Carli • Saved by Grace

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 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: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” ~ Ephesians 6:10-18 KJV

Which King of Moab was assassinated by the left-handed Israelite judge Ehud?

Our Indispensable Weapon Reflect On September 19, 2022, the world watched as several members of England’s royal family marched in Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral. They wore regal military uniforms and carried gold-handled swords at their sides. These swords were beautiful heirlooms, symbols of the monarchy’s authority and power, not meant for actual battle. Unlike those ceremonial swords, God’s word—the sword of the Spirit—is intended for warfare. Every other piece of armor in Ephesians 6 has been defensive and protective, helping God’s people resist evil and stand firm against it. The sword of the Spirit, our only offensive weapon, can defeat every temptation, sin, and evil scheme that opposes God and his kingdom. The enemy wants us to believe that this weapon is optional or reserved for an elite few—ministry leaders, mature believers, or people with seminary degrees. But the truth is, this sword is indispensable for everyChristian. And the Holy Spirit helps us wield it. He enables us to “understand the things freely given us by God” (1 Cor. 2:12). So pray, before you open God’s word, expectantly asking for discernment, understanding, and wisdom. He will supply it! Not only is the sword for every believer, but it’s also for everybattle. God’s word is the ultimate weapon, creating, sustaining, and regenerating his people. His word empowers us, whether we’re fighting our sin or Satan’s schemes. The word isn’t just for Sundays, holidays, or special occasions. We need it every day. Is God’s word merely decorative, sitting closed on your nightstand or bookshelf? Or is it regularly open and ready for action in your hands and heart? Finally, we need every part of God’s word, not just the parts related to our current season of life or our favorite passages that we return to over and over. If I’m only familiar with passages about parenting and marriage, or I only read Paul’s letters and the Psalms, my knowledge of God will be imbalanced, and I’ll miss out on needed correction and encouragement from God’s word. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God.” Did you catch that? All Scripture proceeds from God, and all Scripture is necessary for life and godliness. Are you tempted, as I am, to take the whole counsel of God for granted? One way we can combat this temptation is by reading entire books of the Bible, whether it’s reading or listening to a shorter book in one sitting or doing a deeper study through a longer book. Consider making a list of books of the Bible you’ve never read and start working through them. The Bible isn’t a ceremonial sword, but it is a beautiful heirloom. If you’re in Christ, you are part of God’s royal family, and the sword of the Spirit belongs to you. Every believer needs every part of God’s word for every battle. Friends, take up your indispensable sword and find strength in the power of God’s word today. Respond Read Psalm 119:9–16 (or read the whole psalm). How does the psalmist actively engage God’s word? What are some of the blessings he finds in studying God’s word? What’s one practical way you could seek the Lord in his word this week? Request Lord, thank you for not leaving me unarmed. Give me an urgent sense of need to be in your word daily and a constant delight as I seek you in its pages. Help me see the joyful privilege of being entrusted with the sword of your Spirit, that I might rely on it for every battle. #YouVersion

OVERVIEW: The Good News of Christ reached Afghanistan by the second century, but today there are no church buildings. Cultural and religious opposition to the gospel as well as significant security issues remain great challenges for all missions efforts in this Central Asian nation. And sadly, most Afghans have never heard the gospel, do not know a Christian and have been indoctrinated to follow Muhammad’s teachings without question. Radical Islam and violent tribal political activity make the nation a difficult and dangerous place for Christians to practice their faith. There is, nevertheless, a special unity among Christians laboring for the gospel in Afghanistan. Indigenous, near-culture and expatriate believers are boldly taking risks and using every possible opportunity to help believers grow in faith and connect with local house churches. While church growth has been slow among the more than 40 unique people groups, significant Christian growth has occurred among the Hazara people, and members of other people groups are also coming to know Christ. MAJOR RELIGION: 99.8 percent of Afghans are Muslims, with 90 percent Sunni and 10 percent Shiite. PERSECUTOR: Both local and national governments are highly antagonistic toward Christians. Extremist groups, including the Taliban and the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIS), are active, and believers are also persecuted by their families, friends and communities. Voice of the Martyrs – Praying for Persecuted Christians in Afghanistan

https://youtu.be/i4Mo9pkmd98?si=1bZJGgtKEU4W-MRZ

"It is the sincere and deep conviction of my soul when I declare that if the Christian faith does not culminate and complete itself in the effort to make Christ known to all the world, that faith appears to me a thoroughly unreal and insignificant thing, destitute of power for the single life and incapable of being convincingly proved to be true." ~ Bishop Phillips Brooks, an American Episcopal clergyman and author. (1835-1893)

The Final Chapter in the Tragic Murder of Susan Magara 🔘 Praise God for justice in this case. 🔘 Pray that those responsible for Susan’s death will find salvation in Christ Jesus.

“IT IS I; BE NOT AFRAID.” TOSSED with rough winds, and faint with fear Above the tempest, soft and clear, What still small accents greet mine ear? ‘Tis I; be not afraid. ‘Tis I, who led thy steps aright; ‘Tis I, who gave thy blind eyes sight; ‘Tis I, thy Lord, thy Life, thy Light. ‘Tis I; be not afraid. “These raging winds, this surging sea, Bear not a breath of wrath to thee; That storm has all been spent on me. ‘Tis I; be not afraid. “This bitter cup fear not to drink; I know it well—oh! do not shrink; I tasted it o'er Kedron's brink. ‘Tis I; be not afraid. Mine eyes are watching by thy bed, Mine arms are underneath thy head, My blessing is around thee shed. ‘Tis I; be not afraid. "When on the other side thy feet Shall rest 'mid thousand welcomes sweet, One well-known voice thy heart shall greet. ‘Tis I; be not afraid. "From out the dazzling majesty Gently He'll lay His hand on thee, Whispering: "Beloved, lov'st thou me? 'Twas not in vain I died for thee, ‘Tis I; be not afraid.” ~ Elizabeth Rundle Charles 1828~1896

https://youtu.be/ebo2vaHCxic?si=0PJjnPzPBpXWIueX

That Which Cannot be Taken Away When the soldiers cast lots for Jesus's garments, why did they not do so for his goodness and wisdom and gentleness? Because such things are not detachable, nor transferable. His garment was a thing material, made by hand. It could be taken away and destroyed by hand. The character of Jesus was not a thing. It was spiritual, woven of ideas, choices, emotions, victories. It was vital, not material; it was spiritual, indestructible. Men took everything that Jesus had, his liberty, his legal rights, his physical beauty, his reputation, his life,—but they could not take away what he was. Even on the cross he proved his infinite love in the thought for his mother, in opening the kingdom of heaven to that first believer, in praying for the men who crucified him. Without power or friends or money, or even a garment, the centurion cried out, "Truly this man is the Son of God!" So the real values of life are internal, not external; and what counts with God—and sooner or later with men—is, not what a man has, but what he is. Maltbie D. Babcock 1858~1901 (excerpt from his book titled Thoughts For Every-Day Living)

“For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:” Romans 6:5 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.6.5.KJV

Heavenly Father, how we praise and thank You that even though we were dead in trespasses and sins and at enmity with You, we were called by You and chosen to be a child of God and joint~heirs with Christ. Thank You that we are washed in the blood of the Lamb, by grace through faith in Him, and have been made a new creation in Christ and eternally positioned in Him, to Your praise and glory. Thank You that we have been set apart for His glory, and we pray that in Him, we would put on a heart of compassion and kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, so that Christ is all in all in our life. In Jesus' name, AMEN.

The Elect Of God, Holy & Beloved What wonderful truths are shared about the believers position in Christ and our special relationship to our Heavenly Father. We discover that at rebirth we not only died with Christ, but we are raised up into newness of life in Him. Our new life in Christ, our born again nature, is positioned in Him. Our old sin nature was severed at the Cross, and our new life in Him is hidden with Christ in God, to His praise and glory. One day, we will be glorified in Christ: "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” What beautiful truths are shared about our new life in Christ, where we discover that we are all members of His Body, united together in Him, free from bondage to sin and the curse of the law, each one with his own distinctive gifts and ministries, but each looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. What a privilege to know that we are the elect of God and that our new nature is renewed day by day, according to the image of Him who created us, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but that Christ is all and in all. And we are exhorted as those who have been chosen of God and positioned in Christ to be holy and beloved, set apart for His glory. As the elect of God, we are to be holy for He is holy. We are to put on a heart of compassion and bring forth the spiritual fruit of kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, and we are to bear with one another in love, forgiving each other with grace, just as God in Christ has forgiven us. God bless you all.

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: and that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.” ~ 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 KJV

In which of the Apostle Paul's letters do we find the famous passage instructing believers to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling"?

Kingdom Joy Awaits The winners in the Olympic games in Paul’s day would train hard, pushing themselves to the point of exhaustion to win a crown made of olive leaves. But we are running to win a crown that will not perish. It is eternal. I rejoice that at the end of it all, I shall wear a crown. That’s a long, long way from poverty in Mississippi. I will walk streets of gold. That’s a long way from the hot asphalt pavement on Robinson Street. I will be in the land of no more. No more tears. No more suffering. No more pain. Nothing but joy and the presence of my Lord!  Maybe you’re tired and you’ve run out of steam. Don’t give up. Don’t despair. You have a Finisher who knows how to get you there. I believe if we could see His face we would see His smile. No looks of concern or worry. He is in control of our lives. He has never lost a passenger. He will get you home, where there is no more suffering. Home where there is no more struggling. Home. Safe at last. Done with the troubles of this world. Home. I think about that a lot. I used to be afraid to think about it. But now, it soothes my heart. Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith, is there. I think about all the saints of old He has brought safely into harbor. He is a Finisher who knows how to get you there. I trust in that truth. I rejoice in that truth. It will be glory to finally see Him. It will be inexpressible joy to finally see my Savior! The hymn writer said it best: Oh, I want to see Him, look upon His face, There to sing forever of His saving grace; On the streets of glory let me lift my voice, Cares all past, home at last, ever to rejoice. Oh, I want to see Him! That will be JOY! #YouVersion