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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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Distinguishing God’s Voice
I was walking outside the other day and heard all kinds of different birds. I could recognize only 1 or 2 of them, because I never studied bird songs or sounds. Each one has a distinctive song they sing, and other birds know their own kind singing.
In the same way, we must study and learn the voice of God. Reading and STUDYING the Bible is the only true way to know His voice. It is good to listen to preachers and teachers of the Bible, but we are responsible to learn on our own too, alone with God. He will speak through His word and comfort you or guide you. Whatever you need He can provide.
In today’s world, with so many voices trying to tell us something, we need to be able to distinguish the voice of our Lord and Savior. Even when something sounds true or right, it could be mixed with lies to deceive you into believing it is all true, which can then lead you astray onto a path of deception. We need to fully know what God has said in the Bible.
Don’t be afraid of reading the Bible or think it’s too confusing. Take a little bit at a time, consistently every day, and you will discover that Gods word is good.
O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
Psalms 34:8.Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15.
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Just Be Yourself
One day the bluebird was sitting in his comfortable nest, being at peace when he heard this “Tap-Tap-Tap”. He wondered what it was. So, he investigated the sound. He followed the tapping to an old tree and saw this handsome woodpecker tapping his beak on a tree. Now that looked like fun, making cool holes on the side of the trees, and carving out nesting places and hiding spots from the weather. Then he decided to become a woodpecker.
He studied the woodpecker and followed him around to see what kind of trees he chose to peck on. After a while he decided he was ready to be a woodpecker. He left his peaceful home and headed out to become a woodpecker.
He found the perfect tree to start on. He landed on the side of the tree just like the woodpecker had done but had a little more trouble than the woodpecker seemed to have had. Then he pecked on the tree. Ouch, that hurts! He tried to tilt his head to the left then the right and still if really hurt when he pecked the tree.
Meanwhile, the woodpecker had been watching the bluebird when he was in his peaceful nest, and decided he wanted to be a bluebird. So, he found the abandoned blue bird nest and settled in. It was very peaceful and calm, but there wasn’t a lot to do. Soon his head seemed empty and needed something to do, what was it?
He flew around and saw the bluebird banging his beak on a tree, and wondered what he was doing! It was painful to watch, so he headed over to talk to him.
He ask the bluebird what he was doing, because his beak is not meant to peck trees like that. The blue bird looked at him kind of dazed and nursing a headache and answered that he was being a woodpecker. The woodpecker had to laugh at him. Then looked at himself and felt a little ashamed of what he had done, trying to be a blue bird. He confessed that he was trying to be a bluebird. They smiled at each other and had a good laugh. They decided to be who God created them to be. It would be so much easier to be themselves.
For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Romans 12:4-5.
Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:27-28.
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Dead End?
Sometimes it looks like there is a dead end on the path you are taking. But when you know you are on the right path, you press on. Then, after you have stepped forward, towards what looked like a dead end, do you see the hidden pathway that takes you onward. God has the map, and sometimes He allows us to see it, but other times He just leads us, and we must trust His leading.
We need to step out in faith, just one more step forward, before he shows us the next step to take. We cannot wait in fear or doubt before we step ahead. Trusting God, standing on His promises, knowing how He works, gives us confidence. But sometimes we are only shown one step. Don’t miss the next step.
Remember that God’s plans are not always our plans. But His ways are higher and better. Be willing to be flexible to what He wants. Make sure you know His Word, the Holy Bible. Don’t neglect reading it, studying it, and meditating on it. Then you will know His good and perfect will.
Make me know Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all day. Psalms 25:4-5.
Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left. Isaiah 30:21.
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Our Strong Tower
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10.
Nothing on this earth can be trusted except Our Lord Jesus Christ. Things change and time moves forward.
We must know Jesus intimately enough to know His voice. He is the Word, and we need to read the Bible to hear his voice and know his ways.
We can turn to Him with every concern we have. Every decision we make, and every choice. He cares about our lives and wants the best for us.
We can trust Him and run to him for safety. It says the righteous run to Him. That should be how fast we come to Him when we are in need.
He is with us wherever we are, no matter what we are going through, He is with you, and can help you. Trust Him completely because He is trustworthy.
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23.
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