All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others

pick up your sword and fight! 10.11.21

..because there really is no excuse for weakness

How many times have I been to New York City? I am not sure, but I have never had either a bad time or negative experience... that is pretty great.

I fondly remember standing in a coffee store one morning in the city, (dang, what I wouldn't give to do that right now--but with restrictions a plenty... coffee shop in NYC ...really? Not so much. Oh Pret a Manger, take me away! First discovered that lovely shop on a London street and was thrilled when Pret came to Manhattan), watching people stream by in frigid morning temperatures. First one and then another caught my attention and I watched them go until they were out of my sight. Philosophically thinking, how does one know he is headed in the right direction? A bearded Orthodox Jew in his black hat, a doorman with a fur hat, a street vendor in a ball cap, a construction worker in a hard hat …

is there any way to know we humans are on the right path?

I believe so. No, I know so.

In the last week, I have discussed listening for the voice of God, and the various ways he speaks. Then I turned to fostering good and right thinking which is vital for an impactful Christian life. In a world where there seems to be much we need to rise above and yet cannot have much control, there is one great thing we can do, and interestingly enough, it is the intersection of the last disciplines. We can read the manual God gave us – the inspired Word of God, whose words have stood up to scrutiny for thousands of years. O Friend in our beautiful Bibles, God reveals himself, his heart for humanity and his plans for all eternity.

The author of Hebrews said, ‘The Word of God is living and active…’ What an outrageous claim to make about something on a printed page! But it is true. The whole verse is powerful: For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.1

No Roman soldier would do battle without his sword. The machaira, (Greek word for sword) was anywhere from six to eighteen inches, carried by foot soldiers, the principal weapon in hand-to-hand combat. Carried in a sheath or scabbard attached to their belts, it was always at hand and ready for use.2

The Word of God has the ability to seep into the very marrow of our being—to bring peace, lead, guide, convict and offer forgiveness too. That is why it is truly ALIVE. Unlike an inspirational poem whose words bring a smile or a kind encouraging word, Scripture offers divine sustenance, which is unequaled. The divinely-inspired Bible is personal, applicable, life-giving and apropos to our daily lives . . . and I love it. Do you have a Bible you are inclined to pick up and read? Patrick, do you have a translation that is readable for you? In the picture above, I circled the one I have at my fingertips these days: the New Living Translation, Filament Bible.3.

So, at a time when there is so much out of our control,

over this one thing we have complete control ~

apprehending the words of Scripture for ourselves, seeking to understand and carry them in our hearts to be transformed by them, so we're ready, ready to stand . . . and if necessary, ready to battle by defeating errant thoughts that threaten to take us down. Ah come on...grab ahold of the power that is meant to be yours.

You Raise Me Up - oh, this song! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DorNUsi5LE

Praying the Bible calls your name,

Christine

PastorWoman.net

1 – Hebrews 4.12

2 - John MacArthur, “The Believer’s Armor: God’s provision for your Protection”

3 - Brief explanation of Filament Bible - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhAsj7r71W4. So cool.

pick up your sword and fight! 10.11.21

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