2024-12-20
Good Morning Dear Ones,
I’ve been commanded by the Holy Spirit to continue the analysis of EPH 6: 11-18, the armor of God. EPH 6: 17 reads, “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Last week, I wrote about the helmet of salvation; this week I will take up the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Admittedly, I am deeply in love with word of God, after studying it daily for the last 50+ years. While some have criticized me for this daily habit, it gives me great pleasure. My interest in it has led me to many wonderful and lasting friends over the years. It has allowed me to connect with the Holy Spirit, Who has shown me what God wants me to be doing, and it has become a habit which has helped me deal with the challenges of my life. I believe studying God’s word will do the same for anyone who opens his heart to it and seeks his Creator this way. Here’s just one example: JER 29: 11-13 [God speaking] “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you not to bring disaster, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me, and you will find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.”
I use myself as an example often, not out of egotism but to preserve the privacy of others. God has taught me that I am the weaker member in my relationship with Him; He is wiser, more loving, more consistent in His teaching than any human being can be. 1 COR 1: 25, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” This was not a power struggle like what goes on between humans; it is a gift of knowledge that comes along gently and gradually with maturing faith. My experience with God has been a series of on-going discoveries, answers to prayerful questions, that have sometimes come in human interactions but often directly from the Holy Spirit. You have all heard me say, “I’m commanded by the Holy Spirit to do….” It’s my way of saving I asked, and He instructed. I don’t claim to work on the teaching, writing, and speaking I’ve done in my ministry without His leadership. None of it comes from me alone. There have been plenty of times when I read a Scripture or passage without initially understanding it. That’s when I pray asking for understanding to Him, consult cross-references, and He shows me how to find out what I need to know---even the difference between needs and wants. PS 25: 4-5, “Show me Your ways Lord, teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior; and my hope is in You all day long.”
One of the most important functions of the Scriptures is to help us discern evil from good. In the process, we can see what God’s love for us leads Him to do. PS 18: 1-3, “I love You, Lord, my Strength. The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God is my Rock in Whom I take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my Stronghold. I called to the Lord, Who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies.” Studying God’s word is never a waste of time. This is especially true for the Psalms and the Proverbs. We get to know King David, a man of extraordinary faithfulness, and God’s boundless wisdom.
God’s grace and purpose, which are clearly understood from EPH 2: 8-10. “For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith --and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” AC 4 :12, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven to mankind by which we must be saved.” RO 6: 23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” What greater demonstration of God’s grace can there be than Christ’s atoning sacrifice of His physical life on the cross so we can be saved? Only, those who serially reject the goodness of God’s light in their lives waste such an act of God’s grace. The Gospel has the power to bring everyone who believes, Jew or Gentile, salvation and eternal life. God’s righteousness is revealed in it by faith from first to last [RO 1: 16-17].
PRAYER: O Most Holy Father, there is so much love in Your word that we can’t even comprehend all Your gentle ways of conveying it to us. We can spend a lifetime reading and studying Your word and never realize all the power for doing good in it. 2 PET 1: 3-4, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him Who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” Your word is designed for our benefit: 2 TIM 3: 16-17, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” We thank You for loving us the way You do and offer You thanksgiving and praise for Your wisdom, justice, and goodness meant for us. In the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: The Holy Spirit directs me to write about prayer next week. Before concluding this portion of the series on patience and humility, I would be remiss in not mentioning 1 PET 3: 15-17, instructions we are given for how to convey the word of God and our faith in it. “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” From my point of view, it is necessary, if possible, to determine where in your listener’s experience he is with God first, i.e. take the time and care to get to know your listen if you can. We need to have an attitude of gratitude and acknowledge the generosity God has shown us to prepare us to convey our faith. Praise and thanksgiving be to Him!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn, JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2024. All Rights Reserved.
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