path of His righteousness.

Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. – John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17

I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. – Galatians 2:20

Now I See – With A Discerning Spirit: We are in the world, but no longer of the world. Having been born-again by the Spirit of God as His sons and daughters we are ambassadors for Christ in this world. Until the Lord calls us home, we will remain at war against the desires of our flesh to sin. God has equipped us with the weapons for spiritual warfare and the victory through the power of His Holy Spirit.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. – Ephesians 6:12

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12

Now I See – By Guarding My Eyes: Satan uses our eyes to gain access to our hearts. The bling and immorality of this world attacks us on every front of life. We guard our hearts and souls by guarding our eyes.

The eye is the lamp of the body; so, then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light; Be of sober spirit, be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour; For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. – Matthew 6:22; 1 Peter 5:8; 1 John 2:16

Now I See – Focused on Jesus: It is good to have spiritual blinders on in this world to keep our eyes focused on Jesus as we walk His narrow path of life. The world is fraught with distractions, not only to lure and appeal to the lust of our flesh but also to frighten us and attempt to weaken our faith.

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. – Matthew 16:24-26

Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:2

But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. – Matthew 13:16

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Sword of the Spirit – It is Personal #1381

Posted on January 18, 2026 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1381

“It is Personal”

By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. – Hebrews 11:29

Two peoples entered the Red Sea that day with a wall of water to the left and to the right. One people, the nation of Israel, passed through safely by faith in God. The other, the Egyptian Army, entered without a faith relationship in God and with motives contrary to God’s purpose and plan and were drowned.

This Old Testament historical event in delivering the nation of Israel by passing through the Red Sea points to the New Covenant of salvation through faith in Jesus. It symbolizes repentance, salvation, baptism, and being born-again into new life by the Spirit of God. It is like the narrow path of faith that we walk as we follow Christ. It also symbolizes the wide path of destruction for those who attempt to enter apart from a personal faith relationship with Jesus.

Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me; Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. – John 14:6; Matthew 7:13-14

Christian Defined – The term means to be a ‘follower of Christ’. Far too many of those who identify as ‘Christian’ do so based upon a social club like membership in a religious denomination. They attempt to build a relationship with Jesus through occasional ritual and religious practices. A Christian is a Christ follower with a continual, committed personal relationship with Jesus.

If anyone serves me, he must follow me; Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith; Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. – John 12:26; Hebrews 12:2; Romans 5:2

Our Faith is Personal: We cannot walk the path of Jesus through the faith of others. We need our own personal faith and relationship with Him. The Seven sons of Sceva attempted to exercise the faith of Paul over a demon with disastrous results.

But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them… – Acts 19:13-16

Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber; And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ – John 10:1; Matthew 7:23

A Personal Faith Trusts and Abides with Christ.

For we walk by faith, not by sight. And those who know your name put their trust in you. – 2 Corinthians 5:7; Psalm 9:10

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. – Galatians 2:20

A Personal Faith Must be Nurtured. Christ reveals Himself through His Word and by His Spirit we have power for living in this fallen world.

So, faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. – Romans 10:17

A Personal Faith Loves. We love because he first loved us. – 1 John 4:19

Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. – John 14:23

A Personal Faith Transforms. Through Jesus we walk in newness of life. – Romans 6:4

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:2

A Personal Faith Motivates Action Bearing Fruit. We serve Him and others in His Name.

But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works… For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. – James 2:18-26

A Personal Faith is Not Private. We are commissioned by Christ to share the Gospel openly in word and deed.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 5:14-16

A Personal Faith is a Living Stone. You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. – 1 Peter 2:5

May your faith in Jesus be personal and intimate as a Christ follower.

May you be a living stone among other living stones, supporting one another, built up into the Bride of Christ, His church.

May the Light of Christ in you shine and dispel the darkness of this world, drawing others to receive salvation through Jesus.

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Sword of the Spirit – There is a Limit #1380

Posted on January 11, 2026 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1380

“There is a Limit”

And the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever…” – Genesis 6:3 (NKJV)

God’s love, grace, and mercy are infinite.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. – Psalm 136:1

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end… – Lamentations 3:22-23

For from his fullness, we have all received, grace upon grace. – John 1:16

God’s justice is perfect.

The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he. – Deuteronomy 32:4

Synergistic Intersection. The cross of Jesus is where these attributes of our Father’s infinite love, grace, mercy, and perfect justice meet in harmony for the propitiation of our sin and the salvation of our souls.

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. – 1 John 4:10

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

Long Suffering and Patience: God’s long-suffering however has a limit. There is a point where He will no longer contend with those who are rebellious and refuse to accept salvation through Jesus Christ and He will say, “Enough!”  Regarding sin and its consequence, Jesus made this statement to His disciples:

No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. – Luke 13:3

Jesus went on to underscore His statement with the parable of the Fig Tree showing that the long suffering and patience of the Father has a limit before His justice is meted out.

And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” – Luke 13:6-9

Disgracing His Grace: There are those who proclaim to be Christian who are lukewarm and seek to live a duplicitous life with one foot in the sin of the world and one foot seemingly on the path of righteousness. This is a disgrace of God’s grace, and He will declare that He never knew them at the last day.

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. – Romans 2:4-5

Revealed Wrath of Justice:  The Word of God reveals times where He said ‘Enough’. We see His justice meted out in the Great Flood in Noah’s time and upon Sodom and Gomorrah.

Then the Lord said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave…; For we are about to destroy this place, because the outcry against its people has become great before the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it. – Genesis 18:20, 19:13

The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty… For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. – Nahum 1:3; Romans 1:18

God Reaches Out in Love: There is no better time than now to respond to God’s loving call to repentance and salvation through Jesus. There is no better time than the present moment to turn from sin and to be born again by His Holy Spirit, saved by grace through Jesus Christ.

Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. – Isaiah 1:18

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. – 2 Peter 3:9

Enough! There will be a point where God will once again say, ‘Enough!’ Will your name be in the Lamb’s Book of Life on that day?

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. – Isaiah 55:6-7

May you be found to have the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22) on that day.

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Sword of the Spirit – Exposed #1379

Posted on January 4, 2026 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1379

 “Exposed”

Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” – Genesis 3:9 (NKJV)

Are we so foolish that we think we can hide our secret sins from God as easily as we hide them from others?

You are el roi the God who sees me; And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. –Genesis 16:13; Hebrews 4:13

Jonah tried to flee from God. His attempt was futile. The same is true for us. We cannot escape His presence.

Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? – Psalm 139:7

Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord. – Jeremiah 23:23-24

David Tried to Hide His Sin. In doing so he piled sin upon sin with dire consequences. Our harbored, hidden sin is like a malignant cancer that grows bringing destruction.

You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. – Psalm 90:8

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. – James 1:14-15

Every Attitude of Our Heart is Known. The unregenerate heart of man drives our thinking which, in turn, manifests itself in sinful action. God knows our heart. It is fully exposed before Him.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? – Jeremiah 17:9

Would not God discover this? For he knows the secrets of the heart. – Psalm 44:21

Every Thought We Have Entertained is Known. The enemy seeks to exploit the weakness of our flesh by seeding sinful thoughts. The thoughts come, but we do not have to entertain them, nor should we seek them out. Others may not know what we are thinking, but God does.

You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. – Psalm 132:2

For the word of God is living and active…discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12

Every Word We Have Spoken is Known. We may speak sinfully to ourselves in our mind or whisper it under our breath thinking it is done in secret. Others may not hear, but God does.

Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops. – Luke 12:3

Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. – Psalm 139:4

Every Secret Deed is Known. Our sinful actions are most often done under the cover of darkness or in secret places. We may avoid accountability by hiding from others, but we cannot avoid being held accountable by God.

You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways; Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed or hidden that will not be known. – Psalm 139:3; Luke 12:2

For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. – Ecclesiastes 12:14

Adam, Where Are You? Adam could not hide, and neither can we. God asks us the same question today.

For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. – Luke 8:17

Feeling Exposed? If the Word of God in this devotional convicts you in spirit and you feel exposed – Good! Yield to the Holy Spirit’s leading to repentance and confession to God.

If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. – 1 John 1:6; Proverbs 28:13

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:2

Enjoy the Exposure. Walk in The Light of His Presence Light dispels darkness where sin abides. Abide in Christ and rejoice in the freedom from secrecy.

For at one time, you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light – Ephesians 5:8

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. – 1 John 1:7

Remain Exposed. Seek the Sanctified Life. With a new regenerate, born-again heart take every thought captive unto Christ, resisting the darkness of the enemy and he will flee from you.

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ – 2 Corinthians 10:5

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me and lead me in the way everlasting! – Psalm 139:23-24

Live the Exposed Life. Walk the exposed life with Jesus and you will not be caught by surprise when He returns for His church. Live the exposed life of Christian integrity of faith and you will hear Jesus say on that day, ‘Well done good and faithful servant.’

Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. – Matthew 24:45-47

May this New Year be the year of living the exposed life, walking continually with the Lord in the light of His presence.

Happy New Year!

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Sword of the Spirit – A Better Desire #1378

Posted on December 28, 2025 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1378

“A Better Desire”

But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. – Hebrews 11:16

Desire is a powerful emotion and driving force. For the carnally minded, it steeps them in sin whereas the heavenly minded are driven into a close relationship and fellowship with Jesus.

For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace; For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. – Romans 8:6; 1 John 2:16-17

Heavenly Minded: Focus – Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. – Colossians 3:2

The phrase “So heavenly minded that they are no earthly good” is attributed to Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. This phrase was popularized in Johnny Cash’s song “No Earthly Good.” This phrase is being misapplied to the extent of compromising our walk with Jesus in order to better fit in the world. Such compromise makes us ‘Chameleon Christians.’

The ‘heavenly minded’ referenced in this phrase applies to the hypocritical Christians in name only. It applies to those who wear their religion as a cloak or symbol and lack a personal relationship with Jesus. These are those to whom Jesus spoke ‘Woe’ when He chastised the religious leaders of His day. These are those who will hear Him say ‘Get away from Me, I never knew you’ on the last day.

Rather, we must live in this world with an intensely heavenly minded focus in order to be earthly good. We must have the mind of Christ who is an excellent example of being heavenly focused while doing good here on earth.

But we have the mind of Christ; For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily and you have been filled in him. – 1 Corinthians 2:16; Colossians 2:9-10

Heavenly Minded: Desires – Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. – Psalm 37:4

Like the people of faith from our reference Scripture, we desire a better place – our heavenly home with the Lord.

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. – Philippians 3:20

When we love the Lord with our whole heart, mind, and soul, His desires become our desires and as Ambassadors of Heaven we actively serve Jesus in this world without compromise.

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves; Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. – James 1:22; James 1:27

Heavenly Minded: The Great Commission – As salt and light in this world, our heavenly minded lifestyle, in the world, but not of it, should proclaim the Gospel Message of Jesus.

Jesus came and said to them…Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you… – Matthew 28:18-20

Heavenly Minded: Stewardship – Our Heavenly mindset directs us into faithful stewardship of our time, resources, gifts, and talents. Making the best use of the time because the days are evil. –  Ephesians 5:16

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace – 1 Peter 4:10

But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. – James 2:18

Heavenly Minded: Pragmatic Practical Christianity – Jesus taught a parable about the ten minas teaching us to ‘occupy until He returns’ The word used in the original text is pragmateuomai meaning to do business, to trade, to occupy.He wants us to do life, living out our Christian Heavenly mindset with practical integrity of faith without compromise.

Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’ – Luke 19:13

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ; He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? – Colossians 3:23-24; Micah 6:8

May you have a better desire than what this world has to offer.

May your heart’s desire be the Lord’s desires.

May you serve Him and others in His Name faithfully, without compromise, keeping a Heavenly Mindset desire for a better place where you will hear Him say, ‘Welcome home, good and faithful servant’.

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Sword of the Spirit – The Lord is At Hand #1377

Posted on December 20, 2025 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1377

“The Lord Is At Hand”

Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice… The Lord is at hand; – Philippians 4:4-5

Are you ready for Christmas? In light of the real reason for this Holiday Season I find this to be an interesting question. How do you answer it? Most people, believers, and non-believers alike, immediately think about all the Holiday preparations that have to be made, Travel plans, Christmas cards, Meal preparation, Gift buying and wrapping and so on. We have truly lost our perspective, haven’t we?

The Lord is Always at Hand – We sing songs and teach our children about the ever-watchful eye of Santa Clause and the Elf on the Shelf instructing them to be nice and not naughty in order to earn material things. Should we not bring to the forefront the Truth of God’s loving presence and of His saving grace rather than indoctrinating them in works righteousness?

Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord. – Jeremiah 23:23-24

As it is written: None is righteous, no, not one; We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment; For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. – Romans 3:10; Isaiah 64:6; Ephesians 2:8-9

The Lord is at Hand: Jesus’ Birth – The wise men studied prophecy seeking the coming of the Messiah and looking up saw the star that heralded the birth of Christ and set out to see Him and worship Him.

I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. – Numbers 24:17; Micah 5:2

We celebrate Christ’s birth at this time of year. Can we reset our paradigm and emphasize the Truth of the Word of God concerning this celebratory season?

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ – Titus 2:11-13

The Lord is at Hand: Jesus is Coming for His Church – Are you ready for Jesus’ return for His church?

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words. – 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

The Lord is at Hand: Jesus Gave Us Signs – The signs Jesus gave us as recorded in Matthew 24 were indications of His second coming: Upheaval of society, immorality, natural disasters (wars, famines, earthquakes, pestilences), and false religious doctrine. Just as the Magi studied prophecy and the events of their day in order to be ready when He came, we too, when we see these signs, need to be aware that His return for His church is imminent since that event precedes His second coming. Are you ready?

Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near; Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. – Luke 21:28; Revelation 3:20

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand;” Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming… Therefore, you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. – Matthew 4:17; 24:42-44

The Lord is at Hand: Be Ready! –Watch the times and the signs. Look up – Not to be fearful, but to be faithful.

Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes… – Matthew 24:45-51

Yes, celebrate Christmas with joy and merriment as we remember our Savior’s birth. But remember His birth with the understanding that He came to die for our sins so that we can be reconciled to the Father and have eternal life through Him. Also remember His birth with an anticipatory eye toward His imminent return to take His church with Him to be with Him for eternity.

Will He find you ready when He comes?

You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. – James 5:8

Merry Christmas!

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