Category Archives: Iron Sharpens Iron

Let’s Be Sharpeners??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #67

15 Wednesday Feb 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, Bow Before our God, Choices And Consequences, Comfort, Commitment Or Convenience, Dependence, Faithful Follower, Faithfulness, Iron Sharpening Iron, Iron Sharpens Iron

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Let’s Be Sharpeners???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #67

I have an urgent word to share this morning, one that is heavy on my heart; especially as we look around us at all the chaos, sin, and confusion, even in the midst of God’s own.  So what do we do?  As I try to continually share here on Bible Ballistics, the answer is always the same–go to God’s Word!

“Therefore said he unto them,

The harvest truly is great,

but the labourers are few:

pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest,

that he would send forth labourers

into his harvest.

3 Go your ways:

behold, I send you forth

as lambs

among wolves.”  Luke 10:2-3

Jesus was sending out workers into the field to prepare the way for Him to follow, and that is what we must understand today!  I can’t–You can’t–the Preacher can’t–the Missionary can’t–the Evangelist can’t do GOD’s work.  We can’t save anyone–but we can share The Word as we go, with our “feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace…” (See Ephesians 6:10-19)!  It is our job to go, to share as we are called, led, and directed by the Holy Spirit, with a heart broken for the lost and dying, but not going in our own strength, but HIS!

How?  I can only share with you the things that God says in HIS Word and pray that we can yield to our Lord and Master to go where HE leads, do what HE asks, share as HE provides us opportunities, and speak HIS Word in power, love, and truth.

“I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me ye can do nothing.”  John 15:5

James so aptly reminds us of our focus and our strength!

“Submit yourselves therefore

to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands,

ye sinners;

and purify your hearts,

ye double minded.”  James 4:7-8

The Proverbs point us to not try to do it alone–neither without God nor without one another–we are a body (supposed to be!)!

“Iron sharpeneth iron;

so a man sharpeneth the countenance

of his friend.”  Proverbs 27:17

Dear Paul gives us the advice about the armor of God…

“Finally, my brethren,

be strong in the Lord,

and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to stand against

the wiles of the devil.”  Ephesians 6:10-11

“That we henceforth be no more children,

tossed to and fro,

and carried about

with every wind of doctrine,

by the sleight of men,

and cunning craftiness,

whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him in all things,

which is the head,

even Christ:”   Ephesians 4:14-15

I pray that God’s Word will encourage you, guide your steps and comfort your heart through the drains of living!  My love and prayers are lifted up for you!

Amen and Amen!!!

Blessings On Your Day!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #524

18 Friday Jan 2019

Posted by in Iron Sharpens Iron

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #524   Blessings On Your Day!!!

 

Just a brief word this morning to encourage us all as we press on with and for Jesus. I pray that we will always find ourselves being that “iron sharpening iron” to strengthen and help one another on our journey with Jesus!

“Iron sharpeneth iron;

so a man sharpeneth the countenance

of his friend.

18 Whoso keepeth the fig tree

shall eat the fruit thereof:

so he that waiteth on his master

shall be honoured.

19 As in water face answereth to face,

so the heart of man to man.”    Proverbs 27:17-19

While Proverbs is written as “tidbits” of wisdom, and they don’t always come in order, these three verses seemed to flow, so I’ve shared all three.

I love the picture of iron sharpening iron—the thought that sometimes when we need sharpening it comes through conflict! When you sharpen something, two pieces of metal must encounter each other, and that’s sometimes painful. I know I have needed the sharpening of a friend sometimes, but sometimes God has used those who weren’t my friends, to show me my shortcomings and/or sin; and while that is painful and totally humbling—it is a necessary part of our spiritual growth and maturing in our walk of faith and obedience.

We also see a picture of horticulture—tending to the living things and then sharing in the joy and delight of seeing them grow—in the earth as well as in the lives that we are able to influence to growth, fruitful service, and joy—all done in faithful service to our Master and Lord!

And in closing we have the privilege of serving The Lord and each other as if we are looking in the water and seeing our reflection. In talking about this very thing, James reminds us that we must keep our eyes on Jesus without forgetting what He has shown us, but receiving and heeding His Word with an earnest desire to be “doers of the word”.

“But be ye doers of the word,

and not hearers only,

deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word,

and not a doer,

he is like unto a man

beholding his natural face

in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself,

and goeth his way,

and straightway forgetteth

what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh

into the perfect law of liberty,

and continueth therein,

he being not a forgetful hearer,

but a doer of the work,

this man shall be blessed

in his deed.” James 1:22-25

May we strive today to live and walk in His Word and be that iron sharpening—helping others, and receiving the sharpening that God sends to us! Amen and Amen!

“Order my steps

in thy word:

and let not any iniquity

have dominion over me.”   Psalm 119:133