The Shield of Faith

Ephesians 6:16 “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”  In order to understand what the Shield of Faith does, we have to understand faith.  Hebrews 11 explains all about it.  The very first verse says “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  I’m a big fan of Crime shows, a closet CSI (Crime Scene Investigator).  In these shows, the most important thing is the evidence.  They cannot solve crimes without evidence. Evidence is something that furnishes proof.  Our faith in God is based on the evidence around us. When you think about the Earth and the entire Universe and how everything works together perfectly, you see the evidence of God.  When you look at the formation of the human body from an egg and sperm to what you see before you in the mirror every day, you see the evidence of God.  When you witness the miracles of healing and the transformations in lives that were once ravaged by sin, you see the evidence of God.  We may not see Him face to face, but we definitely see the evidence.  We have the proof that He is here.  So how does that faith extinguish the flaming darts of satan?  Look at those flaming darts as the lies that satan shoots at us.  Satan says “No one loves you, you are worthless.”  God says “I love you so much that I gave my son to die for you.”(John 3:16) Satan says “God created your sexual desires, there’s nothing wrong with fulfilling those desires.  There’s no way you can stay a virgin until you get married.” But God says   “There is no temptation too great that I will not provide a way out.” (1Corinthians 10:13)     Satan says “You can’t trust God to provide you with food or money, you have to work all that you can, even Sunday, and keep all your money for your pleasure.” God says “I know what you desire, and if you seek Me first, I will give you everything you need.” (Luke 12:22-31)  Use your faith and the word of God as a shield.  As those flaming arrows come at you, you WILL be able to extinguish them all.

Feet Fitted with the Gospel of Peace

Eph 6:15 “with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”  Funny how God works!  Yesterday morning before getting ready for church, I sat down with my hubby to drink my coffee and watch a little church on TV.  Guess what the preacher was talking about?  The Armor of God.  I think He really wanted me to hear the message about the Gospel of Peace.  For some reason, when I had studied this before, I had gotten a completely different meaning than what I heard yesterday.  And as I look at it this morning, I see a totally different view than I ever have before!  The focus is not on the word “gospel” but on the word “peace”. One definition of the word peace is “the absence of conflict”.  Just think about how many times satan causes us to be in conflict with one another! In our homes, in our churches, at our work place, at school; everywhere we turn, there is conflict.  When we are in conflict with someone, it is very hard for us to minister or witness to anyone. Acts 10:36 tells us “You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.”  Peace through Jesus Christ.  Peace that passes all understanding.  That is what we should have and what we should be ready to take to a lost and troubled world. Sometimes that peace that we have in the middle of a storm (or conflict) is a bigger witness than any words that we can say.  People want to know “how can you be calm when this is happening?”  Then you tell them what Jesus said “Peace I leave with you; MY peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 Fit your feet with the good news that Jesus gives; a peace that overcomes all of the troubles and conflicts of this life.  Be ready to tell everyone where your peace comes from!  This world is not our home, we are only passing through…on our way to ultimate peace with our Lord and Savior!   

The Breastplate of Righteousness

 Ephesians 6:14 “with the breastplate of righteousness in place.”    The breastplate was the part of the armor that protected the vital organs like the heart and lungs.  Therefore, it was one of the most important things that the soldier could have on.   The Greek word for righteousness in this scripture is dikaiosune (Strong's #1343).  Crosswalk's online lexicon gives these definitions for this word: In a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God; the doctrine concerning the way in which man may attain a state approved of God; integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking, feeling, and acting.  In a narrower sense, justice or the virtue which gives each his due.   So, if we are to put on the breastplate of righteousness, what does that mean and how does it protect us from the devil?  Since this scripture is directed at those who know Christ, the righteousness here is the part of the definition which speaks of integrity, purity, rightness, correct thinking and correct acting.  As Christians, if we are putting on these things every day, then we will definitely have trouble following the ways of satan.  We can’t have integrity AND steal, we can’t have purity AND be sexually immoral, we can’t act correctly AND cuss someone out…you get the picture!   If we have truly given our lives to Christ and are seeking God’s righteousness, we will be changed.  Eph 4:22-24 says “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”  So put on the breastplate of righteousness EVERY day and guard your heart from satan’s wickedness.    

The Belt of Truth

Ephesians 6:14 “with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.”  If we do not know the truth of God, how can we ever fight against the devil and his schemes?  Satan doesn’t tempt us with things that we wouldn’t like.  Think of Eve in the garden…he used lies and deception to make that apple sound like the most amazing thing that she could ever eat. Ultimately, it led to death and destruction….for the entire world!  Satan will tempt us in the same way…it will look good, feel good, taste good, or give you (false) power!  In John 8:31-32 Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."   Jesus’ teaching is found in His word.  Every situation that you can come across will have a solution in God’s word…but you must read it!  There are some amazing websites that I use. Gotquestions.org is a website that I have found to be very sound and a great help when you need biblical answers.  Also, blueletterbible.com is a great site to look up scripture.  It has a wonderful search feature that can be used to look up any word or phrase.  Use every tool that God gives you to seek out HIS truth.  I challenge you to buckle it around your waist EVERY DAY!  Get in God’s word and KNOW the truth!  You must have it to fight in this battle! 

Armor of God

“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”  Eph 6:11-13  Sometimes I don’t think we fully understand that we are in a battle.  Every day we must battle the god of this world…satan.  2 Corinthians 4:4 says “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”  Our battle is against an unseen presence, but he is here.  Satan causes sickness, he causes conflict, he gives us shame and worry, he gives us evil thoughts, he tries to steal our children, he tries to steal our joy…anything that is evil comes from satan…not from God.  God is a healer; he gives peace, joy, comfort, hope, protection and LOVE.  The next few days we are going to look at each piece of the armor.  Evil forces will ALWAYS come against us because satan wants to ruin our witness and keep us from bringing others to Jesus.  When we learn how to protect ourselves with His armor, then we are to STAND…never run from the battle.  Stand and fight.  Satan is the god of this world, but we serve GOD ALMIGHTY and He has the power to crush the enemy.  That same power that resurrected Jesus from the dead lives in each of us who know Him as our Savior and that gives us authority over the enemy IN JESUS NAME!  Praise God! 

But He Knew Their Thougnts

Did your boss make you mad or upset today?  Did you think of all kinds of horrible things to say to him (or her)? Or maybe you imagined some terrible thing that could happen to them?  What if the rude sales associate at the store knew what you were “saying” to her in your mind?   What about your wife or husband?  What if they knew what you were REALLY thinking?  How embarrassing and destructive it would be if people knew our true thoughts.  Fortunately for us, there’s no one with super powers that can hear your thoughts, right?  

Wrong.  The psalmist wrote in Psalm 139 “O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.”   Oops!  Someone does hear our thoughts. 

In the New Testament, there are many scriptures showing that Jesus could read the thoughts of those around him… 

*Matthew  9:4 - Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?

*Matthew 12:25 - Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.

*Luke 9:47 - Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him.

*Luke 6:8 - But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.

These words should most definitely help us understand the power Jesus had when he was here on this Earth…but what about now?  God is omniscient. This means He has complete and unlimited knowledge, awareness, and understanding and He perceives ALL things. Omniscience is not restricted to any one person in the Godhead  - Father, Son or Holy Spirit – they are ALL by nature omniscient.  Therefore, Jesus is still hearing our thoughts as He sits at the right hand of God interceding for us. (Romans 8:34) 

Just ponder on this a moment…We have no problem believing that Jesus hears us when we pray in our minds (not using audible words)…so why would we not realize that He knows EVERY thought, not just those directed at Him?  This was an “Aha” moment for me.  I was reading Luke chapter 6 and verse 8 hit me like a ton of bricks!  “But he knew their thoughts…” 

I work so very hard to control what comes out of my mouth.  The things I speak can be heard, not only by the people around me, but by the demons that are stalking me trying to trip me up!  But my thoughts, I wanted to believe they were mine alone. This just isn’t true.  God knows my every thought. Hebrews 4:13 says “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” And those thoughts are in my heart and in my mind.  Proverbs 4:23 says “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”  Out of our hearts come the thoughts, from the thoughts come the words and deeds. 

The only way to control my sinful self is to hide God’s word in my heart so that I might not sin against Him.  Controlling our thoughts is a very difficult, but not impossible thing to do.  Hebrews 4:12 tells us “the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

God’s word is the ONLY thing that can control our thought life.  Never forget, someone does hear your thoughts!  But, PRAISE GOD, He also hears our prayers!  Ask Jesus to help you control your thoughts so that every part of your being will be pleasing to Him today! 

#7 Thing God Hates (Proverbs 6:19)

#7 Thing God Hates: a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.  In the KJV the word used is discord.  The definition of discord according to Merriam-Webster is a lack of agreement or harmony (as between persons, things, or ideas) : active quarreling or conflict resulting from discord among persons or factions : strife.  This one is very hard for us to understand.  My problem has always been this: where do you draw the line between telling the truth and stirring up dissension?  As I was listening to John Courson do a commentary on this the other day, he made me realize…the problem is not the  person who is causing the conflict or strife, it is the person or people that go around and tell everyone else about it that is the problem!  Just imagine this…you are making cookies.  You have everything mixed together and you think you are done and then you realize that you forgot the vanilla flavoring.  As you measure and start to pour the flavoring over the cookie dough, you realize that you have measured out Tobassco sauce instead (I know crazy example…but we Mom’s have been so preoccupied that we could to this!).  You have put about half the teaspoon in, so what are your options?  You can stir it all up and ruin the whole batch or you can take a clean spoon and dip the hot sauce out.  This is a picture of what this scripture is talking about.  God can take his “clean spoon” and dip out the problem or person causing the problem before it gets stirred into the whole batch.  Yes, there are times in our Christian walk (especially at church) that the truth should be unveiled.  The bible has all of the answers on how to handle every situation…Matt 18:15-17 NIV – “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”  1 Corinthians 5 tells us how to deal with other sin in the church.  But a scripture that will help us not go around wagging our tongues and “stirring” is Eph 4:29-31 NIV “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”  So put away those spoons and quit stirring! 

#6 Thing God Hates

#6 Thing God Hates: A false witness who pours out lies.  Again, I believe that these things that God hates are speaking to Christians.  Many churches have been damaged by people who do this.  A witness is someone who has seen something first hand.  Therefore, a false witness would be telling about something that they had not seen for themselves…only what they have heard and did not check to see if it was true.  Brother James Ross once preached a sermon on “How to Kill a Church”.  He said that “I heard” and “they said” were two of the biggest murderers of a church body.  This is something we are all guilty of.  No matter what someone tells us, even if they are reputable, we need to check it out for ourselves.  This could also be talking about someone who teaches and preaches false information.  Satan can use them to deceive others.  We should all be well versed in God's word so that we can recognize when someone is providing us with false information.  NEVER go to church without your bible.  You must test everything that is said to make sure that person is telling the truth.  Proverbs 14:5 says “A truthful witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.” Someone that is not seeking the truth in everything is being led by the devil…John 8:44 “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”  We must be very careful to seek the truth in all things. God hates liars because they damage His people and His church. 

#5 Thing God Hates

#5 Thing God Hates:  Feet that are quick to rush into evil. After studying these 7 things that God hates, I really feel that it is us, his children, which this is directed at.  You expect those that are living for satan to act this way, because they don’t belong to God or know His ways.  But we who proclaim to love God and be guided by the Spirit are still doing these detestable things every day.  Today we are focusing on “feet that are quick to rush into evil”.  You may say “I don’t embrace evil and I sure don’t rush into it.”  But we do.  What is the first thing that comes out of your mouth when your kids make you mad or someone pulls out in front of you?  What do you turn the TV to or look at on the computer after everyone else has gone to bed?  What do you do when someone comes to you with the latest gossip?  Do you check all sides of a story before taking a side in an argument?  What about when you are hunting or fishing, do you catch or kill more than you are allowed to?  Evil comes in many forms.  For Christians, it is subtle and seems harmless at the time.  That is how satan works.  He knows we are not going to jump into the obvious sins…but he lures us in with ways we don’t even recognize.  Read 1 John 1:5-10.   Verse 9 says “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  We need to search our lives and hearts and see if we have been quick to rush into evil.  We need to confess and move forward, always being aware that satan is laying in wait, trying to trip us up.  Evil comes with consequences…Romans 2:8-11 NIV – “But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.”  If we really approached every situation with the question “What would Jesus do” our feet would only be rushing into good! 

#4 Thing God Hates

#4 thing that God hates: a heart that devises wicked schemes.   This doesn’t say that “carries out wicked schemes”. It says “devises”. That means to plan. God hates just the plotting and planning of something wicked…you don’t even have to actually follow through with it. In Matthew 15 Jesus is trying to explain to the Pharisees and the teachers of the law that it is not what is going into the mouth that causes them to be unclean…it is what comes out of the mouth (which comes from the heart). Matt 15:8-11 NIV - " 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.' " Jesus called the crowd to him and said, "Listen and understand. What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean.' " 18-19 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander." We think that as long as we are not actively sinning than we are ok…but God knows our hearts. He hates the wicked, evil things that we plan in our minds. We must let the Holy Spirit control our minds and help us to have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5)

#3 Thing God Hates

#3 thing that God hates: hands that shed innocent blood.  I'm going to talk about something that is on my heart and is a VERY touchy subject...but it is so important.  When I read #3 today, that is the first thing that came to my mind. Those babies are innocent blood. Just like my life is not my own to take in suicide, their lives are NOT OURS to take away. They belong to God. Psalm 139:13-16 says: "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." On the twenty-second day after fertilization, a simple tubelike heart begins to beat within the baby.( http://www.biologyreference.com/La-Ma/Life-Cycle-Human.html) This means that before you miss your first peroid, the baby has a heart-beat! It is not a "product of conception" -IT IS A CHILD. There is good news for anyone who has had an abortion or encouraged someone else to have one...God offers forgiveness to anyone who asks for it. Romans 3:22 says, "We are made right in God's sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done." The Bible also tells us there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1), and so when we ask Him for forgiveness, He freely offers it. This is not because we deserve it, but because this is the loving nature of our Lord. For all of you young girls that may be reading this post...abortion is never the answer. There are many other solutions that will not bring the guilt, shame and heartbreak that comes with abortion. Seek God's face and do not live in fear. God works ALL things together for good (Romans 8:28).

#2 Thing God Hates

#2 thing that God hates: A lying tongue. We all know the horrible effects of telling untruths or even half-truths. We are ALL guilty of this. No matter how hard we try, it is just so easy to spread that "I heard" or "she said" without going to the source and trying to find the TRUTH! Even the most righteous among us will take a bit of information that was told to them and tell another without thinking to check the truth. We all get those email forwards warning us of scams, giant snakes that eat people, roach eggs in your envelopes...you know the ones. It struck me one day, "is this really true? Am I spreading a lie by sending this on without checking it out?" From that point on, I try to examine all of those things before forwarding to determine if they are true. We don't want our name attached to a lie, right? So in our everyday lives, how much more should we examine the truth before "forwarding" it on to another. Proverbs 26:28 says "A lying tongue hates those it hurts..." Wow, that is hard to ponder....because the bible also says "Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him." 1 John 3:15 WHOAAAA! If I tell a lie that means I hate the person I hurt and if I hate them I'm a murderer? When you think about it like that, it is pretty easy to see why God hates a lying tongue. Most of the time, telling a lie is easier than telling the truth....why? Because of satan. He is the father of lies. God is the Father of the Truth. Nobody said that living righteously would be easy...so let's bite that tongue before telling anything that may not be true. GOD HATES A LYING TONGUE!

#1 Thing God Hates

Good Morning! My next journey in the bible is going to take us to some scriptures that keep coming up everywhere lately! Proverbs 6:16-19 When you read that God HATES something...you take notice! I don't want to do anything that God would hate. So the #1 one thing is: Haughty eyes.   Haughty = Proud. What is the definition of pride? Arrogant or disdainful conduct or treatment; haughtiness; an excessively high opinion of oneself; conceit. Proverbs 16:18-19 says “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before ...a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.” Pride will always get in the way of your ministry. Satan’s downfall was pride…therefore he knows the power of it and he uses it to try to cause Christians to fall. I pray the Lord will help us examine our hearts and remove any pride that lives there. The opposite of pride is humility, which is the quality of being modest, reverential, even politely submissive, and never being arrogant, contemptuous, or rude. James 4:6 “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."” Oh Lord, please make us humble before you!

Waiting

How many hours of our lives have we spent waiting in line for something that we needed or that we really, really wanted? 

I have waited in line at the grocery store and the pharmacy.  I have waited in line at the gas pump and at restaurants.  I have waited in line for hours and hours for concert tickets and amusement park rides.  I have even waited in line for over two hours to get a good seat at a movie that I already had tickets for! 

Why do we spend all of this time waiting in line?  Because, at the end of that line, there is something that is so important or beneficial to us that we feel it is worth the wait.  But, are we happy waiting?   Of course not!  Do we grow tired and weary as we wait?  Sure we do.  In a society where we are spoiled to having everything in an instant…from cash to oatmeal…we have been programmed for impatience!

  Waiting is just not in our vocabulary.

This is even true when it comes to seeking God.  When we ask for something, we expect Him to answer immediately.  We want “Same Day Service”.  We want in the

"Express Request Lane”. We want to call the “Instant Access Line”.

We want to shop at the “Quick-Stop of God”.  

 

 

 We refuse to have to wait on Him to answer us. One night, as I prayed, desperately seeking His face about a situation in my life (and getting a little impatient), I asked God to please show me the answer. He showed me, alright!  He gave me a dream about waiting in lines.  He showed me that waiting on Him is like waiting in that line for something you REALLY want…something you are willing to spend an entire day waiting outside in the elements (in a line as long as the eye can see for…let's say...  Garth Brooks tickets...yes, I did that, too) for.  God re-emphasized with me that something worth having is always worth waiting for!

 

The scripture I woke up with the next morning was Isaiah 40:31…

 

 

“But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength.

They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” 

 

I asked for an answer and He sure gave me one…"WAIT"!  So as I waited for His perfect answer, I had peace about things because I know he heard my prayers…and I knew that He was going to answer in HIS TIME!!! 

“Have you never heard or understood? Don't you know that the LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak.  Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up.  But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:28-31 NLT