Today’s Devotional – September 15th (Here Are Two Swords!)

By admin On February 3rd, 2021

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Today’s Devotional – September 15th

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Here Are Two Swords!

THE FOLLOWING DEVOTIONAL IS MADE OF A FEW EXCERPTS FROM THE ARTICLE… “Orion the Soldier Pt. 2: “The Weapons of Our Warfare””

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There is a current debate going on right now, regarding whether or not the citizenry of this society should give up their weapons, if the government decides to take them away.

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Even many ministers of the Gospel are reaching back into the Old Testament for biblical justification for the Christian to own and use guns.

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And also, many radio teachers are citing the Constitution as justification.

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**And also, our nation’s forefathers (and how they fought and died to protect the nation), are also being cited by Christians as justification for keeping and bearing arms.**

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Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze, MMA-NYC, 1851 – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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WHAT ABOUT CHRISTIANS?

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Now, of course, an unbeliever can do whatever he or she thinks is best. Since they have no faith in Jesus, then one would only expect them to armor up with carnal weapons.

But what about Christians? Are there certain situations which call for carnal weaponry?

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The fact is, the Bible doesn’t come right out and make a clear and concise statement about this issue. And so, God has left this question up to each Christian to make up his (or her) own mind about what God’s sovereign will happens to be, concerning this question.

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Question Marks – At a loss – svg – Wikimedia Commons – Share-Alike License

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WHAT ARE OUR WEAPONS?

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“For though we walk in the flesh,

we do not war after the flesh:

***(For the weapons of our* *warfare are not carnal,***

but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

Casting down imaginations,

and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God,

and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”

2nd Corinthians 10:3-6

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And so, while there was so much killing in the Old Testament by God’s people, we New Testament Believers have the weapons of faith.

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Paul the Apostle – cropped & brightened photo – Artist – Valentin de Boulogne or Nicolas Tournier – circa 1500s – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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***“HE THAT LIVES BY THE SWORD* *SHALL DIE BY THE SWORD”***

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**But perhaps the most telling statement came when Peter cut off the ear of Malchus. Did Jesus say, “Good going Peter!”? No, Jesus gently restored the ear of Malchus, and rebuked Peter.**

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Just listen… “Then said Jesus unto him,

Put up again thy sword into his place:

for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father,

and He shall presently give Me more than twelve legions of angels?”

Matthew 26:51-53

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This above passage lets us know that Jesus had no intention of fighting.

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**Jesus warned Peter that… “for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” And Peter was being used here, to illustrate someone merely defending his Lord and brethren!**

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Peter Smites Off the Ear of Malchus – www.joyfulheart.com

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TWELVE LEGIONS OF ANGELS

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Now Jesus wasn’t a bit worried about this angry mob. Just listen again to His statement…

“Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father,

and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?”

Matthew 26:53.

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Remember all those Old Testament stories of how one angel slew thousands of soldiers? Or how God confused the enemy, so that they fought and killed each other instead of killing God’s people?

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Has God lost His powers? Is He no longer able to defend us?

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Elisha & Chariots of Fire www.visualbiblealive.com

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“GREAT AND PRECIOUS PROMISES!”

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Just listen again to Paul…

“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life,

nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers,

nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature,

shall be able to separate us from the love of God,

which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:37-39.

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It was the greatest joy for Jesus to lay down His life for us.

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And it should be our greatest joy to lay down our life for Him. And God may call us to become a martyr for Jesus.

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Paul Shipwrecked – Acts 27:41-44 – www.lavistachurchofchrist.org – Public Domain

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ELISHA’S ARMY

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“And his (Elisha’s) servant said unto him,

Alas, my master! how shall we do?…

And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man;

and he saw: and, behold…

the mountain was full of horses

and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”

2nd Kings 6:15-17

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The stories of the Bible are given by God to inspire faith, hope and charity within the hearts of Believers.

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Elisha, having received a double-portion of Elijah’s spirit, was undaunted in the face of danger.

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Elisha & Chariots of Fire www.visualbiblealive.com

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***MILITARY SERVICE:* *“TO KILL OR NOT TO KILL?”***

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Many Christians are questioning whether or not they should join the military.

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In Scripture, there is mentioned a centurion, named Cornelius, who trusted God.

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The same principle holds true with becoming a policeman. Yes, God has ordained that communities and even nations must have law and order.

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For it is written… “For he is the minister of God to thee for good.

But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid;

for he beareth not the sword in vain:

for he is the minister of God,

a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.”

Romans 13:4.

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And so, each Christian must do much praying and Bible study before choosing such careers.

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(But we must beware that with the moral decline and corruption of this nation, Believers might not want to place themselves in any environment in which they might be forced to obey a particular command which conflicts with God’s Law, the Bible)

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Soldier – Air Force Sergeant on guard duty – Public-Domain

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NOT TO JUDGE OTHERS

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But wherever a Christian’s view falls, concerning these matters, nevertheless, his or her religion should be a big enough religion, so as to allow others to have differing viewpoints on these murky issues.

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But one thing is for sure: there are many careers that a Christian would not want to take, for one reason or another.

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public-Domain

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INTO HIS LIKENESS

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But above all else, our great desire and purpose is to become fully Christlike!

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And the greater our knowledge, and the greater our faith, the more clearly will be our understanding about these supposed gray areas concerning many debated issues of the Bible!

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Sign of the Son of Man Constellation – made of the various constellations on this website

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THE READER IS ENCOURAGED TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE…

“Orion the Soldier Pt. 2: “The Weapons of Our Warfare””

ABOVE PICTURE: The armor of God – theheavensdeclare.net -use by permission only

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Keep me from getting dogmatic with others. Let me have my faith before Thee in quietness and meekness. But increase my faith to that of Jesus, who carried out His earthly ministry without weaponry of any type, in the midst of a vast throng who wanted Him dead…

The Christian Martyrs Last Prayer – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

Info & pics of constellations on this site from Wikipedia & International Astronomical Union (click here)

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THE GLITTERING SWORD CONSTELLATION

“In that day the LORD with His sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and He shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.” Isaiah 27:1

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This constellation is made of most of the constellations in this website. The upper portion can be seen in the winter, while the lower blade is visible in the warmer months. (This constellation is actually in a semi-circle, as it appears in the night-sky. These pictures, however, show it as it would appear straightened out.)

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TOMORROW:

“September 16th (Dawn of the Dead! Part 1: Music)”

photo – music headphones – psychic-Ganzfeld – Wikipedia – Public-domain

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

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ALL‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

Signs Of Heaven