Sword Play:

In Ephesians 6:10-18 teaches us of the Armor of God. I have been told by many that Paul was just using such items as a metaphor. I still disagree. Paul used the armor as a straight forward example for us to follow. I will write a detail explanation another time.

In the 17th verse we receive direct instruction that God's Word is a sword. The first five pieces of armor are for defensive protection. The sword can be used for defense as well as for attack. Here in is the danger. A sword wielded by a child or even a novice can cause great damage to themselves and others. A true swordsman has to practice daily and can take years to acquire the skills to use it effectively.

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
Heb 4:12 (NLT)

As we see in the Book of Hebrews the sword (Word of God) is a mighty and powerful instrument not to be taken lightly. Too often I witness fellow Christians debating each other using scripture against one-another. In other words like swinging swords wildly back and forth cutting everything in their path. The harm caused is tremendous. Stepping between it to help stop the fight can be extremely dangerous too. We so often as Christians forget just how powerful the Word of God is. Was it not God's Word that brought you to Christ?

Great swordsmen must practice daily. Train intensively over long periods of time. When studying God's Word we tend to skip by sometimes. Perhaps become comfortable with just a quick Sunday School lesson and the preacher's sermon thinking that is enough. I am guilty too.

Scripture memorization is very important. Too often though we tend to quote scripture unaware of realizing our opponent first. What do I mean by that? When I was an atheist and Christians would come up to me to witness they would often quote scripture. I was quick to challenge them by noticing first off that they were not carrying their Bible with them. I would ask, “Does the Bible really say that?” What could they do? They were not carrying their sword. I was in no way going to trust what they had to say. I was challenging their word. Their memory and their integrity was I not?

I have never been very good at scripture memorization. Perhaps because of my own past. I always try to have my Bible with me. When I do quote scripture I make a point in opening my Bible and saying, “My Bible says this.” Now if the scripture is challenged they are challenging God and not I. You see my weakness can and should be challenged. You cannot challenge God and expect to win. Can you say Satan.

There is more to a sword than just carrying it along like some ornament or fashion accessory. Like a great swordsman the sword becomes a part of him. No longer added to his attire but becomes an extension of one's self. A living breathing part of you. That is the Word of God. Living and breathing. The Christian life is one of living for and like Christ and less and less for yourself.

Do not be afraid to carry your sword in public. Do not be afraid to open it in the middle of a restaurant or bring it with you when you might have to sit and wait. Do not be afraid to carry it with you while walking down the street or to any event you might be attending. Wait D. C. someone might ask me a question? Well you got the book for it. Use it.

Team up, Set-up and get into the fight. <><

Pride and the Empty Sack:

If you're a Star Trek fan then you have heard the following statement. “Pride and an empty sack is worth the sack.” I have mentioned it before. Pride has toppled more governments and empires. Pride has destroyed more corporations. Pride has ruined more lives and decimated more families than any war or decease in human history. Pride is the devil's own nuclear bomb. It looks like everything else in the world and when it goes off nothing is left alive.

With that said is it alright to take pride in being humble? The American dream says no. A trap we have all found ourselves ensnared and disparate to get out of. We find ourselves trying to present ourselves in a better light or something more respectable. Why? Society calls for it. In business we have titles when in fact just plain old “Owner” describes it well for those who are truly in business. Owner means in-charge, the top dog, the buck stops here, and also means responsibility many of us would never really want to have or face. Yet society expects titles like CEO, CFO, manager, supervisor, president instead of servant or “Someone who can really help you.”

I heard a story about a man who was running for election for mayor of a small town. He had worked as a custodian at the city hall building for many years. Made very little money. His family scrapping each day to get by. One night there was a town hall meeting to present the candidates to the public. Many of them were well to do citizens of the town. Business owners, current politicians and high society types if you know what I mean. Each one made a wisecrack about the janitor running for mayor. Then it came the janitor's turn to talk. He did not try to call himself a sanitation engineer or try to project himself as something he was not. He did not even take pot shots at the other candidates like they had done to him. He simply spoke the following. “For years I have worked as a janitor at city hall. I have personally seen how my fellow town's people are treated poorly and without respect. I see the waste caused by all the offices here. The misuse of office machinery. I have had to listen to the gossip around the hallways. Poor attitudes and office politics. I have personally witnessed the disrespect for our town's properties. Over the years I have seen some of the most educated people in our town make a mess of what we call our city government. I'm a member of the same church as you. Many a times my family is overlooked or looked down upon. Why not? I am just a janitor. God has given my family and I strength to endure, hope and love when others simply pass on by. The desire to serve others. You might not understand, but God has put me in the right place at the right time. Who among these candidates has any experience in cleaning up a mess?”

Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Prov 11:2 (NLT)

….for even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matt 20:28 (NLT)

Peace be with you. <><

I am already dead:

Not the most positive title for this message. As I write this I am under demonic attack. Continuing physical problems, financial stress and I find myself really at a loss. It is at such a time in one’s life that the truth of Christ moves from just belief to actual experience.

Reading the scriptures of the life Paul some might say that he lived his life recklessly. I would say boldly myself. He was constantly under attack. He constantly followed the Lord no matter what the consequences.

In fact, we still feel as if we're under a death sentence. But we suffered so that we would stop trusting ourselves and learn to trust God, who brings the dead back to life. 2 Cor 1:9 (GW)

It is in the previous verse (v:8) we find Paul admitting to being crushed and overwhelmed beyond their ability. Thinking they would never live through it. The question I ask is if I am dead to this world and living for Christ then why allow doubt to attack me? The fact is that it is hard to hurt someone who is already dead. So I ask the question, “If I were to die today I would be with Jesus. If allowed to live I am still with Him and in His service.” Where is the downside in all of this?

For the past three or four weeks I have been involved in a study in what I would call Spiritual Combat. Ephesians 6:10-20 Paul tells us the details of this unseen war. Author Chip Ingram points out that we are fighting from victory and not for victory. It has taken me some time to realize what that all means. It is perhaps for that reason I have come under such demonic attack in the past few weeks. The fact is the war is over. Jesus died on the cross 2,000 years ago for your sins, my sins, and for our sins. Jesus rose from the dead. The devil was defeated. Then how do you explain the ongoing attack of Satan and his demons of hell? At the end of World War II Japan surrendered yet for months our troops continued to fight in the Pacific. Fighting island by island as Japanese troops continued to fight a guerrilla war. For our troops the War was over. Japan had surrendered right? Our troops were fighting from victory not for it because they already had it. Did that make the bullets and the bombs less deadly? No, of course not but you can see the difference in attitude and mission in life. Satan has lost the war and wants to take as many of us as he can down with him. He has nothing to loose and no mercy for you and I.

As I learn more and go deeper into God’s Word the attacks come more often. Learning and applying God’s instructions makes the devil very nervous. The best time to attack a soldier is before they have time to prepare for battle. When they are at peace. Paul warns us of this in verse 18. (Eph 6:18)

It is prayer that puts the whole armor of God to work. You may not know me but as a Christian brother I am asking you for your intercessory prayers for my family and I. Thank you and peace be with you.