The Helmet of Salvation

Ephesians 6:17 “Take the helmet of salvation…” 

What is the purpose of a helmet?  To protect your brain, which contains your thoughts!  Satan attacks us through our thoughts.  The only way to protect your mind is to first make sure that you have SALVATION.  Only the Holy Spirit within us can help us have thought control.   I wrote a devotion several years ago about our thought life.  That is what I’m going to share today.  

"But He knew their thoughts…" 

"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!" 

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?  Think of 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.” 

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.

The Gospel of Peace (Peace Shoes)

 The third piece of armor...you ladies will love this one...shoes!!  

Ephesians 6:15 “with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the 

gospel of peace.”  

For me, the focus of this passage 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, in politics; 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 word 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 

So put your "peace shoes" on.  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

 The second piece of armor is 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. 

 Ephesians 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

The first piece in our armor is The Belt of Truth.  

[Ephesians 6:13-14 NIV] "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. Stand firm then, 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! His tricks have not changed.  He is the ultimate deceiver.  That is why we must be grounded in the truth...so that we can spot the lies.

 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."  

  Every question or situation that you may come across will have a solution in God’s word…but you must read it!  Never in history has God's word been so readily available. There are endless websites that assist with bible study and tons of apps for your phone that enable you to carry the word with you wherever you go.  We have no excuses for not reading the bible.  My bible app will even read it to me!!  

We must use every tool that God gives us 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! 

Battle Ready

“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.”  Ephesians 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. 

 "The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."

  Exodus 14:14 NIV

 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! 

Join me for the next few days as we learn how to be BATTLE READY!!!

A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words

April 11, 1934

To you that may not seem like an important date, but to me it is.  Clara Dell Grider was born on that date.  She is my mother. There are really not enough words to describe her…she is just simply the best.  She is the most generous, loving, selfless and nurturing person I know.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words…that is why I chose this picture to post today. The look on my Mama’s face captures who she is.

  (You will notice that I am looking at the camera…but she is looking at me.)  

 

This picture was taken right after I had given birth for the first time. My mother had always taken care of me and been the strongest person in any room, but on that day when I was in labor with Cody, my oldest child, I saw a side of her that I had never seen.  She was very uneasy.  She said that she could not stay in the room with me while I was in labor because she could not bear to see me in so much pain. (Now that I am a mother, I totally understand.  I would rather die than see one of my children hurting.)

Afterwards, when she could finally come back in the room, everyone else was looking at the baby, but she was looking at me.  I know that she had to make sure that I was OK.  That is what this picture conveys…her looking at me with “love eyes” to make sure that her baby was OK. Nothing could ever take away the love that she has for me. 

I am 43 years old…and I still know that she is looking at me with that love and concern in her eyes…making sure her baby is OK.  It reminds me of my Heavenly Father…looking down on me with love eyes…making sure I am OK. 

I have always known a mother’s love and I hurt for those that have not ever felt that.  I am so very blessed.  I think that is why it is so easy for me to understand the love of Jesus.  I know that some of you have never felt that kind of love from your parents here on this earth...but I am here to tell you that there is One that loves you just like my Mama loves me...His name is Jesus.  He is looking down from Heaven with eyes of love just for you.  

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us..."  1John 3:16 NIV

Today is my mother’s birthday…and there could be no greater gift for her than for someone to read these words and begin to grasp how much they are loved by Jesus today. 

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:38-39

Happy Birthday Mama!!!!!   I love you so much!