Friday, August 27, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Of years gone by and years to come we find our selves in the fight of our lives. Sometimes its the fight to get out of bed sometimes its the fight when a child is sick or we are feeling hopeless lost and alone.
Be encouraged ...
Know your savior is with you every moment and Christ has risen and is our living God!
Psalm 40 :11
Do not withhold your mercy from me, O Lord May your love and your truth always protect me!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Read Listen Learn
Just taking a few minutes on my lunch break to post in some links to sermons over the last month or so that have really hit home and mean the world to me in my walk and growth as a Christian in todays world. Bernard Bourque is our pastor at Telos Bible Church.
I pray daily that God uses me to bring Glory to His Kingdom and that he shapes my thoughts and words to be a blessing to him. Please pray, on your knees, walking to your car, with your wife or husband, with your kids etc. Pray hard, pray strong, pray accurately and pray like your life depends on it.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding:
In all ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.
- posted by null at Telos Bible Church: Sunday Audio - 1 day ago"America...What a Country!" - March 28, 2010
- posted by null at Telos Bible Church: Sunday Audio - 1 week ago"Who's Governing the Government?" - Romans 13:1-7 - March 21, 2010
- posted by null at Telos Bible Church: Sunday Audio - 1 week ago"Love The One You Hate" - Romans 12 - March 14, 2010
- posted by null at Telos Bible Church: Sunday Audio - 1 week ago"Are You Committed or Contributing?" - Romans 12:1-2 - February 28, 2010
- posted by null at Telos Bible Church: Sunday Audio - 1 week ago"Supernatural Claims Demand Supernatural Living" - Romans 12:3-13 - March 7, 2010
- posted by null at Telos Bible Church: Sunday Audio - 1 week ago"Standing on the Promises - Part II of II" - February 21, 2010
- posted by null at Telos Bible Church: Sunday Audio - 1 week ago"Standing on the Promises" - Romans 11:1-36 - February 7, 2010
- posted by null at Telos Bible Church: Sunday Audio - 1 week ago"Tap into Christ, Tap into Good News" Romans 10:1-21 - January 31, 2010
Its not about me.... Its about the Kingdom
Deny yourself of your selfish desires
Exchange your will for the will of God
Exchange your mind for the mind of Christ
Amen
www.telosbiblechurch.com
www.telosdiscer.ning.com
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Bein a part of the whole
Ive got to tell you life is rough sometimes and we feel 70% or even less, an illness, a happening be it an unexpected bill or a child is ill or meets with a struggle. The combination of all the junk life throws at us really sometimes wears us down, makes us a remnant of who we know ourselves to be. Sometimes we just want to feel sorry for ourselves because we aren't firing on all cylinders, fired up and being the powerhouse we know ourselves to be.
Whats missing, where is the fix to this. Speaking only from my simple thinking and approach to life the thing I keep coming back to is how connected to the Holy Spirit do I allow myself to be. For all things. Am I asking for guidance? Or am I asking for help in all things, the decisions, the words to speak, the actions, the thoughts, the love to share, the facial expressions to show love and concern for others, the warmth, the direction, the many many many parts of our day that we do need our lives to take shape in the hands of GOD. Where do we start? When do we pray? Pray all throughout your day as your internal dialogue is filled with prayer as who are we really talking to? Of course as Christ lives in us we live with him and dialogue with him to reach our full potential. As Paul said we need to pray like we breathe throughout our day. If we can only reach that level of self awareness and consciousness our lives become complete "Telos".
I'm so blessed to have Christ in my life, as a sinner, a simple man, an unworthy lover of Christ I tell you there is no greater love to be known that that of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. He lay down his life in a way none of us would for others and all we have to do is say "YES" to the free gift. Wow, what an amazing thought, that easy, so needed, so freely given and received.
As we might find ourselves at less than 100% or not feeling whole. Are we asking ourselves :"Am I in contact with my Father, the Holy Spirit and Jesus throughout my day." Am I praying for discernment, words, healing, guidance etc. " We have got to be leaving ourselves open to failure or a diminished existence if we are not connected and connecting to HIM constantly.
I pray we are all close to our Father and keeping pace with the world around us, if we don't charge forth and have our focus on him we will not make the progress we should.
Proverbs 3 5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Zip Line tree top canopy jungle tour in Branson Missouri
Zip line tours come to Branson and new information is surfacing rapidly. follow link below for full story.http://bransonvacatio.ning.com/profiles/blogs/zip-line-crazy-soh
Is my latest post of this information. Please see this if you are interested in new stuff going on in Branson.
disclaimer... im not an expert or the authority etc etc ... just an observer that shares.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Spring around the corner, planning the garden and harvest!
Wow take a look at the columbine we have out front some of which are purple and some are white and pink. I was going through my pictures yesterday and came across a bunch from last spring and how did that make me long for the first of the plants and flowers to start popping up from the ground.All over our property there are beautiful plants that come to bear their flowers and green leaves. Very few are wild and those had to be carried by a bird or animal as the seedlings drifted from their source. Most of the incredible s
ights we get to see are from the Pope family that lived here before us, Dianne planted many many flowers, bulbs, bushes and shrubs that we now get to enjoy. I am thankful to her hard work and creativity as it is such a rejuvenating experience as March then April roll around.
We are already deciding what to plant in the garden and I am excited to see tons of tomatoes and peppers again this year. I cant w
ait to make some of my Senor Pablo Salsa for family and friends. Planning and preparation for the coming growing season just seems natural and a part of what great rewards we get to enjoy. From flowers to vegetables the coming season of life just makes me feel good, makes me feel a part of something bigger than myself. Feeling like not a creator but a curator, a helper, a tenant, a steward of the gifts laid out before me.
I'm reading in John 15 this morning and it reminded me of how Christ laid out the whole fruit thing. You know we aren't the center of the universe, Its not just all about us, we are part of a greater and larger whole. I'm telling you it is a privilege to be able to wake up each day and have an outlook of being a part of something great. The only way I can think to describe it is just as a seed we were planted and born into the world, someone had to water us and others fertilize us to bring us to where we are now. Not a quick season
but a long one and many things to challenge our growth, strong and harsh winds, beckoning hot and searing days, rains that seemed to flood the soul and yet over and over again we are fed and watered and grow and grow. If we are connected to the great and wondrous God we know to be the center and all of our lives we can see where we can produce fruit, some it comes easy and others wither and die. I am so blessed to have had those in my life that watered me and fed me with the truth and the life and the way.
Christ in me has made me who I am and want to be, a lover of life, alive and thriving to share his love as no one can know until they turn over their lives to experience the greatness of his
presence in their existence. It is heaven on earth, glimpses of the majesty he invites us to enjoy for eternity. No one shall come to my father except through him. I am telling you, if you haven't read these verses I am about to post... please take just a second and think about it. It is so easy to stop and surrender, fight for not?! Or give it to him who is love and brings love and peace through Grace. Whats their to lose, oh... yeah an eternity, really. If you have ever devoted your self to anything or had a discipline in life you can do this with great reward. What are we doing with our time other than dumping hours of crud from the TV and other mind melters.
Stop each day, be silent, breathe deeply and slowly, give your mind up to a verse or a chapter in the bible, contemplate where you want to be and pray... pray like you have never prayed before. Not some fake scripted deal ... pray for what is important ... pray for peace.. for Gods will to be done and for discernment for your words and actions of the day. Pray that you are in awe of Gods great power and that he is the almighty and all powerful God that we should fear being without. Pray for your family and their ability to make wise decisions and that they also may be blessed to bless others and love others as Christ commands us to. Ok ... please read and think!
John 15
The Vine and the Branches
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.
4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.
8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.14 You are my friends if you do what I command.15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
17 This is my command: Love each other.
I love you guys ... please spread love and peace!
Paul
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
What is the meaning of life!?
Deut 30 God promises his people results for their obedience. To look at the law and follow his commands and be rewarded. The law is to show us what sin is, to illuminate those things that are evil and not of God. Just like an eye chart shows us we need glasses ... the law shows us we need Christ. We were given a gift to accept if we choose. The gift of salvation to take freely if we recognize the sins for what they are and asking for Christ to bring forgiveness. and to lead us by coming in...to our hearts and making us a new person. no matter how dirty or screwed up we might be he wants to
love us and rescue is from sin pain oppression of addiction or abuse by making us a new person reborn by his sacrifice on the cross. We have him to strengthen us guide us protect us love us understand us be patient with us believe in us provide for us enlighten us and never let us go. Please know lifes meaning is f...or us to know God and in that all answers are provided. As we journey closer in knowing him.
Please understand, we have the keys to our future in our hands as we make decisions to interact with others and take our journey each day. We decide to be angry or happy. We decide how to react to a situation or not react but think before we act. The question is; what is our motive to act. What motivates us? Are we reacting out of fear, anger, oppression, loneliness and other situations that might have wounded us and left us in a place of doubt and frustration. Or are we clear and understand the path before us is in our control even if we have nothing we still have the ability to stand to our feet and walk towards our goals, to find our way, to make a new day out of each that is presented. To many people choose to lay down and take a beating. We are not propetual victims, we do have a choice in life.
I choose life! I choose to Love! I choose to fight the good fight each day!
I put on my armor and battle evil by dumping as much good and love into this world as I can and try to bring others along with me for the march.
The march not to protest evil but to Support Love! The march down the path of life with God holding me up with his righteous right hand! I may fall, I may be kicked and bruised at times and battered by our world. Though we may stumble we will find refuge in Christ our King. Get up! Stand UP! Only you can decide ...... Victim or Victorious!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Live like you are loved!
God is so great that he loves me, my day is brightened by his love for us.
1 John 4:4
You dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Testing the spirit of truth and righteousness-
We will know those who are from God because they love as God is Love and those who do not love are not from God. We cant throw away our brothers and sisters that are human and are hammered down by the world constantly and forget to love every moment of every day. As we all struggle in this fallen world we can look to Christ and reflect his light to those who hurt us and love them and forgive them so we can show them the MERCY our father has shown us. This doesn’t mean we have to be punks or lay down and take abuse. We should be strong in our faith and strong in our word to yield it when we face adversity and others struggles against righteousness. The sword is the piercing truth we carry in our hearts and minds. We must sharpen the sword daily by laying upon it the time and drawing across it the living word.
1 John 3:18
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.19 This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence
Christ died for us so we to should die for him, that is our pride, our ego, our sense of self that we can lay down our lives( time talent love ) for our brothers and sisters. If we dont love we cant keep it going. Pass it on today. Love others like Christ loves us. Dont stop with yourself when others are in need. Yes there are smart ways to do this and safe ways. God didnt say to be stupid he says to love and extend our selves out of our comfort zone.
Have a great day and know you are loved and he that is in you is greater than he who is in the world. That Christ gave up for you everything you needed to be set free. Just look at your life and if you know you are a sinner or are seperated from him because of your sin. Just tell Christ... cry out ... Lord Father in Heaven , I am a sinner I am imperfect, come into my life and Love me... Be the LORD of my life. I give all I have to you and want to get closer to you. Lord I know I am forgiven and I believe you Christ Jesus are my Lord and Savior and Died for my sins so I might have a new life in you!
Know you are saved and have a new life in him. If you need something I can help you come close to him with, a church a bible a prayer. Just ask! God loves you so much he gave his son! So we might have eternal and everlasting life! Be Blessed today!
1 John 4:4
You dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Testing the spirit of truth and righteousness-
We will know those who are from God because they love as God is Love and those who do not love are not from God. We cant throw away our brothers and sisters that are human and are hammered down by the world constantly and forget to love every moment of every day. As we all struggle in this fallen world we can look to Christ and reflect his light to those who hurt us and love them and forgive them so we can show them the MERCY our father has shown us. This doesn’t mean we have to be punks or lay down and take abuse. We should be strong in our faith and strong in our word to yield it when we face adversity and others struggles against righteousness. The sword is the piercing truth we carry in our hearts and minds. We must sharpen the sword daily by laying upon it the time and drawing across it the living word.
1 John 3:18
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.19 This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence
Christ died for us so we to should die for him, that is our pride, our ego, our sense of self that we can lay down our lives( time talent love ) for our brothers and sisters. If we dont love we cant keep it going. Pass it on today. Love others like Christ loves us. Dont stop with yourself when others are in need. Yes there are smart ways to do this and safe ways. God didnt say to be stupid he says to love and extend our selves out of our comfort zone.
Have a great day and know you are loved and he that is in you is greater than he who is in the world. That Christ gave up for you everything you needed to be set free. Just look at your life and if you know you are a sinner or are seperated from him because of your sin. Just tell Christ... cry out ... Lord Father in Heaven , I am a sinner I am imperfect, come into my life and Love me... Be the LORD of my life. I give all I have to you and want to get closer to you. Lord I know I am forgiven and I believe you Christ Jesus are my Lord and Savior and Died for my sins so I might have a new life in you!
Know you are saved and have a new life in him. If you need something I can help you come close to him with, a church a bible a prayer. Just ask! God loves you so much he gave his son! So we might have eternal and everlasting life! Be Blessed today!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Daily I'm asked to pray for friends and I add them to my list and am willing to stop and pray with friends for their family and friends families. I was approached today to pray for a friends son who is leaving for Iraq. I'm telling you that is such a moving request knowing my son at 11 someday may want to serve his country and being so close to our veterans and Purple Heart recipients here in Missouri, the reality and brutality of war is so powerful and heartbreaking. We need to stop and pray for our armed forces and families that are going through stress, worry, sorrow, loss, fear and loneliness while they are away from their families. My heart goes to everyone and I pray like Paul did for his brothers and sisters in Ephesus. That they could know God and with his amazing and boundless love that their lives could be without fear as they give up their worries and problems to God to handle because he can handle all the junk as big as it might be he can handle our sins as there is huge Grace waiting for all of us. As we trust in him we are freed and left to be ourselves to serve and bring Glory to his name. I love you guys! If you know anyone in need that is hurting, reach out. Show them the love of Christ that knows no color, no race, no sex no boundaries.
Ephesians 3:16
16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
If you have a need to be prayed for ... ask ... reach out ... cry out to Jesus first then reach out to your friends like me and others that love you.
If you or someone needs a bible or Gods word ...let me know! The Life Guide! The Eternal Blue Print! The People Users Handbook ... is free ... Ill mail one and mark the Romans Road in it ... whatever we can do to love others and put the Living Gods word in yours or someones hands.
GOD IS GREAT!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Heavy Load
Mmm, first thing I realize is that i am shivering and wet laying her shivering in the morning dew. No its rain, the wind must have blown so hard through the night that the rain was blowing sideways. My hip is sore from lying on my side even though I seemed to shift restlesly every 20 minutes or so. The smell of wet denim and the smoldering fire makes me wish I was back in the warmth of my bed at home. Why was I so quick to leave home? Thinking then that the old man was holding me back, I couldnt wait to get to the city. What an idiot! Havent brushed my teeth in at least two weeks, my socks are soaked, feet hurt all the time and my head wont stop itching. I would kill for a warm bath and some 400 count cotton sheets.
Things always look so different in the daylight I thought I was under a bridge and it seems like a railroad trussel or over flow from a creek to a slough. Im definately not the first to use this as a shelter from the cigarette butts and the small scattered scorched timber laying around. The sky is grey and a slight wind sure makes October feel real. The winter is slowly creeping its way into the flatlands of Kansas as I find my way home.
Two years ago I left home and the famliy business thinking I was better off on own and I remember that look on my fathers face, suprised .. no shock .. maybe suprise but I keep telling myself there was a tear in his eye. Man I miss my dad and the mornings in the coffee shop eating cinamon rolls and listening to the stories all the old men would be telling about fishing down at the river with visiting grandkids and church events like the monthly potluck and Mrs. Bates chocolate pie mmm //Ive got to keep moving. //
I left with nothing but my clothes and a promise that my future was mine, no one could tell me what to do ...not my brother... not my dad.... all on me .. all aboutme. Yeah so what I got a student loan and back into school a job and more bills and no time to enjoy anything but maybe some beers on a friday night and then broke and waiting for work and work to get paid and sit there feeling sorry for myself in a strange town away from my family. My moms meat loaf seemed to be like a family heirloom, dads big bowl of popcorn on the couch watching a football game and ...well you get the picture. Everything seemed hopeless until things got worse. Opportunity to make some quick money and friends that werent really friends but thiefs with no beliefs other than the idea that im the one with money and very popular. Couldnt see past my lonliness to know I was getting set up. My girl friend just moved out and left me with all the bills and a shattered heart.
Maybe four hours and Ill be home, please be home ... please be home. Three days hitchhiking and last night under a railroad bridge has left me a shadow, empty, a sliver of my existence. Please lord I just want to be a son. I want to be part of something bigger than myself. Hungrier for love of family the familiar smells of home the comfort of those walls that never moved, seemed like a world that needed me .... now to find pitiful me. Long behind me now is the long nights and waking up sore, coughing, broke and mad at myself for wasting my pay on liquor and girls that didnt care who I was. Walking down these railroad tracks just thinking each step closer I come closer to home. Dad would always see the homeless people by the tracks and invite them up to the house. We always had apples from the trees and potatoes in the cellar to send with them after a warm meal and laughing on the porch. Never passing up a chance to break out the bible and read to them while they were eating. Here I thought they must think we are fools, but the smiles and hopeful looks in their eyes seem so real to me now.
If Dad would just see me as drifter, I pray he would treat me as a stranger welcoming me in I would gladly leave to sleep by the river to just see their loving faces and let them know how foolish I am. My brother my brother dont you know.... no matter how dirty, how lonely, how full of despair you might be The father loves you and gave his son to give you that warm bed, familiar love, family you will have wherever you go. Lifting your burden no matter how heavy it might be he is the Great I AM! He can carry the load, if you yield your way to THE WAY! Its really simple and it comes as you are now, as simple as it sounds to ask for forgiveness and a new life with Christ as the LORD of your life. Starting the way you are and growing daily to come closer, to please him. You change, things dont seem as fun or important unless its to please him. And yeah Im a big dumb sinner but man life is grand living with my father, he makes me right and lights my path.
Things always look so different in the daylight I thought I was under a bridge and it seems like a railroad trussel or over flow from a creek to a slough. Im definately not the first to use this as a shelter from the cigarette butts and the small scattered scorched timber laying around. The sky is grey and a slight wind sure makes October feel real. The winter is slowly creeping its way into the flatlands of Kansas as I find my way home.
Two years ago I left home and the famliy business thinking I was better off on own and I remember that look on my fathers face, suprised .. no shock .. maybe suprise but I keep telling myself there was a tear in his eye. Man I miss my dad and the mornings in the coffee shop eating cinamon rolls and listening to the stories all the old men would be telling about fishing down at the river with visiting grandkids and church events like the monthly potluck and Mrs. Bates chocolate pie mmm //Ive got to keep moving. //
I left with nothing but my clothes and a promise that my future was mine, no one could tell me what to do ...not my brother... not my dad.... all on me .. all aboutme. Yeah so what I got a student loan and back into school a job and more bills and no time to enjoy anything but maybe some beers on a friday night and then broke and waiting for work and work to get paid and sit there feeling sorry for myself in a strange town away from my family. My moms meat loaf seemed to be like a family heirloom, dads big bowl of popcorn on the couch watching a football game and ...well you get the picture. Everything seemed hopeless until things got worse. Opportunity to make some quick money and friends that werent really friends but thiefs with no beliefs other than the idea that im the one with money and very popular. Couldnt see past my lonliness to know I was getting set up. My girl friend just moved out and left me with all the bills and a shattered heart.
Maybe four hours and Ill be home, please be home ... please be home. Three days hitchhiking and last night under a railroad bridge has left me a shadow, empty, a sliver of my existence. Please lord I just want to be a son. I want to be part of something bigger than myself. Hungrier for love of family the familiar smells of home the comfort of those walls that never moved, seemed like a world that needed me .... now to find pitiful me. Long behind me now is the long nights and waking up sore, coughing, broke and mad at myself for wasting my pay on liquor and girls that didnt care who I was. Walking down these railroad tracks just thinking each step closer I come closer to home. Dad would always see the homeless people by the tracks and invite them up to the house. We always had apples from the trees and potatoes in the cellar to send with them after a warm meal and laughing on the porch. Never passing up a chance to break out the bible and read to them while they were eating. Here I thought they must think we are fools, but the smiles and hopeful looks in their eyes seem so real to me now.
If Dad would just see me as drifter, I pray he would treat me as a stranger welcoming me in I would gladly leave to sleep by the river to just see their loving faces and let them know how foolish I am. My brother my brother dont you know.... no matter how dirty, how lonely, how full of despair you might be The father loves you and gave his son to give you that warm bed, familiar love, family you will have wherever you go. Lifting your burden no matter how heavy it might be he is the Great I AM! He can carry the load, if you yield your way to THE WAY! Its really simple and it comes as you are now, as simple as it sounds to ask for forgiveness and a new life with Christ as the LORD of your life. Starting the way you are and growing daily to come closer, to please him. You change, things dont seem as fun or important unless its to please him. And yeah Im a big dumb sinner but man life is grand living with my father, he makes me right and lights my path.
Get up Stand up Put on the Armor!
Know that every day we need to put on the armor as this is full on warfare. And you know im talking about Ephes 6 10 ..... God tells us we have to have it on to get it on with the enemy .. who is Satan. He has no power over us, only our weakness in doing nothing will allow him to over power our lives..... Truth .... Integrity.... Peace....and the Power of Gods Words will bring us to WARRIOR status... guys its simple ... if we follow we fail ... if we do nothing we fail ... if daily ... we prepare for battle ... pray into the day ... put on the armor...reminding ourselves what it is and why we should...we will be able to protect and serve our families the way Christ intended. Be strong today for Christ sake...pray like your life depends on it!
The Armor Of Christian Warfare
Ephesians 6:10-17
Taken from a message
by Adrian Rogers
Whether you realize it or not, you are a part of a deadly war between light and darkness. You cannot afford to be ignorant and you cannot be neutral. If you try to be neutral you’re going to find yourself in the most dangerous place of all.
Ephesians 6:10-17 is not just a call to arms, but also a declaration of victory. If you are going to gain this victory, you must be armed and you must put on “the whole armor” not just the pieces that are the most comfortable.
The Girdle Of Truth – The Believer’s Integrity
A soldier in Paul’s day had a leather girdle that he tightened about his waist to protect his loins and carry his weapons of warfare, such as a dagger or sword. The belt also held his tunic together so it wouldn’t be snagged.
In Christian armor, it is integrity that holds everything else together. If you do not have integrity in the big and small things of your life, you are going to lose the battle. Without truth everything falls apart. Satan will come against you with lies and bring a lack of integrity into your life. Jesus is the Truth and will strengthen you with His integrity.
Would people say that you are a woman or man of integrity? If not, then you cannot win the battle.
The Breastplate Of Righteousness – The Believer’s Purity
The breastplate of a soldier was sometimes made of woven chain. Whatever the material, the purpose was the same – to cover the soldier’s vital organs. For the Christian, the breastplate is righteousness.
The enemy wants to attack you not only with lies, but also with impurity. He wants you to read filthy magazines, watch immoral movies, and engage in all temptations of the flesh. The bottom line is that Satan wants to get into your heart and mind. He’s looking for a crack in your armor. And don’t be fooled. Satan knows where that crack is.
Is your heart pure before God? If not, then you cannot win the battle.
The Shoes Of Peace – The Believer’s Tranquility
A Roman soldier needed good shoes in order to be victorious on the battlefield. Oftentimes, his shoes would have hobnails on the sole, very much like football cleats because when they were fighting they needed solid footing from which to move.
Jesus gives peace and unless you have peace, you can never make war. Sounds like a contradiction, doesn’t it? But you’ve got to have the peace of God in your heart first. When Satan comes against your tranquility, he throws out stones and briars of doubts and discouragement to cause you to stumble.
Do you have peace right now? If not, then you cannot win the battle.
The Shield Of Faith – The Believer’s Certainty
The Roman soldier’s shield measured approximately two by four feet and was made of wood covered with leather. In that day, soldiers dipped arrows in oil, then lit them and shot them at the enemy. These shields were vital to protect the solider from getting burned.
Satan is going to fire flaming arrows of doubt at you. He wants to place subtle doubts in your mind about God and His Truth. He knows a spark can ignite a big fire. You will need to feed your faith and starve your doubts.
Are there any seeds of doubt in your mind today? If there are, then you cannot win the battle.
The Helmet Of Salvation – The Believer’s Sanity
A soldier used a helmet to protect his head because if his head was wounded, he wouldn’t be able to think. Every believer needs to have the mind of Christ under the control of Almighty God.
When a person is saved, for the first time he has his right mind. A person without the Lord Jesus Christ has a form of insanity. They do not operate with the mind that God made them to have. The most important thing for you to have at all times is an assurance of your salvation.
The Armor Of Christian Warfare
Ephesians 6:10-17
Taken from a message
by Adrian Rogers
Whether you realize it or not, you are a part of a deadly war between light and darkness. You cannot afford to be ignorant and you cannot be neutral. If you try to be neutral you’re going to find yourself in the most dangerous place of all.
Ephesians 6:10-17 is not just a call to arms, but also a declaration of victory. If you are going to gain this victory, you must be armed and you must put on “the whole armor” not just the pieces that are the most comfortable.
The Girdle Of Truth – The Believer’s Integrity
A soldier in Paul’s day had a leather girdle that he tightened about his waist to protect his loins and carry his weapons of warfare, such as a dagger or sword. The belt also held his tunic together so it wouldn’t be snagged.
In Christian armor, it is integrity that holds everything else together. If you do not have integrity in the big and small things of your life, you are going to lose the battle. Without truth everything falls apart. Satan will come against you with lies and bring a lack of integrity into your life. Jesus is the Truth and will strengthen you with His integrity.
Would people say that you are a woman or man of integrity? If not, then you cannot win the battle.
The Breastplate Of Righteousness – The Believer’s Purity
The breastplate of a soldier was sometimes made of woven chain. Whatever the material, the purpose was the same – to cover the soldier’s vital organs. For the Christian, the breastplate is righteousness.
The enemy wants to attack you not only with lies, but also with impurity. He wants you to read filthy magazines, watch immoral movies, and engage in all temptations of the flesh. The bottom line is that Satan wants to get into your heart and mind. He’s looking for a crack in your armor. And don’t be fooled. Satan knows where that crack is.
Is your heart pure before God? If not, then you cannot win the battle.
The Shoes Of Peace – The Believer’s Tranquility
A Roman soldier needed good shoes in order to be victorious on the battlefield. Oftentimes, his shoes would have hobnails on the sole, very much like football cleats because when they were fighting they needed solid footing from which to move.
Jesus gives peace and unless you have peace, you can never make war. Sounds like a contradiction, doesn’t it? But you’ve got to have the peace of God in your heart first. When Satan comes against your tranquility, he throws out stones and briars of doubts and discouragement to cause you to stumble.
Do you have peace right now? If not, then you cannot win the battle.
The Shield Of Faith – The Believer’s Certainty
The Roman soldier’s shield measured approximately two by four feet and was made of wood covered with leather. In that day, soldiers dipped arrows in oil, then lit them and shot them at the enemy. These shields were vital to protect the solider from getting burned.
Satan is going to fire flaming arrows of doubt at you. He wants to place subtle doubts in your mind about God and His Truth. He knows a spark can ignite a big fire. You will need to feed your faith and starve your doubts.
Are there any seeds of doubt in your mind today? If there are, then you cannot win the battle.
The Helmet Of Salvation – The Believer’s Sanity
A soldier used a helmet to protect his head because if his head was wounded, he wouldn’t be able to think. Every believer needs to have the mind of Christ under the control of Almighty God.
When a person is saved, for the first time he has his right mind. A person without the Lord Jesus Christ has a form of insanity. They do not operate with the mind that God made them to have. The most important thing for you to have at all times is an assurance of your salvation.
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