Sword of the Spirit – Born Again #1253

Posted on July 9, 2023 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1253

“Born Again”

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. … That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’  The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:1-8

Nicodemus recognized that there was something different about Jesus. He saw that God was indeed with Him and wanted to understand more. Jesus’ reply challenged traditional religious thinking.

  1. You are not guaranteed salvation by virtue of being born into and raised in a religious tradition.

For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. – Galatians 6:15

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

  • Being born again is a spiritual birthing from above. We can see its effects as Nicodemus saw in Jesus’ life but, like the wind, we do not fully comprehend its origins and destination.

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

We are physically born a citizen of some region on earth. We are physically born into the faith of our parents. When we are born again by the Holy Spirit, our faith is based upon our personal relationship with Jesus as Lord and Savior. When we are born again, we become children of God through Jesus, and our citizenship is in heaven.

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; But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ – John 1:12-13; Philippians 3:20

The evidence of being a born-again Christian is significant. If we profess to be Christian, our lifestyle must be congruent with that profession of faith. We cannot live like a caterpillar during the week and act like a butterfly on Sunday.

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

No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. – 1 John 3:9

Being born again and being baptized in the Holy Spirit are not the same thing. The Holy Spirit is involved in both events, but they are two different works of the Spirit. There are too many Christians that remain uncertain that they are born again and saved by grace because of the emphasis placed on the manifestation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit as the only evidence of their standing in Christ.

The fruit of the Spirit is evident in the life of a born-again believer in Jesus.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23

Godly Love is a fruit of the Spirit evident in the born again Christian, speaking in tongues is not.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. – 1 John 4:7; 1 Corinthians 13:1

Being born again is a trigger event that initiates the process of sanctification – our growth in Christlikeness. The Holy Spirit speaks to our heart and checks us in spirit to convict and correct and guide our spiritual growth. We become increasingly sensitive to and able to hear and obey the voice of God by His Holy Spirit.

By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. – 1 John 4:13

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. …  In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.  Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. – 2 Corinthians 13:5 ; Colossians 3:5-10

Born again – It is not something we say we are – it is how we live.

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Sword of the Spirit – Foundation Seal #1252

Posted on July 2, 2023 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1252

“Foundation Seal”

But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” – 2 Timothy 2:19

Paul, in this letter to Timothy is encouraging and exhorting him to stand firm on the foundation of Jesus Christ.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. – 2 Timothy 2:15

Timothy may have been concerned about the false teachings that were being espoused in the church and deceiving some believers.

But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. – 2 Timothy 2:16-18

It is not easy for some believers to recognize false teachings. This is because they do not have a solid faith foundation on Jesus.

For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. – 1 Corinthians 3:11

They have been content to have a ‘bottle-fed’ relationship with the Word of God through a relationship with a church denomination rather than an in-depth personal relationship with Jesus through His Living Word and are therefore susceptible to deception.

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. – Hebrews 5:12-14

Solid food is found in the Word of God. We ‘feed’ ourselves with this nourishing Word through the ‘constant practice’ of daily devotions, prayer, and study. This builds our relationship with Jesus and strengthens our faith foundation. This firm foundation of Jesus is ‘inscribed’ with two intertwined truths: Relationship and Repentance.

RELATIONSHIP – “The Lord knows those who are his,”

Our faith foundation is built upon a relationship with Jesus, not a religion or religious philosophy.

And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. – 1 John 5:11-12

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 the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. … – Matthew 7:24-27

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. – John 10:27-28

REPENTANCE – “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”

The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent – Acts 17:30

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

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. – Acts 2:38

Relationship and Repentance are inseparably intertwined. Our firm foundation on Jesus depends upon both truths.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ – Matthew 7:21-23

Our relationship with Jesus is first and foremost in our life. This relationship demands no compromise with the sin of the world that so easily entangles us. Through a personal daily walk with Christ, we are transformed and sanctified by the power of the Holy Spirit to say ‘No’ to sin and ‘Yes’ to Jesus’ direction for holiness. How do we know that we have a firm foundation upon Jesus?

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God – Romans 8:16

May the foundation of your relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ be indelibly inscribed with both seals.

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Sword of the Spirit – Just Believe #1251

Posted on June 25, 2023 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1251

“Just Believe”

Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” – John 6:28-29

The people who were part of the 5000 that were fed from the miraculously multiplied loaves and fish followed Jesus to the other side of the sea. They wanted more miracles and wanted to know what works God required of them to be able to get them. Jesus replied ‘…believe in him whom he has sent.’

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

Just Believe. Too simple? For some it is. To believe is to accept something as truth. It is to be assured of the truth of it. To truly believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life requires a change of heart and in the character of our lifestyle here on earth and although seemingly simple, ‘Just Believe’ becomes incredibly complex for those who desire to love the world and the things of the world.

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

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

Just Believe. Belief in Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith, salvation, and Christian walk. It is not by our works or efforts to be obedient. Our personal relationship with God as Father begins with our belief in Jesus.

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. – Ephesians 2:19-22

Many acknowledge and believe that Jesus was a good man or prophet. But they do not believe who He is. They do not believe in Him.

You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. – James 2:19; John 20:31

Just Believe. Believe in Jesus that He cares for you and will carry you through all life’s challenges.

Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. – John 14:1

Just Believe. Believe that He rewards those who seek first His Kingdom and righteousness.

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. – Hebrews 11:6

Just Believe. Believe with that blessed assurance that through Jesus you have eternal life.

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

Just Believe. Believe that your confidence for meeting all life’s challenges is found in Jesus.

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

Just Believe. Believe that Jesus hears and answers your prayers.

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.- Mark 11:24

We ask, ‘What must we do to be doing the works of God?’

Jesus replies, ‘Believe in Me … Just Believe’

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Sword of the Spirit – Daily Bread #1250

Posted on June 18, 2023 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1250

“Daily Bread”

Give us each day our daily bread – Luke 11:3

One of the first prayers we learn to recite is the ‘Our Father’ as taught by Jesus to His disciples. Within that prayer is our petition to the Father to provide our daily needs. Most of us will recite this prayer and relate ‘daily bread’ to signify our physical wants, desires, and needs.

But he answered, “It is written,” ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” – Matthew 4:4

The Word of God uses ‘bread’ in both literal and metaphorical senses. Bread signifies sustenance and health, both physically and spiritually.

This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” – John 6:50,51

In the Old Testament Law, fresh baked Showbread (The bread of the Presence) was placed on the table in the Sanctuary as an offering to God every Sabbath. The bread removed would be food for the priests in the coming week.

And you shall set the bread of the Presence on the table before me regularly. – Exodus 25:30

This is a beautiful representation and foreshadowing of the presence of Jesus Christ as the Bread of Life.

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

Just as the bread of the Presence was set in the sanctuary, we too are to set the Lord always before us each day as our daily bread.

I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. – Psalm 16:8

When we pray, ‘Give us each day our daily bread’ we need to be aware that:

  • This is a daily prayer, not an occasional one.
  • This is an affirmation of our trust in God, recognizing that He is our provider.
  • We are seeking first His Kingdom and Righteousness through the abiding presence of Jesus.

As Christians, we celebrate Communion at regular intervals. Perhaps we should also consider this prayer, ‘Give us each day our daily bread’ as daily Communion with our Triune God as we seek a fresh infilling of His abiding presence to give us the power, strength, and provision to live godly and holy lives each day.

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” – Luke 22:19

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Sword of the Spirit – Trust, Delight, and Commit #1249

Posted on June 11, 2023 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1249

“Trust, Delight, and Commit”

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. – Psalm 37:3-6

David prefaces our reference Scripture with the exhortation to not be angry about or jealous of those who live in sin apart from the Lord.

Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! – Psalm 37:1

In this world it seems that ‘no good deed goes unpunished’, and that those who embrace a life of sin prosper while those who seek to follow God’s Word are denied worldly pleasures. It is easy for Satan to kindle anger and envy in us by appealing to the desires of our flesh. This Psalm outlines a three-part ‘prescription’ as the antidote to the anger (fret) and envy that we can sometimes feel.

Trust in the Lord.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. – Proverbs 3:5

Our trust in God must be with ALL our heart. A divided heart is weak, lukewarm, and ineffective against the attack of the enemy.

Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. – Psalm 86:11

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

When we trust in the Lord we are at peace and without fear of worldly circumstances.

He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. – Psalm 112:7

But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutor – Psalm 31:14-15

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock – Isaiah 26:3-4

It is difficult to trust someone you do not know. The foundation of trusting in the Lord with all our heart is to know Him on a personal level – to have a continual personal relationship with Him through His Living Word, prayer, and worship.

And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. – Psalm 9:10

Delight yourself in the Lord.

In the original text the Hebrew word used here carries the meaning of being soft, delicate, or dainty. When we delight ourselves in the Lord, we are thoroughly relaxed, soft, and pliable. There are no tense muscles or tension headaches from the cares and worries of the world. We are truly experiencing His peace.

Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. – John 14:27

But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace. – Psalm 37:11

The enemy seeks to sow seeds of discontent. We are blessed and yet we desire more. We get more and remain dissatisfied. Solomon declared this to be foolish striving after the wind.

I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind. Ecclesiastes 1:14

But godliness with contentment is great gain – 1 Timothy 6:6

When we delight ourselves in the Lord, we are seeking first His kingdom and righteousness, not the pleasures of this world.

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

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

When we delight ourselves in the Lord the desires of our heart change from the carnal to the spiritual, from the temporal to the eternal. We gain the mind and heart of Christ.

I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” – Psalm 40:8

In the way of your testimonies, I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. – Psalm 119:14-16

Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. – Psalm 119:33-35

When we delight ourselves in the Lord, we experience true joy. Not happiness, which deals with circumstances, but rather the joy of the Lord despite our circumstances. This is the same joy that had Paul and Silas singing hymns while in prison.

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. – Psalm 16:11

Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice. – Philippians 4:4

Commit your way to the Lord.

In the original text, the Hebrew word translated ‘Commit’ literally means to roll a burden away from you. Picture yourself trying to prepare the soil to plant a garden. There is a large rock that must be removed. After much digging you can get underneath an edge to start to lift it up to roll it away. Once you start, you are committed to continue or else the rock will roll back on you. That is the level of commitment alluded to in this Scripture.

Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” – Luke 9:62

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

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. – Psalm 37:5

Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the Lord our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments, as at this day.” – 1 Kings 8:61

 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men – Colossians 3:23

Trust, Delight, and Commitment work together to equip us with the full armor of God to defend against the attack of the enemy and to provide a solid foundation upon which to stand as we live in this world with an eternal perspective of our heavenly citizenship through faith in Jesus Christ.

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. – Galatians 6:9

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Sword of the Spirit – Baptism #1248

Posted on June 4, 2023 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1248

“Baptism”

And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” – Matthew 3:16-17

I was raised in a religious tradition that baptized infants. When I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior and was born again by the Holy Spirit 30 years later, I resisted the notion that I needed to be baptized again. Then after studying God’s Word, it became clear that I should indeed be baptized.

The Word of God is clear on the topic of a believer’s baptism. Confusion stems from the plethora of Christian denominational divisions and conflicting doctrines on the topic.

What is Baptism?

Baptism is a Christian believer’s act of publicly affirming their faith in and obedience to Jesus Christ. Infant baptism has no Scriptural basis since an infant cannot publicly affirm their faith. They have not reached the age of decision.

So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. – Acts 2:41

How is Baptism performed?

Baptism involves water: sprinkled, poured, or immersed into. The believer declares their faith and obedience to Jesus as their Lord. Water symbolizes the need for our sin to be washed clean and that by our repentance and faith in Jesus our sin has been taken away. In immersion, it symbolizes dying to sin and rising to a new life in Christ.

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. – Romans 6:3-4

We err when we get tangled up in debates and doctrines of sprinkling vs pouring vs immersion. Such arguments serve only to divide the Body of Christ and they totally miss the point of Baptism as a believer’s public proclamation of their unity with Jesus Christ as their savior as well as their unity in the church body of believers.

But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. – Titus 3:9

Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation?

Contrary to some church traditions, I believe the short answer to this question is, No. Jesus told the thief who was crucified alongside of Him that because of His expression of faith that he would be saved. The thief was never baptized.

And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” – Luke 23:42-43

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

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

Why Should a Believer be Baptized?

As a believer in Jesus, saved by grace and born again by the Spirit of God, I chose to be baptized because of my commitment to follow Him and obey His commandments.

OBEDIENCE

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. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20

And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” – John 8:29

Jesus’ life example was of perfect obedience to His Father. At the start of His ministry Jesus chose to be baptized by John ‘to fulfill all righteousness.’  In the Great Commission, Jesus commands us to ‘Go’, ‘Make Disciples’, ‘Baptize’, and ‘Teach’.

Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice… – 1 Samuel 15:22

If I am following Jesus as a Christian, my first step is to be baptized.

PUBLIC PROFESSION

It has been said that our faith is a personal matter between us and God. However, our faith is never private.

So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 10:32-33

In Baptism, we make a public proclamation of our faith and salvation through Jesus. This links us to the church body of believers in the Spirit.

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. – Ephesians 4:4-6

Baptism is our first step in proclaiming our faith, initially in the safe confines of the church community to be followed by the witness of our testimony and the presence of Christ in us as we interact in this world in the context of the Great Commission but remain not part of it.

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

FORMAL COMMITMENT

When one gets married, one traditionally wears a wedding ring. The ring is a symbol of commitment to one’s spouse and to God.

Although there is no outward physical symbol following our baptism, it is nevertheless a rite of passage that remains a reminder to us of our formal commitment to follow Christ and to live in obedience to Him as He lived in obedience to the Father.

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. – Galatians 3:27

May the Word of His grace build you up in faith and obedience as you choose to follow Christ in this world and into eternity with Him.

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Sword of the Spirit – Watering #1247

Posted on May 28, 2023 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1247

“Watering”

Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. – Proverbs 11:25

My lawn is a metaphor for Scriptural truth. I don’t water it. I let the natural order of things take its course. During the dry season here in Florida, I have a dry, crispy, sparse lawn. During the wet season, it looks pretty good.

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully… – 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Some of us may choose to let our landscaping fend for itself but it is wrong for us to apply this attitude toward our fellow man.

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. – Proverbs 3:27

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

Our Father in Heaven is generous to us, and He expects us to be generous to others that He, by divine appointments, brings into our lives.

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

Generosity takes many forms, not just money. People may need someone to pray for and with them, a listening and compassionate ear, time to just be with them, a helping hand, food, clothing, shelter, a ride and so on.

If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. 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 58:10-11

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. – Proverbs 19:17

Bringing blessing and watering as the author of Proverbs 11:25 describes does not have to be a huge affair, heralded in the nightly news. It is the small, everyday blessings we bring in every encounter with those around us in our every day lives that matter to God and bring Him Glory.

And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. – Matthew 10:42

Whatever we do to bring spiritual and material blessing and water to others, is worship and we do it all as unto the Lord, for His glory.

Then the King will say to those on his right, Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. – Matthew 25:34-36

Many of us have been through many seasons of life ranging from poverty to living comfortably. We know what is like to have others generously bring blessings and water to help us through the lean times. The Lord wants us to remember those times and when riches increase, He wants us to not set our hearts on them.

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

Our Father is our provider, Jehovah -Jireh. Everything that we consider to be ours is His that is entrusted to our care as stewards of His provision, to be used and administered faithfully as He directs.

May we faithfully administer His provision, bringing blessing and generously watering those in need.

May we hold loosely the things of this world and take hold of that which is truly life.

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. – 1 Timothy 6:17-19

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Sword of the Spirit – Greatest Commandment #1246

Posted on May 21, 2023 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1246

“Greatest Commandment”

Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law? And he said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets. – Matthew 22:36-40

I don’t like a lot of rules and regulations. It is estimated that our Congress has enacted over 30,000 statutes since 1789. Some estimate that there are over 18 million laws in the United States overall. It is impossible to live a righteous life measured by obedience to secular or religious laws.

God gave us only ten commandments. Jesus summarized them into two: Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind and to love others. Simple enough? No. Not really.

Our heart is the part of our eternal spiritual being that contains our emotions and desires. Our soul is our psyche comprising our unique identity and personality. It defines how we manifest what is in our heart. Our mind is our thought life. It is the catalyst for our heart and soul. All three: heart, soul, and mind must be in synergistic unity if we are to obey the great and first commandment. None of us can do so.

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

How often have we sought to pray and to worship God only to have our mind go on a walkabout chasing after the desires of our heart that are contrary to Him.

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

How many times have we acted in a selfish and less than loving manner toward others: Our spouse, family, neighbors, coworkers, and so on?

And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ – Matthew 25:38-40

Three times Jesus asked Peter, ‘Do you love me?’ With each affirmative reply by Peter, Jesus commands him to feed and care for His sheep.

Jesus asks us this same question today. We may reply as Peter did but if we are honest with ourselves, we know that we do not love Him with ALL our heart, soul, and mind. We are truly wretched as Paul states.

For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.  Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?  Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! … – Romans 7:22-25

The Lord searches our heart, and He knows our frailty.

 I the Lord search the heart and test the mind … – Jeremiah 17:10

For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. – Psalm 103:14

We can never achieve righteousness and salvation through a system of laws, even when condensed into the ‘first and great’ commandment.

Jesus’ summation of all the law and the prophets into the greatest commandment provides a driving force to the reality of our wretchedness before Him. It drives us to the only Person who can save us: Jesus, Our Lord. Salvation is found only through Him.

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8

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

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. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. – Romans 10:9-10

May the Holy Spirit abide in you and continue to help you grow in loving Him with ALL your heart, soul, and mind.

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Sword of the Spirit – Cain and Abel #1245

Posted on May 16, 2023 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1245

“Cain and Abel”

In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So, Cain was very angry, and his face fell. – Genesis 4:3-4

The biblical account of Cain and Abel has several lessons that are relevant and applicable to our lives today. Both Cain and Abel knew God’s directive for offerings. Abel obeyed with a heart of worship, reverence, and thanksgiving, bringing to God the best of the best of his flocks – the fruit of his labor.

Cain, on the hand, went through the motions to grudgingly obey and bring ‘some’ of his crops – probably the damaged and blemished items from his harvest – essentially, the stuff he did not want.

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. – 2 Corinthians 9:7

The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” Genesis 4:6-7

Cain knew what was right to do and chose not to do it. He knew he acted inappropriately and rather than repent, he directed his displeasure toward his brother. Cain chose to be a victim rather than a victor over his sin and envy gave rise to murder.

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 5:4

The lesson for us: Worship and giving are a matter of the heart.

And Samuel said, Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. – 1 Samuel 15:22

Bringing tithes and offerings is an act of worship. Some of us tithe in a manner of speaking. Some withhold their tithe, earning interest until the end of the year and pay it in a lump sum in order to benefit from a tax deduction. Others meticulously calculate their tithe to the penny and not a penny more. Still others calculate their tithe on their net income giving the government tax collectors priority over the gross amount that the Lord provided for them. This is not worship.

Again, God is not concerned with the amount – He is concerned with our heart attitude – our faith, reverence, and trust in Him as Jehovah Jireh, our provider.

Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them.  For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” – Luke 21:1-4

The lesson for us: Entitlement leads to envy and envy leads to sin.

Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. – Genesis 4:8

The sin of Cain is prevalent in our society today. People want what others have and worked for. They do not want to put the effort in for themselves, so they envy, feel disrespected, and entitled. This is the sin that is ‘crouching at our door’ whose desire is contrary to our spiritual well-being.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. – 1 Peter 5:8

The lesson for us: God is a God of second chances.

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground. – Genesis 4:9-10

God gave Cain a chance to own up to his sin and repent. Instead, Cain responded in a belligerent and sarcastic manner to the Lord which is indicative of his victim mentality and to where his heart was.

The lesson for us: Sin always has a consequence.

Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. – Genesis 4:16

In spite of God’s coaching and readiness to forgive, Cain’s heart was hardened, and the consequence of his sin was to be away from the presence of the Lord. This is true of us today. If you feel distant from God’s presence it is not because God abandoned you, it is because you abandoned God and have harbored unrepented sin in your heart.

If you are unsettled in your spirit and feel the void in your heart that only God can fill, search your heart and respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit to acknowledge your sin, repent and return to Him.

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

The lesson for us: No matter our sin, God’s grace is extended to us.

…Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” Then the Lord said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him. Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. – Genesis 4:10-16

Even in his hardened heart and sinful state, God responded to Cain’s plea and made provision to protect him from being murdered by others.

Conclusion:

By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. – Hebrews 11:4

We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. – 1 John 3:12

I have often encouraged people not to ‘give’ their tithes and offerings. Rather, we should ‘bring’ them to God. We cannot give what is not ours in the first place. We can, however, cheerfully bring the best of the best of the first fruits that the Lord has provided for us as an offering and an act of faith and trust in Him. We are stewards of His provision, and we worship Him by being faithful stewards administering His gifts to those in need as He directs.

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

In addition, we must always seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, learning to be content in whatever circumstances we are in. Envy and its sin consequences cannot take root in the heart of believers with the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit in them.

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. – Proverbs 4:23

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Sword of The Spirit – Growing Old #1244

Posted on May 7, 2023 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1244

“Growing Old”

In the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look through the windows are dimmed, and the doors on the street are shut—when the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low— they are afraid also of what is high, and terrors are in the way; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along, and desire fails, because man is going to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets— before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. – Ecclesiastes 12:3-7

A quote attributed to Mark Twain is, “Do not complain about growing old, it is a privilege denied to many”.

God’s Word speaks of aging as a crown of glory, a time of bearing fruit and inner renewal.

Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life. – Proverbs 16:31

The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair. – Proverbs 20:29

The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. – Psalm 92:12-15

So, we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. – 2 Corinthians 4:16

Indeed, as Solomon so colorfully wrote in Ecclesiastes, our outer self is wasting away. We began to grow old from the time of our conception in our mother’s womb. It is a process that cannot be stopped. We can, however, age gracefully and with the peace and joy of the Lord by glorifying God while in this aging body.

Grow old in faith as a child of God, saved by grace through Jesus Christ.

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation. – 1 Peter 2:2

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. – 2 Thessalonians 1:3

Grow old by caring for your body as a temple of the Holy Spirit.

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

Grow old in a continual, close 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

Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save. – Isaiah 46:4

Grow old continuing in ministry, bearing fruit, and serving the Lord.

O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come. – Psalm 71:17-18

… Abide in me, and I in you. … Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. … By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples… – John 15:1-11

There is much we can do to maintain our physical health as we age. We cannot, however, stop it or reverse it, despite the plethora of products and medical procedures that attempt to recapture our youth.

Many of us can relate to the truth of the words from Ecclesiastes 12. We can choose to fight it and complain about it and try to reverse it. But that is meaningless chasing after the wind as Solomon would say.

May you embrace the gift of aging that the Lord has given you.

May you abide in Him as He abides in you, growing in faith, grace, and in the Word.

May your life, well into your old age be a ministry to others and testimony of the Love of God.

May your life continually bear fruit for the Kingdom of God as you choose to serve Him all the years of your life until He calls you home to be with Him for eternity.

…Choose this day whom you will serve … But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” – Joshua 24:15

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ – Matthew 25:23

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