From the Home Place

February 25, 2026

With only three days left in February, it looks as if all but the last one could be a tad tough. Strong winds today and tomorrow, with some snow today that will definitely come sideways. The temperature will be decent each day but will feel much cooler because of the wind. However, thank you Lord for some moisture and for Your protection!

Yesterday, I spent four hours on the road with a friend. Looked at some horses, ate a good lunch and had a great visit with a man from Harrison, Nebraska, who owns a tack shop there. And what a tack shop. Jarold and his son are both leather workers who seem to be able to make, or repair anything made out of leather. He has every kind of bit a feller could ever want, along with lots of things he has braided. His son is also making some beautiful knives. If you need anything for a horse, from hoof care to another saddle, they have it there.

As we visited, we soon were talking spiritual matters, and what a great visit we did have. As we were talking about the present spiritual condition of America, along with how God is about to make some serious changes to that landscape, we then turned to Scripture. As we talked, I mentioned the verses about spiritual warfare found in Ephesians 6:10-20, we started thinking about the last half of verse 17, “and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Open your Bible to Matthew 26:52. In verse 51, Peter has just cut off the ear of “the slave of the high priest.” Then in v.52, Jesus looks at Peter and says, “put your sord back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.”

Now, put those two verses together and you have the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; and “those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.”(NASB) Many versions use the word “die” instead of the word “perish,” both words meaning the same thing.

So, chew on this one, if a person lives by the Bible (the sword of the Spirit), then that person will most likely die by that same sword. Charlie Kirk soon came to our minds and then we talked about the book “Fox’s Book of Martyrs.” From there we traveled to talking about how the disciples died as well. And from there, we talked of how there seems to be more and more hatred coming out against those who stand on biblical truth.

Yesterday, there was a “street side preacher” attacked by a Muslim Malita in England. A scene that is repeated several times over around our world each day. In the U.S., we have national politicians and television programs consistently telling us that “Christians” are a threat to everyone’s American freedoms. It would appear that for those who choose to “live by the sword of Scripture,” the possibility of dying by the sword (because of the sword) becomes more real each day.

As we three men, all from different age groups, prepared to continue on with our day; we agreed that each of us will one day die, why not die for the one thing that really matters, proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Yesterday, my young friend and I stopped to look at an amazing tack shop; we left challenged about living by the sword! With that, I shook the hand of a new friend and commented, “I hope to see you soon, either here, there or in the air.” It was a grand day!

Living by the sword with you, Neal