Sword of the Spirit
October 8
Looking out my bathroom window last night, I was blown away by the reflection of a full moon on the water. What I saw shining brilliantly on the water was a sword, and it was pointing right towards our property as if offering an awesome offensive.
This morning the sky is bursting of pinks and purples as if an artist had been up early painting a magnificent mural. I just headed out to try to catch it for you, but it was already fading.
Googling "Sword of the Spirit" I came across a powerful piece by Charles Spurgeon.
Be blessed, cause God is the best.
Love, Boo
The Sword of the Spirit
April 19th, 1891 by C. H. SPURGEON (1834-1892)
"Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."—Ephesians 6:17.
"To be a Christian is to be a warrior. The good soldier of Jesus Christ must not expect to find ease in this world: it is a battle-field. Neither must he reckon upon the friendship of the world; for that would be enmity against God. His occupation is war. As he puts on piece by piece of the panoply provided for him, he may wisely say to himself, "This warns me of danger; this prepares me for warfare; this prophesies opposition."
Difficulties meet us even in standing our ground; for the apostle, two or three times, bids us—"Stand." In the rush of the fight, men are apt to be carried off their legs. If they can keep their footing, they will be victorious; but if they are borne down by the rush of their adversaries, everything is lost. You are to put on the heavenly armor in order that you may stand; and you will need it to maintain the position in which your Captain has placed you. If even to stand requires all this care, judge ye what the warfare must be! The apostle also speaks of withstanding as well as standing. We are not merely to defend, but also to assail. It is not enough that you are not conquered; you have to conquer: and hence we find, that we are to take, not only a helmet to protect the head, but also a sword, with which to annoy the foe. Ours, therefore, is a stern conflict, standing and withstanding; and we shall want all the armor from the divine magazine, all the strength from the mighty God of Jacob.
It is clear from our text that our defense and our conquest must be obtained by sheer fighting. Many try compromise; but if you are a true Christian, you can never do this business well. The language of deceit fits not a holy tongue. The adversary is the father of lies, and those that are with him understand the art of equivocation; but saints abhor it. If we discuss terms of peace, and attempt to gain something by policy, we have entered upon a course from which we shall return in disgrace. We have no order from our Captain to patch up a truce, and get as good terms as we can. We are not sent out to offer concessions..."
For full article go to: http://www.biblebb.com/files/spurgeon/2201.htm
Looking out my bathroom window last night, I was blown away by the reflection of a full moon on the water. What I saw shining brilliantly on the water was a sword, and it was pointing right towards our property as if offering an awesome offensive.
This morning the sky is bursting of pinks and purples as if an artist had been up early painting a magnificent mural. I just headed out to try to catch it for you, but it was already fading.
Googling "Sword of the Spirit" I came across a powerful piece by Charles Spurgeon.
Be blessed, cause God is the best.
Love, Boo
The Sword of the Spirit
April 19th, 1891 by C. H. SPURGEON (1834-1892)
"Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."—Ephesians 6:17.
"To be a Christian is to be a warrior. The good soldier of Jesus Christ must not expect to find ease in this world: it is a battle-field. Neither must he reckon upon the friendship of the world; for that would be enmity against God. His occupation is war. As he puts on piece by piece of the panoply provided for him, he may wisely say to himself, "This warns me of danger; this prepares me for warfare; this prophesies opposition."
Difficulties meet us even in standing our ground; for the apostle, two or three times, bids us—"Stand." In the rush of the fight, men are apt to be carried off their legs. If they can keep their footing, they will be victorious; but if they are borne down by the rush of their adversaries, everything is lost. You are to put on the heavenly armor in order that you may stand; and you will need it to maintain the position in which your Captain has placed you. If even to stand requires all this care, judge ye what the warfare must be! The apostle also speaks of withstanding as well as standing. We are not merely to defend, but also to assail. It is not enough that you are not conquered; you have to conquer: and hence we find, that we are to take, not only a helmet to protect the head, but also a sword, with which to annoy the foe. Ours, therefore, is a stern conflict, standing and withstanding; and we shall want all the armor from the divine magazine, all the strength from the mighty God of Jacob.
It is clear from our text that our defense and our conquest must be obtained by sheer fighting. Many try compromise; but if you are a true Christian, you can never do this business well. The language of deceit fits not a holy tongue. The adversary is the father of lies, and those that are with him understand the art of equivocation; but saints abhor it. If we discuss terms of peace, and attempt to gain something by policy, we have entered upon a course from which we shall return in disgrace. We have no order from our Captain to patch up a truce, and get as good terms as we can. We are not sent out to offer concessions..."
For full article go to: http://www.biblebb.com/files/spurgeon/2201.htm
