Sword of the Spirit

Sword of the Spirit – Wait #1283

Posted on February 11, 2024 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1283

“Wait”

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! – Psalm 27:14

I do not wait well. I prefer activity to inactivity. I fidget. I pace. I become impatient while waiting. This is a character trait that the Lord has worked to modify in me for His good purpose. I still pace, but now I call it my prayer walk.

My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. – Psalm 130:6

I recall being on night watch duty in the Navy and waiting, walking my rounds, and longing for sunrise and to be relieved of duty. This is the sense of passionate, anticipatory waiting that the Psalmist is conveying that we need to have in waiting for the Lord.

There are times in life that the Lord wants us to wait on Him before we act. God uses these periods of waiting to develop our Christian character. Waiting is Hoping. Hoping is Trusting. Waiting develops the Spiritual fruit of Patience and the sum results in the Peace of God through it all.

Waiting is not passive inactivity. It requires you to engage your heart and mind and spirit in prayer, praise, reading the Word, and worship.

Taking Matters In Our Own Hands – Our flesh wants to take control. Our fickle hearts quickly forget the times that the Lord has come through for us, so we choose not to wait for Him and take matters in our own hands. This always has poor and sometimes disastrous results.

Then they believed his words; they sang his praise. But they soon forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel. But they had a wanton craving in the wilderness, and put God to the test in the desert; – Psalm 106:12-14

Waiting prayerfully – We counter our need for control through prayer, calling to mind the Truth of His Word.

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. – Lamentations 3:21-26

Wait Continually – We wait for God and by His Holy Spirit we are strengthened with courage.

So, you, by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God.” – Hosea 12:6

But for you, O Lord, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer. – Psalm 38:15

Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord! – Psalm 31:24

Hope through Faith – Our waiting in faith develops hope and patience.

But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. – Romans 8:25

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word, I hope; – Psalm 130:5

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. – Psalm 62:5

Trust in Waiting – Waiting in hope builds our trust as we let the Truth of His Word soak deeply in our spirit.

I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure…Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! – Psalm 40:1-4

Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you. – Psalm 33:20-22

Patience in Waiting – Waiting in hope and trust develops the spiritual fruit of patience in us.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. – Galatians 5:22

Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. – James 5:7

Peace – Waiting, Hoping, Trusting, and Patience brings a peace that the world cannot understand.

Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:5-7

What is God asking you to wait on Him for? A business decision? Whom to marry? A career direction? Healing of your body? To battle with an oppressor or against an injustice? A financial need? A job? What school to attend?

May your prayer in times of waiting be as that of the Psalmist and may the Truth of the Word of God through Isaiah encourage and strengthen you.

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust…

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.

Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation;

For you I wait all the day long; …

Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles;

They shall run and not be weary;

They shall walk and not faint. – Psalm 25:1-5; Isaiah 40:28-31

Posted in Business as Mission, Character, Direction, Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Peace, Prayer, Trials, Trust | Tagged character, faith, hope, Patience, trust, Waiting Upon The Lord | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – Wisdom of the Wise #1282

Posted on February 4, 2024 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1282

“Wisdom of the Wise”

For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? – 1 Corinthians 1:19-20

I remember my Dad asking me, ‘Are you wise or otherwise?’ As a teenager I thought I had greater wisdom and knowledge than my parents, and my Dad would often ask me that question to knock me off my ‘high horse’. The foolish ‘wisdom’ of this world is like that of a prideful, cocky teenager.

Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. – Proverbs 3:7

Worldly wisdom foolishness begins with denying the existence of the one, true, God.

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good. – Psalm 14:1

Worldly wisdom denies the absolute Truth of His Word. It is a house built on sand.

Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. …. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. – Matthew 7:24-26

Worldly wisdom worships created things: Mother Earth, Sexual Immorality and more.

Therefore, God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. – Romans 1:24-25

Worldly wisdom accepts the mantra, ‘If it feels good, do it’. It is hedonistic and self-centered.

The foolishness of worldly wisdom accepts the lie that gender is based on how one chooses to feel at the moment. It foolishly embraces non-binary, genderfluid, bigender, demigender and a plethora of other gender concepts all vying for equal rights. Worldly wisdom stems from a debased mind that refuses to acknowledge the one, true, God.

For this reason, God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. – Romans 1:26-28

Worldly wisdom believes that ‘The one who dies with the most toys, wins.’

But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ – Luke 12:20

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him; But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. – 1 John 2:15; Matthew 6:33

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” – Acts 20:35

Worldly wisdom twists facts and truth to suit their wants and desires.

The innocent victims in this situation are our unborn children. On one hand someone can be convicted of murder if they injure a pregnant woman, and her unborn child dies. Meanwhile, that same child’s life could be taken legally and brutally through a partial birth abortion. This is utter foolishness and an abomination before God.

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood…. – Proverbs 6:16-19

You shall not murder. – Exodus 20:13

Worldly wisdom considers God’s Wisdom to be foolish.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. – Matthew 5:10

The world will persecute Christians because the righteousness of God compels us to ‘go against the flow’. We must stand firm and continue to boldly proclaim the inerrant Truth of the Word of God and pray that the Holy Spirit will turn hearts back to Him.

Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools. – Proverbs 14:33

Make no mistake about it: God will not be mocked. (Galatians 6:7) There will come a day when God deals justly with the foolish wisdom of this world.

The wise men shall be put to shame; they shall be dismayed and taken; behold, they have rejected the word of the Lord, so what wisdom is in them? Therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.” – Jeremiah 8:9; Isaiah 29:14

Posted in Business as Mission, Faith, Holiness, Morality, Salvation, Worship | Tagged abortion, bible, Gender, god, life, love, sexual immorality, wisdom | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – Fire and Hammer #1281

Posted on January 28, 2024 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1281

“Fire and Hammer”

Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully.

What has straw in common with wheat? declares the Lord.

Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? – Jeremiah 23:28-29

Jesus testified to Pilate that He came into the world to bear witness to the truth to which Pilate responded, ‘What is truth?’

Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” – John 18:38

This is a question we ask ourselves today as well especially concerning the application of the Word of God to our daily lives.

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. – Matthew 7:15

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. – 2 Timothy 4:3-4

If we truly want to know the Truth of the Word of God, then we must spend time – every day – in the Word, reading, praying, and meditating upon it. If our only exposure to the Word is a Sunday sermon than we are spiritually anorexic and vulnerable to false teaching, interpretation, and application of the Word of God.

If we say we do not have time for daily Bible study, we lie and deceive ourselves. We make time for what is important to us – we all do. Seek His kingdom first – Trust Him to order the rest of your day perfectly.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law, he meditates day and night. – Psalm 1:1-2

Now …they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. – Acts 17:11

Our reference Scripture speaks of the difference between false teaching (straw) and the Word of God (wheat). Let’s examine this Scripture more closely.

False Teaching:

What has straw in common with wheat? declares the Lord.

False teaching has no life and no power – it is dead like straw.

The Word of God is like wheat that sustains life and has the power to bear seed to spread the Truth of the Gospel to others.

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. – John 6:35

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Rightly Dividing the Word:

Let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. To rightly divide the Word of truth is to “cut it straight.”

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved … rightly handling the word of truth. – 2 Timothy 2:15

We must not avoid or soften the hard teachings seeking to make the Word of God more inclusive. To do so seeks to blend the light of the Word with the darkness of the world making truth a gray area by which the vulnerable are led astray.

Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. – 1 Timothy 4:16

The Fire of the Word of God:

Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord… When we read and hear the Truth of the Word of God, the Holy Spirit is like a refiner’s fire in us.

John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. – Luke 3:16

…the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. – 1 Peter 1:7

The Holy Spirit fire burns away the impurities in our life bringing repentance. We are born-again into a new life that can fulfill the purpose God has planned for us.

Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; – Proverbs 25:4

The Hammer of the Word of God:

Is not my word … like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? The Truth of the Word of God will not only be a burning refining fire but also a hammer – a hammer that breaks a hardened heart of stone and breaks the chains that hold us in bondage to sin.

Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons, for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High… He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and burst their bonds apart. – Psalm 107:10-14

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. – 2 Corinthians 3:17

May the Holy Spirit refine and shape you through the fire and hammer of the Word of God as you read, listen, study, and meditate on the Truth of His Word each day.

Posted in Business as Mission, Forgiveness, Holiness, Purpose, Salvation, Service | Tagged bible study, God's Word, salvation, truth | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – Cover Up #1280

Posted on January 21, 2024 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1280

“Cover Up”

Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed or hidden that will not be known. – Luke 12:2

It is in our nature to sin and to cover it up. We see this innate behavior from the very beginning with Adam and Eve in the Garden.

And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. – Genesis 3:8

As it is impossible to run away from our shadow, or hide behind a skinny tree, we also cannot hide our sin from God. David attempted to hide his sin and cover it up with another sin.

In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by the hand of Uriah… “Set Uriah in the forefront of the hardest fighting… that he may be struck down and die.” … But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord. – 2 Samuel 11:14-27

David thought he had gotten away with adultery and murder, and he took Uriah’s widow, Bathsheba, as his own. Then the Lord sent Nathan the prophet to confront David about his ‘hidden’ sin by telling him a parable.

He (David) said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die… Nathan said to David, “You are the man! – 2 Samuel 12:5, 7

We fool ourselves when we deny our sin. We are even greater fools when we know we have sinned and try to cover it up and hide it from others and God.

…Behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out. – Numbers 32:23

O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you. – Psalm 69:5

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

We are like an open book before God. We can cover things up and hide them from our fellow man, but nothing is hidden from God.

For my eyes are on all their ways. They are not hidden from me, nor is their iniquity concealed from my eyes. – Jeremiah 16:17

O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. – Psalm 139:1-2

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. – Hebrews 4:13

The good news of the Gospel is that, knowing us as He does, God still loves us. He loves us enough to bear the punishment for our sins. He died in our place in the person of Jesus so that we can receive forgiveness and salvation.

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

He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. – Psalm 103:10-14

What secret sin are you in denial about?

What behavior or habit does the Holy Spirit give you a ‘gut check’ when you do it? You know God is showing you that it is an obstacle and hindrance in your relationship with Him, yet you ‘cover it up’ and rationalize the behavior as acceptable.

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. – 1 John 1:8

It is well past due time to come out of the shadows and into the light of Christ. Call on Him. Confess to Him. Repent and turn away from your secret sin and God is faithful to forgive you.

David confessed and repented, and God forgave his adultery and murder. None of us are steeped too deeply in sin that God cannot reach us and restore us to Him through Jesus.

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” – Romans 10:13

Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out. – Acts 3:19

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9

May you be set free through Jesus, our Lord and Savior from the chains and burdens of harbored, covered up secret sin.

So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. – John 8:36

Posted in Business as Mission, Character, Forgiveness, Holiness, Morality, Salvation | Tagged Confess, Repent, salvation, sin | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – Deceptive Words #1279

Posted on January 14, 2024 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1279

“Deceptive Words”

Do not trust in these deceptive words: ‘This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord.’ … Behold, you trust in deceptive words to no avail. – Jeremiah 7:4-8

I am so fed up with scammers, fake news, and spin doctored lies and half-truths by politicians. We live in a world fraught with deception. Recent developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) has provided yet another tool for the evil of this world to use to deceive us and it all began in the Garden.

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “… God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die”. – Genesis 3:1-4

The Word of God has much to say about deception. The bottom line is that, like Eve, we are deceived because our flesh gets all ‘goo-goo eyed’ enamored with the false promises being offered.

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire; But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. – James 1:14; 2 Corinthians 11:3

The Lie of Religion instead of Relationship

Our reference Scripture from Jeremiah deals with the fact that the people of Israel placed their trust for a relationship with God on the basis of ritual works and their observances of feasts at the temple. They had the form of religion without the power of a relationship with God – A relationship that brings a heart change to worship Him in truth.

This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. – Matthew 15:8; 1 John 1:8

Sadly, this deception continues in many church denominations today. The antidote is to read, study, and know the Word of God for it is the only Truth by which we can litmus test what we are taught.

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. – Colossians 2:8

The Lie of Salvation Other Than Through Jesus Christ

The secular, new-age world view seeks to dilute the absolute Truth of God’s Word such that there are many paths to heaven.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. – John 14:6

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. – 1 John 4:1

The Lie of Self Deception

Positive self-talk is far better than ‘glass half empty’ negative thinking. We can deceive ourselves, however, when we begin to believe that we are ‘all that and a bag of chips’ with respect to our righteousness and abilities for accomplishment. We must never forget that it is by the Lord’s grace that we receive salvation, and it is by His grace that we achieve success.

For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. – Galatians 6:3

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5

The Lie of Deceptive Business Practices

The world says that to have a successful business you must be deceptive. The temptation is to deceive the vulnerable with lies of omission and half-truths to close the deal. The Truth of God’s Word instructs us differently.

A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight. – Proverbs 11:1

You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another. – Leviticus 19:11

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. – Proverbs 10:9

The Lie of Social Media

Social media is simultaneously a powerful networking tool and a curse. The enemy uses deceit – lies disguised as truth in social media to entrap the vulnerable. We must be constantly on our guard against clickbait that can steal identities as well as dangerous practices that are promoted.

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord…; Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices. – Proverbs 12:22; Colossians 3:9

Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips. – Proverbs 24:28

No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes. – Psalm 101:7

Our enemy prowls around seeking the vulnerable to devour. Deception is used to exploit our vulnerabilities. It is a spiritual battle that we fight every day against deceptive words, and we need the Sword of the Spirit – the Truth of the Word of God—in our hearts and minds to be able discern fact from fiction and truth from lies.

Let no one deceive you with empty words…; If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. – Ephesians 5:6; John 8:32

Posted in Business as Mission, Relationship, Salvation, Temptation, Words | Tagged Deception, fake news, Social Media | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – Two Evils #1278

Posted on January 7, 2024 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1278

“Two Evils”

For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water. – Jeremiah 2:13

It is easy to read an Old Testament Scripture such as Jeremiah 2:13 and think it does not apply to us. The truth is that all Scripture is applicable and timeless and that when God speaks of ‘My people’ He is also speaking of us who have been grafted into the vine of God’s chosen people through Jesus.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness – 2 Timothy 3:16

As indeed he says in Hosea, “Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’ and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’” – Romans 9:25

Let us examine this Scripture more closely and apply its Truth to our lives.

God says we have committed two evils: (1) We have forsaken Him, the source of Living Water and (2) We have dug our own cisterns – cisterns that cannot hold water.

What does it mean to forsake someone or something? When we have forsaken someone, we have renounced them and turned away from them. Before we get all self-righteous and say that we would never forsake Jesus, remember that Peter said the same thing.

Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” – Matthew 26:33

We forsake Jesus when we fail to stand up for Him out of fear of being ridiculed among our peers, co-workers, family, etc. We would rather not speak the Truth of the Word because we do not want to offend them.

We forsake Him when we, in our impatience, decide to stop waiting for Him to answer prayer and decide to take matters in our own hands to ‘help Him out’. Perhaps we decide to go deeper in debt to purchase what we want rather than wait and trust in God to provide what we need. Perhaps we seek a financial ‘blessing’ by gambling, looking for that windfall rather than relying on God to meet our needs.

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Hebrews 13:5

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. – Matthew 6:33

God describes Himself in our reference Scripture as the ‘fountain of living waters’. He is the source of all that we need in this life and for eternity in the next. This living water constantly flows. It never ceases. It is fresh, oxygenated, life-giving water. It is the Holy Spirit of God that Jesus would send to us.

A cistern, on the other hand, holds stagnating water if at all. We must work digging, maintaining, and refilling it. When we forsake God and go ‘our own way’ relying on our own intellect and resources we will fail. Cisterns of our own making will always fail us.

…Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink; Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” – John 7:37; 4:10

‘Cisterns’ take many shapes in our lives. We may forsake God and seek to rely on our education, real estate holdings, 401k and other investments, employers, and pension plans, etc. We may abandon our trust in God and place that trust in someone else or even in our selves. This is all tantamount to idolatry – a relying on things, self, and/or others instead of God.

May the Holy Spirit speak to our hearts and help us to turn away from these two evils. May we always follow the Lord, trusting in Him and waiting patiently for Him, confident in His perfect love.

But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. – Micah 7:7

Posted in Business as Mission, Priorities, Stewardship, Trust | Tagged christianity, god, idols, jeremiah, Jesus, Lottery, religion | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – In a Dark Place #1277

Posted on December 31, 2023 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1277

“In a Dark Place”

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. – John 1:5

There are several categories of dark places that we face every day: Physical, Spiritual, and Emotional.

Physical Dark Place: Dark alleys; The Dark Web; Seedy establishments, both physical and virtual: bars, drug dens, web sites, etc. are all places to avoid.

I recall being assigned shore patrol duty when in port. I hated having to venture into the dark alleys of the ‘gut’ of a port city seeking out incapacitated sailors that needed to be brought back safely to the ship. Nothing good happens in dark alleyways.

…The dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence. – Psalm 74:20

We have a choice whether to venture into the dark places of this world. Having accepted salvation through Jesus we must deny our flesh and say ‘No’ to its desire to venture into the dark places of temptation.

If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. – 1 John 1:6; Ephesians 5:11

Spiritual Dark Place: We are all born in spiritual darkness and in need of salvation through faith in Jesus.

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son – Colossians 1:13

For at one time, you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light; For you are my lamp, O Lord, and my God lightens my darkness. – Ephesians 5:8; 2 Samuel 22:29

Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12

Emotional Dark Place: This is probably the most insidious attack of the enemy upon our society. Satan is the prince of darkness and of the power of the air and he methodically poisons the minds of the vulnerable with hopelessness and despair.

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. – Ephesians 6:12

None of us are immune to experiencing a dark place in our minds. A “dark place” in a person’s mind refers to a state of deep emotional distress, depression, and anxiety. It is characterized by inner turmoil, sadness, or hopelessness and suicidal thoughts.

Solomon, Elijah, and Job all experienced this emotional dark place.

So, I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me… – (Solomon) Ecclesiastes 2:17

…he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” – (Elijah) 1 Kings 19:4

…He asked that he might die and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.” – Jonah 4:8

All three men were brought out of their dark place by the light of the Word of God.

Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path; The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. – Psalm 119:105; John 1:5

The most vulnerable among us today, however, is Gen Z. Our youth and young adults under age 25 are experiencing the highest rate of depression and suicide mortality that we have ever seen.

Gen Z’s are the most technologically connected generation yet are the most isolated and lonely, making them vulnerable to the attack of the enemy. We, the church, must be prepared and available to be used by God in reaching this generation and others experiencing a dark place in their minds.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ… who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

I dare say that we all have been touched directly or indirectly by suicide. How prepared are we to help those in that dark state of mind? How solidly are we grounded in the light of the Word of God to share ‘the Light that dispels darkness’? We cannot give what we do not have. How available are we to be used by God in the divine appointment He set up for us to minister His love and hope to those in a dark state of mind?

Be available. Are we too busy to notice those around us who are hurting? Are we too busy to be available? Ask them how they are feeling and where they are emotionally. Get that ‘penny for their thoughts’ and listen without judgement.

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ; And we urge you, brothers… encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. – Galatians 6:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:14

Listen and be there for them. Don’t be quick to speak. People in a dark state of mind do not care how much you know until they know how much you care. Continue to ask and listen and pray silently for the Holy Spirit to speak to their heart and mind. Let them talk. They will ask when they are ready to receive anything from you. Be ready in season to bring the Light of the Word of God into that dark place.

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. – 2 Timothy 4:2

Keep them safe. Stay with them. Help them connect with help resources and be available to follow up with them.

If you are reading this devotional and are in a dark state of mind, there is help for you. You are not alone. There is hope and a future in Jesus for you. There is love for you in Jesus. There is forgiveness and righteousness for you through Jesus.

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. – Psalm 34:17-18

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10

Don’t let the enemy cloud your mind. Focus on the light of God’s Word.

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

Some resources for help:

National Hopeline Network: 1-800-422-HOPE (4673)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

To Write Love on Her Arms: http://twloha.com/find-help

Befrienders.org: http://www.befrienders.org/directory

May the light of the Living Word of God guide your steps, light your path, dispel the darkness of this world, and fill your heart and mind with the Hope of eternal life through Jesus in the coming New Year.

The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;

The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. – Numbers 6:24-26

Happy New Year!

Posted in Business as Mission, Encouragement, Forgiveness, Hope, Love, Peace, Salvation, Trust, Workplace | Tagged Righteousness through Jesus, Suicide Prevention | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – Longing for Past Days #1276

Posted on December 25, 2023 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1276

“Longing for Past Days”

Oh, that I were as in the months of old, as in the days when God watched over me – Job 29:2

Job was going through some serious stuff, and he longed for days past where he was prosperous and healthy. He longed for a time when God watched over him not realizing that God had never left him and has been continually watching over him.

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” – Deuteronomy 31:8

When things get rough in the present day our tendency is to shrink back and we are tempted to dwell on what we perceive to have been the ‘good old days’ of the past.

Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask this. – Ecclesiastes 7:10

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. – Isaiah 43:18-19

We often attempt to face our trials in our own strength and become overwhelmed with inadequacy. This is when we want to join the ‘back to Egypt club’, longing for times past. Our faith in God is shaken and we have forgotten how bad the ‘good old days’ really were.

We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; … Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt? And they said to one another, “Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” – Numbers 11:5; 14:3-4

God will never abandon us. He is always watching over us even through difficult times. We must not throw away our confidence in the Lord and shrink back longing for times past.

Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised… But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. – Hebrews 10:35-39

This Christmas season consider the purpose and mission of Jesus – a mission which He doggedly pursued and never looked back.

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

I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness; For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. – John 12:46; Luke 19:10

Jesus set an example for us in that although He knew the suffering and hardship that was ahead of Him, He never wavered in his confidence and trust in God.

But the Lord God helps me; … therefore, I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.

– Isaiah 50:7; Luke 9:51

There is a reason that our windshields are significantly larger than rear-view mirrors. We do not dwell on what is past since we are not going that way.

Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. – Proverbs 4:25

May you shed the weightiness of what causes you despair in the present and a longing for past days. Fix your eyes on Jesus, looking ahead with confidence in His power, presence, provision, and steadfast love for you.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, 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; For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. – Hebrews 12:1; Romans 8:18

Our Christmas celebration is about the birth of Jesus that made the way for our salvation. This is the glance in the rear-view mirror. Now look ahead. Fix your eyes on Jesus and follow Him. We will soon celebrate His return to bring us home with Him for eternity. Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus!

… One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:13-14

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Posted in Business as Mission, Encouragement, Faith, Salvation, Trials | Tagged Christmas, salvation | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – Sufficient Grace #1275

Posted on December 18, 2023 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1275

“Sufficient Grace”

…But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” … For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. – 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Paul was tormented by a ‘thorn in the flesh’ and He pleaded with God to remove it. We do not know what this ‘thorn’ was, and theories abound. But in God’s wisdom, Scripture remains vague on this point making the application of this Scriptural Truth universal to everyone. We can all relate to weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. Therefore, when God says to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you…”, He says it to all of us.

What is God’s grace? Grace is His free, unmerited favor given to us. It is by His grace that we are given the faith to believe and receive salvation through Jesus.

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

Grace and faith work synergistically in our lives. It is the work of God’s grace and faith that brings salvation, and it is the continued work of grace and faith that gives us power for living in this world. Grace provides the path to eternal life, and it is by faith that we walk this path of grace that God has laid out for us.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For we walk by faith, not by sight – Hebrews 11:1; 2 Corinthians 5:7

Having dealt recently with a bout with cancer, I was able to relate to Paul’s prayer for God to remove his ‘thorn in the flesh’. I struggled to process how God responded to our many prayers for healing. As many of you can attest from personal experience, cancer qualifies in the weakness, hardship, and calamity categories.

We prayed for a miraculous healing and, stepping out in faith, I convinced the surgeon to conduct a second preoperative CT scan to see what God had done in answer to prayer.

The scan results showed that the cancer was still there. Where was God’s favor? Where was His grace? Why did He choose not to heal in the manner I had hoped He would?

His response through His Word was: “My grace is sufficient for you…”

When our feet get swept out from under us and we get the wind knocked out of us by the trials of life – this is when faith catalyzes God’s grace, and we find His power to get back up and continue to walk His path and perfect plan for us.

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. – Hebrews 4:16

God is sovereign and His plan is perfect. We may never get answers to our ‘Why, God’ questions this side of heaven but we must always, in faith trust in Him and His love for us.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28

I now have a better understanding of why some people struggle with despair when faced with hardships and calamities. I also have a better understanding of how to break the yoke of despondency that a narrow secular worldview can burden you with. We are insufficient in our own strength to deal with such circumstances.

Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God – 2 Corinthians 3:5

Our sufficiency is found only through Jesus who is the embodiment of God’s grace to us.

And the Word became flesh … as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. – John 1:14

We grow in grace and faith giving us power for living, not through a religion, but rather through a personal relationship with Jesus. This relationship is developed through prayer, and the knowledge gained through the reading of His Word.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ… – 2 Peter 3:18

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

No matter what challenges you are faced with, God’s grace through Jesus is sufficient to see you through.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. – Philippians 1:2

Posted in Business as Mission, Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Prayer, Relationship, Salvation, Trials, Trust | Tagged faith, grace, salvation | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – The End Of The Matter #1274

Posted on December 10, 2023 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1274

“The End of the Matter”

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of mankind. – Ecclesiastes 12:13

Solomon looked at the world view through the eyes of someone trying to find meaning, purpose, and happiness in the temporal things of this world apart from God.

He explored substance abuse, sought pleasure in grand possessions, and accumulated wealth. Whatever his flesh desired he purchased, seeking more pleasure.

And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. – Ecclesiastes 2:10

Solomon’s conclusion: It was all in vain, like chasing the wind.

Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun. – Ecclesiastes 2:11

Solomon became discouraged when he realized that all people are the same in the end. The rich and the poor alike all met the same end and he saw the futility in all that he was striving for.

Solomon’s conclusion: Apart from God, there can be no enjoyment in life.

For apart from him (God) who can eat or who can have enjoyment? – Ecclesiastes 2:25

Solomon also came to realize the importance of a relationship with God from an early age and he exhorts us to remember our Creator in the days of our youth.

Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them” – Ecclesiastes 12:1

Solomon’s conclusion: Wisdom from the Lord is Truth for guidance in this life.

The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. – Ecclesiastes 12:11

After all was studied, said, and done, Solomon came to his final conclusion, ‘the end of the matter’, that our whole purpose in this life is to have a respectful awe (fear) of our Creator God and to obey His commandments.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. – Proverbs 9:10

How many of us remain caught in the quagmire of the lure of worldly pleasure, position, and power? At what price do we chase the worldly ‘dream’? Broken relationships with our spouse and children? Spiritual anemia in an on again, off again relationship with God? Degradation of physical health due to overwork and stress?

In this Christmas Holiday season, we are bombarded with commercials to buy things that we are told we cannot live without.

For many, this is a stressful time of year, and they seek to self-medicate with their drug of choice in order to cope.

Have you come to the ‘end of the matter’ realization that it is all in vain? A chasing after the wind?

Call out to God and He will deliver you.

When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. – Psalm 91:15

He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. – Psalm 40:2

The end of the matter is this: Abundant life is found only through a personal relationship with Jesus as our Lord and Savior with respect for and obedience to God because of our love for Him.

If you love me, you will keep my commandments. – John 14:15

May the Holy Spirit give you the wisdom to objectively take stock of your life track, your motives, thoughts, desires, and actions. May you come to the ‘end of the matter conclusion’ that this life is empty apart from Jesus.