Bible Study & Devotional
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
🔴 Use Your Sword!
The sword was placed in the “other” pile to take to the thrift store during our spring cleaning.
As I looked at the sword, I imagined a Samauri (a Japanese army officer of a military caste member) using this weapon in a fight. I then reflected on the days of visiting the Martial Arts Center to watch my son’s class. The instructor would demonstrate to the students to proper use of their weapons. It was essential to focus on the opponent using swift movement to overtake them.
And sister, we must fight our battles with wisdom and discernment that comes from God. Our fight isn’t against what we see with our eyes, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)
I sat down to meditate on this verse, and then the words illuminated off the page… God’s Word is ALIVE and ACTIVE.
So why am I afraid? Why is fear attacking my mind? I don’t have to live as if I’m defeated.
Thank God for this wake-up call. The Holy Spirit lives in me, and He lives in you! This same power raised Jesus from the dead. So, we need to use His Word in our battles.
Use Your SWORD!
We can fight our battles by speaking life, the word of God, into every situation and the atmosphere. His Word is going to “cut” and do the work – real damage to all circumstances.
It not about us “going off” in the flesh or trying to “fix it” ourselves.
God’s Sword is not a butter knife that will only band-aid the situation and not cut to the root of the problem, providing only a temporary fix. We can become vessels God can use when we allow the Holy Spirit to change our hearts, mind, and soul. That can only take place by developing an intimate relationship with God.
I thought I knew God and had a personal relationship, but I was wrong. That quick prayer as I ran out the door to school or work was not equipping me to fight the battles of life as a wife and mother to make a difference in others’ lives. I decided not to rely on others’ prayers to intercede for me and took steps to renew my mind.
It required getting before His presence and spending time in prayer and meditation to know how to use my Sword to fight off depression, anxiety, bitterness, and fear.
Sister, the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy our lives and our families. We must know His Word as the Sword to fight our battles.
How do you fight your battles? It is on the phone telling another girlfriend all that’s wrong with the world and everyone around you OR picking up your SWORD?
What weapon are you using to experience breakthroughs in your life?
~LaVonda McCullough
LaVonda McCullough: CEO & Founder of Joyful Journey, she is a Biblical Life Coach, Author, Speaker and Co-Pastor specializing in women empowerment. We invite you to connect with LaVonda on Facebook & Instagram. Visit www.lavondamccullough.com for more information.
This devotional was submitted by LaVonda McCullough, a loving contributor to Our Given Purpose. Edited by Torrie Slaughter the founder of Our Given Purpose® in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
🔴 The Bible In A Year Daily Reading Plan
Exodus 8:1-9:35, Matthew 19:13-30, Psalm 24:1-10, Proverbs 6:1-5
Download or Print the One Year Bible Reading Plan
Bible In A Year Day 29
Bible Reading-Exodus 8:1-15
Frog- a tailless amphibian with a short, squat body, moist smooth skin, and long hind legs for leaping.
How long will you allow the stench of idolatry to permeate your life?
Moses asked Pharaoh when he would like the frogs removed and let the children of Israel go; Pharaoh said tomorrow?!? Exodus 8:9-10 Who would want to go another day holding on to something that could be gone now?
Pharaoh was influenced by greed, pride, and perceived power. Who or what is controlling us to keep our “frogs” in our soup? The soup is our purpose, the delicious gifts, and talents God gives us all to spread the word of God and testify to his sovereignty.
Talk to God about what needs to be released to soften our hearts and make us more purposeful each day. Let’s fervently pray that we are always removing the material nuisances away from our inner circles. Whatever or whoever is holding us back, I pray we will release it according to God’s divine plan.