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14 Stand therefore, having
girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16
above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all
the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 and take the helmet of salvation, &
the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all
prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance
& supplication for all the saints----
Is our helmet of salvation in place? Heard another teaching from this passage and was reminded of earlier years of watching football on T.V. with my husband. It was late seventies of last century and some of those players had great heads of hair. And should they remove their helmet after several plays, their hair-do now matched the shape of their helmet.
In view of this, do we recognize the importance of having head gear in place? The sport of football involves lots of contact. The amount of contact people have every day, I wondered why there was not more emphasis on the truth of how serious those injuries are to a person's head. Many who suffer severe trauma to their head and or neck sometimes never recover full use of their body's operation.
There was recent report of the head injuries each year sustained by those who ride bikes and even motor cycles. In this article or news information regarded the country but named the Northwest specifically because of the greater number of those who persistently use their bike or motorcycles for use during the warmer yet still somewhat rainy season of the northwest region. But this report had also included another group, those who ride those scooters. And the injuries from one city was a great number involving those who should know better as they are in their 30's and 40's who rode scooters either for the two hour tour time or 4 hour play time.
I know we never leave for a bike ride without that head support nor does our grand-daughter when she rides her bike!
But there must still remain a group, for whatever reason they refuse to wear any head gear. For the numbers certainly appear for those injured during sports, play or travel within a city or county of the northwest.
From verse 13 we are told to put on the whole armor of God, that you and I may be able to stand against evil in the evil day. And when we have done this whole armor thing, you and I stand.
We know this to be spiritually, but the importance is still the main point. Spiritually weak will one lie down in weakness and torment. We are given a description of how to stand vigorously. It begins by girding our waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness. We are to read and know what God has said to us through His prophets and apostles. We are to be equipped with the word of God just like Jesus was in the wilderness at the beginning of His ministry.
We put on the breastplate of righteousness when we conform to God's will. His will and way is perfect. We should want to conform to them. Our feet are to be shod with the gospel of peace. In reading and meditating on His truths, we are guided by those truths.
Psalm 37:23 NKJV The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the LORD upholds him with His hand.
I was also reminded of this: Psalm 50:22-23 Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be done none to deliver: 23 Whoever offers praise glorifies Me, and to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.
Had heard this testimony this morning by Lester Summrall and it occurred around the eighties I think he said. He was an evangelist for the Lord and saw many people come to salvation. In his story, he told of this young girl who received salvation. Within this young teen girl, her life had been changed dramatically and had been going to church. She was wanting to serve there after receiving her salvation. In this household, her older brother made her leave the church. He showed up at church while she was there and made her leave with him. He continued to harass and abuse her about her belief in God and how she did not need that.
Well, as the young man continued to harass and intimidate her, one day while he was out plowing a field during the day he had died in the field. Dr. Lester Summrall said he had been called out to this this tragic event. The young man who aggravated with constant verbal abuse about the Lord to his sister had been hit by a lightning strike with no clouds in the sky! It was on a cloudless day that they found he had been burned to where his clothes were non existent, and one of his shoes was thrown many yards away. Yes, they knew he had been struck by lightning.
Well, as the young man continued to harass and intimidate her, one day while he was out plowing a field during the day he had died in the field. Dr. Lester Summrall said he had been called out to this this tragic event. The young man who aggravated with constant verbal abuse about the Lord to his sister had been hit by a lightning strike with no clouds in the sky! It was on a cloudless day that they found he had been burned to where his clothes were non existent, and one of his shoes was thrown many yards away. Yes, they knew he had been struck by lightning.
Tragic the young man did not realize you do not mess with God's children! Of this family, one survived for her love for God and the other went to his doom. God gave mercy and one refused it.
Receiving God and His truths we receive His peace. Jesus told His disciples, " Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives but as I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
We take the shield of faith with which you and I are able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one. Have you ever played darts? Have you ever played with fiery ones? No!
Well just think of how that would play out that which is fiery against you. The enemy is throwing them at you constantly. Think the devil is out just for "games"?
We then take the "helmet of salvation" and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; and we pray with faith in our heart.
We then take the "helmet of salvation" and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; and we pray with faith in our heart.
We confess God's word to the enemy. We confess it loud and clear just in case he, the enemy, is hard of hearing! We read God's word and put it in our hearts.
When the fiery darts are flying we remind the devil what God has told us about our future:
A. Psalm 16:11
You will show me the path of life: in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your
right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
B. Ephesians
6:10,11 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his
might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the
wiles of the devil.
C. Psalm
9:1-4 I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your
marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You: I will sing praise to Your
name, O ‘ most High. When my enemies turn back, they shall fall and perish at
Your presence. For You have maintained
my right and my cause; You sat on the throne judging in righteousness.
D. Psalm
32:7 You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You
shall surround me with songs of
deliverance. Selah.
E. Psalm
119:130 The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding unto the
simple.
F. Psalm
28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am
helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoices; and with my song will I praise
him.
G. 1 Thessalonians
5:16-18 Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for
this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
H. John
4:23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall
worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father is seeking such to
worship him.
I. Mark
9:23 Jesus said to him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.
J. Isaiah
40:31 But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall
mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall
walk, and not faint.
We have the Holy Spirit to guide us and He tells us things to come. Jesus told us He would send us the Comforter. But also know He is the Comforter Who is also a judge and He judges the thoughts and intents of one's hearts.
Read the book of Revelation!
Read the book of Revelation!
May we be committed to wear that Helmet of Salvation knowing a great price was paid that we could have a life that is from the grace of God. For truly He loves and He is the giver of good things to His children, but we must follow His instructions and keep to His path of light. To venture away from God and out into those paths of destruction, death comes without warning and without life with Him forever. By His sacrifice let us bind ourselves to His words and walk as He walked and see our salvation come to the place where we meet Jesus face to face and receive that crown of life. Oh to HIM be glory forever and ever. Amen.
New teaching at: Voice of Prayer
REHEARSAL
Also visit my You Tube channel Voice of Prayer for more teaching
New teaching at: Life Giving Wells
Day of the Lord
Also visit Life Giving Wells You Tube Channel for more teaching
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