Stop, Reflect and Win

A while back I listened to a great sermon by Will Pavone, a pastor at McLean Bible Church. In this sermon he talked about "fighter verses". A fighter verse is a one that we reflect on during times of need. This truth comes from Psalm 119:11 "I have stored up your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." This verse gives us two very important things to look at. First we are to read God's word. Second, we need to think upon it or recall it during times of temptation.

Think about a farmer and his crops. There is a reason he plows his field, plants seed, and works the fields.. This is the hard work that produces the harvest. And at the time of harvest the farmer will store up some of the crops for future use. If not, then they might starve. This is what we see with reading God's word. If we do not read it, then how can we store it in our hearts? Reading and mediating on the scriptures is the leg work. When doing this we are able to store or memorize His word. If we do not, then we might starve (SIN).

This is where "fighter verses" come in. Once we begin to read God's word, passages and individual verses will come to mind in times of need. I have refelcted upon this alot recently after finishing up the book of Romans. The last verse of chapter 13 combined with the sermon regarding "fighter verses" and another sermon has resulted in much meditation. Romans 13:14But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. This is a fighter verse for all occasions and sins. The other sermon I mentioned stated that when we sin, at that moment we are putting our own desires ahead of God's. Combine that with Romans 13:14 and you have an amazing revalation.

When you are tempted, think that your are putting yourself above Him and making a provision to satisfy self. It is extremely convicting.

While He may be found.

I was blessed to hear review truth tonight that is hard to think upon. As a society we don't think about the end often, it's not pleasant to most. We think we have more time than we actually do. I won't beat this drum and longer, but just want to point out this: Our time is short and our days are numbered. Psalm 31:15- My times are in your hand. This should be comforting, but it can also be hard. My reason for saying this is this: Isaiah 55:6-7- Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon Him while he is near, let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. Please read all of Isaiah 55, but my point is this. We only have a certain amount of time to make a decision and live for the Lord. Did He grant you another day today? Have you realized your sinful nature and opposition to God? Do you have a thirst for Him? Have you accepted Him as your savior and pardon for your sins? Are you a believer who is not seeking Him? Do you continue to struggle with the same old stuff? Isaiah 55: 10-11: For the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. So as the rain will bring for sprout and vegetation, so God's word will grow the Christian. How else can we know His thoughts, but by reading His word. So as a drought will dry up and kill all the crops, so neglecting the word will dry up the Christian and the fruit will be few.