Well everyone, CaseyJ is feeling better and back in full force!!
Thanks to everyone who may have said a prayer for me.
This blog is actually really catching on so I am really excited about that.
I hope people will continually find encouragement through something as small as this.
Wow. It's weird how God works in strange ways. I was browsing around looking for a verse and a new verse appeared that I have never heard before. It was such an inspiration to me, I hope it is for you.
Colossians 4:6-
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
In the words of Jesus, "He who has ears, let him hear".
Peace out!
CaseyJ
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
My appologies!!
Hey Everyone!
Thank you for all of your input on the past posts. It is so encouraging to me that people are being fed by this ministry.
Also, I wanted to appologize for slacking off on my job here.
I went to the Passion Confrence this weekend and I can't wait to tell you all about the work God is doing
But.. right now, I am sick with a fever and really just need to rest tonight.
Please, if you find time in your busy schedule, pray for me as I am working hard to recover.
I hope to be back on my normal schedule tomorrow.
Thanks!
God is Gooood,
Casey
Thank you for all of your input on the past posts. It is so encouraging to me that people are being fed by this ministry.
Also, I wanted to appologize for slacking off on my job here.
I went to the Passion Confrence this weekend and I can't wait to tell you all about the work God is doing
But.. right now, I am sick with a fever and really just need to rest tonight.
Please, if you find time in your busy schedule, pray for me as I am working hard to recover.
I hope to be back on my normal schedule tomorrow.
Thanks!
God is Gooood,
Casey
Thursday, January 24, 2008
January 24, 2008: Are You In?
Welcome back, friends!
Check out Psalm 15:
Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy hill?
He whose walk is blameless
and who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from his heart
and has no slander on his tongue,
who does his neighbor no wrong
and casts no slur on his fellowman,
who despises a vile man
but honors those who fear the Lord,
who keeps his oath
even when it hurts,
who lends his money without usury
and does not accept a bribe against the innocent,
He who does these things
will never be shaken.
God has given us clear guidelines as to how to be close to Him.
King David, the author of this Psalm and many others, was asking God how he could be closer to Him. Some people think the Bible is so hard to understand, that it is very abstract. I think sometimes, we ask the wrong questions or are unsure where to look.
I hope that as I continue this journey with you, we will learn to utilize our armor in a way that makes the Word of God an alive and real part of everyday life.
I can only pray that as we seek to grow closer to God, we will be willing to follow the guidelines He put in place for us.
As you go through the day, remember this passage, and think about what you can do everyday to make your life closer to this model.
Only by His grace,
CaseyJ
Check out Psalm 15:
Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy hill?
He whose walk is blameless
and who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from his heart
and has no slander on his tongue,
who does his neighbor no wrong
and casts no slur on his fellowman,
who despises a vile man
but honors those who fear the Lord,
who keeps his oath
even when it hurts,
who lends his money without usury
and does not accept a bribe against the innocent,
He who does these things
will never be shaken.
God has given us clear guidelines as to how to be close to Him.
King David, the author of this Psalm and many others, was asking God how he could be closer to Him. Some people think the Bible is so hard to understand, that it is very abstract. I think sometimes, we ask the wrong questions or are unsure where to look.
I hope that as I continue this journey with you, we will learn to utilize our armor in a way that makes the Word of God an alive and real part of everyday life.
I can only pray that as we seek to grow closer to God, we will be willing to follow the guidelines He put in place for us.
As you go through the day, remember this passage, and think about what you can do everyday to make your life closer to this model.
Only by His grace,
CaseyJ
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
January 23, 2008: What's On Your Mind
Welcome to real post number one!!
This week, my best friend moved away to college.
As I was thinking about words of wisdom I could send her way,
The Lord put these verses very strongly on my heart.
I think we can all benefit from meditating on these verses in our everyday lives.
Today we will look at Philippians 4: 5-8
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.
As I was working through these verses, I realized how much clearer our minds could be if we only focused on the meaningful things. But God gives us a guide for when other kinds of thoughts slip into our heads too. It's like saying, "Alright, your best option would be to only think about [insert verse 8 here], but if something that makes you worried happens to pop up... I have your solution".
God really looks out for those who love Him. He knows we aren't perfect, even when we strive to get close, but He always has a way to draw us back, closer to Himself.
May God's grace and peace transcend your understanding today,
CaseyJ
This week, my best friend moved away to college.
As I was thinking about words of wisdom I could send her way,
The Lord put these verses very strongly on my heart.
I think we can all benefit from meditating on these verses in our everyday lives.
Today we will look at Philippians 4: 5-8
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.
As I was working through these verses, I realized how much clearer our minds could be if we only focused on the meaningful things. But God gives us a guide for when other kinds of thoughts slip into our heads too. It's like saying, "Alright, your best option would be to only think about [insert verse 8 here], but if something that makes you worried happens to pop up... I have your solution".
God really looks out for those who love Him. He knows we aren't perfect, even when we strive to get close, but He always has a way to draw us back, closer to Himself.
May God's grace and peace transcend your understanding today,
CaseyJ
Introduction
Hi friends, family, strangers,
Welcome to Sharpening the Sword.
This blog will be a place I will be posting verses from the Bible nearly everyday.
Sometimes you will find my commentary attached,
Other times you may find I quote someone much wiser and more brilliant than myself,
And other times, I will let God do the commentary.
Anything I quote from the Bible will be in blue so that there will be no confusion.
I will never claim to know all the answers.
I am only a human who strives everyday to follow God's will in my life.
Feel free to make any comments on this blog.
Please also post prayer requests or other encouraging// relevant verses.
The meaning behind the title of this blog comes from the book of Ephesians.
It says: (Ephesians 6: 10-18)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
God has given us the tools we need to fight whatever we have coming here on Earth. If God is on our side, there is nothing that can overcome us. To me, that is the biggest encouragement anyone could ever give me. We win in the end. There is no weapon that can prosper.
So why do we feel so weak sometimes? I think this is because we do not utilize the weapons that God has freely handed to us. We have the equipment but I think sometimes we are afraid to use it. Lets make it our goal, as a group, to begin to really take advantage of what God has given to us.
This week I challenge you to begin to ask God to fully reveal his purpose for each piece of armor and give you an understanding of how each piece can be used in your everyday life.
May the Lord be with you always,
CaseyJ
Welcome to Sharpening the Sword.
This blog will be a place I will be posting verses from the Bible nearly everyday.
Sometimes you will find my commentary attached,
Other times you may find I quote someone much wiser and more brilliant than myself,
And other times, I will let God do the commentary.
Anything I quote from the Bible will be in blue so that there will be no confusion.
I will never claim to know all the answers.
I am only a human who strives everyday to follow God's will in my life.
Feel free to make any comments on this blog.
Please also post prayer requests or other encouraging// relevant verses.
The meaning behind the title of this blog comes from the book of Ephesians.
It says: (Ephesians 6: 10-18)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
God has given us the tools we need to fight whatever we have coming here on Earth. If God is on our side, there is nothing that can overcome us. To me, that is the biggest encouragement anyone could ever give me. We win in the end. There is no weapon that can prosper.
So why do we feel so weak sometimes? I think this is because we do not utilize the weapons that God has freely handed to us. We have the equipment but I think sometimes we are afraid to use it. Lets make it our goal, as a group, to begin to really take advantage of what God has given to us.
This week I challenge you to begin to ask God to fully reveal his purpose for each piece of armor and give you an understanding of how each piece can be used in your everyday life.
May the Lord be with you always,
CaseyJ
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