Darts and arrows

Darts vs Arrows 

Matthew 24:⁴ And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. ⁵ For many shall come in MY name, saying, I am CHRIST; and shall deceive many. ⁶ And you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that you be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. ⁷ For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. ⁸ All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Confidence in GOD’s word is more important now than ever before as the world hurls itself into complete chaos. Just as the Word of GOD tells us we are in the last days (Hebrews 1:1-2) and in 2 timothy 3 declared it to be a time of great deception where evil men will get worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Every word or action that isn’t good is prompted by believing a lie from the evil one.

The Bible calls those accusing lies the fiery darts of the devil (Ephesians 6:16). Those thoughts are the world’s way of thinking for ever since Adam and Eve listened to the devil in the garden and believing him ate the forbidden fruit, mankind has a fallen nature that listens to devil (Ephesians 2:2, 1 John 5:19, I John 2:15-16).

The amazing thing is that GOD declares that anyone who honestly wants to KNOW and DO things GOD’s way will be given that which he needs in order to do so (John 7:17),

We can easily recognize the enemy’s thoughts for they are ME-CENTERED thoughts-

How does this affect me?

How can I control this situation?

What do I think needs to be done here?

These thoughts do not trust GOD.  They ignore GOD and HIS wisdom and thereby lean on their own understanding. When focused on them people are wise in their own eyes (Proverbs 3:5-7).

But GOD is faithful to those who choose to trust in the LORD and acknowledge HIM in ALL things. When we acknowledge or consult with GOD, we are GOD-CENTERED. To those who look to HIM, HE sends arrows of light (Psalm 18:6, 14) HIS insight and direction (Proverbs 3:5-6).

GOD sends us arrows by placing HIS desires in our hearts and minds (Philippians 2:13).  Then when we submit to GOD by picking up an arrow- the WORD of GOD/ the Truth, it becomes both the shield of faith to protect us from the fiery darts of lies of the devil (Ephesians 6:16) and also the Sword of the SPIRIT (Ephesians 6:17) which when spoken aloud, makes the enemy flee (James 4:7).

Are you tempted to do or say something you know would not please our LORD? Then take that thought to JESUS (2 Corinthians 10:5).  Since the LORD JESUS has been tempted in every way just as we are (Hebrews 4:15), HE’s been right where we are and knows exactly what we need.  If we go to HIM, HE will send us an arrow of light to combat and extinguish that fiery dart/lies of deception of the devil (Hebrews 4:16).

Looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2)

Hugs

Sharon

A great delight

My Grandson Sebastian connected my cochlear implant with an app on my phone and now one of the delights of my cochlear implant is how I can listen to videos.  Before to hear any teaching or music I would have to blast everyone else away and that was not acceptable.  But now I can connect with an app and understand what is said and no one else hears a sound.  It’s totally amazing!

Ever overhear something that triggers memory after memory?  That happened to me a few days ago when in my presence someone slipped and said something I knew nothing about.  The memories that flooded my mind were not good memories, they were painful ones of being left out and rejected.  They were all things I had thought I had forgiven many, many years ago.  

The memories bombarded me almost like a barrage of arrows and although there was irritation, there was no anger.  I figured the enemy was just trying to stir me up.  I said, “LORD, I forgive” and I let go of the irritation and continued with my day.  Throughout the day isolated memories came and I would have to let go of them and get back to work. That was that, until.

Until I was alone, driving to a night class I teach.  I turned on the beginning of the teaching video of Amir and listened and sang with that amazing chorus… “YOU are worthy of it all, YOU are worthy of it all for from YOU are all things and to YOU are all things, YOU deserve the glory!

It was if GOD was laughing and said, “Sharon listen up.  All the details of those memories were FROM ME.  When you were left out or mocked that is how YOU got to know ME.  It was those times you turned to ME and is the reason you can now hear ME.”

I was filled with such indescribable joy at the LORD’s love and amazing ways.

“you thought evil against me, but GOD meant it for good to bring about what is today” Genesis 50:20.

Selah/ pause, ponder that truth when hard things hit GOD is on your side working it for good for you if you love HIM. (Romans 8:28)

Hugs

Sharon
Thou art worthy, O LORD, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things Revelation 4:11