Every Day Faith - September 2020: The Sword of the Spirit
Their accounts of studying and committing the passages to memory—virtually devouring each chapter—rightfully challenges those who have unlimited access, yet leave the Word of God on untouched shelves. Do we believe it’s entirely unlikely that there might ever be a time in our own lives when access to Holy Scripture might be limited, or even forbidden?
Years ago, many local church congregations and district Christian Education events had a regular practice called the Sword Drill, a valuable exercise still done in some assemblies. It involved being able to quickly locate and read a scripture verse when a Bible reference was given. The quickest response won. The purpose was to train young disciples in knowing their way around God’s Word and becoming familiar with it. In so doing, they not only would then know where to find specific verses, but would be able to instantly give a scriptural answer for their faith, in or out of season.
Older Christians have attested that later in life, God’s Spirit prompted an idea or a promise from within the vaults of memory—some of which rose subconsciously as a complete surprise in time of need—bringing welcome comfort or God-inspired direction. Bible Drill and the memorization of God’s Word was a beneficial habit for previous generations, and still is today, as those of all ages are being assailed assailed by an onslaught of uncertainty, ungodliness and hopelessness.
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Father, Your Word is our food. It is the means for our daily spiritual sustenance. It’s been given by inspiration and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness.
Jesus taught us that we cannot live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. We need to be fed daily and we need to maintain our spiritual self by partaking regularly.
Help us to pay attention to Your Word and to ruminate on its richness and meaning. Lead us to find the deep truths that will strengthen and enable us to serve You with vigour and purity, while encouraging and guiding others to find instruction for godly living in Your Word.
So many in this world are unaware of this life-giving, life-changing truth and languish in lives of uncertainty and misdirection. Please give us daily a hunger and an appetite for Your Word, and help us to know it so well that we can use it to speak life to those we encounter every day.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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Hebrews 4:12—“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Psalm 1:1-2—“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”
Ephesians 6:11, 13-17— “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil...
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”
Psalm 119:105—“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
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FIVE WAYS WE CAN BE PRAYING IN THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER
- For families with children returning to school, and for those working in our education system in Canada. Pray for wisdom, godly direction, and protection as some return to classes and others are schooled in home settings.
- For our local churches and leaders as they make key decisions around gathering and fall ministry opportunities, both for in-person and online environments.
- That we would seek out those whom we can share Jesus with and disciple in Christian faith, even if it means meeting in ways we have not been used to previously. Pray for our workers on post-secondary campuses who are engaging college and university students this fall in non-conventional ways as they open God’s Word to them and study it together in online settings.
- That we would continue to prayerfully and financially support God’s work as it continues to go forward in these days, both with our local churches and with mission workers nationally and globally.
- For a refreshing wave of the Spirit, in these challenging times, that would reveal Jesus to our world.
To hear more on what this fall is looking like as we endeavour to reach the next generation with the life-changing power of God’s Word, visit https://paoc.org/multiplynetwork. Also, visit https://makingthebiblecomealive.com for a PAOC resource to use every day to instill godly life lessons from Bible characters in children in your home setting.
To sign up for weekly, general PAOC prayer updates, click here.
Photos by Priscilla du-Preez on Unsplash.