WAR
Suggested Reading: 2 Corinthians 9-10
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
An ancient war helmet on display at the museum in Corinth.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 10:3-4
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds…
A companion reading for consideration today would be Ephesians 6:10-17. Notice particularly Ephesians 6:12. On the human level, we are to make no defence, and no offence. We are not to defend ourselves when people attack us with false accusations, nor are we to attack others with accusations which may even be true. The devil is the “accuser of the brethren” (Revelation 12:10). We recognize the source of slander and lies. Therefore, in the realm of spiritual warfare, we fight. Jesus is the best example of this in His response to Satan. He quoted the Scriptures (Matthew 4:1-11). Jesus did not have to go and get His Bible, it would’ve taken a wagon to carry all the scrolls. He knew the Word of God as a result of reading the scrolls at the synagogue, and listening to the rabbi’s teachings. We have a distinct advantage in the Bible before us now, and in sitting faithfully under the preaching/teaching ministry of our pastors. Spiritual warfare is one very important reason for this discipline of reading God’s Word and meditating on what God says to us. This blog, if read daily, should provide us with God’s protection and with the weapon with which we attack, “the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.”
Chapter nine is more about giving to God’s cause. I’m impressed at the amount of time spent on the matter of our support for God’s work. No doubt, that is because, “where your heart is, there will your treasure be also” (Matthew 6:21). The way we handle money may be the greatest indication as to what is really in our hearts.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I ask that by Your Spirit You will help me to be equipped with weapons which will destroy all attacks by the enemy of my soul. I’m attacking his so called “strongholds” with Your Word right now as I read it and speak it. You are making me “more than a conqueror” (Romans 8:37). I pray this in and through the Person of Jesus, the One who is the ultimate Conqueror. Amen & Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I struggled for a long time with the concept of our supporters making pledges for future support of God’s work. I was well aware of the softer approach, which was called a “faith promise.” Both terms, pledge and faith promise, mean the same. Finally, after the first 15 years of TV ministry (’62 – ’77), where I did not even use the word “support” on TV, I learned that even the most godly people need to know about the need in order to respond. I also learned that Crossroads needed to know what I might expect in the giving of God’s people, so that I could give leadership in planning for the future. Jesus said that we are to count the cost first (Luke 14:28-30). I finally got the message that in order to “count the cost” I must know what to expect, not only on the expense side but also on the income side of the budget. I realized that Paul had no problem writing to the people of God these words, “Your bountiful gift which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity, and not as a grudging obligation” (2 Corinthians 9:5b). For me, the Board of Directors would approve or not approve the policies and budgets that the Chief Financial Officer and I proposed, and as the Chief Executive Officer, I was then responsible to carry out those policies within the budgets approved. I look back over the decades and realize that God did marvellous works as a result of the beautiful co-operation between the board and the management of Crossroads Christian Communications Inc.
Yours for the work of God done in God’s way,
David
Part of an ancient bronze statue on display at the Archaeological Museum in Pella, Greece.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
To the Christian, the reading of God’s word should come naturally. If there is no desire for the scripture, one must wonder if that person has truly given themselves to fellowship with Christ or have decided not to continue in fellowship with Christ. I do realize that dry periods come to everyone, but it is through the daily nourishment of God’s word (along with prayer and regular fellowship with believers) that we fight these battles of spiritual warfare in our daily lives.
This blog does indeed provide us with God
Well said Scott. Thank you David for this blog which I look forward to each day and feel refreshed to go about the things I am able to do. Strength for today is mine all the way, and all I need for tomorrow….as the song says.
May our gracious Saviour renew each of us every day. Have a great one fellow bloggers.
The Surrendered Life, March 8, My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers:
“To become one with Jesus Christ, a person must be willing not only to give up sin, but also to surrender his whole way of looking at things. Being born again by the Spirit of God means that we must first be willing to let go before we can grasp something else. The first thing we must surrender is all of our pretense or deceit. What our Lord wants us to present to Him is not our goodness, honesty, or our efforts to do better, but real solid sin. Actually, that is all He can take from us. And what He gives us in exchange for our sin is real solid righteousness. But we must surrender all pretense that we are anything, and give up all our claims of even being worthy of God’s consideration.
“Once we have done that, the Spirit of God will show us what we need to surrender next. Along each step of this process, we will have to give up our claims to our rights to ourselves. Are we willing to surrender our grasp on all that we possess, our desires, and everything else in our lives? Are we ready to be identified with the death of Jesus Christ?
“We will suffer a sharp painful disillusionment before we fully surrender. When people really see themselves as the Lord sees them, it is not the terribly offensive sins of the flesh that shock them, but the awful nature of the pride of their own hearts opposing Jesus Christ. When they see themselves in the light of the Lord, the shame, horror, and desperate conviction hit home for them.
“If you are faced with the question of whether or not to surrender, make a determination to go on through the crisis, surrendering all that you have and all that you are to Him. And God will then equip you to do all that He requires of you.”
Oswald Chambers
Thank you Beverlee for sharing this message with us.
Philippians 2:13 (NIV) For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Thank you Mr.David Mainse!!!!!! Your blog gets me to the Joy of The Lord each and every day Amen!!!!!
I so agree with Heike! I appreciate what you and your sons are doing through this blog to help and bless myself and others! I have been able to tell relatives and friends about it and as they read it , they tell me they are also being ministered to and strengthened. I thank my God upon every rememberance of You!
Thank you David, Reynold, and Ron for this wonderful blog! It truly is a Blessing to us and many others! Blessings to you and all the bloggers!!!