Spiritual War, 11of20

~ Spiritual War: Our Offensive Equipment ~ 

Offensive Equipment  ~  Many Bible teachers falsely (I believe) that the sword of the spirit is our only offensive weapon.  Consider a number of others…

Truth (knowing and utilizing doctrine)  ~  We find truth in the Word of God.  Jesus Christ is the Truth (John 14:6).  Jesus Christ is the grand theme of the Bible.  “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness…  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:14, 17).  When our Commander-In-Chief fought with our enemy He used the Word of God in each of His battles (see Matthew 4:1-11, note especially verses 4, 7, and 10).

Righteousness (living increasingly Christ-like)  ~  “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness” (Ephesians 6:14).

Faith (trust in God’s sovereignty)  ~  “Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one” (Ephesians 6:16).  While it is true that a shield is a defensive weapon it also allows you to advance.  In fact faith is arguably the strongest offensive weapon available to the believer. 

Foot Care  ~  We have been provided with all the provisions we need (Ephesians 6:10-18) but we must utilize them wisely.  One of the most important aspects of equipment for a foot soldier is proper footwear—provisions for our feet are provided.

“Having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15).

Strength For The Battles  ~  ”It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect.  He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places.  He teaches my hands to make war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze” (Psalm 18:32-34). 

Victories Are From God  ~  “I have pursued my enemies and overtaken them; neither did I turn back again till they were destroyed.  I have wounded them, so that they could not rise; they have fallen under my feet.  For You have armed me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.  You have also given me the necks of my enemies, so that I destroyed those who hated me” (Psalm 18:37-40).

Comment  ~  Abundant Life Now previously posted a series on the Christian’s Armor.  The posts directly related to offense include: 

The Belt of Truth, February 19, 2014, Our Whole Armor, 2of9         

Shoes of Peace, February 21, 2014, Our Whole Armor, 4of9                       

Sword of The Spirit, February 26, 2014, Our Whole Armor, 7of9     

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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Temptation, 5of13

~ God Never Allows Us to Be Tempted Beyond Our Resistance Capacity ~

Learn From Israel (a warning to us)  ~  “Brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink.  For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.  But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.  Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.  And do not become idolaters as were some of them.  As it is written, ‘The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.’  Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.  Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.  Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:1-12). …   

God Provides for Your Victory (a way of escape for us)  ~  … “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.  Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.  I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say” (1 Corinthians 10:13-15). 

“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.  Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.  For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.  But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.  For each one shall bear his own load” (Galatians 6:1-5). 

Gain Through Temptation (a win for us)  ~  “For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.  For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying: ‘I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.’  And again: ‘I will put My trust in Him.’  And again: ‘Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.’  Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.  For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham.  Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.  For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted” (Hebrews 2:10-18).

“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16).  

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

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My Mom Lied

~ My Mother’s 8 Lies—Her Love Was Priceless ~

The following is from an unknown source.

The story began when I was a child; I was a son of a poor family.  We did not even have enough food.  Whenever meal times came, mother would often give me her portion of rice.  While she was removing her rice into my bowl, she would say “Eat this rice, son.  I’m not hungry.”  That was Mother’s First Lie.

When I was growing up, my persevering mother gave her spare time to go fishing in a river near our house, she hoped that from the fish she caught, she could gave me a little bit of nutritious food for my growth.  After fishing, she would cook some fresh fish soup, which raised my appetite.  While I was eating the soup, mother would sit beside me and eat the rest of the fish, which was still on the bone of the fish I had eaten.  My heart was touched when I saw that.  I then used my chopstick and gave the other fish to her.  But she immediately refused and said “Eat this fish, son.  I don’t really like fish.”  That was Mother’s Second Lie.

Then, when I was in Junior High School to fund my studies, mother went to an economic enterprise to bring some used-match boxes that would need to be stuck together.  It gave her some money to cover our needs.  As the winter came, I woke up from my sleep and looked at my mother who was still awake, supported by a little candlelight and with perseverance she would continue the work of sticking some used-match boxes.  I said, “Mother, go to sleep, it’s late, tomorrow morning you still have to go to work.”  Mother smiled and said “Go to sleep, dear.  I’m not tired.”  That was Mother’s Third Lie.

The final term arrived...  Mother asked for leave from work in order to accompany me.  While the sun was starting to shine strongly, my persevering mother waited for me under the heat for several hours.  As the bell rang, which indicated that the final exam had finished, mother immediately welcomed me and poured me a cup of tea that she had brought in a flask.  Seeing my mother covered with perspiration, I at once gave her my cup and asked her to drink too.  Mother said “Drink, son.  I’m not thirsty!”  That was Mother’s Fourth Lie.

After the death of my father due to illness, my poor mother had to play her role as a single parent.  She had to fund our needs alone.  Our family’s life was more complicated.  No days without suffering.  Our family’s condition was getting worse, a kind uncle who lived near our house assisted now and then.  Our neighbors often advised my mother to marry again.  But mother was stubborn and didn’t take their advice; she said “I don’t need love.”  That was Mother’s Fifth Lie.

After I had finished my studies and got a job, it was the time for my mother to retire.  But she didn’t want to; she would go to the market place every morning, just to sell some vegetables to fulfill her needs.  I worked in another city, but often sent her some money to help her fulfill some of her needs, but she would not accept the money.  At times, she even sent the money back to me.  She said “I have enough money.”  That was Mother's Sixth Lie.

After graduating with a Bachelors Degree, I continued on and earned a Masters Degree.  It was funded by a company through a scholarship program.  I finally worked in that company.  With a good salary, I intended to bring my mother to enjoy her life in Gulf.  But my lovely mother didn’t want to bother her son.  She said to me, “I’m no use to you.”  That was Mother’s Seventh Lie.

In her old age, mother got stomach cancer and had to be hospitalized.  I lived across the ocean but went home to visit my dearest mother.  She lay in weakness on her bed after having an operation.  Mother, who looked so old, was staring at me in deep thought.  She tried to spread her smile on her face... but it was a noticeable effort.  It was clear that the disease had weakened mother’s body.  She looked so frail and weak.  I stared at my mother with tears flowing.  My heart was hurt... so hurt, seeing my mother in that condition.  But mother with the little strength she had, said “Don’t cry, my dear.  I’m not in pain.”  That was Mother’s Eighth and Last Lie.

After saying her eighth lie, my dearest mother closed her eyes forever.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Is That In The Bible? 11

~ History Repeats Itself ~

Many concepts are in the Bible—even though the exact wording is not.  For example consider the following statements: “History Repeats Itself” or the more complete concept “those who refuse to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

In this case the phrase is not found in the Bible but the concept is.  The concept is valid for both individuals and nations.  Here is an example of the type of historical cycle which we find throughout the Bible:

This historical pattern is as follows:   

1.  from Bondage to Spiritual Faith

2.  from Spiritual Faith to Courage

3.  from Courage to Freedom

4.  from Freedom to Abundance

5.  from Abundance to Selfishness  

6.  from Selfishness to Apathy

7.  from Apathy to Dependency  

8.  from Dependency to Bondage

Specific Scripture  ~  “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9).  “Then I turned my thoughts to consider wisdom, and also madness and folly. What more can the king's successor do than what has already been done?” (Ecclesiastes 2:12).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .