Ek deel hierdie week ‘n Engelse gedeelte met u wat deur Victoria Boyson geskryf is. (Ons Gemeente se Leierskap geselsie – 11 Nov 2014)
The Iron Fist: The United Body of Christ! (By: Victoria Boyson)
The Lord wants us to become an IRON FIST against the enemy, "battling with a single mind for the faith of the Gospel". (Philippians 1:27).
Unity is Essential
We are in a war for the souls that the enemy has stolen and perverted. As in any war, we must show an united front. Without unity we will fail; we will not only fail, but we will be terribly wounded in the process. Unity is that important! I have seen prayer meetings, that could have been effective in toppling the kingdoms of darkness, turn in a matter of minutes into spiritual blood baths simply because we lacked unity. But it is not enough that we strive for unity, we must confront the enemy's plans of disunity before we go
forward in battle. We must become the united Body of Christ!
Division in the Camp
The Bible says in Jude 1:18-19, "In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own lusts! These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of Spirit."
He didn't say there "might be" mockers who would sow division, but that there will be; it is a promise. They may spread lies or gossip about a brother or sister in the Lord. Perhaps they pull others aside and tell them of their "concerns" about someone. This may be done under the guise of being a warning, or as a false attempt at acquiring prayer for that person, but it is just gossip, plain and simple. It is sent by the enemy to destroy our love for one another. We may think their words are harmless and will not have an effect on us as long as we do not agree with them. But even though we disagree, it will still affect us. The words they speak are sent with a spirit of division to cause you to question the motives and character of your fellow Christian.
These little "words of wisdom" in prayer or out of prayer, whether they are disguised with a little truth or are just blatant lies, can be devastating to our unity. Even the most seemingly innocent comment to a friend about a brother or sister can distort their view of them. We must not allow dissension (conflict / rebellion) access to our hearts. If they have a problem with someone, then let it stay their problem, don't let it become yours.
(Good one to remember!)
The 3rd Division
In the first stages of the war with Iraq (Gulf War 2), my youngest brother, David, was a part of the 3rd Division, which was rightly named, the Iron Fist! It was made up of many battalions, all of which had different duties, but they were brought together and motivated by one purpose: to thoroughly demolish their enemy. They were united by a passion to destroy the enemy who had attacked the nation they loved on September 11, 2001. For my brother, the World Trade Center attack was not 3,000 nameless, faceless people, but it was, in his mind, his own brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews. He took it personally and he fought as if this attack was launched against them.
He was only one young private in a vast sea of soldiers, but he was united with others who had the same purpose and drive that he had. United together with other soldiers from all different races and beliefs, they became a devastating sight to behold. There was not much the enemy could do to stop them, because their unity made them unstoppable. Unity of purpose brought them together
and it is what held them together. The third division became known as the Iron Fist, because they were headed straight into the heart of Iraq and would not let any minor skirmishes (battles / conflicts) alter their goal. They were resolute (determined / definite) in their goal to confront and annihilate (defeat / thrash / overpower/ beat) their enemy.
The Enemy Fears Our Unity
Dear friends, God wants us to become like the Iron Fist: to be united together, to become the resolute, unstoppable, fearsome UNITED BODY OF CHRIST! A fist is a dangerous weapon, being made up of five elements. Each of your fingers and your thumb have different strengths and purposes, but when they come together and are united, they become a mighty weapon. Five, seemingly insignificant, small body parts can join together and become hard as a rock! Friends, when we are united together we are a mighty weapon! We each have individual callings and gifts, but as we unite together in one purpose, to fight the enemy, we become what Hell fears: the united Body of Christ.
The enemy fears our unity, and he fears our love for each other. That is why he fights so hard against them. We must fight to keep them as much as he fights to destroy them. We cannot let ourselves be side-tracked by minor skirmishes. We must keep our purpose set before our eyes and not be deterred (discouraged / frightened) from it!
Choose Your Allies Wisely
We must use discernment when choosing who to fight with. We cannot afford to lend our ears to those whose goal is to destroy our love for each other and our unity. We must open our eyes to the enemies schemes and fight against it. Don't let dissension (disagreement / conflict) carry away your heart. We must stay in step with the army of God and watch out for those who are weaker, that they not be carried away by the enemy. If someone is speaking lies to them, then we must step in and start speaking the truth in love, exposing the deceitfulness of the enemy.
Saints, God is calling us to join in unity against the realms of darkness and become His weapon. We must become His "IRON FIST" that He will drive hard and fast into the heart of His enemy. Just as the 3rd Division drove hard into the heart of Iraq to set the Iraqi people free from tyranny, so we must drive hard into the heart of our schools, cities, churches and nations to set the captives free, to release them from the tyranny of the enemy!
Mag hierdie artikel tot elkeen van ons se harte spreek! Dit is my gebed dat so ‘n IRON FIST hier in ons land sal opstaan – in so groot eenheid dat die vyand dadelik sal besef dat hy geen kans staan om die werke en planne van die Here te stuit nie! Maar dit begin by ELKEEN INDIVIDUEEL. Daarom moet elkeen van ons vir onsself die vraag afvra: is ek deel van die weermag van die IRON FIST of is ek deel van die weermag van Irak?
Gaan en maak ‘n verskil!!
Blessings!
The Iron Fist: The United Body of Christ! (By: Victoria Boyson)
The Lord wants us to become an IRON FIST against the enemy, "battling with a single mind for the faith of the Gospel". (Philippians 1:27).
Unity is Essential
We are in a war for the souls that the enemy has stolen and perverted. As in any war, we must show an united front. Without unity we will fail; we will not only fail, but we will be terribly wounded in the process. Unity is that important! I have seen prayer meetings, that could have been effective in toppling the kingdoms of darkness, turn in a matter of minutes into spiritual blood baths simply because we lacked unity. But it is not enough that we strive for unity, we must confront the enemy's plans of disunity before we go
forward in battle. We must become the united Body of Christ!
Division in the Camp
The Bible says in Jude 1:18-19, "In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own lusts! These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of Spirit."
He didn't say there "might be" mockers who would sow division, but that there will be; it is a promise. They may spread lies or gossip about a brother or sister in the Lord. Perhaps they pull others aside and tell them of their "concerns" about someone. This may be done under the guise of being a warning, or as a false attempt at acquiring prayer for that person, but it is just gossip, plain and simple. It is sent by the enemy to destroy our love for one another. We may think their words are harmless and will not have an effect on us as long as we do not agree with them. But even though we disagree, it will still affect us. The words they speak are sent with a spirit of division to cause you to question the motives and character of your fellow Christian.
These little "words of wisdom" in prayer or out of prayer, whether they are disguised with a little truth or are just blatant lies, can be devastating to our unity. Even the most seemingly innocent comment to a friend about a brother or sister can distort their view of them. We must not allow dissension (conflict / rebellion) access to our hearts. If they have a problem with someone, then let it stay their problem, don't let it become yours.
(Good one to remember!)
The 3rd Division
In the first stages of the war with Iraq (Gulf War 2), my youngest brother, David, was a part of the 3rd Division, which was rightly named, the Iron Fist! It was made up of many battalions, all of which had different duties, but they were brought together and motivated by one purpose: to thoroughly demolish their enemy. They were united by a passion to destroy the enemy who had attacked the nation they loved on September 11, 2001. For my brother, the World Trade Center attack was not 3,000 nameless, faceless people, but it was, in his mind, his own brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews. He took it personally and he fought as if this attack was launched against them.
He was only one young private in a vast sea of soldiers, but he was united with others who had the same purpose and drive that he had. United together with other soldiers from all different races and beliefs, they became a devastating sight to behold. There was not much the enemy could do to stop them, because their unity made them unstoppable. Unity of purpose brought them together
and it is what held them together. The third division became known as the Iron Fist, because they were headed straight into the heart of Iraq and would not let any minor skirmishes (battles / conflicts) alter their goal. They were resolute (determined / definite) in their goal to confront and annihilate (defeat / thrash / overpower/ beat) their enemy.
The Enemy Fears Our Unity
Dear friends, God wants us to become like the Iron Fist: to be united together, to become the resolute, unstoppable, fearsome UNITED BODY OF CHRIST! A fist is a dangerous weapon, being made up of five elements. Each of your fingers and your thumb have different strengths and purposes, but when they come together and are united, they become a mighty weapon. Five, seemingly insignificant, small body parts can join together and become hard as a rock! Friends, when we are united together we are a mighty weapon! We each have individual callings and gifts, but as we unite together in one purpose, to fight the enemy, we become what Hell fears: the united Body of Christ.
The enemy fears our unity, and he fears our love for each other. That is why he fights so hard against them. We must fight to keep them as much as he fights to destroy them. We cannot let ourselves be side-tracked by minor skirmishes. We must keep our purpose set before our eyes and not be deterred (discouraged / frightened) from it!
Choose Your Allies Wisely
We must use discernment when choosing who to fight with. We cannot afford to lend our ears to those whose goal is to destroy our love for each other and our unity. We must open our eyes to the enemies schemes and fight against it. Don't let dissension (disagreement / conflict) carry away your heart. We must stay in step with the army of God and watch out for those who are weaker, that they not be carried away by the enemy. If someone is speaking lies to them, then we must step in and start speaking the truth in love, exposing the deceitfulness of the enemy.
Saints, God is calling us to join in unity against the realms of darkness and become His weapon. We must become His "IRON FIST" that He will drive hard and fast into the heart of His enemy. Just as the 3rd Division drove hard into the heart of Iraq to set the Iraqi people free from tyranny, so we must drive hard into the heart of our schools, cities, churches and nations to set the captives free, to release them from the tyranny of the enemy!
Mag hierdie artikel tot elkeen van ons se harte spreek! Dit is my gebed dat so ‘n IRON FIST hier in ons land sal opstaan – in so groot eenheid dat die vyand dadelik sal besef dat hy geen kans staan om die werke en planne van die Here te stuit nie! Maar dit begin by ELKEEN INDIVIDUEEL. Daarom moet elkeen van ons vir onsself die vraag afvra: is ek deel van die weermag van die IRON FIST of is ek deel van die weermag van Irak?
Gaan en maak ‘n verskil!!
Blessings!