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August 15, 2023
Don’t Forget to Go to Sword Practice
And take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:17)
Beloved one don’t forget to go to sword practice. Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, (Ephesians 6:17) read and meditate on it and hide the Word in your heart. (Psalms 119:11) Have you ever been in a situation where you knew you needed a Word from the Lord? Have you ever grabbed your Bible and thumb through the pages searching for the scripture that leaps off the pages at you? Usually, when I do that, I don’t find the word that gives me the instructions for the circumstances at that moment, so I pray. I pray and wait on the Lord. It’s amazing, this week God has highlighted two scriptures, two days apart that have really spoken to my spirit.
There are 31 chapters in the Book of Proverbs, one for every day of the month. I usually find the answer to what I need in the Proverbs of the day, and in addition, I gain wisdom and understanding as I am reading it. The Holy Spirit will drop a Word in your heart for your situation, it will be a ‘Rhema Word’ it will quicken your spirit. A Rhema Word has incredible power that will send the enemy packing from attacking you! The Roman soldiers went to sword practice, every morning, and every afternoon to hone this skill.
The swords they used in practice were two times heavier than the ones they used in battle. The purpose of each soldier’s practice was to take advantage of his enemy, hitting at his weakest point, and disabling him. They were taught to thrust their swords, not to cut, aiming for their head, face, thighs, or legs. A thrust or stab with a sword penetrates two inches, and it’s generally fatal. It’s from this background Paul said, ‘Take the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God – the written Word.’ (Ephesians 6:17) The Rhema Word of God – if he had used the word logos in this scripture it would be implying a ‘sweeping stroke.’ It would not be sufficient to deal the enemy a fatal blow. We need to stab the enemy, and put a stop to his attacks! This requires a ‘rhema word,’ a specific, quickened word from the Word of God in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
With a Rhema word from God placed in our hearts and hands, we have real sword power to use against the enemy! One very small rhema word from the Lord has the power to take out the enemy in our circumstances! Stop him in his tracks! In (Luke 4:3-13) Satan is the aggressor attacking Jesus on repeated occasions, but Jesus doesn’t just say, ‘Satan get out of here! Instead, Jesus stabs the devil repeatedly with direct blows! Jesus had a specific, quickened rhema from the Holy Spirit!
After the devil tempted Jesus with food, Jesus drew the sword that the Holy Spirit put in His hand (a rhema) and said, “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” (Luke 4:4) The devil had no response.
After offering Jesus all the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worship, Satan was wounded deeply by one rhema from the Master’s mouth. Jesus told him, “It is written, you shall worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shall you serve” (Luke 4:8). Satan had no response. Why? The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints, and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
Then Satan tried to tempt Jesus to prove His deity. But Jesus answered His adversary with a sword, saying, “It is written, you shall not tempt the Lord thy God” (Luke 4:12). With one final stab, Jesus penetrated Satan’s armor and delivered an almost fatal wound — and at that point, Satan fled from the scene! Like the Lord Jesus, you are equipped with all the armor of God, and this includes the sword of the Spirit. If you have this spiritual equipment, no battle is a real threat to you! Today if you will open your heart and listen, the Holy Spirit will place in your heart and hands the exact rhema you need to put the devil on the run!
Pray with me:
Lord, thank You for giving me the sword of the Spirit as part of my spiritual weaponry. When the devil attempts to attack me, please help me be sensitive to hear the exact Rhema word that the Holy Spirit desires to drop into my heart, so I can deal the enemy a fatal blow. Starting right now, I open my heart, soul, and mind to listen so I can hear any scripture or word the Holy Spirit desires to give me to use against the works of the devil in my life.
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