Going through this book I have loved the various crosses that we are to carry. I have loved learning of the true power that we have as girls with swords. I have loved learning about the true power that those swords possess. We are instructed to wield different kinds of swords, to possess different characteristics; and, yes, I have asked, “How, Lord? How do I do this and do it the right way?”
Two words: “Follow Him.”
Jesus spoke the truth, fed the hungry, cast out demons, healed the sick, confronted religion, and raised the dead. He did this to show love, forgiveness, healing, freedom, and redemption.
Christ:
Loved the people
Matthew 4:23 (NKJV)
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.
Forgave the people
Matthew 9:2-8 (NKJV)
Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.” And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said,“Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” And he arose and departed to his house. Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.
Freed the people
Acts 10:38 (NKJV)
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
Redeemed the people
Psalm 107:2 (NKJV)
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy.
One of the things that stood out to me the most is the need for us to follow Him, for us to model our lives, words, actions, and thoughts after Him. Lisa said more than once that this generation, the world we live in today, needs these things more than ever. We need love and forgiveness, we need redemption and freedom. We need miracles, and we need signs and wonders. We need to follow Him in His actions, in His efforts to draw others closer to Him. We need to show that the Cross was the “ultimate display of His unconditional love for us” (pg. 214).
“The Cross is our sign and you are His wonder.” We were placed here to pick up our swords. We were placed here to follow Him and to build the kingdom of Christ.
The final verse of this section touched my heart:
Hebrews 10:23-25 (NKJV)
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Love. Forgive. Free. Heal. Redeem. Encourage.
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Let’s Pray:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the example You offer to us. We see so much hurt and pain in our world. We know that we have the sword and we know that we have the power, but how to use these sometimes escapes us. Lord, remind us to follow You, remind us to model after Your example. Most importantly remind us to love. Through love so many other tasks can be accomplished. As You instruct in Hebrews 10:23-25, let us stir up love, let us stir up good works, let us lift one another up. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
About Tonya Ellison
such good points to remember as we endeavor TO follow Him, tonya! praying for all of us as we carry our cross that we will follow and remain in submission to the One Who has given us a perfect example. xo <3
I’m standing in agreement with you. 🙂
Excellent study this morning, Tonya, thanks. I had so many of the same things marked in my book!
1 Cor 2:5, “..your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, BUT in the Power of God.” Lisa: “The Blood of Jesus made a way for us to approach the throne with boldness so that we can find all the Power of Heaven we need.”
“Onward Christian Soldiers!”
Clella, I want to thank you for always adding additioal scripture references in your comments. I know it is a great help for me in my personal study. 🙂
Just wanted to thank you Tonya for all you have done as a blogger during this study. I have enjoyed your blogs very much! Looking forward to the next study!! As Clella said above, “Onward Christian Soldiers”…. Let’s put what we have learned through this amazing study to work in our lives, and become the mighty warriors that God has created us to be!! AMEN!
Thanks Christi. :-). I want to thank God, a lot of times I don’t know what I’m going to write, but after prayer and study, He allowa the words to flow. The next study is going to be AWESOME!!! And yes, Onward Christian Soldiers!!!
Great blog, Tonya. I, too, had these points highlighted and underlined. Such words of direction and encouragement in this chapter! Thank you for covering these points so well!
sometimes I want to underline the entire chapter. God definately used Lisa to make a difference in the lives of women with this book. 🙂
I couldn’t agree more with you about how God used Lisa to empower the lives of us women! What an amazing journey this book has been!! 🙂