The Sword Of The Spirit In The New Year

All of us have made New Year resolutions, and all of us have broken them too. Many times our resolutions are abandoned before the sun goes down on January first. And I believe that very often we make New Year’s resolutions that have little to do with our spiritual well-being and our walk with God. Today I have been thinking about 2022 is year for spiritual growth. Let’s not call them resolution, because resolutions seem made to be broken. We’ll call them out spiritual goals for the new year.

Here are a few goals:

1. Read at least one chapter from the Bible every day.

It seems that when I read the Bible every day. I always find things I didn’t notice before. When we are looking when are looking for answers, we find new questions that we have never thought to ask. This is a good thing because we may find ourselves to deep deeper into the scriptures to find the answers and in the process find more questions. But every moment our minds are occupied in the way. God is working on us. And slowly but surely, the changes come. Ephesians 6:17 says that the sword of the spirit is the Word of God. The Bible is our weapon to defeat the lies of the devil. But how can we use it if we don’t know what it is? How will we know it if we don’t read it?

2. Pray for wisdom every day.

A lot of things we pray for, God says no, because we ask for things that will hurt us. But this is one thing we can be assured that He will say yes to, if we have faith.

If any of you lacks wisdom he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asked, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord.

James 1:5-7

Wisdom is the key to si many of the good blessings God wants to give us in the new year

If we have wisdom, we won’t make bad decisions that gets us wi to trouble.

If we have wisdom, we won’t waste time and energy worrying about things we can’t change. If we have wisdom, we won’t say stupid and hurtful things that cause stress to ourselves or others.

If we have wisdom, we won’t bite off more than we can chew.

3. Look for an opportunity to help someone every day.

I truly believe that if we are looking for it, God will constantly send us people we can help. When we help people, we are sharing the love of Christ.

When we help people we are becoming more like Christ.

When we help people, we are helping to rid ourselves of the selfishness that steals our joy.

Here’s an example: a few weeks ago, I was busy doing errands in town. I was tired and just wanted to be done. I was stopped at a stop sign. I lady was walking behind me. As I pulled away from the stop sign she started running after my car. My first thought was to get away from this lady. Was she crazy? Why was she chasing my car, I then had an unction to stop and roll down my window. She said her friend was very ill and needed a ride to her house. So I told her to get in and we drove to her friend’s house. That day I was able to help her and her friend. If I hadn’t stopped. The lady’s friend would been in danger. Sometimes we are so busy thinking about ourselves, we don’t notice what other people are struggling with,

Some people have a saying “God helps those to help themselves.” I believe the more accurate saying would be, “God helps those who helps others,”

I tell you the truth, what they did for one of the least of these brothers in mine, you did for me.”

Matthew 25:40

There are always people who want to take advantage of our goodwill. And this takes up back to the previous goal. We must be wise. There’s a temptation just to stop helping altogether because there are so many scam artists. As Christians, we must be willing to help those who are truly in need. We just have to use our heads, and the wisdom that God gives us.

Look for the opportunity to help someone every day.

4. Say to yourself every morning. “Jesus could be coming back today.

We always know this in the back of you minds. I purpose that every day we force it to the front of our minds.

If we keep this truth before us every day, our priorities will be different. This is was Jesus said:

“Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back – whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. (Mark 13:35)

Let us not forget that even if Jesus doesn’t return for another 100 years, we all have an appointment to meet Him much sooner than that.

Righteousness Judgment -vs- Hypocritical Judgment

Did you know as God’s child we are called to judge? This may be a shock to you, due to the fact that many Christians don’t study their Bible aggressively.

Way to many times we hear people wrongly quote the Bible, saying the scripture, “says not to judge!” I even hear this from non believers, like it’s the only verse they know. What’s sad, is often people misquote scripture. Saying something that’s not in context of the verse.

Let’s dive into this, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord open our eyes to see more shrewdly. The verse they misquoted is from Matthew the Tax Collector.

Judge not, that you not be judged. For with judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you judge, it shall be measured to you again.

Matthew 7:1-2

Let’s break this down. First let’s find out what judge means. In Greek judge means which is defined in the Strong’s Concordance.

(Strong’s Definition) Properly to distinguish that is decided (mentally or physically); by implication to try condemn punish – avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree,, determine, esteem, judge go to sleep at the law ordain the call in question, sentence to think.

So we understand to judge someone, is to pass a moral sentence against them, or a decree. I see people wearing shirts that say only God can nudge me, which I say Amrn to. But did you also know we are called to judge? We must first understand why and how to judge someone biblically. Instead of what you heard from someone, or false advertisement on social media against someone.

Do you not know that all saints shall judge the world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

1 Corinthians 6:2

What’s unfortunate about most is that they are “living in sin” and when you come at then with biblical scripture they get irritated or defensive, when they shouldn’t, instead they should receive the rebuke in repentance. Scripture teaches this plain as day.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:7

Those of you who claim to be Christians and don’t receive correction and are regarded as “fools” according to Holy Scripture. Fool is Hebrew means one who despises wisdom, of one who mocks when guilt, of one who is quarrelsome, of one who is licentious.

Many of you reading this, this may be for you while for others it’s not, because the are humble and receive divine correction.

But he given more grace. Wherefore he said, God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:6-7

I’m not writing this to offend you but to enlighten you, because I care about you. “Your eternal security.’ We need to stop running away from the Spirit of God and receive His love and connection. If we wish to be used by Him and to enter into His Kingdom, the Kingdom of God.

This scripture also teaches that if we reject His reproach we can only condemn ourselves.

If we endure chastening, God deals with us as with children; for what child is He chasteneth not? But if we be without chastisement, therefore all are partakers then are we bastards, and not children.

Hebrews 12:7-8

So basically He’s saying that if you reject God’s judgment upon you, for your sin and you refuse to repent. You are a bastard a fatherless child. God is not your Abba like you claim, if you don’t open-heartedly receive His guidance and counsel,

For one to pass judgment he or she must be practicing what they preach, otherwise, they have no authority from God because they are being a hypocrite.

We cannot pass judgment upon others when we are living in sin, that’s a false type of judgment against someone. We are only being hypocrites against someone. See that’s the judgment Jesus was referring to in the cannon.

Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to notice the, log that is in your own eye?

Matthew 7:3

Here’s an example let’s say I’m leaving the club and I go tell someone else. Hey don’t go too the club, you know that it’s bad! It’s unchristian. That person would respond in an unkind way, espyif they knew you were just in the club. See that’s my point, you’re being a hypocrite you cannot tell someone else to stop doing something you do yourself.

But what if I’m living for God? I’m not going to the club and living in sin. I tell you that you shouldn’t go clubbing that it’s not a healthy lifestyle and that it’s bad influence on your kids. I have every right to tell you that you need to repent and not only that, God backs me up, because I’m practicing what I preach.

Drinking Poison Is Like Unforgiveness

There’s an old saying that goes like this, “Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.”

It’s true – it slowly kills the one unwilling to forgive another.

Don’t carry the poison of u forgiveness around for the rest of your life.

Let it go! You know where this is going. I can sing the whole song if you like. No? Okay, I won’t

For the sake of your health, future, and relationships, let it go and trust God with your pain.

Matthew 6:14 says “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your father will not forgive your sins,”

D

God Doesn’t Make Bad Things Happen

Do you wonder how God can allow so much evil and destruction in the world? Did your parents tell you if you do something wrong God will punish you? I know mine sure did. And every time you do something wrong you still question it. When we face challenges in our lives do you wonder if God is there? Is there a reason things happen the way they do? Are you being cared for?

It is important to understand that God doesn’t punish people. God doesn’t will evil on anyone. God doesn’t hurt people. A family lost a child in a terrible accident. Two church leaders came to their door to offer their condolences. They said that they felt great pain for the family, but they also added, “This was God’s will,” and that “we don’t always understand why God does what He does, but we must accept God’s will. “What a terrible thing to say! When I was 9 years old my 13-year-old brother was in a terrible drowning accident on a church outing. The church leaders came to our door saying this exact thing to my parents. Destroying my Father in the process. I don’t know where this idea came from. I’m sure it didn’t come from God.

God Is Pure Love

He never wishes harm on anyone. The idea that it is God’s will that bad things happen to people is not only misguided but potentially devastating. How can people love a God who wishes ill or has hurt them? The new church teaches that God wills only good for all His people. There is nothing more important to our creator than for every one of us to have happiness and fulfillment as humanly possible. When bad things happen, God feels our pain, is very present with us, and works to bring out the best in a bad situation. But if we’re told “it was God’s will” it can destroy families. If we believe the lie.

What we must remember is that God takes the long view. His goal is not to give us temporary and and perhaps superficial and fleeting comfort in this world, but rather looks to our eternal welfare.

God Brings Good Out of Everything If We Let Him

There is a lot of pain and suffering in the world today. It is important to understand God’s presence and influence in the face of very difficult situations

Swedenborg

It is impossible to see God’s providence in the face, as it is happening, but that we can see it when we look back in reflection on the past. In other words, in times of crisis, it is very hard to necessarily sense that God is the presence and working to bring good out of a bad situation. However, when we look back at such times we can often see the gentle hand of God at work.

Look at the horrible act of terrorism of September 11-2021, something so far from God’s will and even more horrible to be committed in God’s name. However, the love and charity that poured out of all the people, not only in the United States but from around the world, was astounding.

The cynics say that this was temporary and fleeting, but didn’t a part of us change forever! Or, at the very least, did we not have that opportunity presented before us in this horrific time in our lives? God didn’t make this event happen or will it, but God didn’t abandon us. God was there in a huge way, working through the same human freedom and choice He gave those terrorists, but now the choice of thousands was love and compassion, and resolve to rid the world of such hideous efforts.

In times of tragedy we man not be able to see immediately that God is there, leading us to peace and comfort, and so much more. However, we can rest assured that this world has been set up in such a way that all can be bent and turned toward good.

The Choice For Good Is Always Present

God provides constantly that choice for good is always present, and continually lift us up from out pain and our doubt to freedom to live and love again. The real question is, can we trust this? Can we find the good, or at least pursue it, and allow the force of love and life to lift us up! When we do this we can heal and even grow. And this growth is eternal.

There is an invisible and gentle current in each one of our lives that can peacefully carry us to happiness in heaven. It is always there for us, whenever we want to let go and trust the way. Even in what might appear as the worse of times, that stream is flowing and can carry us to all things blessed. We can trust that we are being cared for, that our eternal happiness is the most important thing God has in mind for us, and that all of creation flows toward this end. Our choice is to believe this, accept it, and freely choose it. Wade into the stream. Relax, and enjoy the ride.

The Boat

The Storm on Galilee. In Mark 4:35-41 tells us how Christ stilled the Storm.

Jesus had taught the people in parables. On that day, when evening came, He said to His disciples, “Let’s cross over to the other side.’ So they left the crowds and took Jesus away in the boat just as He was. Other boats were also with Him.

A stormy wind arose, and waves drove into the boat. It was filling up. Jesus was in the stern where He had gone to sleep on a pillow. The disciples woke Him and cried, “Teacher! We are perishing! Don’t you care?” (Mark 4:35-38)

Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace, be still.” The wind stopped. There was a complete calm. Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Why do you have no faith?” But they were extremely scared. They said to one another, “Who can Hebe that even the wind and waves obey Him?” (Mark 4:39-41)

Jesus was crossing the island Sea of Galilee by boat. His disciples were with Him. Jesus had gone to sleep. There arose a fierce storm that threatened to sink the boat. The disciples woke Him up crying, “Lord, save us, we are perishing!”

Jesus immediately calmed the Storm and the waves of Galilee with three words: “Peace Be still!”

This miracle of the stilled storm at Galilee illustrates the power of Christ. However we can also see some important truths about ourselves illustrated by the disciples who were in the Storm-tossed boat with Jesus.

We Have Little Security

When Galilee was calm, the disciples felt safe enough in the boat. Yes when the storm arose the boat offered them little security. We all have “boats“ – material things we rely on.

These things may include health, home, jobs, etc. Life is, as it were, a crossing of the Sea of Galilee “to the other side.” Our “boats” won’t help us much in the storms of life.

The truth is, “A person’s life does not consist in His possessions.” ( Luke 12:15)

Even the king of Babylon in all his splendor was to heat the taunt, “Hoe you have fallen I star of the morning! You have been cut to the ground!” (Isaiah 14:4,12).

So do not trust in material things. There are not as secure as they might seem. The person who trusts in earthly things has little security. ((Matthew 6:19-22)

We Have Little Faith

When the disciples woke Jesus, He said, “Why are you so afraid? Why so little faith?” At first, that sounds silly. It was obvious why they were afraid.

The waters of Galilee we’re raging all around. Yet since they were looking to Jesus to save them, they were showing some faith and hope in Him. Why then were they in so much fear for their lived?

It was because of the littleness of their faith. On another occasion, the disciples said “Lord increase our faith.” (Luke 17:5)

A man once asked Jesus to heal his son. “If you can heal Him, take pity” Jesus replied, “What do you mean, ‘If’ I can?” The man said, Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:14-27):

We can all identify with the problem of having a little faith but needing much more faith than we have. So be aware of the little less of our faith, and seek an increase of faith from Jesus Christ. For “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:17)

We Have Little Peace

Not only was the sea in a frenzy, but the disciples were not remaining calm. Jesus was calm as He could be – He was sleep! Jesus can offer us peace, Just as He gave His disciples peace at Galilee.

We can receive from our Lord “thr peace of God which passes understanding.” (Philippians 4:7) Di do not be afraid of the storms of life, but be in awe of the power of Christ. Let Him still our storms and fears. (Psalms 23: 1,4, Heb13:6).

The Right Hand Of God

The “right hand” is seen as a place of honor and status throughout the biblical text. When the Bible makes statements that Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father, it is affirming that He has equal status to the Father within the Godhead. (Hebrews 1:3, 12:2; 1 Peter3:22; Acts 7 55-56.

So what moves the right hand of God?

Prayer is not to instruct God, or inform God, or impress God. Prayer moves God – it is faith that moves God’s hand. But then you ask, “Doesn’t God already know my needs?” The answer is Yes He does. In Matthew 6, Jesus said “your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”

Walking with the Lord, step-by-step, the question comes to mind: What moves God to action? Contrary to what most people think, it isn’t prayer. Prayer moves you and me.

The value of Prayer is two-fold. First prayer activates your faith. Prayer isn’t based on how long or short you pray. But that your prayer is faith-based. Faith says, “I believe!” and “I receive!”

I have a small block of wood on my desk that reads: “Faith is not believing that God can… it’s knowing that He will!” it’s a reminder that when I pray I must activate my faith believing God can, knowing He will hear my prayer and answer.

Second, prayer aims your faith. Apostle Paul taught the Philippian Church,, “Di not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6) Noe you ask, “Doesn’t God already know what need?” yes He does, then why do I have to make my requests known to Him. The simple answer is so that you will aim your faith specifically at your need. Remember this: Need does not move the hand of God… Faith moves the hand of God.

Recently I have been praying (or Complaining) to God about the horrible migraines I keep giving asking God to tell me they reason why. Then I realized that God is not listening to my complaints to Him. That He wants my prayers to be faith-filled.

Jesus asked the blind man a specific question: “What do you want me to do for you?” Now, Jesus could see that this man named Bartimaeus was blind. It was obvious to everybody that the man was blind. Yes, Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” Why did He ask that question? The Lord asked so Bartimaeus would aim his faith specifically and precisely on what he wanted from Him. He said, “Rabbi, I want to see” (Mark 10:51).

Now Bartimaeus didn’t say, “Just bless me’ or if it be your will, I want to be touched by You, Lord.” No, Bartimaeus was specific, he aimed his faith: “Rabbi, I want to see.

As with my migraines, my prayer was complaining that I want God to take my migraines away. There was no faith involved I was hurting and asked God to heal me now, right now.

What lies ahead? We can’t see all the blessings and we can’t see all the bumps in the road, but we can see, with clarity, we can pray with active faith and aimed faith that will move God’s hand on our behalf.

After I realized that their was no faith in my prayers, I started praying with faith. After having a migraine for 8 days, and taking everything I could with Dr orders. I finally prayed with the faith I needed to. And my migraine started easing off.

We all have a tendency to complain when we pray or don’t understand why our prayers don’t get answered. The simple answer is Pray with Faith.