Sword of the Spirit – Gains and Losses #1269

Posted on October 29, 2023 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1269

“Gains and Losses”

He hired also 100,000 mighty men of valor from Israel for 100 talents of silver. But a man of God came to him and said, “O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you, for the Lord is not with Israel…And Amaziah said to the man of God, “But what shall we do about the hundred talents that I have given to the army of Israel?” The man of God answered, “The Lord is able to give you much more than this.” – 2 Chronicles 25:6-9

Amaziah had a strategy to win the battle they were about to fight which included hiring mercenaries from Israel for 100 talents of silver (over $26 million dollars in today’s money).

Like Amaziah, we can make strategic and tactical decisions that are based upon worldly intellect, fleshly desires, passions, pridefulness, and greed. These can sometimes result in a short-term gain, but they will always result in a loss of some type. Some take aways from this Scripture:

Worldly decision-making can cause us to suffer losses. Amaziah’s mistake was not seeking direction from the Lord and instead moving ahead in his own wisdom and resources. Even though the Lord gave Amaziah the gain of a victory, he suffered the loss of the money paid out and the lives lost when the mercenaries returned and raided the towns of Judah in retaliation for being ‘let go’.

But the men of the army whom Amaziah sent back, not letting them go with him to battle, raided the cities of Judah, from Samaria to Beth-horon, and struck down 3,000 people in them and took much spoil. – 2 Chronicles 25:13

When faced with key decisions in life, it is best to always seek direction from the Lord and not ‘get ahead of Him’.

Now they told David, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are robbing the threshing floors.” Therefore, David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the Lord said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” – 1 Samuel 23:1-2

Sometimes the Lord’s direction is to move forward and sometimes it is for us to simply wait. This is when our impetuousness and impatience for gain can get us in trouble and we suffer loss.

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! – Psalm 37:7

Avoid unholy alliances. Amaziah not only acted out in worldly wisdom, but he formed an unholy alliance with a people that God had rejected at that time.

In business it is tempting to form alliances with individuals and corporations that we perceive can help us achieve great gain but that have no regard for the Lord and His commands. Any gain from such an alliance will result in a loss, if not materially, then certainly in a spiritual sense. We can be blinded to the truth by our greed.

Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of its possessors. – Proverbs 1:19

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the Lord! – Isaiah 31:1

Unholy alliances are not solely in business. They can be in friendships, social circles and clubs, employers, romantic relationships, and marriage.

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? – 2 Corinthians 6:14

Whatever we seek to gain or have gained in this world should counted as nothing when compared to the gain of a relationship with Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? – Mark 8:35,36

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ. – Philippians 3:7,8

May you seek and obey the Lord’s direction in all aspects of your life and then step out in faith, trusting in 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

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Sword of the Spirit – A new Heart #1268

Posted on October 22, 2023 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1268

“A New Heart”

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. And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. – Ezekiel 36:26-27

Our ‘heart’ in the biblical sense is the very core of our being. It is the wellspring of our life, emotions, and desires. We use the phrase ‘the heart of the matter’ in a similar sense to describe the root or core of an issue.

In our fallen nature we are born with a deceitful, sinful heart.

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

For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” – Mark 7:21-23

God loves us so much that He bore the punishment for our sins in the person of Jesus Christ so that through Him we can be saved and have the heart and mind of Christ.

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

Accepting Christ as our Lord and Savior is much more than the ‘head knowledge’ gained through church membership and following the rules and traditions of denominational doctrines. There must be a heart change as well.

…This people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men – Isaiah 29:13

Accepting salvation through Jesus is being born-again by the Holy Spirit, receiving a new heart instead of the stone cold, stubborn, and rebellious heart that we are born with.

And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh – Ezekiel 11:19

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” – John 3:3

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. – 2 Corinthians 5:17

A new heart manifests itself in our daily life: our thoughts, speech, and actions. Our heart’s desires are no longer worldly but are aligned with the heart of God.

A selfish heart becomes a selfless heart.

A callous and judgmental heart becomes a compassionate heart.

A heart caught up in the rat race of worldliness becomes a heart that seeks first His kingdom and righteousness.

Assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. – Ephesians 4:21-24

Having a new heart is not a guarantee of smooth sailing. We are in the world, although no longer of it. The enemy cannot steal your salvation, but he can tempt your flesh to compromise with the world.

We must remain vigilant and guard our heart.

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. – Proverbs 4:23; Hebrews 3:13

May you yield to the Holy Spirit as He draws you into a closer relationship with Jesus.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts… – Psalm 51:10; Hebrews 3:7-8

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Sword of the Spirit – I Will Confess #1267

Posted on October 15, 2023 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1267

“I Will Confess”

I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. – Psalm 32:5

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

Far too many of us are in a state of denial with respect to sin in our life. Over time, we have calloused our hearts through compromise and rationalization of thoughts and behaviors that God’s Word of Truth calls sin.

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. – Proverbs 28:13

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

The Hebrew word for ‘confess’ in Psalm 32 literally means to physically throw or cast down – a forsaking of sin. The Greek word used by John in his epistle translated ‘confess’ means ‘to agree’.

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. – James 4:17

God’s Word instructs us to acknowledge our sin – to cease from the compromise and rationalization and acknowledge to God that ‘I have sinned’.

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. – Psalm 51:3

This confession is agreement with God’s Word and the conviction by the Holy Spirit concerning the sin that we have been harboring.

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

This confession also leads to repentance – a casting down of the sin and turning away from the context and behavior patterns that lead us into sin. The Holy Spirit casts light on the dark areas of your life that hinder your walk in holiness with the Lord. We must not suppress the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to our hearts.

But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” – 1 Peter 1:15-16

What do you need to cast down and turn away from?

Do not quench the Spirit. – 1 Thessalonians 5:19

Where are the ‘gray’ areas where you have compromised the integrity of your walk with the Lord by flirting with the things that tempt you to sin?

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” – Mark 14:38

When we agree with His Word and acknowledge and confess our sins, Jesus is faithful to forgive and clothe us in His righteousness.

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 Lord is coming for His church soon. Will you be caught by surprise in a state of compromise with the world? Have you abandoned your first love through compromise and toleration of the Balaams and Jezebels of this world system?

But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first…that you put a stumbling block…that you tolerate…sexual immorality…and idols. – Revelation 2:4,14,20

In the Name of Jesus there is power for salvation and to be set free from the spiritual death entanglement of sin.

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen – Jude 24-25

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Sword of the Spirit – Rebellion #1266

Posted on October 8, 2023 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1266

“Rebellion”

But the children rebelled against me. They did not walk in my statutes and were not careful to obey my rules, by which, if a person does them, he shall live; … – Ezekiel 20:21

We are a rebellious people, continually seeking to go our own way in disobedience to the Truth of God’s Word.

I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices; – Isaiah 65:2

In the Book of Genesis, we read about the corruption of the earth by mankind and the Lord brought a great flood to cleanse the earth saving His select few through Noah and the ark.

And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. – Genesis 6:12

I sometimes wonder how much more rebellion the Lord will tolerate before He again declares ‘Enough!’ He truly is a patient and merciful Father. He is however just, and righteous judgement will certainly come.

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

Rebellion is saying ‘No’ to God’s direction and ‘Yes’ to our own way of the flesh. Rebellion is compromising the narrow path of the Truth of God’s Word with the wide and broad path to destruction that our flesh would have us walk.

For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry; For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.

– 1 Samuel 15:23; Romans 8:7

Our elected officials compromise with the world, casting God’s Truth aside in favor of garnering votes to remain in power.

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. – 2 Chronicles 7:14

Our church denominations dilute the Truth of God’s Word, embracing what God calls an abomination, in order maintain attendance numbers.

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

We, too, are equally guilty. We toy with darkness and venture into the shadows rather than remaining in the light of the Lord’s presence. We choose to gratify our flesh’s desire to be entertained by movies, video games, and pagan celebration events that we know feed our flesh, mind and spirit with what God’s Word declares to be sin.

Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you. – 2 Corinthians 6:17

Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? If you will fear the Lord and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord …it will be well…- Luke 6:46; 1 Samuel 12:14-15

May you repent of your rebellious nature and by the power of the Holy Spirit be strengthened to deny the flesh and make choices to walk continually in the light of the presence of the Lord, Jesus.

As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. – Hebrews 3:15; Romans 2:13

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Sword of the Spirit – Glorified #1265

Posted on October 1, 2023 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1265

“Glorified”

When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. – Colossians 3:4

When we think of being a Christian, we think of being saved. Yet our Christian walk is much more than that. Our salvation is a call to grow in our relationship with Jesus through the process of sanctification leading to glorification.

Our Christian walk begins with a call of God to repent and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. – Romans 10:9

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

Having been saved by grace, we are justified, which means to be declared righteous through faith in Jesus.

And are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus – Romans 3:24

Having been saved and justified by grace you are now part of the Body of Christ – His church – His Bride and Jesus is in the process of preparing His Bride for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. – 1 Corinthians 12:27

These events bring us to the process of sanctification. This is the process by which the Holy Spirit guides us and equips us to separate ourselves from worldliness and sin and to walk the narrow path of righteousness. It is the process of learning to say ‘no’ to sin and ‘yes’ to the righteous call of God to follow Jesus.

… Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. – Ephesians 5:25-27

Our sanctification and growth in faith is through the Water of the Word of God. The Word of God must be an integral part of our day to day lives if we are to grow in Christ.

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

Paul writes in Romans that God has also glorified us.

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. – Romans 8:29-30

God sees our glorification as a finished work. We may not feel like we are glorified right now – and we are not – but the promise is that when He calls us home, we will be conformed to the image of His Son.

May you embrace the process of sanctification, seeking to be conformed to the image of Jesus.

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. – 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

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Sword of the Spirit – Home #1264

Posted on September 24, 2023 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1264

“Home”

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

My father served in WWII, enlisting at age 18. I recall how he described the feeling of returning home after the war ended. I served during the time of the Vietnam war, and I can relate to my Dad’s feelings when I too, received orders to return Stateside and to return home.

The word, ‘home’ conjures up many feelings. It is more than a building. Home is a place of comfort, peace, security, shelter, and love.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” – Psalm 91:1-2

This feeling of longing to be home and the comfortable feeling of being ‘at home’ is a temporary experience at best in this world.

Are you confident in your understanding that you have an eternal home with our Father in Heaven?

For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. – 2 Corinthians 5:1

Do we have this same longing to be ‘at home’ with the Lord?

So, we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. – 2 Corinthians 5:6-8

Reflect on the times in your life when you returned home from deployments or an extended time away. Do you have that same longing and sense of being ‘at home’ with respect to your relationship with the Lord?

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. – John 15:9

We can have the peace, comfort, and security of being ‘at home’ wherever we are and in whatever circumstances we find ourselves through the abiding presence of the Lord.

We are the sons and daughters of the living God, and we are at home with Him in this life and for eternity.

A closing worship song by Jason Upton: This Is My Home.

https://tinyurl.com/ms9zbu2f

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Sword of the Spirit – He Goes Before You #1263

Posted on September 17, 2023 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1263

“He Goes Before You”

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

Life in this world is eventful to say the least. These events can be challenging, paralyzing, energizing, and exhilarating depending upon our outlook and spiritual mindset.

None of these events come as a surprise to God since He is eternal and beyond the time construct of His creation.

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. – 2 Peter 3:8

Every moment of every day – every event that we are or will be faced with in this life has been written in God’s book before we were formed in our mother’s womb.

Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. – Psalm 139:16

As a born-again believer in Jesus, I take great comfort in knowing that He has already gone before me to face the events that lie ahead of me.

I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron. – Isaiah 45:2 (NKJV)

As if that were not enough, Jesus also promises to go with us as we abide in Him and walk the paths of life ahead of us.

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

What are the ‘unknowns’ that lie on the path of life ahead of you? Career choice? Marriage? College? Military? Medical procedure? Learning to drive a car? First time on an airplane? Job interview? School and professional certification exams? Judicial court proceedings? …

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

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. – Psalm 23:4

God’s Word takes it even one step further with another promise that He will not leave us or forsake us as we walk the path ahead of us.

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. – Proverbs 18:24

God’s Word says that He will never abandon us in the middle of the trial we are walking through. Jesus is that ‘friend that sticks closer than a brother’.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go; For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”- Joshua 1:9; Isaiah 41:13

May you rejoice in the presence of the Lord as you face the events of each new day with confidence in Him, knowing that He has already walked the path ahead of you and He will take your hand and walk it again with you. He will never leave you or forsake you.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice. …. 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 4:4-7

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Sword of the Spirit – The Danger of Success #1262

Posted on September 10, 2023 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1262

“The Danger of Success”

You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. – Deuteronomy 8:18

Success can be a dangerous thing. It can have an intoxicating effect on us. The temptation to our pride is to bask in the light of accolades, peer respect, money, and power. It can cause us to lose sight of the fact that all we have belongs to God and we are merely stewards of His provision to administer it for our needs and the needs of others. The temptation is to hoard it for ourselves.

And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” – Luke 12:16-21

A great danger of success is that it can cause us to neglect our relationship with God. We begin to rely on and trust in the mammon of this world.

My son do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. – Proverbs 3:1-4

Christian Communes, Business as Mission entities, Outreach Ministries, and Churches alike can all fall under the intoxicating spell of success. God cautions us to be careful to continually meditate on the Truth of His Word to overcome the danger of success.

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. – Joshua 1:8

He (Uzziah) set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God, and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper. – 2 Chronicles 26:5

Our Father in Heaven loves us and His plans for us are for good. He desires to prosper us and give us success.

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

Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore,“Great is the Lord, who delights in the welfare of his servant!” – Psalm 35:27

Our flesh is weak and easily tempted. We must remain on guard against the danger of success through humble commitment to the Lord.

Commit all that you do to the Lord.

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. – Proverbs 16:3

Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands! – Psalm 90:17

Delight in your relationship with Jesus.

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

And David had success in all his undertakings, for the Lord was with him. – 1 Samuel 18:14

Stay Humble. Don’t let success go to your head.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. – James 4:10

…If riches increase, set not your heart on them. – Psalm 62:10

Success and prosperity are good things and a blessing from God. The danger stems from the attitude of our heart as to how we handle success. May your prayer be as that of the psalmist:

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me; I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. – Psalm 51:10; Psalm 119:11

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Sword of the Spirit – Guidance #1261

Posted on September 3, 2023 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1261

“Guidance”

And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the Lord has gone out before you… – 2 Samuel 5:24

I recall a time when I needed guidance, and I sought counsel from my Pastor. He advised me to not make a move until the pillar of cloud and fire moved.

Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. – Exodus 40:36

I don’t know about you, but the sound of marching in trees or the visible manifestation of pillars of cloud and fire are not everyday occurrences in my life. I was not sure how to process my Pastor’s advice. I found the answer in the Word of God.

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

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. We will never accept counsel and direction from someone we do not trust. God is trustworthy, faithful, and true. His love is perfect. To trust Him we must know Him, and we get to know Him through His Word and the abiding presence of Jesus in us.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. – Lamentations 3:22-23

Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. – Psalm 143:8

Do not lean on your own understanding. Far too many of us seek guidance from the Lord when in reality we are seeking rubber stamp approval from the Lord for decisions we have already made by leaning on our own understanding.

To hear God’s guidance and direction we must squelch the noisy worldly wisdom and fine tune into the quiet whisper of the Holy Spirit. We must also be clear about our motives regarding the decisions we need to make.

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

The motives of our heart deceive us and cloud our understanding.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. – 1 Corinthians 10:31

Be honest with yourself: Does the direction you are seeking bring glory to God or to you?

You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. – James 4:3

What is the root desire behind the direction you are seeking? Is it the idol of mammon?

In all your ways acknowledge Him. This is inviting God into every facet of our everyday life. It is the practice of His presence in everything we say and do and everywhere we go. It is being salt and light in a dark world. Does the direction and guidance we are seeking acknowledge Him?

And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God… – Luke 12:8-9

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. – Psalm 25:4-5

And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. – Isaiah 58:11

He will make straight your paths. He will guide you. Do you have ‘ears to hear’ His guidance? Is your heart ‘good soil’ ready to receive the Word of God and let it take root and bear fruit? Not to put too fine a point on it, we simply cannot hear God’s direction and guidance if we do not take the time to be in His presence and listen to Him.

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. – Isaiah 30:21

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. – Psalm 32:8

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. – Psalm 119:105

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. – Psalm 16:7-8

Conclusion

We may not hear the sound of marching in the trees or see the pillar of cloud and fire move but by the Holy Spirit we will have ‘the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding’ and we will know with confidence the direction that the Lord wants us to go.

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 4:6-7

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Sword of the Spirit – Bring #1260

Posted on August 27, 2023 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1260

“Bring”

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. – Malachi 3:10

I confess that there was a time early in my Christian walk when I would bristle and chafe whenever our Pastor brought up the subject of money. Perhaps you can relate. Why do we feel that way? We feel that way because of the idolatry of mammon.

Our Christian walk should be one of spiritual growth and understanding as we are sanctified through a personal relationship with Jesus.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. – 2 Peter 3:18

The first thing we must come to terms with is the acknowledgement of our sin of idolatry.

It is through this spiritual growth in sanctification that the Holy Spirit reveals to us that money and possessions have become an idol in our life in which we have placed more trust than we have in the Lord. That is why we want to hang onto it so tightly like a toddler gripping a toy saying ‘mine’.

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. – Ecclesiastes 5:10

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. – 1 John 2:15

The second step in growth is the understanding that nothing, absolutely nothing, is ours to possess.

Our physical bodies and all the trappings of this world that we refer to as our possessions are not ours – they are gifts and blessings from God. We are stewards of what He has provided us. We err when we say ‘mine’ and run the risk of these trappings trapping us.

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

No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. – Matthew 6:24

And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? – Luke 12:42

The logical third step in understanding is that everything in Heaven and Earth belongs to God, not us.

Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the Lord’s; it is holy to the Lord. – Leviticus 27:30

Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it. – Deuteronomy 10:14

There are three facets to our stewardship of God’s provision: Receive, Bring, and Give.

Receive: We have received all from God and we understand that we are to be faithful stewards of His provision to meet our needs as well as the needs of others as He directs.

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:19

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? – Romans 8:32

Give: The classic definition is to freely transfer the possession of something to someone. The operative word is freely. These are the offerings we give from the provisions God has given us to meet our needs. These are separate and distinct from the tithe.

A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him. – Proverbs 28:22

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver… – 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” – Luke 6:38

But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? – 1 John 3:17

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. – Hebrews 13:16

Bring: The classic definition is to convey, lead or carry. I love that God’s Word does not say to ‘give’ the tithe but rather that we are to ‘bring’ it as faithful stewards of the portion of His provision that is set apart as holy unto the Lord.

Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe – Hebrews 12:28

Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; – Proverbs 3:9

Our tithes and offerings are acts of worship and love. Bringing the full tithe equips the church body to serve and minister the love of Jesus in this world. Offerings freely given selflessly share what God has provided for our needs to help meet the needs of others. These offerings can be the giving of our time to serve as well as sharing material goods.

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

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