Draw Swords

Posted on June 16, 2021 by Arrow

At church camp many years ago, we played a game called Draw Swords. As a Scripture verse was given, kids frantically flipped Bible pages. The first to find the text would stand and read it.

God’s Word, AKA our sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17), is our greatest offensive weapon against sin. Matthew and Luke describe Jesus being tempted in the wilderness and how He faced each challenge. Jesus quoted Scripture to Satan. He didn’t call a timeout to go to the temple and search for a verse on a sacred scroll and He didn’t have a cell phone with a Bible app. Jesus had committed to memory the very words of God.

We should do likewise. Temptation and sin will be easier and quicker to defeat if we have a verse ready in our heart and on our tongue. While working on a verse, our mind meditates and mulls over the words, transforming our thought patterns and eventually changing our actions.

God’s Word is powerful. Its truth gives us courage and strength to fight against evil, but we can’t have victory in a battle against temptation and sin without our weapon, our sword of the Spirit.

If you’ve never memorized Scripture, why not begin today? Ask God to guide you to a verse that speaks to your circumstances. If you have, perhaps it’s time to add another to your arsenal. Today I’m adding, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11).

May we ready our sword.

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Rest and Recovery

Posted on June 9, 2021 by Arrow

Tired? Feeling weighed down with life’s burdens?

Jesus offers us these encouraging words. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

Let’s break down these few verses to find hope and help.

  • First, Jesus promises us rest. Do we take a day each week to rest and get refueled? God clearly gave us the example and command to rest, creating a day faithfully set aside for Him, but which is greatly for our benefit. (Exodus 20:8-11)
  • Second, let’s make sure we are carrying the load that is ours and doing the work or assignment God has specifically given us. (1 Corinthians 3:5)
  • Third, are we making time regularly to learn from Jesus? Through worship, Bible reading, and prayer, we can bring our burdens to Him and receive wisdom, guidance, and instruction. (John 14:26)
  • Fourth, can we break it down? The burden probably doesn’t need to be picked up all at once. Instead, focus on what needs dealt with today. (Matthew 6:34)
  • Finally, as a member of the church, the body of Christ, we can look to fellow believers. Burdens are always lighter when shared. Become active in a group that prays for, helps, and encourages one another. (Galatians 6:2; James 5:16; 1 Corinthians 12:25; 1 Thessalonians 5:11)

The Message Bible translates Jesus’s words this way:  “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matthew 11:28-30).

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Overwhelmed No More

Posted on June 2, 2021 by Arrow

After writing last week’s blog, an amazing thing happened. I should not have been surprised, after all, I had just written about how sometimes God fights our battles when we are feeling overwhelmed. But when you experience it personally and immediately, it gets your attention.

I wasn’t facing a vast army like last week’s Jehoshaphat. I was facing a major ‘box’ store who was refusing to accept or apply my discount card for a new pair of glasses. The week before, when I ordered the glasses, I simply accepted the gal’s statement that in the six years she’d been employed there, they had never given a discount. Battle over, right? Surrender.

Before I picked up my glasses, I decided to do a little research. I called the number, you know, the microscopic one on the back of those cards. Suddenly, someone else took up my case. This woman, who spoke with authority, would call the vision center at the ‘box’ store immediately, and contact their headquarters if needed.

A few minutes later, the vision center gal called to inform me that they had a gift card for me since they owed me my discount. Wow! Did God fight that battle or what? I just stood there, like, what happened? I showed up to take a stand, barely, and God did the rest.

God was not only active in the Old Testament and New Testament times. He is active in our lives today! Watch and see!

Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” And so is God, the great I AM!

Praising and thanking the Lord for His interceding for us! I would love to hear your stories.

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Overwhelmed?

Posted on May 26, 2021 by Arrow

Can you say Jehoshaphat? Nice. Now, who was he and what did he do?

Jehoshaphat was one of the kings of Judah who, in his troubles, cried out for God’s help. Smart man. When he learned that armies from three nations were coming to wage war, he decided to inquire of the LORD. As he prayed with the people of Judah, he admitted, “For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you” (2 Chron. 20:12).

I’m sure we can relate to Jehoshaphat here. Received bad news? Felt overwhelmed and powerless? Like our only hope is in the Lord?

God’s answer for Jehoshaphat was this: “Do not be afraid or discouraged…For the battle is not yours, but God’s….You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you…Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you” (2 Chron. 20:15-17).

Notice, Jehoshaphat had to still go and stand, but the Lord ambushed the enemy.

God is our Deliverer. He is with us and will answer us when we seek Him. He is on our side and gives us courage and power to stand for good and do His work. May we put our faith in God. Then we, just like the people of Judah, will have good reason to bow down to worship and praise the LORD.

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What Are We Full Of?

Posted on May 19, 2021 by Arrow

Recently, we went fishing, taking a duffel full of warm clothes, a backpack full of food, and a tackle box full of bait, hooks, weights, and swivels. We hoped to return with a stringer full of fish.

Besides being full after a meal (of fish tacos), what should Christians be full of? Romans 12:12 says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” That verse begins on such a positive note. Hope brings joy to our heart. Let your imagination soar. What do you hope for? Other translations encourage us to be “cheerfully expectant” (The Message) and “rejoicing in hope” (NKJV).

The second part of that verse is more difficult, “patient in affliction.” It is not a question of if we will face affliction or hard times, but when. During those periods, we are called to be patient, waiting and walking with God

The last phrase reminds us to be “faithful in prayer.” We don’t stop praying on difficult days or during seasons of struggles. We continue, probably with greater fervency and steadfastness, confident that God hears us and that our prayers make a difference.

As we attempt to comprehend this verse, we find that being “patient in affliction” should be accompanied by a heart that is full of hope and a mind that is full of prayer.

Be full my friends!

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Conquer Complaining

Posted on May 12, 2021 by Arrow

As I consider the children’s story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, I hear a little girl complaining. Too hot, too cold, too big, too little, too hard, too soft. Instead of being grateful for the bowls of porridge, chairs, and beds, she complained about most of them.

Children are not the only ones guilty of complaining. After the Israelites left Egypt, headed for the Promised Land, they were constantly complaining. Not enough water, the water was bitter, not enough food, the manna was boring, and Moses was gone too long. One group of about 250 wanted a different job. Scripture tells how they “became insolent and rose up against Moses.” The consequences for their rebellion included being swallowed alive by the earth and being consumed by fire. When the whole community began complaining to Moses about those deaths, God sent a deadly plague (Numbers 16). Just saying … we don’t want to go there!

Perhaps the answer to complaining is gratitude and getting our focus off ourselves. Paul presents this challenge, “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life” (Philippians 2:14-16).

Since complaining is so contagious, let’s try something else. Let’s strive to make our words ‘just right’, speaking gratefulness and spreading words of life.

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Who Will You Call?

Posted on May 5, 2021 by Arrow

Feeling overwhelmed, stressed, unsure what to do next? Even Jesus, in His human form, sought the Father. In Him, Jesus found strength and guidance. If Jesus, the Son of God, called on the Father God, how much more should we?

“Call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you” (Jeremiah 29:12).
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3).
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).
“Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name” (Psalm 105:1a).
“I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the LORD” (Psalm 116:17).
“The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” (Psalm 145:18).
“They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God” (Zechariah 13:9b).

May we set aside our phone, friends, and Google and first call upon the Name of the Lord.

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Take a Stand

Posted on April 28, 2021 by Arrow

One of my favorite stories and books in the Bible is Esther. As a Jew and as the queen of Persia, Esther found herself in an awkward position when the king agreed to a bad law that would annihilate all Jews in his kingdom.

Many around the world today are likewise proposing and passing harmful laws, laws that breakdown families and attack freedoms. So, what are believers to do?

Let’s see Esther’s example. First, she learned of the fateful law from a dependable source. Then, she used her connections to gain support. After fasting and praying, she took a stand before the king to plead for her people. (Read ‘the end of the story’ in Esther 8-9.)

Like Esther, we first need to find trustworthy resources that keep us abreast of laws being proposed locally and at the state level. Then, we need to educate others. We need to pray about how God wants us to be involved, perhaps fast and pray for our representatives and government officials, give financial support to those who are fighting for justice, encourage others to vote, or work on someone’s campaign.

Obviously, there are numerous ways to be involved and many great organizations doing good work. Here are a few you may want to check out:

  • Alliance Defending Freedom ~ defends life, liberty, and family in America and around the world.
  • American Center for Law and Justice ~ focuses on constitutional and human rights law worldwide.
  • Center for Arizona Policy ~ promotes and defends the foundational values of life, marriage and family, and religious freedom.
  • California Family Council ~ advances God’s design for life, family, and liberty.

Like the apostle Paul, I encourage you to “Fight the good fight” (1 Timothy 6:12). “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

May you be blessed as you take a stand for righteousness!

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You Are Loved!

Posted on April 21, 2021 by Arrow

Typically, when the mornings are cool, I wrap myself in a blanket while doing my Bible reading. The other day, as I bundled up and closed my eyes, I imagined it as a symbol of God’s love, warm and welcoming, velvety plush, and richly ornamented with precious gems.

When contrasted with the love of others, there was no comparison. Others’ love, at times, seemed seasonal and conditional, even removed if they were displeased or disappointed with me. I noticed the love wraps some laid on me appeared tattered and thin. If those were stripped away, I was wonderfully surprised and grateful that the love robe of God revealed underneath firmly remained.

You have that same Father, and He has a robe of love wrapped snuggly around you as well, perhaps a different color, or if you prefer, without gems, but it is still there. The truth is, God loves YOU! His love is ever-present, peaceful, and pure, comforting, consoling, and kind. It is not dependent on our attitude or actions, and He will never stop loving us, even if we deny or ignore Him.

If I use the rest of my senses, I imagine God’s love tastes and smells sweet and delicious. It sounds like a never-ending song breathing harmonious whispers of “I love you!”

What does God’s love look like? The Apostle Paul wrote, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Jesus’s disciple, John, described God’s love this way, “For God so loved the world (that’s everyone) that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever (that’s anyone) believes in him shall not perish (experience eternal death) but have eternal life” (John 3:16). 

May you experience and live in His lavish love today!

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What Is in Your Hand?

Posted on April 14, 2021 by Arrow

God had an assignment for Moses, confront Egypt’s pharaoh. Moses’ reactions were priceless and familiar. Who me? What if they ask questions I can’t answer? What if they don’t believe me or listen to me? Then God had a question for Moses, “What is that in your hand?” (Exodus 4:2). Moses’s staff turning into a snake and back into a staff became evidence of God’s power and proof that He would be present with Moses as he faced Pharaoh.

Let’s turn to the New Testament to see what others had in their hand that God wanted to use. Remember the feeding of the 5000 (Matthew 14:15-21)? What was the food source? Because a boy was willing to give up his sack lunch of two fish and five small bread loaves, the Lord met the needs of thousands.

Another time, Jesus told the fishermen who were washing their nets to let them back down in the water. Though exhausted, their obedience yielded a miraculous catch of so many fish that two filled boats began to sink (Luke 5:4-7). That which had been empty was overflowing.

Finally, before Jesus’s crucifixion, a woman brought an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus’s head. She sacrificed her best. What others criticized and viewed as illogical, Jesus honored saying, “Wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her” (Matthew 26:13).

The question finally comes to us. What is in our hand? What do we have that God wants us to surrender or use for His work, His kingdom, or His glory? Whatever it is, once it is given to the Lord, He can do more with it than we could ever imagine!

May you be blessed as you give Him your best!

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