Tag: sword of the Spirit
You will lack nothing!
Scripture reading for April 11th: Judges 7-8, Luke 22
Luke 22: 35-38 “And He said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about Me has its fulfilment.” And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.””
Jesus was always aware of Scripture that must be fulfilled. He knew the concerns of His disciples about their own welfare and how they might care for themselves. He challenged them to remember being sent out without any visible support to minister and how they had lacked nothing! God had cared for them! It would be no different now. However, Jesus allowed them to take a moneybag and knapsack this time. But why does Jesus tell them to sell their cloak to buy a sword? I believe Jesus was thinking of the Scripture being fulfilled concerning being ‘numbered with the transgressors.’ It was not that they would have to use the sword, but that they would look the part of ‘transgressors.’ Later, at the arrest in the Garden, Jesus rebuked Peter for using the sword and healed the man whose ear had been cut off!
Luke 22:48-51 “. .but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” And when those who were around Him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, ‘No more of this!” And He touched his ear and healed him.””
Prayer: Father God, I thank You that Your Presence with us is sufficient for every need we will face as we walk through the trials and tests of this journey. Thank You for Your amazing provision and empowerment by the Holy Spirit, the ‘torch in our jar!’ Empower me to ‘blow the trumpet’ of the Gospel to announce Your victory over death, hell, sin and the grave! The only ‘sword’ I need is Your Word!
Judges 7:16-18 “And he divided the 300 men into three companies and put trumpets into the hands of all of them and empty jars, with torches inside the jars. And he said to them, “Look at me, and do likewise. When I come to the outskirts of the camp, do as I do. When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then blow the trumpets also on every side of all the camp and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon.'”
Praying in the Spirit!
Scripture reading for September 1st: Ephesians 6
Paul’s final words to the Ephesian church concerned spiritual warfare and the equipment needed by Christians to stand in their struggle against the enemy of their souls. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities , against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:10-12)
There are forces of evil that are invisible to the human eye. There are pieces of armor and weapons that are given by God to use in the fight. “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.” (Ephesians 6:13-17)
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18) This final inclusion in the armor and armaments of the believer is a key to success! Our dependence on the Lord through prayer will insure the necessary power against our unseen enemy and will aid our brothers and sisters in the fight! It is the Spirit that can and does empower us to pray in victory!
A ‘stiff-necked’ people!
Scripture reading for January 31: Exodus 32-34
The nation of Israel quickly turned away from their commitment to obey God. Moses was on the mountain in the cloud and fire for 40 days. He was receiving the tablets with the 10 Words from the Lord. The people came to Aaron and asked for gods who would lead them. Aaron gave in and asked for gold earrings and ornaments. The people gave and soon Aaron had fashioned an idol of a golden calf. They bowed down to the calf-god made by Aaron and had a lewd party around the idol. God’s jealousy was aroused!
God spoke to Moses about the idolatry and told him to leave Him alone so He could destroy them. (Exodus 32:8-10) God’s verdict–“They are a stiff-necked people.” God is jealous! (Exodus 34:14) God had just written two commands that demanded that His people have no gods and make no idols. (Exodus 20:3-6)
Moses smashed the tablets in holy anger indicating the breaking of God’s Word by the very people who had sworn to obey! (Exodus 32:19; Exodus 24:3) Moses, however, did pray and intercede, asking God to spare the people. God listened but judgment still fell on those who sinned.
Moses called for those on the Lord’s side and the Levites stepped up. They had to strap on swords and execute those who participated in the idolatry, even if it was their brother, friend or neighbor! (Exodus 33:27-2) Three thousand were executed that day.
The lessons for us today are plain. This loving and compassionate God (Exodus 34:6-7) will not tolerate idolatry or sexual immorality. Lying goes with them, too. Note Aaron’s response about just throwing the gold into the fire and an idol coming out! We are all born into idolatry and it is a work of the flesh. (Galatians 6:19-20) The sword of the Spirit brings conviction which can lead us to repent and forsake idolatry! We must walk by the Spirit and allow His fruit to grow in our lives.
Let’s not be ‘stiff-necked!’ Bow your neck today in reverence and prayer to the merciful and compassionate Lord who paid to free us from the sin of idolatry. Jesus is interceding for us like Moses of old. Instead of smashing the tablets, He kept them fully for us! Through faith in His life and death, we have hope!