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Use Your Weapon
In Ephesians 6:17 we are instructed to take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Our sword, our only weapon of offense, is the word of God. We need to know the word of God and how to use it in every situation.
David knew his sling and how to use it. 1 Samuel 17:50 David prevailed over the Philistine (Goliath) with a sling and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and killed him; but there was no sword in David’s hand.Then the next verse says: 17:51 David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword out of his sheath and killed him and cut off his head with it.
It looks like Goliath never took his sword out of his sheath. I’m sure Goliath knew how to use his sword, but for some reason he didn’t think he needed to. I don’t think it would have made a difference in the outcome, because David had God on his side, but it’s interesting he never thought to take it out of its sheath. David figured out quickly how to use that sword against his enemy.
We all have a Bible, or access to one, and we should be praying and asking for God to teach us how to read and implement its principles in our everyday life. Set aside time every day to take the sword in your hands and learn how to use it. Then don’t forget to take it out and use it.David did use a sword later in his life, but he knew how to use the weapon he had at that time, the sling, and those stones. David kept that sword and put it in his tent in verse 17:54
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Keep Moving
Unless you are moving in a direction, God won’t be able to direct your footsteps. The only way God can steer you in the right direction, is if you are moving. Standing still is ok if you need to rest, but don’t stay there. Even a person walking in the wrong direction can be guided back onto the path if they keep moving.
Like a ship on the water, or a parked car, if you’re not moving in any direction, you can’t be steered to the destination. Eventually the waves will move a ship without a dropped anchor, but usually in the wrong direction.
It takes more effort get the ship moving then it does to keep it moving. Once it’s moving, the captain can steer the ship accurately to reach the desired location.
Don’t let an anchor stop your forward progress either. An anchor could be anything from bitterness to addictions and everything in between.
Being sensitive to God’s ways and what He desires, helps us stay close to His pathways. Make every effort to keep moving forward in your walk with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 48:17 Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go.”
Make me know Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Psalm 25:4
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I Can Give That?
We all love the song and story of the little drummer boy. He had nothing to give except his talent of drumming. That pleased the Lord not because it was great drumming, but I think it was because he offered it with a pure heart that wanted to give something, and that was all he had to give, so he offered it.
We should have the same desire to give “what we can”. Our talent might be that we give our time in service to the Lord. Time in helping others or serving in ways you never thought you could. I think the key is that you want to give something. If you don’t have that desire, maybe you should seriously think about what it is you are focusing on. Or pray and ask the Lord to help you put Jesus Christ into the center of your heart and life.
Matthew 6:33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
I never heard what happened in the little drummer boy’s life after the story. I imagine God blessed him abundantly.
John 6:27 Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.
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Recognizing Truth
I recently saw something on the floor and couldn’t figure out what it was until I changed the angle of view that I was looking at it from.
All at once, like the “light bulb” moment, I knew what it was. It was just a balled-up piece of paper, not a weird growing mold. It was harmless.
Sometimes we need a different viewpoint to see the truth. However, must be careful of what we “look into” and not become entangled in something dangerous. We can help each other recognize both good and bad. That’s how we are supposed to function as the body of Jesus Christ. One person is good with people another is good with numbers, and some are good with children while others are good doing the building maintenance. Together we make a great team. Love is the key and Jesus is our Master key.
We also need to know who God is and what he expects from his people. Studying His word and fellowship with true believers is a good way to know how God wants us to behave. That way when a distorted view or opinion comes our way, we can quickly know the difference.
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17.
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34.
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Light Seeds
The creeping darkness surrounded the people everywhere.
No one seemed to notice or care that it was surrounding them. Everyone had their eyes closed.
Then one day a birth took place. All the eyes began to open, and people began to see what was happening. One by one they began to see a Light. It was so undeniably bright. The Light was becoming to strong to resist and people were drawn to it.
The creeping darkness knew something had to be done to extinguish the Light. So a plan was devised, and oh what a dark plan he had planned. All he had to do was kill the Light.
This would end the shining Light’s impact to draw people away from him, the darkness. Everything seemed to go according to his evil, intended plan and he thought he had extinguished the bright Light.
Then something amazing started to happen. That same light, that he thought he had put out, began to shine again. It was shining inside those who had followed the Light! He looked everywhere for a source to put it out. But as soon as one was eliminated another began to shine. It was as if, when he killed that first Light, it was planted and began to grow inside the followers of the Light. And it was growing everywhere. If this kept up, it would grow into a Kingdom of Light!
Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” John 8:12.
Light is sown like seed for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart. Psalms 97:11.
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day. Proverbs 4:18.
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