If you browse any Christian bookstore, you will see countless devotionals. The problem is that most of those devotionals are geared toward women only. Seeing this, Robert Noland with his years of ministry and writing experience, created The Sword and the Shield to meet this pressing need.
From Biblical to medieval times, the sword was used as an offensive weapon, and the shield for defense. In the dominant hand of the warrior, the sword was wielded to advance, while in the lesser hand, the shield defended against attacks. Both were equal and necessary to survive in battle and achieve victory. The sword illustrates spiritual growth and transformation into the image of Christ, and the shield represents moral protection and proactive efforts to stop the enemy's attacks.
Today, we are pleased to share with you a sample chapter from The Sword and the Shield. Be inspired and challenged by Robert Noland's words. You will see how even the first chapter of this 40-day devotional will encourage and stretch men to be leaders for Christ in their families, workplaces, and circles of influence. | |
DEVOTIONAL SAMPLE: DAY 1 Offense Defense
| | On this first day, we'll take a look at a more modern version of how we can think about offense and defense to diver deeper spiritually.
Professional team sports are a mainstay in our culture's entertainment. There's a strong likelihood that you follow at least one sport, even in the offseason. Whether eleven on the football field, nine on the baseball diamond, five on the court, or even the one NASCAR driver with the pit crew looking on, offense and defense are equally crucial aspects in any sport. A team can have an amazing offense, but if there is a weak defense, they can still lose. And vice versa. We all know that consistent winners score points on offense and stop points on defense.
God through His Word has given us thousands of life principles to live by—for offense and defense. Here are some examples:
IN YOUR PURITY: - Offense—Psalm 51:10: Create in me a pure heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.
- Defense—Psalm 119:37,39: Turn my eyes from worthless things…Help me abandon my shameful ways.
"Create" and "renew" are proactive words of offense, while "turn my eyes" and "help me abandon" are phrases of defense. These prayers ask God, paraphrasing, "help me begin these activities, while helping me stop these others." Change always requires starting new things while simultaneously stopping or ending old things. God will provide His "new" to replace the "old" we give up. Offense leads us into good and defense helps us stay away from evil. | | IN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS: - Offense—Proverbs 27:17: As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
- Defense—Proverbs 3:27: Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it's in your power to help them.
Spiritual sharpening is offense, while being careful to not withhold is defense. | | IN YOUR WORSHIP: - Offense—Psalm 95:6: Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.
- Defense—Matthew 5:23–24: "So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifices to God."
Maintaining reconciliation is the defense clearing the field for your offense to bow and kneel, moving your faith forward. | | IN YOUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH: - Offense—Psalm 46:10: Be still, and know that I am God!
- Defense—Ephesians 4:31: Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.
As your defense "gets rid of," your offense can "be still and know." | | The offense/defense strategy is essentially a Bible study method that can help you place spiritual principles into your life. For any area where you have temptations or struggles and want to engage new patterns of behavior, find offensive and defensive Scriptures to support you. Once you find your own, place them in familiar places you see every day. Memorize them for application.
One of the greatest spiritual weapons we can wield is the incredible power of Scripture—both offensively to grow in the faith and defensively to defeat temptation and sin. Isaiah 55:11 states: "It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it." | | | REFLECT Find and write down a favorite verse that best describes your spiritual offense for where you are in your life right now. Try to memorize the verse or passage.
Find and write down a favorite verse that best describes your spiritual defense for where you are in your life right now. Try to memorize the verse or passage. | | | | "Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word and how it works so powerfully in my life. Teach me to know You through Your Word and let Your truths go into my heart and flow out of my words and actions to other—changing me and changing the world." | |  Support RevelationMedia Today and Receive The Sword and Shield by Robert Noland
Whether for yourself, your son, your father, your brother, or your spouse, this devotional will offer relevant principles of spiritual growth and moral protection, and will encourage all who read it to spend time daily connecting with God.
Prayerfully consider making a donation to RevelationMedia today, and you will receive The Sword and the Shield. We are able to offer you this incredible opportunity with the gracious support of our friends at iDisciple Publishing. All donations made to RevelationMedia support our ongoing efforts to bring quality Christian content to the US and around the globe, and helps us provide these resources for free to the global missions community. | | | 
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