The only weapon listed in the full armour of God is the Sword of the Spirit. Jesus teaches us how to use it in Mathew chapter 4. It is written...
Listen today and be encouraged!


Sword of the Spirit

A few months ago, we had been contacted by some friends from the States that were going to be visiting Edinburgh for a day. They asked if we could grab lunch and a catch up. The man, called Jack, is retired from the US military. He served in the Army. He used a term that I had never heard, called a Sapper. Have any of you heard of this job in the army? 
A sapper, (It comes from the French word sapeur, the verb saper (to undermine, to dig under a wall or building to cause its collapse). It is from the French word for spade. They are also called a combat engineer, a combatant or soldier who performs a variety of military engineering duties, such as breaching fortifications, demolitions, bridge-building, laying or clearing minefields, preparing field defenses, and road and airfield construction and repair. 
Sappers are also trained and equipped to serve secondarily as provisional infantry. Sappers facilitate and support the movement, defence, and survival of superordinate and allied forces, and impede those of enemies.


Unbind Them and Set Them Free

There are many times in life where things happen and they don’t make any sense. We have had experiences where something has happened that we weren’t expecting or planning for, and we can ask God “Why?” We can get stuck in the why. It can keep us from trusting God, it can keep us from moving forward, and even make us angry at God, our precious loving Father. 
Many people that once walked with God have fallen away because of the why. It seems like an innocent little word but has big ramifications. Have you ever had a conversation with a child and their question to everything that you say is ‘why?’ It can become challenging. 
“You need to clean your room and do your homework.” “Why?” 
“I need you to come downstairs and set the table.” “Why?”
“You can’t put paint on the carpet.” “Why?”
As children, we have to trust our parents are doing the best for us. It is the same with our Heavenly Father.


Why, God?

As I mentioned last week we all have times that make no sense. Real head-scratchers where we don’t understand what is happening. We are tempted to walk away. The thought or idea of carrying on seems almost impossible. Left to ourselves, we couldn’t. But He carries us. He will be faithful even if we are faithless. Our God will see us through to the end. Jesus warned us that in this world, as long as we breathe, as long as we take each day, we will have trouble, tribulation and difficulties. We are never promised immunity to the ills of life. Instead, He says, I will be WITH YOU! When you go through the flood and the fire, there I will accompany you. I will stand by your side and see you through. I AM an ever present help in time of need. Our God is able!

Many find Christ in their worst moments. He is a friend and a loving Saviour, but then the crisis ends and they go on as before. They find in Him the peace they so desperately need, but then they decide that the former was better and go back that way. We come to the end of ourselves and find our souls saved and the joy that comes with that. But then we leave as something else comes along or something brighter and shiny. We can be like children always wanting something new. 

He is the fairest of all, no better Lord and Captain to serve under than Jesus. Would another have our affections? We pledge allegiance to Him but may go on to serve other Masters. He alone is worthy of our full hearts. He gave His all for us. He withheld nothing. How can we withhold our affections, trust and worship? There is no other Name given by which man can be saved. There is no other way to have peace with God. There is no other way to be reconciled to our Heavenly Father, than by Jesus. He is the way, the truth and the Life. Our very breath and heartbeat are gifts from Him. He is Life itself. He holds the universe together and spoke everything into existence. 

To Whom Shall We Go?

I have been reading and re-reading the Prophet Habakkuk. 

Some brief background. Israel had fallen once again into idolatry. In God’s great mercy, He would send Prophets to warn the people to stop the pagan worship and to return to God. We know that at Jonah’s preaching in Nineveh, the entire place repented. They fasted and prayed that God would relent from His judgment and anger. God did relent and the people were spared. Israel and Judah continually repeated this pattern of disobeying God, finding themselves in trouble, calling out to God for help, God helping them and then rinse and repeat. There were times where the people refused to listen to God or His Holy Prophets. In this case, God has let Habakkuk know that the Chaldeans will be coming and will destroy Israel. 
It is like watching something in slow motion for Habakkuk. He knows God’s judgment is right. God has given them warnings, red flags and tried to get their attention. The people are not responding to the prophet’s rebukes. Babylon was going to decimate Judah. They are a merciless and exceptionally cruel nation. They were coming to bring God’s judgment against His people.


Though the Tree Should Not Blossom

This week Pastor Sandra Schafferius brings this message from 2 Samuel 9. David showed kindness to the grandson of King Saul. This was not the usual actions of a new king ascending the throne. Be encouraged today as you listen to this timely message.

To Whom Shall We Go?

Haddington Elim Church

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