Sword of the Spirit

Sword of the Spirit – Going Home #1213

Posted on September 24, 2022 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1213

“Going Home”

Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? – John 14:1-2

There is a special feeling about returning home after being away at college or following military deployment. It is a warm feeling walking up to the house we knew as ‘home’ and it is a feeling that we never forget. We know that Mom has prepared a room for us and prepared our favorite home-cooked meal.

Jesus has done this for us in anticipation of our returning home to be with Him.

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. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling … so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. – 2 Corinthians 5:1-5

My Dad enlisted at the age of 18 to fight in WWII. I recall him telling me how homesick he was as the war dragged on and on with no end in sight. When will we go home to be with the Lord? Are we homesick in eager anticipation for His return?

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! – Revelation 22:20

What is ‘soon’? The word in the original Greek is ‘tachu’ meaning ‘without unnecessary delay’.

And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. – Matthew 24:14

In God’s great love for us, He does not wish for any to perish. The Gospel is reaching people in the farthest corners of our planet and the Holy Spirit is drawing sinners to Christ continually.

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. 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 3:8-9

If you were to do an internet search for ‘signs of the end times’ you will find numerous articles on the subject, each espousing to know how to interpret current world events. Although these articles make for interesting reading, they are no substitute for the Truth of the Word of God.

But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only; in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed; Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. – Matthew 24:36; 1 Corinthians 15:52; Matthew 25:13

When WWII ended, my Dad was ready to return home. When my orders came in to be discharged from the Navy, I was ready to return home. There was nothing holding me back. When the trumpet of the Lord sounds will you be ready?

Pay attention to the current world event ‘signs of the times’ as Jesus instructed us in Matthew 24:3-31 and remain ready to be going home.

Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. – Matthew 24:42

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Sword of the Spirit – Polluted Water #1212

Posted on September 18, 2022 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1212

“Polluted Water”

You shall not pollute the land in which you live…; The earth lies defiled under its inhabitants; for they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant. – Numbers 35:33-34; Isaiah 24:5

We are all keenly aware of how our industrialized society has polluted our water and land – all in the name of progress and prosperity. Water pollution is defined as the contamination of water sources by substances which make the water unusable for drinking, cooking, cleaning, swimming, and other uses. But what about the Living Water of the Word of God? Have we polluted it also?

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

If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of cut stones; for if you lift up your tool on it, you have polluted it; All the officers of the priests and the people likewise were exceedingly unfaithful, following all the abominations of the nations. And they polluted the house of the Lord that he had made holy in Jerusalem. – Exodus 20:25 (NHEB); 2 Chronicles 36:14

The Living Water of the Word of God is as essential for our eternal life as the physical water of this world is essential for our temporary physical life and we have polluted them both. By ‘lifting our tool on it’ that is, our secular wisdom and desire to conform to current societal norms and/or to profit by the Word of God, the modern ‘church’ has polluted the Living Water of the Word of God by embracing and promoting false doctrines such as:

Teaching that there is more than one way to eternal life besides Jesus
Denial of the Virgin Birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus
Denial of the Trinity, three persons in one God
Compromising the Truth of creation
Compromising the Truth about our sexuality and embracing homosexuality
Compromising the Truth about conception and embracing abortion
Compromising the Truth about marriage between one man and one woman
Adding to the Word of God with extra books and doctrines of man.
Avoiding the ‘hard teachings’ of the Gospel in order to keep ‘church numbers up’.

Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar; You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you. – Proverbs 30:5-6; Deuteronomy 4:2

Avoid being contaminated by the pollution of false doctrine by seeking out the pure, undefiled Living Water from Jesus through His Word. read the Word, meditate on it, and allow the Holy Spirit to teach you how to apply it. Seek the gift of discernment from the Holy Spirit that you may recognize what is false.

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. – Peter 2:1

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.

By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God.

This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

They are from the world; therefore, they speak from the world, and the world listens to them.

We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. – 1 John 4:1-6

May the Holy Spirit fill you and baptize you with a fresh infilling of His presence that you may know the undefiled, unpolluted Truth of the Living Water of the Word of God.

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Sword of the Spirit – Temper, Temper #1211

Posted on September 11, 2022 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1211

“Temper, Temper”

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. – James 1:19-20

Our society is on a hair trigger. It seems that a day does not go by without hearing news of a road rage incident or of a domestic violence incident that escalated out of anger.

Is anger sin? The Bible tells us about the wrath of God and of the times He was angry.

The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty… – Numbers 14:18

We are told about the time that Jesus overturned the money changers’ tables in the Temple.

And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. – John 2:15

The Word of God also tells us that Jesus was sinless.

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. – 2 Corinthians 5:21

Therefore, anger is not a sin, but what we do and the motive for what we do with our emotion of anger can be sin.

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger and give no opportunity to the devil. – Ephesians 4:26-27

PRIDE: When we act out in anger because of our pridefulness we sin. Some cause others bodily harm because they feel that the person disrespected them. Some speak harsh and hurtful words to those whom they feel have bruised their ego and their pride gives full vent to their anger.

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall; Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. – Proverbs 16:18,32

ANXIETY: Many people are flat out stressed out. They feel fearful and uneasy. The pressures of life, the economy, family, and workplace have worked their last nerve. It does not take much at that point to trigger an anger and rage response. Our worry and anxiousness are a sin that has its roots in our pride. We are doing it all on our own and not relying on God. We are going our own way while neglecting our relationship with Jesus.

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

A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. – Proverbs 29:11

Refrain from anger and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. – Psalm 37:8

PROVOCATION: Some people, sometimes the ones closest to you, know which buttons to push that will trigger an anger response. The reasons why they do so are many and varied. Regardless, the burden is upon us to manifest the peace of God that comes from His indwelling, abiding presence.

When we respond to provocation in a like manner we sin and act foolishly.

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. – Proverbs 19:11

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. – Proverbs 15:1

May the peace of God fill your heart and mind and purge you of all anxiousness.

May the Holy Spirit give you the soft answer necessary to diffuse conflict and may He give you the good sense to be slow to anger and overlook an offense.

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Sword of the Spirit – Trust #1210

Posted on September 5, 2022 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1210

“Trust”

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” – Jeremiah 17:7-8

A father coaxes his young child to jump in the deep end of the pool asking them to trust that he will catch them and not let them be harmed. Some children will jump willingly, others will jump only after much coaxing and assurances, and still others will walk away.

From an early age we learn to distrust. Whatever, or whomever we have placed our trust in – at some point in time they will fail us, and we learn to distrust. Unfortunately, this trust wariness is imposed unfairly upon our Father in Heaven. It is only through a close and growing relationship with Jesus that we come to know the Father and trust Him completely.

God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. – Numbers 23:19; Lamentations 3:22-23

Notice in our reference Scripture that we are blessed when we trust in the Lord and when our trust is the Lord. The word ‘trust’ literally means to be bold and confident. It means to have a certain and sure security. We not only trust in what the Lord can do for us, but we also live, move, and act in boldness and confidence that comes from His abiding presence working through us.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God; Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. – Psalm 20:7; 146:3

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. – Psalm 118:8

Note also that there is no fear or anxiousness with those who trust the Lord.

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

The only way to unlearn our distrust is to grow in our personal relationship with Jesus through continual prayer and the study of His Word.

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

Our world is a crazy place right now. Our elected officials are not trustworthy and are failing us. Our financial investments that we may have placed our trust in for a comfortable retirement are tanking and have failed us. People we looked to for help in a time of need have abandoned us. We are aging and our strength and vigor to do all that we used to be able to do is failing us.

Only a close walk with our Lord will keep us from misplacing our trust in things and people of this world that will always fail us.

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act; He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. – Psalm 37:5; Psalm 112:7

May you trust in the Lord as He manifests His boldness and confidence through you to the praise and glory of His Name.

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Sword of the Spirit – Pray the Full Armor of God #1209

Posted on August 28, 2022 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1209

“Pray the Full Armor of God”

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm… praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, – Ephesians 6:10-13, 18

Conventional wisdom says, ‘Never bring a knife to a gun fight’. The point being made is that we must be prepared when going into battle. Yes, we know that we do not prevail by our own power and might, but rather by the Spirit of God and that the battle belongs to the Lord.

Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts … that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s… – Zechariah 4:6; 1 Samuel 17:47

We are, however, called to action and not passivity. We are to take up and put on His whole armor and stand against the enemy’s schemes. We are called to wrestle, stay alert, and persevere in continual prayer.

We venture out every day into an evil world laced with the schemes of the devil to trip us up, discourage us, cause us to fear, and to weaken our faith and trust in God. We must venture out equipped with the whole armor of God.

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness – Ephesians 6:14

Lord, I stand tall and confident, secure in the Truth of your Word. I fasten the belt of truth around my waist to hold my garments securely allowing me to move freely whether it is to flee immorality or run into battle. Let there be no falsehood in me. May I speak only words of truth in all my dealings.

Jesus, thank You for Your imputed righteousness as I protect my heart with the breastplate of righteousness. May my heart remain pure and forever seek first your righteousness and Your Kingdom. Thank you for having my back and protecting me from being caught unaware by the enemy. …the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. – Isaiah 58:8

and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. – Ephesians 6:15

Father, I love Your Word. Thank you for the Holy Spirit guidance in understanding and applying Your Word to my life. I put on the shoes of the Gospel Truth of salvation through Jesus. May these shoes allow me to walk or run securely and safely on the roads of life that are littered with pitfalls and hazards to trip me up. May I be ready in season to share the Truth of the Gospel with all those you bring across my path by divine appointment. As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” – Romans 10:15

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; – Ephesians 6:16

Lord, I take up the shield of faith to carry with me in all circumstances. I am continually bombarded with the flaming arrows of the enemy seeking to weaken my faith, hope, and trust in You. Thank You, Jesus, for being my shield. I rest in your peace and in the shelter of your protection.

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.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, – Psalm 91:1-5

and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, – Ephesians 6:17

Father, I put on the helmet of salvation to protect my mind from the seeds of doubt and fear that the enemy seeks to plant in my mind. My mind is at peace with the blessed assurance of salvation through Jesus Christ, my Lord.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life; I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. – John 3:16; 10:28-29

I take up the Sword of the Spirit, Your Living Word, to defend against and destroy the lies of the enemy.

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

Holy Spirit, I pray that You would embed the Truth of the Word of God deep into my heart, mind, and soul. May You bring it into my remembrance to speak out as Light and Truth to dispel the darkness of the enemy as I pray in supplication for all the saints.

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Sword of the Spirit – Willing and Doing #1208

Posted on August 21, 2022 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1208

“Willing and Doing”

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. – Matthew 26:41

New Year’s resolutions are made and forgotten. Promises are made and broken. Business plans are developed, filed away, and forgotten.

Putting what we know is right to do into action is one of the most difficult things for us to do. From eating healthy to establishing a disciplined prayer life in following Jesus, our spirits are indeed willing, but our flesh is so easily tempted and drawn astray.

For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate …. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out … – Romans 7:15-20

We cannot muster up enough internal grit and will to overcome the weakness of our flesh. It is only by the strength and indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit that we can walk on the narrow path of Jesus. The key to a Christian walk of integrity is not self-control, it is abandonment to Christ.

Then he said to me, this is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. – Zechariah 4:6

Paul recognized this fact when he exclaimed that only Jesus could deliver him from his ‘body of death’.

Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! …. for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. – Romans 7:24-25; Philippians 2:12-13

Our Father desires that we would walk in His ways.

Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways! – Psalm 81:13

God knows us better than we know ourselves. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. – Psalm 103:14

The Lord is faithful to help us in our weakness.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13

It is God who works in us to have the will and to act on it. He equips us to obey His Word.

Now may the God of peace…equip you with everything good that you may do his will… through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. – Hebrews 13:20-21

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Sword of the Spirit – His Steadfast Love #1207

Posted on August 14, 2022 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1207

“His Steadfast Love”

Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever. – Psalm 136:26

Stop for a moment and slowly reread our reference Scripture verse. Contemplate what the word ‘steadfast’ means.

Steadfast: Loyal, Steady, Abiding, Faithful, True, Changeless, Dependable, and Never-failing.

If you doubt or have ever doubted God’s love for you know that it is a lie from the enemy of your soul. God’s steadfast love for you is eternal. From before you were born, He knew you and loved you and He has not ceased to love you. That is steadfast love.

We love because he first loved us; Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you; 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. – 1 John 4:19; Jeremiah 1:5; Psalm 139:16

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

But you ask, how can God love me when I have sinned so much? The answer to that question is why Jesus Christ came to live, die for our sins, and be resurrected to eternal life. That is how strong the steadfast love of God is that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. – John 3:15

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends; 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 15:13; John 3:16

In this world our willful sins can sometimes bring unpleasant consequences and we begin to doubt God’s love for us as we endure the difficulty. Again, focus on the Truth of God’s Word about His steadfast, unchanging, never-failing love for you and know that His discipline is for your good and the good of others.

My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves and chastises every son whom he receives.” – Hebrews 12:5-6

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. – Psalm 86:15

Because of God’s steadfast love for us the gift of eternal life through Jesus is available to all who believe in Him.

Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved? “And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” – Acts 16:31

No matter who you are or what you have done, may you never doubt the immeasurable, dependable, never-failing steadfastness of God’s love for you.

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. – Psalm 107:1-3

May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. – 2 Thessalonians 3:5

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Sword of the Spirit – Eyes on the Prize #1206

Posted on August 7, 2022 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1206

“Eyes on the Prize”

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus; Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. – Philippians 3:14; 1 Corinthians 9:24

One of my childhood heroes was Thomas Edison. (Yes, I was that nerdy kid). The man who became one of the most prolific inventors in history was the child whose teachers said he was too stupid to learn anything. For every successful invention, Thomas Edison endured thousands of failed attempts. Undaunted by failure, Edison is quoted as stating, ‘I have not failed. I’ve just found ten thousand ways that won’t work’. Edison pressed on toward the prize he envisioned before him.

Paul the Apostle was also one who suffered much ‘failure’ yet pressed on in the power and grace of Jesus Christ. He was whipped, beaten, stoned, shipwrecked and adrift at sea. He was in constant danger, hungry, thirsty, and cold. 2 Corinthians 11:24-27 Yet Paul acknowledged his weakness and he knew that his strength was found in Christ alone.

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 12:10

Paul never lost sight of the goal and the prize of eternal life that the Lord promised those who believe and have faith in Him.

Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. – John 14:1-3

We all fail. The question is, will we get back up? Will we ‘fail forward’ pressing on toward the goal and prize that Jesus has promised us?

for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity. – Proverbs 24:16

Fear of failure paralyzes us and hinders our faith walk with the Lord. The enemy of our souls is quick to pounce upon us when we fail, planting seeds of discouragement. We must always remember the Truth of the Word of the Lord that our success is not dependent upon our abilities but rather upon the grace and power of the Lord working in and through us.

Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. – Zechariah 4:6

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.” – Joshua 1:9

In our Christian walk, many of us stumble, fall, and lack the will to get back up. This is because we have abandoned our first love. We have allowed the ashes of the things of this world to smother the flame of our relationship with Jesus. The glowing embers remain – fan them into flame, seek first His kingdom and righteousness, and press on toward the goal and prize that Jesus has set before you.

But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. – Revelation 2:4

May your Christian walk be characterized as ‘failing forward’ by His power and grace as you press on toward the goal and prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand. – Psalm 37:23-24

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Sword of the Spirit – Days Like Grass #1205

Posted on July 31, 2022 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1205

“Days Like Grass”

As for man his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. – Psalm 103:15-16

I drive by the empty lot in the picture frequently. There used to be a house there with a car in the driveway. I watched it gradually go into disrepair over the past decade and then it seems as if it happened overnight, the house and car were gone, and vegetation took over.

I see it often – once thriving homes become abandoned, demolished, and left for nature to reclaim the space until someone else buys it, builds a home, raises a family, and the cycle begins again – always to the same end.

Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. – Ecclesiastes 1:2

I wonder about the people who lived there – what their life was like – Did they know Jesus as their Lord and Savior – Did they make a lasting impact in this world or were they here and gone – erased – leaving no lasting impression.

Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow; Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! – Psalm 144:4; Psalm 39:5

The Word of God speaks to us – no, exhorts us to seek first His kingdom and righteousness and to live our lives with impactful purpose to the glory and praise of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness…; 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 6:33; Matthew 5:16

We are all like grass. We will all be erased. However, a life lived in God’s purpose and plan for us will be an impactful life, even if it impacts only one other person in this world. God’s Word does not fail to accomplish its purpose.

All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever; so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. – 1 Peter 1:24-25; Isaiah 55:11

Because our lives are like a passing shadow, and the fact that all the trappings of this world and the world itself will all burn in that Great Day of the Lord, The Word of God challenges us to consider what sort of lives we should be living now.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! – 2 Peter 3:10-12

Examine your life walk. Are you living a ‘God-Purpose Driven Life’ or are you living in and for the temporal things of this world? Is your life a mere vain existence waiting to be erased?

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil; Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. – Ephesians 5:15-16; Psalm 119:37

May your time in this life on earth leave an impression and impact for the Kingdom of God.

May the Holy Spirit speak clearly to your heart how to live and walk in the purpose and plan that God has ordained for you even before you were born.

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. – Psalm 90:12

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Sword of the Spirit – Shadows #1204

Posted on July 24, 2022 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1204

“Shadows”

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. – James 1:17

Shadows are something we are all familiar with and God’s Word uses this concept to convey several Truths.

Protection: Shadows are used to signify God’s protection. When we are in His shadow, we are very close to Him. We are shaded and shielded by Him from the heat of the sun and all that can harm us.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty; Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings – Psalm 91:1; Psalm 17:8

How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. – Psalm 63:7; Psalm 36:7

Deception: As it is with all things of this fallen world, shadows can be deceptive, having the appearance of something that is false. Take for example shadow puppets, whereby careful arrangement of hands and fingers cast a shadow having the appearance of a bunny or another animal.

We have done the same as a shadow puppet by twisting God’s Word and enacting laws and traditions of men that dilute the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

…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

For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near; Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. – Hebrews 10:1; Colossians 2:16-17

Even the death we will experience in this life is but a deceiving shadow since eternal life through Jesus is ours who confess that Jesus is Lord and believe in His resurrection.

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

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; “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” – Psalm 23:4; 1 Corinthians 15:55

Temporary: Shadows are temporary and our life here in the body is likened to a shadow. We do well to maintain an eternal perspective and not try to hang on to the empty shadow of the things of this world.

For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding. – 1 Chronicles 29:15

For we are but of yesterday and know nothing, for our days on earth are a shadow. – Job 8:9

Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow. – Psalm 144:4

Temporal: Shadows may represent what is casting them, but they have no substance. God’s Word cautions us not to rely on and seek the things of this world instead of seeking Him first.

“Ah, stubborn children,” declares the Lord, “who carry out a plan, but not mine, and who make an alliance, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin; who set out to go down to Egypt, without asking for my direction, to take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore, shall the protection of Pharaoh turn to your shame, and the shelter in the shadow of Egypt to your humiliation – Isaiah 30:1-3

May you be encouraged by the fact that our God and the Truth of His Word are not fleeting and changeable like a shadow. He is the Rock of our Salvation. He is our protector and provider and through Jesus we have forgiveness of sin and eternal life.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. – Hebrews 13:8

Posted in Business as Mission | Tagged Eternal Life | Leave a comment