Sword of the Spirit

Sword of the Spirit – Good Shepherd #1323

Posted on November 17, 2024 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1323

“Good Shepherd”

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. – John 10:11

And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. – Mark 10:18

You have probably participated in or heard of the responsorial exclamation that ‘God is good all the time and all the time, God is good.’ Intellectually, we understand that Jesus is good. The question before us is: How do we take such head knowledge that God is good and take it to heart and apply it in a practical sense?

What is Good? When Jesus states that He is the good shepherd, the Greek word kalos is used which means that He is a good worker. Jesus has a good work ethic and does the job of shepherding correctly. Kalos is ethical goodness in action. Kalos is doing good things and doing them with excellence.

In contrast, when Jesus says that God is good, the Greek word agathos is used which means He is a good, holy, and moral person. Agathos is being pure and loving in character and morals.

Jesus Embodies Good – Jesus, being fully God and fully man, embodied the goodness of agathos and kalos simultaneously. He was sinless, pure, holy, and carried out His mission with excellence.

I and the Father are one. – John 10:30

He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. – 1 Peter 2:22

This where the ‘rubber hits the road’ and the Truth of this Word of God gets traction in our life: As born-again Christians, God wants us to be like Christ with the goodness of agathos and kalos.

Since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” – 1 Peter 1:16

Holy (Hagios) means to be set apart and sanctified. It means to be ethically and morally pure. We are to have the likeness of the nature of the Lord because we are different from the world.

And we all… are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. – 2 Corinthians 3:18

The kalos work ethic and agathos morality of Jesus characterized His ‘walk’. We are to walk in the same manner. Our mission and purpose are to bear good fruit for the kingdom of God as pure salt and light in this world.

Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. – 1 John 2:6

Love is the Key to Good – Things done well – good works – can be done with wrong motives. The sacrificial, pure love of God working through us brings the agathos and kalos goodness of Jesus together in our life walk.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends; Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. – John 15:13; Matthew 20:28

Good Shepherds are Servant Leaders – We are all called to be good shepherds, Husbands, Wives, Parents, Pastors, Government and Business officials.

Husbands and Parents: Husbands and Dads are you taking your role as the shepherd of your family as serious as Jesus does? Do you love them sacrificially?

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her – Ephesians 5:25

Parents, are you leaving your children unsupervised as you chase the mammon of this world? Are they left vulnerable and easy prey to be devoured by the enemy through easy access to the poison of this world through a plethora of devices and social media?

He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. – John 10:12

Are you behaving like a hired hand and not like the good shepherd you are called to be? In so doing, are you hindering your children’s spiritual growth?

Jesus said, Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven. – Matthew 19:14

Business and Government: A good shepherd in business and government is a moral and ethical steward of God’s provision and divinely delegated positional authority. A business and government leader who walks in the manner of Jesus is a servant leader. They should not treat their employees or constituents as an expendable commodity for their own personal gain.

Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful; Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. – 1 Corinthians 4:2; Colossians 4:1

You shall not oppress a hired worker…; Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness…who makes his neighbor serve him for nothing and does not give him his wages – Deuteronomy 24:14-15; Jeremiah 22:13

Church: There is a great accountability for the shepherds of the church, the Bride of Christ. There is an expectancy that the Truth of His Word and the goodness of God be embodied in church leadership.

Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! declares the Lord. – Jeremiah 23:1

Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. – 1 Peter 5:2; Acts 20:28

May the abiding presence of Jesus in your heart give evidence of the agathos and kalos goodness of God through your life walk and bring Him glory.

Posted in Business as Mission, Character, Holiness, Marriage, Morality, Obedience, Purpose, Relationship, Service, Stewardship, Workplace | Tagged faith, good-shepherd, Jesus, sheep, shepherd | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – In Him #1322

Posted on November 10, 2024 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1322

“In Him”

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! – 2 Corinthians 13:5

Pop Quiz. Don’t fret, it is an open book test. Our life walk is like an open book before the Lord. Nothing is hidden from Him.

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

Examine yourselves – Allow the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the truth about your life walk. Far too often we are hypocritical and in denial about the compromises we have made with worldliness to satisfy the lusts of our flesh.

Brace yourself. The Holy Spirit will illuminate the dark areas that you sought to keep secret. Now is the best time, not later, to acknowledge, repent, and let Jesus remove these dark chapters of our life walk by His sacrifice for our sins – His death and resurrection.

For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. – Luke 8:17

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

As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. – Psalm 103:12

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. – Romans 8:1

Do you not realize…that Jesus Christ is in you?

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ; Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. – Ephesians 2:13; 2 Corinthians 5:17

In him we live and move and have our being; Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him. – Acts 17:28; Colossians 2:6

Walk in Him: Our walk is steady and forward-looking. We live today in anticipation of His eternal Kingdom.

Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. – Psalm 119:133

Our walk is continuous and habitual. It is a lifestyle of steadfastly abiding in Him, bearing fruit for the Kingdom and to the glory of God. To walk in Him is much more than the religious observance of Sunday church and perhaps morning and evening rote prayers. It is a continual abiding, 24/7, 365 days a year. We remain in locked-step fellowship with Jesus.

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… By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. – John 15:4-5,8

Examine yourselves – Where do we go? Should Jesus be there, or have we broken fellowship with Him to flirt with the sin of the world? Do we break step with Jesus to yoke ourselves instead to the darkness of worldliness?

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

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

Examine yourselves – Our walk with Jesus in this body of flesh has a purpose and plan. Our body is a temple for His Holy Spirit. How are we caring for it? Is it defiled with the abominations and poisonous immorality of the world? Is it in a shambles, unkempt and unhealthy? Are we good stewards of His temple?

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God; No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us. – 1 John 4:15; 3:6, 24

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

Examine yourselves – If the book of our Christian life walk were in a library, where would it be categorized? Fiction or Non-Fiction? Fantasy or Reality of the Truth of God’s Word? Your Christian life walk is the only ‘bible’ that many people who do not yet know the Gospel will ‘read’. Do people in our day-to-day encounters know that they have been in His loving presence through us?

Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. – 1 John 2:6

Whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him. – 1 John 2:5

Examine yourselves – Take the quiz and allow the Holy Spirit to lovingly convict, correct, and counsel you in the way you should walk in Him.

Peace to all of you who are in Christ. – 1 Peter 5:14

Posted in Business as Mission, Character, Encouragement, Faith, Holiness, Morality, Obedience, Relationship, Salvation, Stewardship | Tagged Abide in Christ, bible, Christian character, christianity, Eternal Life, faith, god, Jesus, morality, salvation | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – Vote In His Name #1321

Posted on November 3, 2024 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1321

“Vote In His Name”

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; So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. – Colossians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 10:31

I am appalled at the statistics regarding Christian voting participation. Forty percent of professing Christians are registered but do not vote. Another twenty percent of professing Christians are not even registered to vote. This equates to millions of voices left unheard across our nation. Such apathy and indifference are shameful to say the least.

VOTING IS OUR DUTY AND SERVICE

As born-again Christians we have dual citizenships – in Heaven and here on earth. Our duty and obligation are to serve the Lord in both citizenship realms. Abstaining from voting is akin to the wicked and lazy servant who buried his master’s talent.

Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. – Romans 12:11

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

VOTING FOLLOWS THE BIBLICAL LAW OF SOWING AND REAPING

What do we vote for – a person? a charismatic personality? or Biblically based principles? Voting based on moral principles sows ‘good seed’.

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… – Galatians 6:7-8

They made kings, but not through me. They set up princes, but I knew it not. With their silver and gold, they made idols for their own destruction. – Hosea 8:4

VOTING IS AN ACT OF LOVE

Voting is an act of selfless love. There are many empty promises made by candidates seeking to ‘buy’ your vote by luring you with the mammon of this world. As Christians we must vote not for what we can get, but rather for what can be done for the benefit of others. Our vote must be a voice for those who have no voice.

Vote as salt and light in this world for the glory of God.

Vote out of love for the Lord with all our heart.

Vote for life for the unborn.

Vote for fiscal responsibility.

Vote for integrity in leadership and justice.

Vote for freedom of worship.

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ – Mark 12:30

You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? … You are the light of the world. …Let your light shine before others, so that they may … give glory to your Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 5:13-16

VOTING IS AN ACT OF WORSHIP

If we love the Lord, we worship Him. If we love the Lord, we bring Him glory in all we do. That includes praying and interceding for the leadership of this nation and voting for men and women of integrity.

I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. – Psalm 86:12

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. – 1 Timothy 2:1-2

VOTING IS AN ACT OF FAITH

Regardless of who is elected to office, God remains sovereign and on His throne. He remains in control. Our faith must be in Jesus always and never in an elected official. There is only one Savior, and His name is Jesus. Vote out of Love and service to Him and in faith.

For dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations. – Psalms 22:28

In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him. – Proverbs 21:1

Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. – Psalms 146:3

May the Holy Spirit remove the chains of apathy that hold you back from voting.

May the Holy Spirit quicken your heart to vote out of loving, selfless service to the Lord and our fellow citizens, born and preborn.

May you vote as an act of worship and faith.

Vote!

Posted in Business as Mission, Character, Direction, Encouragement, Faith, Love, Morality, Obedience, Prayer, Priorities, Purpose, Service, Worship | Tagged abortion, bible, christianity, ELECTION 2024, faith, god, Jesus, right to life, vote | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – I Will #1320

Posted on October 27, 2024 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1320

“I Will”

Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” – John 14:21

What is the measure of your love for God? Do you have His commandments in your heart and a compelling desire to keep them – to be holy?

I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; We are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people; As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” – Jeremiah 31:33; 2 Corinthians 6:16; 1 Peter 1:14-16

The Truth of God’s Word encourages those who abide in His love with numerous ‘I Will’ promises.

If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love; As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love; If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. – John 15:10,9,7

God Seeks ‘The One’.

Is your day-to-day life walk in step with Jesus? Do you abide in Him continually? If you feel distant from a close abiding relationship with Jesus, know this: He is seeking you. He is going after the ‘one’.

I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak…- Ezekiel 34:16

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

God Will Forgive Us.

For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more. – Hebrews 8:12

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. – John 6:37

God Will Deliver And Protect.

Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him… – Psalm 91:14

I will be with him in trouble. I will rescue him and honor him. – Psalm 91:15

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

God Is Attentive To Our Prayer.

When he calls to me, I will answer him. – Psalm 91:15

Before they call, I will answer; while they are yet speaking, I will hear. – Isaiah 65:24

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

God Satisfies Our Life And Gives Us Eternal Salvation.

With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation. – Psalm 91:1-16

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

For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish. – Jeremiah 31:25

For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” – John 6:40

God Will Heal Us.

And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” – Matthew 8:7

And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. – Matthew 8:2-3

God Will Never Leave Us Or Forsake Us. He Will Return For Us

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. – John 14:18

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. – Matthew 11:28

But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” – John 4:14

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 14:3

But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. – John 16:22

May your life walk be characterized by the abiding presence of Jesus.

May the Truth of God’s ‘I Will’ promises encourage your heart and increase your faith.

Posted in Business as Mission, Character, Encouragement, Faith, Forgiveness, Holiness, Love, Obedience, Prayer, Relationship, Salvation | Tagged Eternal Life, faith, healing, holiness, prayer, salvation | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – Participation Trophy #1319

Posted on October 20, 2024 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1319

“Participation Trophy”

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. – 1 Corinthians 9:24

The ‘wisdom’ of the world has worked to reduce people’s character to that of the ‘lowest common denominator’ by rewarding mediocre participation and effort.

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

In education, grade inflation is used to make people feel better whether they performed at that level or not. We are promoting ill-equipped, uneducated people. The lesson that they do learn well is that they are entitled to a reward regardless of their effort.

In sports, the advent of participation trophies rewards those unwilling to put forth the effort to succeed while simultaneously eroding the value of success for those who do.

An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules; Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. – 2 Timothy 2:5; 1 Corinthians 9:25

We are now seeing these dangerous all-inclusive, non-offensive policies emerging in the church. A recent statement made by the Pope demonstrates this ‘feel-good’ theology that has made inroads into the church. He said: “All religions are paths to God. I will use an analogy, they are like different languages that express the divine.”

The Truth of the Word of God says differently: 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

If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing… – 1 Timothy 6:3-4

When I heard this ‘feel-good’ theology statement I was reminded of how Satan deceived Adam and Eve in the Garden. Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said…, “Did God actually say…” – Genesis 3:1

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus – 1 Timothy 2:5

The Truth is that there are no ‘participation trophies’ in the Kingdom of God. All religions are not paths to God. Jesus is the way…the only way.

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. – Matthew 7:13-14

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

We are not entitled to a crown of righteousness apart from Jesus Christ. What we do deserve is eternal damnation and that gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction.

As it is written: None is righteous, no, not one; All our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.

– Romans 3:10; Isaiah 64:6

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. – John 3:17-18

It is by the grace of God that Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, taking the punishment that we deserved and through faith in His death and resurrection, we can have eternal life.

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 the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 6:23

Jesus is indeed the narrow gate that leads to life and He does not sugar coat it – the way is hard. Our flesh wants what it wants and it does not want to be disciplined and obedient to God’s Word. Our flesh wants salvation, but on our terms. We want one foot in the world, steeped in sin, and still receive salvation. We want the wide path to lead to God apart from Jesus and the worldly church is more than happy to deceive echoing Satan: “Did God actually say…”

May the Holy Spirit give you discernment to see the lie of false doctrines. May He clarify the Truth of His Word and lead you to faith in Jesus as the way, the only way to eternal life.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. – 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Posted in Business as Mission, Character, Faith, Obedience, Salvation | Tagged bible, christianity, Eternal Life, faith, False Doctrines, god, Jesus, salvation | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – Surpasses Knowledge #1318

Posted on October 12, 2024 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1318

“Surpasses Knowledge”

And to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. – Ephesians 3:19

I love to study the sciences: physics, chemistry, geology, astronomy, biology and anatomy. I have found that the more I study the more I appreciate how marvelous our Creator God is.

Take astronomy for example and try to wrap your head around the vastness and immeasurable nature of His creation of the universe and what lies beyond. We can only see a glimpse of what God has created and its intricacies. Who can deny our Creator God?

And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years. – Genesis 1:14

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. – Psalm 19:1

I recall camping in the mountains of Colorado far away from man-made light pollution and marveling at the night sky. This was a small example of what David as a shepherd and psalmist must have seen at night.

Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting… He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. – Psalm 147:1-5

Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power, not one is missing. – Isaiah 40:26

All aspects of His creation declare His glory as it is revealed to us in nature or through the study of the sciences. But, as our Scripture reference declares, what really boggles the mind is to comprehend the love of God for us through Jesus Christ. Try, if you will, to understand this Agape love.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life; For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. – John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:21

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? …O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! – Psalm 8:3-9

Wrap your head and your hearts around this: These tiny, seemingly insignificant carbon-based specks of humanity in the vastness of God’s creation are created in His image and through faith in Jesus Christ we step from being His intricate creation to being called His sons and daughters.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. – Psalm 139:14

Can you begin to understand it? The God of the universe, creator of heaven and earth loves us as His children through faith in Jesus. He is our loving Abba, Father, Daddy.

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. – John 1:12-13

May the Holy Spirit bring you to know the love of Christ that surpasses human knowledge.

May you be filled with the fullness of Almighty God, creator of heaven and earth, through faith in Jesus Christ.

May you never cease to worship, praise, and marvel at the goodness and love of God as you walk with Him all the days of your life.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them; Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. – Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 2:6-7

Posted in Business as Mission, Encouragement, Faith, Forgiveness, Purpose, Salvation, Worship | Tagged bible, christianity, Creation, Eternal Life, faith, god, Jesus, salvation | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – Victory #1317

Posted on October 7, 2024 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1317

“Victory”

O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Corinthians 15:55-57

Victory is defined as the achievement of mastery or success in a struggle or endeavor against odds or difficulties. We have all experienced a victory in our life at one time or another and it is a great feeling.

There is one victory however that we cannot achieve on our own. The odds are infinitely stacked against us and nothing – absolutely nothing – we can do is sufficient to be victorious. Forgiveness of our sin, Eternal life, Salvation, this is the ultimate victory in life, and it is only achieved through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

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

Sin is an ever-present reality in life this side of heaven. The power of sin is the Law. For example: if there were no speed limit laws, one could travel at whatever speed one desires and there would be no transgression. When the law is present: ‘Speed Limit 55’ – sin has power over us as we are tempted to travel faster and break the law.

The Ten Commandments summarize God’s Law and because of our sin nature we are all law breakers and deserving of God’s wrath: the wages of sin.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 6:23

Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. – Romans 5:20-21

Consider the reasoning behind our government removing the Ten Commandments from public places. It is a feeble attempt by Satan to remove the power of sin by removing the Law. It is an attempt to pave the way for freedom to sin without consequence. But God, who created us in His image, has put His moral law in our hearts and minds so all mankind is without excuse for their sin. The power of sin cannot be removed apart from Jesus Christ.

I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God; They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness… – Hebrews 8:10; Romans 2:15

We all need deliverance from the sting of spiritual death and eternal damnation. We cannot be victorious over it on our own. We need Jesus.

For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate… So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 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 7:15-25

We can live a victorious life today over the law of sin and death through Him.

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. – Romans 8:1-4

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. – Colossians 2:13-15

We can live an overcoming life this side of Heaven through faith in Jesus. Accept His free gift of salvation and be born again by the Spirit of God.

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? – 1 John 5:4-5

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; For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. – 1 John 4:4; Romans 6:14

And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires; Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. – Galatians 5:24; 2 Corinthians 5:17

Victory through Jesus!

Posted in Business as Mission, Faith, Forgiveness, Morality, Relationship, Salvation, Temptation | Tagged Eternal Life, faith, forgiveness, morality, salvation through Jesus | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – Hard Pressed #1316

Posted on September 29, 2024 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1316

“Hard Pressed”

We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; – 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NKJV)

Paul, in his second letter to the Corinthians prefaces our reference Scripture verse stating that we are like jars of clay with the light of Jesus as a treasure inside.

But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand; For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. – Isaiah 64:8; 2 Corinthians 4:6-7

We live in a fallen world that is under the influence of spiritual forces of evil that seek to destroy Christian followers of Jesus.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. – Ephesians 6:12

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. – John 10:10

We may be fragile jars of clay, but we are more than conquerors because of the treasure that is within us.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? …No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. – Romans 8:35-37

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. – 1 John 4:4

Hard Pressed; Not Crushed – No matter what difficulty has befallen us, our spirit in communion with the Spirit of God is not crushed. Through Jesus we remain spiritually strong in faith, trust, and hope.

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. – 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? – Psalm 118:6

Perplexed; Not in Despair – To be perplexed means to be at a loss for understanding why bad things are happening to us. Perplexity brings doubt and it shakes our faith. When we are in despair, we feel we are without a resource. This a lie of the enemy and through the treasure of the Living Word of God in us we are strengthened knowing that Jesus is our ever-present resource.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. – Psalm 46:1

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

Persecuted; Not Forsaken – The word for persecuted means to be pursued, and aggressively chased down. But God will not abandon us – we are not forsaken. We have a Shepherd who watches over us continually.

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

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep; 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. – John 10:1; Psalm 23:4

Struck Down; Not Destroyed – Our enemy gloats when he is able to beat us down. However, when we are driven to our knees, it is not a position of surrender, but rather a position of power through the mighty Name of Jesus. He will fight the battle. He will not lose those who are His!

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. – 2 Corinthians 12:9

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God; The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. – Philippians 4:6; James 5:16

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

We are indeed earthen vessels, hand-crafted by God, each uniquely shaped and gifted, but all with the same Spiritual treasure inside.

For in one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body…- 1 Corinthians 12:13

I managed a Big Box store Garden Center for several years. I recall how some people would buy broken pottery to restore and repurpose the pieces into beautiful art arrangements. God does the same with our brokenness. He is our God of restoration, renewal, and salvation. He will not lose any that are His.

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

And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me but raise it up on the last day. – John 6:39

I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak… For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” – Ezekiel 34:16; Romans 10:13

May the treasure of the Living Word of God in you encourage and strengthen you with power for living to His glory and praise.

Posted in Business as Mission, Encouragement, Faith, Forgiveness, Hope, Perseverance, Prayer, Salvation, Trials, Trust | Tagged bible, christianity, Eternal Life, faith, god, Jesus, prayer, salvation | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – Awake #1315

Posted on September 22, 2024 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1315

“Awake”

So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. – 1 Thessalonians 5:6

I served in the Navy during the Vietnam era, and I dare say that I found the time following the end of the war to be the most dangerous. Without an imminent threat from an enemy, people became complacent and less watchful. General Quarters drills were not taken seriously and people on night watch were not diligent in their duties. We were highly vulnerable.

As I reflect on this time, I cannot help but see a corollary with the spiritual condition of far too many people, Christian believers, and non-believers alike. Our Lord and Master is ‘a long time in coming’ and we have become complacent and oblivious to the threat before us.

As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. – Matthew 25:5

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

In our reference Scripture, Paul exhorts the church to wake up.

‘Let us not sleep’ – Paul uses this metaphor to caution us to remain vigilant in our relationship with Jesus. In this context, sleeping is being indifferent to adhering to Biblical Christian morals. It is speaking of faith but having no actions of service to corroborate it and having religion without a relationship with Jesus. Sleeping indicates remaining ignorant of the Word, being satisfied to be ‘bottle fed’ by an occasional sermon and living a compromised worldly lifestyle.

Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. – 1 Corinthians 15:34

‘Let us keep awake’ – Paul exhorts the people of the church to be the watchman – not just the Pastor. Like the sailor on night watch needs to sound the alarm when danger approaches, we need to rouse those who have become complacent and lethargic in their Christian walk. We must stop diluting the Truth of the Word of God and preach the whole counsel of the Word, boldly declaring sin to be sin without fear or reservation.

Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. – Mark 13:33

I have made you a watchman… Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. – Ezekiel 3:17

‘Let us…be sober’ – Paul is not telling us to be sullen. He is exhorting us to avoid a hedonistic lifestyle, indulging in the pleasures of this world at the expense of our relationship with Jesus.

But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. – Luke 21:34

For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man… Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. – Matthew 24:38-42

Living in a worldly stupor dulls our spiritual sensitivity to the imminent and sudden return of our Lord.

Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. – Romans 13:11

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. – 1 Peter 1:13

If you are ‘on the fence’ about deciding to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, now is the time to choose eternal life through Him. He is the only way.

If you are a Christian still living a compromised lifestyle of worldly stupor, now is the time to awake.

When your time in this temporary life comes to a sudden end, or Jesus suddenly comes for His church, you want to be among those who are clothed in His righteousness.

Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, so that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed! – Revelation 16:15

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness – Isaiah 61:10

Posted in Business as Mission, Character, Faith, Holiness, Morality, Priorities, Salvation, Temptation | Tagged Be Ready, End times, Eternal Life, morality, salvation, Second Coming of Jesus | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – Can I Get A Witness? #1314

Posted on September 15, 2024 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1314

“Can I Get A Witness?”

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses … to the end of the earth. – Acts 1:8

A witness is one who testifies to the truth that they know. In our secular courts of law some of us come forth willingly to be witnesses. Others must be subpoenaed, not willing to ‘get involved’.

The Word of God has much to say about being a witness in this world. The ninth commandment deals with lies and being a false witness.

You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother. – Luke 18:20

God’s Word also speaks about being a witness for the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. John the Baptist was a witness to this Truth about Jesus.

He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. – John 1:7

Jesus commissioned us to carry on His mission and be witnesses to the Truth of His Word.

And Jesus came and said to them, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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 28:18-20

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

Jesus was very clear and up front about how challenging and dangerous being a Christian witness will be in the last days.

Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. – Luke 21:10-13

Not one to mince words, Jesus also spoke of the consequences of being ashamed of Him and falling away, not wanting to get involved and be a witness.

For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. – Luke 9:26

Jesus also knows how frail our faith and resolve is. He warned His disciples that they would fall away at the beginning.

Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same… And they all left him and fled…But he (Peter) began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak.” – Mark 14:29-31;50;71

But God is faithful. He does not ask us to be witnesses without equipping us with the power to do so through His Holy Spirit. The power of the Holy Spirit present at Pentecost is also available to us today.

But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. – John 15:26

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…

But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed 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…

And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, …So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. – Acts 2:1-41

How do we apply this Word?

In our own day to day living, without speaking a word, is there enough observable evidence of our Christian faith to convict us in a court of law?

Is it easier to be a quiet, comfortable, chameleon Christian, blending in with the world than it is to lift the light of Jesus high?

Do we gravitate to churches that tickle our ears and avoid the ‘hard Truths’ of the Word of God?

Do we avoid calling sin as sin in order to not offend family, friends, and coworkers?

If we hide our ‘light’ now, how will we fare when real persecution comes?

If I am ashamed of Jesus now, how will I feel when He denies me and says, ‘I never knew you’?

Do we quench the Holy Spirit out of fear when prompted to speak the Truth to others?

Our Prayer

Father, I repent of my worldliness. I repent of the times I avoided proclaiming the Truth of your Word when prompted to do so. Like Peter, I am ashamed of my fear of persecution and of the times I have denied you by keeping silent and blending in with this sinful world. I ask to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, a fresh infilling as at the day of Pentecost, so that I may be equipped with your power for living in this world, as a citizen of Heaven, and a faithful witness to the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.

Posted in Business as Mission, Character, Faith, Obedience, Purpose, Salvation, Workplace | Tagged faith, forgiveness, Holy Spirit, Pentecost, salvation | Leave a comment