The Sword of the LORD

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. ” (1 Corinthians 10:13).    For Christians, temptation is an unpleasant, humbling, and stressful experience.   When we are tempted, we tend to think of ourselves as weak and inferior to other believers who surely don’t struggle with such things to the degree that we do.   Afterwards, we may feel guilty or unclean even if we have not followed the temptation and actually committed a sin.   It’s not unusual, either, for believers to be attacked in their dreams by images of themselves doing things that they would abhor in their waking hours.   They wake up feeling like they have sinned against the Lord, and they weep and repent for what they feel they have done.     Every temptation that we experience is just ...

"Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.  Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." (Psalm 29:1, 2).   What is it about worshiping the Lord in holiness that is so beautiful, anyway?   I have been preparing for a yard sale.   As I've been going through my attic, basement, and garage, I've found that things end up in one of three categories.   One pile is to discard - stuff I no longer need or want, and probably no one else will either.   Another pile is to put in the sale, try to get some money out of it, and end up taking most of it to Goodwill.   The third pile, however, is to keep - stuff that I set apart because I intend to use it.   The best definition of holiness that I have ever heard is "set apart."   God has separated us from the world because He intends to use us.   We are HIS people, and the sheep of His pasture.   Not only has ...

"But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine.  When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.  For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour : I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.  Since thou wast precious in My sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.  Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring My sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; Even every one that is called by My name: for I have created him for My glory, I...