Satan’s Sword
Art: Hell Sword by FirebatFX
Satan is a counterfeiter.
I see now that he also has a sword with two edges meant to both draw and drive: the lie. (John 8:44, Hebrews 4:12)
The lie draws, appealing to the desire of the deceived, drawing them away from the Light, causing them to miss God. (John 3:19, 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, James 1:14-15)
The lie drives, infuriating its opponents, driving them in anger to focus on the lie, causing them to miss God. (James 1:19-20)
Sin is missing the mark -God. The two edges of Satan’s sword, whether on offense or defense, are designed to cut off its victim from God -killing it. (Genesis 2:17, 3:4, Luke 9:59-60, Romans 6:23)
What a hellishly devious and dangerous device! (2 Corinthians 2:11, 10:4)
It is possible to so rail against the darkness, to focus so intensely on what’s wrong with something, that I give no attention to the Light; to what’s true, just, pure, lovely, praiseworthy and of good report. (Philippians 4:8)
It’s like walking into a dark room, complaining about the perils of walking in the dark but never turning on the light.
The result being that those that were in darkness are still in darkness, now plus me.
I repent!
The way we parry this devilish device is by not being moved by it! It is designed to get me to break rank, to peel me away from the battalion and away from the Commander In Chief, who the enemy knows he has no hope of defeating, while by myself I have no hope of defeating the enemy! (Ephesians 6:10-18)
Therefore, I must not focus on the lie but I must focus on the Light. Proclaim Truth. When the enemy comes against it, proclaim more Truth as our Lord demonstrated in the wilderness of temptation (Matthew 4:1-11). Light by its very nature will drive back darkness. (John 1:5, 8:12)
I must not focus on the lie but on the Truth and stand firm in the Light! (Philippians 4:8, Ephesians 6:13-14)
To do that I must have my feet shod in the preparation of the “Gospel of peace”. (Ephesians 6:15)
I must eat, drink and breathe every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4), as revealed by the Holy Spirit in Scripture (1 John 4:1, 1 Corinthians 14:32) and expressed in the person of Jesus Christ (John 1:14, Hebrews 1:1-4).
And, then I must stand! Stand in the Light so that the Light shines through me. Then and only then can I be a vessel for those who sitt in darkness to see a great Light. (Isaiah 9:2, Matthew 4:12-17, 2 Corinthians 4:1-6)
The solution is to ALWAYS stand in the Light! (John 12:35-36, Philippians 4:8, 1 John 1:5-7)
Originally posted by Paul Luckett to Facebook here.
Connect and share with me:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/brainflurry
Twitter – https://twitter.com/brainflurry
I Am The Word Of God
Art: “God’s Fingerprint”
KJV Illuminated Fingerprint – Gold on Black (Limited Edition)
You are the things you accept as true.
When God allows you to see Jesus and you believe Him, you receive the Seed and are born again.
Jesus is the Seed and Jesus is the Word of God.
If I am born of the Seed, I am the Word of God.
Unsettling? Good. Maybe there is a heavenly confrontation with our earthly conventions. May the Kingdom of God prevail.
Heretical? Only if it’s not true –only if the fruit of the Word are not being produced in my life (Matthew 12:33). May we all desire to walk worthy of such a humanly impossible standard and live as boldly as our Lord.
I am the Word of God.
There are seminal verses such as Romans 5:8 that gave rise to my rebirth and are at the heart of who I am and my outlook on the world.
When you are born again you become a new person whose genetic code is the Word of God.
We mature by eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking His blood –that is receiving by faith the Word of God which is Jesus Christ.
You are what you eat. To be like Christ, we must consume the Word of God.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand it initially.
Read the Word.
Pray about it.
Everyday.
Ask, seek, knock and the Holy Spirit will grant you understanding.
The world is suffering because of weak and feeble, malnourished Christians.
Take. Eat. We must consume the Word of God.
A verse a day is a start but you’re not going to build any muscle that way.
A devotional can be better than nothing (depending on the devotional) but it would be best to start purely with Scripture (no filter).
Jesus said to come to Him and drink. (John 7:37)
I’d strongly recommend a Bible-only reading plan like the Discipleship Journal (aka the Navigators Reading Plan) found here:
http://bit.ly/discipleshipjournal
If you’d like a study buddy, I’d be happy to start the reading plan with you. Let’s get it!
“as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby”
1 Peter 2:2
Originally posted by Paul Luckett to Facebook here.
Connect and share with me:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/brainflurry
Twitter – https://twitter.com/brainflurry
Only Animals
We are basically primates competing for food, territory and resources to reproduce.
Our sophistication is only an illusion. Without any higher view, we are no more than base animals.
As base animals, all that we do, such as organize into groups, and all that we create, such as systems of government, are in service to the aforementioned.
So, if your group didn’t create the system you find yourself confronted with, you’re in the group being competed against.
There are ultimately only two logical outcomes: recognize how our interests are better served by becoming a larger group or seek to eliminate the other group.
I am concerned that our thinking has devolved too low to achieve the former, ironic given that we are in an age where information has never been more accessible but we lack knowledge, and I wonder if we are too far removed from the reality and horrors of war to avoid the latter.
If only there were leaders that could lead us to avert disaster and guide us to avoid the path of destruction.
If only there was a Person with a higher view who provided us an Example and taught His children to govern with knowledge, wisdom and equity so that the whole world; not only all peoples but all of creation was cared for and well.
If only God were real and there were such a thing as sons of God.
“For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.”
Romans 8:19-21
We have fallen well short of our calling.
Repent. With me.
Originally posted by Paul Luckett to Facebook here.
Connect and share with me:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/brainflurry
Twitter – https://twitter.com/brainflurry
Live Like Jesus Is King
We’re very religious.
But, things in our world would look drastically different if Jesus were actually on the throne of our lives. “He does all things well.” -Mark 7:37
Does my thoughts look like they’re under His control?
Does my conversation reflect His perfect counsel and life giving power?
Does the order of my affairs look like He put them in order?
Does where I take residence reflect that a righteous, just, loving King resides there through me?
Do I allow His power to flow through me to make my home, workplace and community look like the Kingdom of God is coming?
Hypocrites!
We tote our bibles, go to church, do empty deeds and speak great swelling, superfluous words while people languish in the shadow of the great buildings and giant crosses we’ve erected to ourselves.
We come to religion looking for the good life, to justify ourselves, to take our ease and kick our feet up, often on the very backs of those we’re supposed to be serving.
This is not The Way.
Repent! Come from among these unbelieving apostates because their destruction is coming. (Matthew 24:45-51)
Seek the Kingdom of God beginning with it’s King.
See Jesus. Be transformed by who He is. Then, be Him in the world.
And, do not cease to make war until His Kingdom has come to every inch of our lives.
“Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. ” -1 John 4:17
#notwhatwho
Originally posted by Paul Luckett to Facebook here.
Connect and share with me:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/brainflurry
Twitter – https://twitter.com/brainflurry
Not What, Who
The are many paths.
Only Christ leads to God.
I do not say this to assert the superiority of a religion, namely Christianity. Most who identify as Christians don’t have a clue about who Christ is. -Matthew 7:14, 21-23
The only ones who see Christ are those to whom God chooses to reveal Him. -Matthew 16:17
We can not see Him on our own. That’s humbling and it’s meant to be.
Because, “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” -James 4:6
Our chief problem is we’ve been deceived to believe that we don’t need God. The enemy has blinded us through seeming material sufficiency, fake cultural harmony and outward civility while inwardly hating one another. We have a façade of peace and prosperity while our families are being ravished with war and destruction at every hand.
We appear well but are dying on the inside –whitewashed tombs.
However, if like me, you have been granted to see your brokenness, you know you are destitute and your spirit yearns for something you don’t know what to ask for (Matthew 5) and you are drawn to Jesus –not His followers, not institutions in His name, but you are drawn to the person of Jesus revealed through Holy Scripture by His Holy Spirit, you are being saved!
Therefore, cry out as the blind who desperately wants to receive sight. -Matthew 20:31
Search for Him as those who know they are dying and want to live! -Mark 5:25
Come to Christ believing He alone is the Way to God where every good and perfect thing is. -John 6:68
Revival is in three words: not what, Who.
It’s not about all the things we could or should do to improve our lives.
It’s about knowing Who life is. -John 14:6
Believe Christ and live.
#notwhatwho
The Meaning Of Life
The meaning of life is life: to gain it, to grow it, to give it future generations. -John 1:1-4, Malachi 2:15
What gives life? Love. -1 John 4:7-11
Who is Love? God, the Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, revealed By The Holy Spirit. -John 10:10, John 6:68-69
We are created to be caretakers, not consumers who destroy and devours. -Genesis 2:15, Matthew 20:26-28
Creation should rejoice under our dominion, not groan. -Isaiah 11:1-9, Romans 8:19-21
It is more blessed (nearer to, more like God) to give than to receive. -Acts 20:35
The children of darkness think in terms of what they can get. Everything is a means of gain to them, even faith.
Beware.
Children of Light think in terms of what they can give.
Our orientation is an indication of whether we have any life in Christ at all. -Philippians 2:3-13
If I’m more concerned about what I’m going to buy rather than what I’m going to bestow, I may be one of the walking dead, infecting everything I touch. -1 Timothy 6:3-10
The good news is that there is life in Christ. If you believe Him, He will give you a new heart, His heart to be a caretaker rather than a consuming devourer, His heart to rule well rather than destroy. -John 1:9-13, John 6:47, Ezekiel 36:26-27
Believe Christ and be saved from the slavery of Death. -John 8:34-36, Romans 8:2
Choose life. -Deuteronomy 30:19
I Am Still Here
“You’re trusting God but still having problems.”
That’s not the point.
The point is,
after the enemy’s onslaught,
after a hail of fiery darts,
by the power of God
and the protection of His armor,
I AM STILL HERE!
And, what does “I am still here” even mean?
It means I am still His.
I am still an asset on the battlefield.
I am still an available vessel of His Love, Light and Life to advance the kingdom of God in the lives of those around me.
I am still here means that God can still use me!
Unsatisfied With Daily Bread
It’s been hard recently.
All summer, God has been feeding me with bread and meat brought by filthy ravens.
I hated it.
I wanted the king’s delicacies served at a grand banquet table.
I thought I deserved more than daily bread.
He used my difficulty to show me what was in my heart: that He was not enough.
Oh dear God, I’m sorry!
Lord, I repent. Give me a heart that is satisfied with You, alone.
Make War
Sometimes, I appreciate the female form more than I should. I objectify them.
People will say, “It is only natural to notice a beautiful woman.”
And, in fact, it is –only natural.
But, I am not called to be natural but spiritual.
Sin is any way of thinking besides God’s. And my behavior is not the mind of Christ.
I repent.
The Word that the Holy Spirit burns on my heart is Matthew 5:28 where Jesus says, “whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
It has been often taught from this verse that a wayward glance leads to adultery, but what most overlook is that this is but one of several sins Jesus used to illustrate His main point: all sin share the same root. To be guilty of one is to be guilty of them all because one sin contains the DNA for all of them and they all flow from an unregenerate heart –including murder. (Matthew 5:19, James 2:10)
Murder.
One of my greatest fears is for my sin to kill what is dear to me:
for my wife to catch my glance and it kill the certainty of love for her,
or for my boys to see me inappropriately look at a woman and it kill the security they have in the Father’s house, afraid that I could betray and abandon their mother, destroying our family,
or for a sister to see my wayward glance and it kill her hope in the sanctity and ministry of marriage, thinking “all men are the same,”
or anyone observing my behavior, it kills my testimony, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
So, “I discipline my body and bring it into subjection…” (1 Corinthians 9:27)
And, I fight for my loved ones… with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:17)
First, I must be born again (Matthew John 3:3). God must give me a new heart. Then, I have to be sensitive to the conviction and urging of the Holy Spirit. He will guide me by His Word. All of this is facilitated by receiving the Word and giving myself to it. And, by the Word, the Spirit will help me to fight.
The Spirit, by the Word, will help me tear down the lies of the enemy (2 Corinthians 10:4) and overcome the flesh (worldly thinking). It will transform me, renewing my mind, imparting to me the mind of Christ. (Romans 12:2)
The Spirit will reveal the mind of Christ for whatever I’m facing with the Word.
So then, what is the mind of Christ as it relates to women? How should I see them?
“Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’ And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.” John 19:27 – As a mother, someone that I honor and secure.
“Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise” Mark 5:41 – As a daughter, someone that I lift up.
“And as [the women] went to tell His disciples, behold Jesus met them, saying, ‘Rejoice’… ‘Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.'” Matthew 28:9-10 – As a sister, someone that I encourage and respect as heirs together and fellow ministers of the grace of Life.
“You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection [women] neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven.” Matthew 22:29-30 – As a wife, someone that is not to be treated as property -something to be picked up or put away based on my whims, but someone who is to be venerated as an awesome, holy vessel of God. (What angel was ever encountered in scripture without fear and awe?!)
Therefore, the mind of Christ is, if a woman is not my wife, she is either to be regarded as a sister, daughter or mother –all positions of honor. Then, I bring my body into subjection to use His view. This is how I fight. And, I fight everyday.
Being Christian does not mean that I do not struggle with sin.
It means I struggle with sin, with the Strength to overcome.
The natural man embraces sin.
But, we are called to be spiritual, to have the mind of Christ.
Therefore, make war.
#spiritualwarfare
Originally posted to Facebook here.
Connect and share with me:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/brainflurry
Twitter – https://twitter.com/brainflurry
Judge Not That You Be Not Judged
It is so like God to give the very thing you need to someone you think you don't need.
It will either force you to abandon your way of thinking to receive what He has for you
Or, you condemn yourself by your own prejudice.
— Paul Luckett (@brainflurry) August 5, 2022
This is precisely what happened when God sent Jesus. They missed Him because He didn’t come in a package they approved of.
Jesus warned it will happen again, that we will fail to grasp Him, our light and life, when we overlook “the least of these” where He may be found. Matthew 25:45
Throw people away, whether because of their status, behavior, appearance, past, politics or even because they wronged you, at your own peril.
“Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’
Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’
And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” – Matthew 25:31-46
Beware prejudice!
Consider again Luke 6:37-38 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Originally posted to Twitter here.
Connect and share with me:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/brainflurry
Twitter – https://twitter.com/brainflurry