I find beauty in grape vines every season of the year.
Good Morning,
“The weapons we use in our fight are not the world’s weapons but God’s powerful weapons, which we use to destroy strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4, Good New Bible).
We have an arsenal not made by human hands, but is stocked full with the powerful weapons fashioned by God Himself. They aren’t for marketing or manipulation of any sort, but are specifically designed to demolish demonic strongholds — putting down every false argument raised against Truth. These weapons have the power of God to destroy the enemy’s efforts against our Faith.
Prayer is one of these weapons, and when it is coupled with the Word of God it possesses a power that is invincible. That’s why the early disciples said, “We will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word.” When we follow their example, we will experience the same results that happened for them.
Let’s look at a remarkable example found in the Scriptures.
When Joshua was battling the armies of the Amalekites in the valley of Rephidim, the Bible tells us that Moses was on the mountain lifting up the Rod which God had given him. As long as the Rod was held up, Joshua advanced in battle. When Moses’ arms grew weary and he lowered the Rod, the enemy began to make advances against Joshua. Aaron and Hur, two of Moses’ friends, stood beside him and held his arms up — the result was a overwhelming victory for Joshua. (see Exodus 17:8-13).
The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. Jesus said that when we pray in secret, God will reward us openly. An example of this happened in Jerusalem when the disciples gathered in prayer and “the place where they were assembled was shaken.” They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and preached the Word of God with boldness — even in the face of death threats.
This brief scan of the biblical record proves the age old adage — “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much!” (James 5:16). Prayer makes tremendous power available, the kind of power that is dynamic in its working and effective in its results; great power that produces wonderful results.
Why not pray today and look for happens as a result. You just might find yourself praying every day! Rylie
2Corinthians 10:4-6 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
Praying more . . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie
Thoughts of Grace 
Sunday Bible Reading – Ruth 1:14-17
Ruth 1:14-17
And they lifted up their voice, and wept again:
and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back
unto her people, and unto her gods:
return thou after thy sister in law.
And Ruth said,
Intreat me not to leave thee,
or to return from following after thee:
for whither thou goest, I will go;
and where thou lodgest, I will lodge:
thy people shall be my people,
and thy God my God:
Where thou diest, will I die,
and there will I be buried:
the LORD do so to me,
and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
from Smith’s Commentary:
The Targum adds several things to this conversation between Naomi and Ruth. I shall subjoin them:
“And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee,” for I desire to become a proselyte.
And Naomi said, We are commanded to keep the Sabbath and other holy days; and on it not to travel more than two thousand cubits.
And Ruth said, “Whither thou goest, I will go.”
And Naomi said, We are commanded not to lodge with the Gentiles.
Ruth answered, “Where thou lodgest, I will lodge.”
And Naomi said, We are commanded to observe the one hundred and thirteen precepts.
Ruth answered, What thy people observe, that will I observe; as if they had been my people of old.
And Naomi said, We are commanded not to worship with any strange worship.
Ruth answered, “Thy God shall be my God.”
Naomi said, We have four kinds of capital punishment for criminals; stoning, burning, beheading, and hanging.
Ruth answered, “In whatsoever manner thou diest, I will die.”
Naomi said, We have a house of burial.
Ruth answered, “And there will I be buried.”
(A Targum is an Aramaic translation of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) written or compiled from the Second Temple period until the early Middle Ages (late first millennium). Wikipedia)
The testimony of Naomi’s life offered Ruth such hope that forsaking all she knew; Ruth followed Naomi and the true God.
From the archives – Reading this again – I thought “Lord, I renew my commitment to continue to follow you where so ever you lead”.
- Grape vines
- Ruth
- Sunday Bible Reading
on April 6, 2014 at 5:07 am Leave a CommentTags: Clarkes Commentary, grapes growing, Ruth 1:14-17