The SLINGSHOT Effect

THE SLINGSHOT EFFECT

The slingshot effect is also known as a planetary swing-by or a gravity-assist maneuver. It is performed to achieve an increase in speed and/or a change of direction of a spacecraft as it passes close to a planet.

To be a little more precise, conservation of kinetic energy and momentum before and after the interaction requires

Complicated, huh?

The point is that this shot and timing must be accurate. Any divergence will cause the craft to miss the mark.

The slightest flight path error can cause catastrophic consequences. Any slight divergence off the flight path may seem insignificant, at first, but as time passes the margin of error becomes apparent as the divergent path widens and the craft will miss the mark and may be flung into outer space, forever lost. Therefore, any recognized error must be corrected quickly.

If you do not realize your mistake, your craft go to far astray, and you may not be able to correct the trajectory or path.

SO IT can be with life within the Body of Christ –

Jesus warns us about making this type of mistake. Matthew 24:4 “And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. (v5) For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.

(v9) “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.

(v10) “At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.

(v11) “Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.

(v12) “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.

(v13) “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.

The Apostles Paul and Timothy also warn us against false prophets and false teachings within the church: “Beware, lest any man deceive you through philosophy and vain deceit after the traditions of men.”

Most people who intend to follow Jesus, have sincere intentions. Some, however, decide to “give it a try” to see how it goes, and will make a final decision later.

The latter can be a serious miscalculation.

You see, we are called to become Disciples of Jesus. Not just adherents to Christianity.

The difference between being an ‘adherent’ or being a ‘disciple’ may seem insignificant. Some might say I am playing with semantics. But, diverging from what Jesus commanded will cause you to miss the mark. (Sin: Strong’s New testament concordance defines SIN (harmartia) to miss the mark, to be with a share in, to be mistaken)

Finally, there is another SLINGSHOT EFFECT found in the Bible from I Samuel 17 that predates the modern day slingshot by 2,500 years!

I Samuel 17:45 “Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted.

49 And David put his hand into his bag and took from it a stone and slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead. And the stone sank into his forehead, so that he fell on his face to the ground.

50 Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a slingshot and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and killed him; but there was no sword in David’s hand.

51 Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.”

• David is the Warrior of God.

  • YOU be the warrior of God.

• The slingshot was the delivery method.

  • YOU be the delivery method by your testimony.

• The five smooth stones were the sacred elements of God’s Word.

  • YOU speak those very Words into the face of trouble and evil.

Let’s be filled with God’s Word. Let’s know God’s Word. Let’s Speak God’s Word, and no man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life!!

Let’s get this done, dear brothers and sisters in Christ.

Your Friend and Co Laborer

Mike Young