For the week of: Monday, February 12th 2007

"A Gleaming Sword"

Life often feels like a battle.  In reality it is.  In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul reminds them that the battle is not against flesh and blood but is “against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

Sounds pretty scary, huh?  And it would be if the power for victory were in the hands of the evil forces of the dark world.  Praise be to our God that the weapon for standing against this evil is the same weapon our Lord used when satan tried to tangle with Him in the wilderness following Christ’s baptism…the sword, the Word of Truth.  Every time satan tried to tempt Jesus with evil, Jesus simply responded with, “It is written, “ and came at satan with the sword of the Word of Truth.  Satan was powerless to evoke fear, doubt, or influence over our Lord. 

I vote for following that lead.  If we want to wreak havoc with satan’s plans and stand against him with confidence, we need to be equipped with the sword of the Word.  It is the only weapon found on the armor of the Christian in Ephesians 6.  “Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”

Would you join me in committing to memory the following verses this year?  When the battlefield of life sweeps over you, come at the forces of evil by saying aloud,

 “It is written…

“God is my refuge and my strength.  Even though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, I do not fear.  God is my ever present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46: 1-3)

“I will wait on God.  He will show me His ways; He will teach me His paths.  He will lead me in Truth.  He is the God of my salvation.”  (Psalm 25 4-5)

“He will guide me always; He will satisfy my needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen my frame.  I will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”  (Isaiah 58:11)

“I trust Him with all my heart; I do not lean on my understanding.  In all my ways I acknowledge Him and he directs my paths.”  (Proverbs 3:5-6)

“He created my innermost being.  He knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  I will never forget that.”  (Psalm 139:13-14)

“God is with me always.  He is always holding my hand. He guides me with His counsel, and will take me into His glory…He is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”  (Psalm 73:23-26)

“Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  My heart will be glad and my tongue will rejoice.  I will live in hope for He will not abandon me.”  (Acts 2: 25-27)

“I do not fear, for He has redeemed me.  He has called me by name, I am His.”  (Isaiah 43:1)

Let’s be strong warriors, dear ones, armed with the sword of the Word of Truth.  March on!

Standing firm with you,

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