Sword of the Spirit – Blinded #1200

Posted on June 26, 2022 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1200

“Blinded”

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

I have been voting in our country’s elections for more than 50 years. I always sought to vote for candidates of high Christian moral standards especially concerning the issue of abortion. I recall on numerous occasions being criticized for my choice of candidate based on their economic policies, charisma, etc. When confronted with the issue of abortion, my critics would reply, ‘That will never change in our lifetime, vote along another line.’ Praise our Father in Heaven: this week a first step in the right direction to protect the lives of innocent pre-born children has begun!

For nothing will be impossible with God. – Luke 1:37

The people who love this world and the things of this world are blinded by Satan to the Truth of the Word of God. They cannot see the fact that abortion is murder. They cannot see that the preponderance of sexual immorality in our society is an abomination to the Lord our God.

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; Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. – 1 John 2:15; Philippians 3:19

There remains a long road ahead in protecting the life of the innocent preborn children in this country. We must continue in diligent prayer and work to have them recognized as human beings from the moment of conception and afforded all the rights due them by law.

The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life; For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. … My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 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. — Job 33:4; Psalm 139:13-16

There will continue to be sanctuary states for the time being that will allow the murder of preborn children by harboring the abortion industry. Make no mistake about it, if the abortion industry were not profitable, it would not exist. The murder of the innocent is a billion-dollar industry for Planned Parenthood clinics alone. Behind their façade of advocating for a woman’s rights lies greed and the love of money.

You shall not murder; Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent and righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked. – Exodus 20:13; 23:7

As Christian brothers and sisters we must continue to fight for the innocent, preborn children who cannot fight for themselves. We must carry the Truth of the light of Christ in our homes, workplaces, churches, and into the voting booth.

Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” …I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ – John 8:12- Acts 26:17-18

The Lord’s command to us is to choose life. Life for the preborn as well as all humanity, life in the flesh and life in the spirit for eternity through Jesus.

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing, and curse. Therefore, choose life, that you and your offspring may live – Deuteronomy 30:19

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Sword of the Spirit – Pray for Ukraine #1199

Posted on June 19, 2022 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1199

“Pray For Ukraine”

Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me! – Psalm 35:1

Today’s headlines read: War in Ukraine ‘could last for years,’ NATO chief says. To that we say, ‘But God…’

This devotional is dedicated to praying the Word of God in intercession for the people and nation of Ukraine. The power of prayer, when in concert and in agreement should not be underestimated. Prepare your hearts before Our Father and His Son, Our Lord, Jesus and join me in praying Psalm 9 for the Ukraine.

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

            Our Father in Heaven, we praise you and thank you that we can come before you through the sacrifice of Jesus, Your Son and our Lord and Savior. Incline your ear to hear our prayer and petition as we gather in agreement as Your children and make our petitions on behalf of the people and nation of Ukraine in the Name of Jesus.

Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. – John 14:13

When my enemies turn back, they stumble and perish before your presence. For you have maintained my just cause; you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment.

            Send the enemies of Ukraine back to where they came from, Lord. Confuse their communications and logistics – make them stumble and perish before Your holy presence and the presence of your angelic army. Maintain the cause of the people of the Ukraine and restore their nation.

You have rebuked the nations; you have made the wicked perish; you have blotted out their name forever and ever. The enemy came to an end in everlasting ruins; their cities you rooted out; the very memory of them has perished.

            Rebuke the Russian leadership, Lord. Bring them to an everlasting ruin that they would never oppress the innocent again. Protect the Russian people who are innocent of this egregious war effort against the Ukrainian people. May they rise up with boldness and power to stop their corrupt leaders.

But the Lord sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for justice, and he judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with uprightness.

            We trust in Your righteous judgement, Lord. We worship You as Sovereign over all and we trust in Your perfect plan for the people of the Ukraine. We may not understand today why You allowed this war to happen, but we know that nothing happens that You have not allowed to happen.

We humbly ask Lord that You will bring this war to an abrupt end and free the people of the Ukraine from oppression. May they know it was by Your hand that they have been set free and their enemy is defeated. May they give You the glory as they, as one people turn their hearts to You and to Your Son, Jesus. May there be a mighty move of Your Holy Spirit across that nation and the world as You revive hardened hearts, and they acknowledge that You are Sovereign and sit enthroned forever.

The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

            Be a stronghold for the people of the Ukraine, Lord. May they seek You with undivided hearts. For You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.

Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples his deeds! For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.

            We praise You, Father and thank You for what You will do for the people of the Ukraine. Your Word tells us of Your mighty power and how You have delivered people from oppressors since time began. Be mindful of the Ukrainian people and hear the cry of the afflicted.

Be gracious to me, O Lord! See my affliction from those who hate me, O you who lift me up from the gates of death, that I may recount all your praises, that in the gates of the daughter of Zion I may rejoice in your salvation.

            Father, we ask that You pour out Your grace and Holy Spirit anointing upon the people of the Ukraine. Lift them up from the gates of death that is before them because of the Russian oppressor. Repel the enemy, we ask in Jesus’ Name so that Your praises will be recounted in their streets and that there will be rejoicing in the salvation of the Lord.

The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; in the net that they hid, their own foot has been caught. The Lord has made himself known; he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands.

            Thank You Lord for what You are about to do to free the people and nation of the Ukraine. May the Russian forces sink in their own pit and may they be snared in their own traps. Make Yourself known Lord and strike terror in the hearts of the enemy.

The wicked shall return to Sheol, all the nations that forget God.

            Send the wicked oppressor back to where they came from, Lord. May they never rise up again to attack innocent peoples and nations.

For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever.

            The people of the Ukraine are needy and poor, Lord. Move on the hearts of the nations of the world to come to their aid and bring them comfort. May the hope and trust of the Ukrainian people be in You, O Lord. May they know that it is by Your hand and by Your Spirit that they are comforted and set free from their enemy.

Arise, O Lord! Let not man prevail; let the nations be judged before you! Put them in fear, O Lord! Let the nations know that they are but men!

            Arise, Lord! We pray. We boldly ask that the enemy not prevail. Contend O Lord with the Russian nation that contends with innocent people. Show them Your power Lord. Show them that they are but men. Put the Russian forces and leadership in fear of You and turn them back and bring an end to this war. We ask on behalf of the Ukrainian people, in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted. O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more; for the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory. – Psalm 10:12, 17, 18; Deuteronomy 20:4

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Sword of the Spirit – Tablet of the Heart #1198

Posted on June 12, 2022 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1198

“Tablet of the Heart”

Keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. – Proverbs 7:2-3

The ‘apple of your eye’ is an idiom that originated in the word of God. It literally means the pupil of your eye and refers to the reflection in your pupil of what you are gazing at intently. By keeping God’s Word, His commandments and moral code for living in the forefront of our lives we are writing them on the tablet of our heart. They become woven into the fabric of our being.

This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds, – Hebrews 10:16

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. – Luke 6:45

God gave us the Ten Commandments carved on stone tablets. We have monuments, placards, and posters of them displayed in our homes, businesses, and public places. The Words of God contained therein are living and active and they remind us of our need to be obedient to Him.

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

I believe that this is why our society seeks to remove the display of the Ten Commandments and any other public displays of the Word of God. The evil intent of the heart of our society does not want to be reminded of its sinfulness and have to acknowledge the need of salvation through Jesus Christ alone.

Therefore, it is so important for us to embrace the new covenant of grace and to make God’s Word the apple of our eye and write His moral laws on the tablet of our heart. His Word needs to be woven into the very fabric of who we are, how we act, and what we say.

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. – Prov 3:1-4

The words in the original Hebrew translated ‘steadfast love and faithfulness’ also carry the meaning of ‘mercy or kindness and truth’ as is evident in some translations. It is interesting to note that when God identified Himself as He passed before Moses He identified Himself as ‘abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness’.

The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, – Exodus 34:6

In Proverbs 3 we are exhorted to have the attribute of God: ‘steadfast love and faithfulness’ written on the tablet of our heart.

When the Living Word of God is part of the very fabric of our being, engraved on the ‘tablets of our heart’ every aspect of our daily lives speaks of the presence of God and brings Him glory.

All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. – Psalm 25:10

May the Word of God and His commandments be the apple of your eye and written on the tablet of your heart.

May His Living Word, the very presence of God by His indwelling Holy Spirit, be woven into the fabric of your being such that in all things God is glorified.

And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. – 2 Corinthians 3:3

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Sword of the Spirit – Reflection #1197

Posted on June 5, 2022 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1197

“Reflection”

And we all having been unveiled in face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit. – 2 Corinthians 3:18 (BLB)

How much time do you spend looking in a mirror? Have you ever looked intently into your own eyes? What do you see? Do your eyes reflect weariness, fatigue, a lack of sleep from worry? Or do your eyes reflect a brightness and clarity? Are they joyful?

Have you ever noticed the eyes from the mug shots shown in the nightly news of people who have committed heinous crimes? Their eyes are like dead, dark pools of evil.

Does your face reflect anger, worry, and fear or does it reflect the peace and joy that stems from the presence of the Lord and your abiding walk with Him? What do your eyes and face reflect when others look at you? Shakespeare is quoted as stating “The eyes are the windows of the soul”. Jesus stated it first this way:

Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. – Luke 11:34

Paul begins with a statement that ‘we all having been unveiled in face’. He is addressing us as Christians who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. When we come to Christ, the veil of unbelief is removed.

But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. – 2 Corinthians 3:16

Paul continues to say that we, as Christians are ‘beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord.’

It is important to note that the mirrors of Paul’s day were not like the glass mirrors that we have today. The mirrors of the day were made of highly polished metal and their reflection, although imperfect, also illuminated the face especially in strong light.

When we accept Christ and by His Spirit He comes to dwell in our hearts, His presence is reflected and radiated by our lives. Although we remain an imperfect reflection of Jesus, people we encounter will know that we have been and are abiding with Christ.

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. – Acts 4:13

This is where Paul introduces the transformative work of Christ in us. We ‘are being transformed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit.’

Transformation requires time. We call it sanctification and it is a process that goes beyond an occasional encounter with Jesus. When Paul said we are ‘beholding as in a mirror’ he was talking about more than a casual glance. Beholding alludes to a careful study and examination of the Living Word of God.

Transformation follows our desire to get to know Him more. It stems from our love for Him, our awe of Him, and our thankfulness for His saving grace.

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

May your eyes and face continually reflect the light of the glory of the Lord.

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 5:16

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Sword of the Spirit – Perspective #1196

Posted on May 29, 2022 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1196

“Perspective”

For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. – Revelation 3:17

When we view life from a worldly perspective, we place ourselves on the central throne of our life and we view ourselves as being in control. God calls those who maintain this perspective foolish.

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

When our perspective on life is through the lens of the Word of God, we gain respect, awe, and a holy reverence for who God is. The Bible calls this ‘the fear of the Lord’ and our thinking is transformed from what is characterized as foolishness to wisdom. We transition from an unfaithful servant to a faithful and wise steward.

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

One of the memory verses from a small group study on stewardship that I was involved in was from 1 Chronicles chapter 29 verses 11 and 12. Of all the memory verses in that study, this one has continued to resonate in my spirit for decades.

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. – v 11

There is no room for pridefulness in this perspective. There is no attitude that says, ‘I did it my way’ or ‘I am a self-made person’. There is no possessive attitude in this perspective. Everything belongs to Him. Nothing belongs to us. We are only stewards of what He provides. This perspective overflows with reverence and awe for who God is.

Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand, it is to make great and to give strength to all. v 12

This perspective acknowledges the Sovereignty of God in all things, from the creation of the universe and all life to the minute details that affect our daily lives. It is this perspective that brings home the fact that He is the vine, and we are the branches – apart from Him we can do nothing.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 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 15:4-5

May you view this life through the perspective of the Truth of the Word of God. May your heart be filled with reverential awe for who God is and what He has done for you through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. May you be the one God refers to as His faithful and wise steward.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:6

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Sword of the Spirit – Sowing to the Spirit #1195

Posted on May 22, 2022 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1195

“Sowing to the Spirit”

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. – Galatians 6:7-8

I am reminded of this Scripture when I recall the scene from the movie Secondhand Lions where the uncles decide to plant a garden and bought a large variety of vegetable seed packets which turned out to all be deceitfully labeled. When the garden bore fruit, everything was corn.

Isn’t that the way of the enemy of our souls? He deceives us into believing that we can sow to the carnal pleasures of our flesh without dire spiritual consequences. The Truth of God’s Word tells us that we will indeed reap corruption and death by sowing to the flesh.

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. – Galatians 5:19-21

What does it mean to sow to the spirit? What does it look like in practical daily living?

Speech: We sow when we speak. Our words sow into our own spirit and the spirit of others. How we speak to our children, spouse, coworkers, ourselves and to others in general sow spiritual seeds. The words we choose, the tone, and the intentions of our heart can either sow into their spirit the seeds of the love of God or the seeds of discord and strife. Our words can either build up or tear down.

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. – Colossians 4:6

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. – Ephesians 4:29

You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. – Deuteronomy 6:7

Seeing and Hearing: We sow seeds into our spirit by what we choose to be entertained with – by what we allow ourselves to hear and see. Books, TV, movies, music, games, and the internet all plant seeds that will bear fruit later in our lives. What fruit will that be?

I will ponder the way that is blameless… I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless… – Psalm 101:2-4

Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching – Proverbs 1:8

Actions: We sow by our actions, what we do and when, how we vote or abstain from voting, how we work and how we interact with others: family, friends, neighbors, and the public.

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. – James 1:22

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. – Colossians 3:17

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 5:16

Thinking: We sow by what we think. Our thought life can plant seeds that will bear the fruit of the Spirit or the fruit of fleshly corruption and sin.

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

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. – Philippians 4:8

May your life walk be characterized as walking by the Spirit of God. May the choices you make – what you say, see, hear, do, and think all plant the good seeds of the Holy Spirit that will bear His fruit in your life and in the lives of others.

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

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Sword of the Spirit – Faith Is A Choice #1194

Posted on May 15, 2022 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1194

“Faith is a Choice”

All the congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness … and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. Therefore, the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” … So, Moses cried to the Lord, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” And the Lord said to Moses, “Pass on before the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel, and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.” And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. – Exodus 17:1-6

The Lord miraculously delivered the people out of Egypt and provided for them manna and quail when there was no food to eat. He made the bitter water safe to drink when they were thirsty. Yet with each new trial and difficulty the people chose to grumble against Moses and lost sight of their foundation of faith. We must not be too quick to judge these people, saying ‘If I had been there, I surely would have trusted God to provide’. I believe that most, if not all of us would have fallen into the ‘lack of faith’ camp during these trials.

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. – Romans 12:3

Faith is a choice to trust God even when the road ahead is uncertain.

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. – Matthew 24:6-8

The road ahead is indeed uncertain: war in the Ukraine, inflation, COVID on the rise again, wildfires and a severe drought in the west, mass shootings in public places, Russia threatening nations against joining NATO, a critical need for baby formula, frequent tornados, and severe weather extremes. On a personal level our road ahead may be uncertain due to physical illness or loss.

He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?” – Luke 8:25

Jesus asks us the same question today, “Where is your faith?” God has given each of us a foundational measure of faith and it is our choice to build upon that foundation as the Lord takes us through trial after trial in life. These are called faith builders and we would do well to reflect upon and remember all that the Lord has delivered us from and taken us through.

May you learn to choose faith over fear when faced with new trials in this life. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen; for we walk by faith, not by sight. – Hebrews 11:1; 2 Corinthians 5:7

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Sword of the Spirit – Establish Our Work #1193

Posted on May 8, 2022 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1193

“Establish Our Work”

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands. – Psalm 90:17 (NIV)

I recently started a new business in my retirement and for the first time in my 60 years of work life I have come to a deeper understanding of what it means to work for the Lord.

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

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

In working for ‘Corporate America’ most of my work life it was too easy to see the ‘hand of my employer’ providing my needs instead of the hand of God my Father despite knowing the Scriptures to the contrary. Even while self-employed for a season, my tendency was to rely on my resources and abilities to establish the business instead of fully relying on God.

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing. – Philippians 4:19; Psalm 145:16

Oh yes, the struggle continues: this war between the flesh and the spirit. The economy is shaky, inflation is rampant, the war in the Ukraine, the persistent coronavirus. These pressures all add up to shake our faith and our confidence in the Lord and in the Truth of His Word. We have to realize that these negative thoughts are from the enemy, and we defeat him through the Truth of God’s Word in prayer. There is no reason to fear and lose confidence.

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. For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught. – Isaiah 41:10; Proverbs 3:26

The Lord gave us this devotional’s reference Scripture from Psalms 90:17 to pray over our new business venture. The word translated ‘favor’ means the beauty, pleasantness, and delightfulness of the Lord. The prayer is for this favor to be upon us, and it brings us peace – His peace during the challenging aspects of the work as well as these challenging times we live in.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. – Philippians 4:6

The word translated ‘establish’ means to be firm and solid like a house built on a rock. The prayer is for the Lord to make firm the work of our hands not only for us but also for those whom we serve.

From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him. 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. – Proverbs 12:14; Matthew 5:16

May the favor of the Lord rest upon you and establish the work of your hands for you and for those for whom you work and serve in His Name and for His glory.

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Sword of the Spirit – Why Sit Here?

Posted on May 1, 2022 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1191

“Why Sit Here”

Then the captain on whose hand the king leaned said to the man of God, “If the Lord himself should make windows in heaven, could this thing be?” … – 2 Kings 7:2

Now there were four men who were lepers at the entrance to the gate. And they said to one another, “Why are we sitting here until we die? – 2 Kings 7:3

Elisha prophesied that the siege and famine would end within 24 hours and the King’s Captain dismissed the whole idea as preposterous. Meanwhile there were four lepers sitting outside the city gate mulling over their options.

This a story about stepping out in faith and remaining mired in the quicksand of unbelief and indecision. Our lack of faith – our unbelief – questions the truthfulness of God’s Word as the King’s Captain did. How many times have we heard or thought to ourselves: ‘This is impossible’; ‘God does not work like that’; ‘I can never be forgiven’; ‘I’ll never be free from this addiction’; and the ever popular, ‘We have never done it that way before’.

Our faith falters when we look to our own devices and resources and the resources of this world instead of to God. We end up viewing God’s ability by the ability we can muster and define. In essence we put God in a box of our own design and let me tell you that box is always too small.

God loves us enough to work all circumstances for our good and sometimes those circumstances bring us to the point of despair. He will sometimes back us up into a corner in a deep well such that there is only one way to look, and that way is up. Stripped of all our self-reliance we finally look up and pray to our Father who loves us enough to bring us to the end of ourselves and reach out to Him in faith.

The four lepers were at the end of themselves. No matter what they did the potential outcome was that they would die. They reasoned logically that they had nothing to lose and everything to gain by going to the enemy’s camp, so why just sit there?

Why sit steeped in sin? Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, – Acts 3:19

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! – Psalm 34:8

Why sit in a chemically induced stupor? He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart. – Psalm 107:14

Why sit in fear? 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

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and who makes the Lord his trust. – Jeremiah 17:7-8

Why sit in self-pity? For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think… – Romans 12:3

Why sit in unforgiveness? Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; – Luke 6:37

It has been said that some people prefer the certainty of misery to the misery of uncertainty. This was the case with the King’s Captain. We can second guess God’s Word and suffer from analysis paralysis unable or unwilling to take steps of faith in response to God’s Word and His call upon our lives.

Why are you just sitting there? What holds you back? Is it fear of failure, ridicule, lack of confidence, unworthiness?

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. So, we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” – Philippians 4:13; Hebrews 13:6

Jesus asked the man paralyzed for 8 years if he wanted to be healed. It was a question that required a yes or no answer. The man responded with excuses as to why he was not healed. He viewed his healing through the box of resources he had defined. But when Jesus told him to take up his mat and walk, he did so immediately.

When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. – John 5:6-9

Why are you just sitting there? What is God calling you to do or receive from Him? Where is He asking you to go?

Pray for the Holy Spirit to speak clearly to your heart through His Living Word and then take the steps of faith as He directs.

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

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Posted on April 24, 2022 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1191

“Ears to Hear”

He who has ears, let him hear. – Matthew 13:9

I have age related hearing loss. My hearing ability gradually became dulled over time, and I was relatively unaware of the wide variety of sounds that I was missing until I was fitted with tuned hearing aids.

… And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. – 1 Kings 19:11-13

Elijah was able to hear the whisper of God because his heart was attuned to Him. How about our ability to hear the still small voice of God? We were so sensitive to it when we first accepted Christ and were saved, but then, over time our ability to hear became dulled as our hearts became hardened by sin and the cares of this world. A person’s ability to hear and receive God’s Word is determined by the condition of their heart. Jesus taught about this in the parable of the Sower.

…some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. Other seed fell on rocky ground, …and…since it had no depth of soil…it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it… And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”- Mark 4:8-10

God’s Word is not just for a select few. It is for all of humanity – Those who have ears to hear. If our hearts are not distanced from God (seed along the path), or half-hearted toward God, playing church if you will (seed on rocky soil), or divided between the pleasures of the world and the kingdom of God (seed among thorns), then our hearts are like the good soil in the parable and we have ears that will hear His voice and allow His Word to bear fruit in our lives to His glory.

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life; Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; …Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me… Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; …. – Proverbs 4:23; Isaiah 55:1-3

Have your ears to hear the Word of God become dulled because rebellion has calloused your heart toward Him? God is persistent in speaking to you through the Body of Christ and His living Word. He will not give up on you.

Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, who have eyes to see, but see not, who have ears to hear, but hear not…; You have neither listened nor inclined your ears to hear, although the Lord persistently sent to you all his servants the prophets – Ezekiel 12:2; Jeremiah 25:4

May your heart be changed, transformed, and renewed by the Holy Spirit. May your spiritual ears be attuned to His voice, no matter how faint, that you may clearly hear His direction amidst the cacophony of competing sounds from the cares of this world.

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