"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
Men are sharpened for battle. Just as a dull sword is useless in combat, so is a dull man. And we know that our war 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. (Eph 6:12) Men, we were not made to wage war against each other. We are not each other's enemies but it is Satan himself who sows confusion among our ranks so that brother fights brother to tear each other down. Brothers, this should not be!
We were made to sharpen each other as iron sharpens iron. We were made to grow stronger together. And now, it is Christ, the man of men, the king of kings, and the lord of lords, who has bound himself to us eternally by faith. And when we are bound to him and bound to each other we will not fall but we will prevail against the enemy. Your brother is not your enemy even though he may attack you. Realize he needs the truth of Jesus Christ to set him free (John 8:32) from the true enemy's grasp so that he may join you in the fight.
Do not hate your brother and tear him down, but build him up as a fellow soldier in Christ. Offer him the Truth and set him free.
Showing posts with label war. Show all posts
Showing posts with label war. Show all posts
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Mark 12:10
"Haven't you read this Scripture:
'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; The LORD has done this and it is marvelous in our eyes.'?
In our moment of defeat as we lay helpless and hopeless on the battlefield with the enemy bearing down on us about to plunge his fiery spear into our hearts, the true Heir of the Kingdom came to us and fought in our stead and repelled the enemy. But what was to be a moment of gratitude turned into betrayal as we plunged our sword into His back in hopes that Satan and his army might be merciful to us and spare our lives. Satan took His Body and hung it up as a trophy of his victory and there Jesus lay abandoned, rejected, and alone for three days while some wept, some cheered, and others stood indifferent, but everyone who wasn't slain was captured and forced into slavery. With the death of our King, Satan's army's had won the war.
But the stone the builders rejected had become the capstone. Jesus rose from the dead and empowered by his Father proceeded to destroy Satan's kingdom from the inside out and with him were all those who believed in his power and might to deliver us from captivity and joined him in his fight. The man who became our sacrifice became our savior and it is marvelous in our eyes.
The third day of Holy week.
'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; The LORD has done this and it is marvelous in our eyes.'?
In our moment of defeat as we lay helpless and hopeless on the battlefield with the enemy bearing down on us about to plunge his fiery spear into our hearts, the true Heir of the Kingdom came to us and fought in our stead and repelled the enemy. But what was to be a moment of gratitude turned into betrayal as we plunged our sword into His back in hopes that Satan and his army might be merciful to us and spare our lives. Satan took His Body and hung it up as a trophy of his victory and there Jesus lay abandoned, rejected, and alone for three days while some wept, some cheered, and others stood indifferent, but everyone who wasn't slain was captured and forced into slavery. With the death of our King, Satan's army's had won the war.
But the stone the builders rejected had become the capstone. Jesus rose from the dead and empowered by his Father proceeded to destroy Satan's kingdom from the inside out and with him were all those who believed in his power and might to deliver us from captivity and joined him in his fight. The man who became our sacrifice became our savior and it is marvelous in our eyes.
The third day of Holy week.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Psalm 46:10
"Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
You may have heard this verse many times applied in this way, "Stop being so busy and take time just to be with God." or "Settle down and meditate on God and His Word." It doesn't make sense, though. Psalm 46 isn't about reflecting on God's attributes like some other Psalms nor is it about being quiet or less busy. The verse when applied in this way seems out of place for a Psalm mainly concerned about war, violence, uproars, shattering spears, burning shields, and how throughout it all God remains an ever-present help in times of trouble.
This isn't to say "have a quiet time with God" at all. Why would God be exalted in that? God isn't actually doing anything here, rather it is you doing something.
This verse is to say "Stand back and watch me work!" The army is poised to fight, but God has told them to do nothing except watch Him work, to see his desolations he has brought upon the earth.
"Be still and know that I am God!" is His battle cry. Watch him gain for himself glory, you need not do a thing. Watch Him defeat every foe! It is a wondrous sight to behold! How can we help but exalt his victories? He is our mighty fortress, our protector and our strength, a genuine war hero.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
You may have heard this verse many times applied in this way, "Stop being so busy and take time just to be with God." or "Settle down and meditate on God and His Word." It doesn't make sense, though. Psalm 46 isn't about reflecting on God's attributes like some other Psalms nor is it about being quiet or less busy. The verse when applied in this way seems out of place for a Psalm mainly concerned about war, violence, uproars, shattering spears, burning shields, and how throughout it all God remains an ever-present help in times of trouble.
This isn't to say "have a quiet time with God" at all. Why would God be exalted in that? God isn't actually doing anything here, rather it is you doing something.
This verse is to say "Stand back and watch me work!" The army is poised to fight, but God has told them to do nothing except watch Him work, to see his desolations he has brought upon the earth.
"Be still and know that I am God!" is His battle cry. Watch him gain for himself glory, you need not do a thing. Watch Him defeat every foe! It is a wondrous sight to behold! How can we help but exalt his victories? He is our mighty fortress, our protector and our strength, a genuine war hero.
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