~ by Terry Walters
1 John 4:20; Luke 6:46, 12:2; Matthew 7:21-23
I remember preparing for and participating in what we called Sword Drills.
The Bible compares itself to a sword and is profitable for all areas of life.
It is indispensable for living the life God created us to live.
We need to know what it says and what it means and how to apply it.
As a young boy I learned the books of the Bible.
I learned and memorized verses and passages of scripture.
I could find the references quickly. I was taught and drilled on it!
We had a church contest that I won. I prepared for an associational contest,
with participants from other churches all around the Decatur area -
the next level of competition.
I remember a couple of ladies at church working
with me one-on-one as I memorized verses and practiced the drills.
I won that contest, too!
I may be comfortable in front of a crowd now,
but back then I was scared to death!
I knew my stuff, but I was nearly petrified in front of a crowd.
I got so nervous in Peoria at the state contest
that I threw up in the hallway!
I finished the contest, but I didn't do well. I was just too scared to focus.
However, I have never forgotten the Bible tools I developed
nor the biblical truths I learned in those verses.
I had no idea back then that I would become a minister
and spend more than fifty years so far teaching and preaching from that precious book!
But God knew and He was preparing me even then.
We all need to follow the path He has planned for us
and that includes helping others follow their path.
You will need His principles for life,
His wisdom for how to put them into practice,
and much more, if you’re going to help others.
It is a battle out there! Arm yourselves!
Prayer: Dear Lord, help us first of all to see the need
to be equipped for spiritual warfare
and then follow through with the preparation!
The eternity of others hangs in the balance
and we must get involved in the battle!
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