Prepared for Battle

Prepared for Battle

Ps 149:6

I shall praise God while carrying the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Eph 6:17). Not that I am always fighting, but always prepared, as Nehemiah was in building the wall (Neh. 4:13-17). Working steadily and surely in god's work, ready for war when the time comes. The sword is mainly an offensive weapon although it used in defense on occasion as Jesus did when He was tempted in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1-11). Offensively to execute vengeance and punishments, to bind kings and nobles, and execute judgment. That's going forward in confrontational soul winning. When judgment enters into the heart of sinners, repentance should follow. And lest I forget, I am to go with the HIGH praises of God in my mouth, not the binding fear of the world.

How Effective Am I...

Phl. 6

...with the communication of my faith? God didn't say that we should communicate our faith, but that we will. In fact we DO communicate our faith; whatever that faith may be. The implication here is the communication of our faith in Christ, or THE FAITH. If we have THE FAITH it will be communicated, "Ye shall know them by their fruits" Matt. 7:16, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples..." John 13:35. Whether or not I am effective in my communication is measured by God's standard. If I am effective by His standard, I will receive rewards in Heaven. If not, my works will be burned up; regardless of how effective I thought I was. What are the indications of my effectiveness? Are people being saved, baptized, and added to the church? If not, how can I fix that?

By acknowledging every good thing that is in me. Yet there is nothing good in me, that is, in my flesh (Rom. 7). It is only the good things that are in me in Christ Jesus that I must acknowledge. What things? Aside from individual spiritual gifts are what now abides: faith, hope, charity; these three.

Faith: do I believe what God says? Are His promises real to me? When circumstances around me are pressing from all sides, does faith kick in and keep me positive? Do I believe that no matter what, God will work all things together for my good?

Hope: Where is my hope? In the things of the world? What am I hoping for? If a closer relationship with my God and my Savior Jesus Christ then it will be evident.

Charity: Do I love God? Do I love others? Is the capacity God gave me to love wasted on an inward focus?

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Care for the Sheep

Ez. 34: 2-6

This passage is obviously not about sheep. Its here because God cares for His people. He has given to His people overseers: some apostles; and some prophets; and some evangelists; and some pastors and teachers, for the purpose of feeding, caring for, and protection of the flock of God. We can see that here and in Eph. 4:11-15. Two things to note here:

1. God cares for His own. I am one of His own and that means He personally cares for me. I have the assurance that He watches me and all things, events, and people around me. He has appointed men to act in His stead as a caretaker, but will intervene to ensure that His people are well taken care of.
2. As being one whom God has appointed over some of His flock, I have the great blessing of acting in His stead. I also have a great responsibility. It is generally easy to care for those who are walking properly in the way. My failures come when one goes astray. For a while I seek him, but I lack the diligence that I know God has. What about those who go astray and seem to do it with malice? I must seek them as well. The hard part is the rejection, but I must keep in mind that they are not rejecting me, but God; and that in the end, God will not be denied.
   

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