Helmet Head

Ephesians 6:13-18 NKJV  13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

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.

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 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!

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

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Day of the Lord

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Tackle the Dummy

If you have ever been on a football field while practice is going on, you inevitable know which is the dummy and what it looks like. Although mostly white looking fabric, it is padded and shaped to look like a person. In those practice times, the dummy surely gets the brunt of all guided attempts to stop him.
He is tossed around, tackled, and then most likely stepped on. The "dummy" is jerked around, is hassled, brought down again and again and when practice is over, probably put with all the other supplies, equipment, pads and such to be used for another day.
What would the "dummy" represent to us we walk through life, sometimes feeling like we too are the tossed around, the stepped on, and the tackled!

In writing on this today, I went on-line and looked or surveyed the Dummy page. I saw the Crash-dummies, and saw some for other uses as well. I saw cheap ones and some really expensive ones. But my thought:"why do they need so many and dressed as well as they are dressed?"

As I write I come back to our daughter who is a "pastor". She is the one who likes the "team huddles". She as the pastor likes to bring all together, exhort them, get them into the game of life and send them off with a "good job there faithful servant"!
She demonstrates faith. She loves people and is always drawn to the expressive ones. She will continue to gather them adding them to her prayer journal. She will think on their last visit together and hold them up before the Lord, holding fast in the Word that if God be for them, then who can be against them.
Huddling together as gathering to meet and actually talk, pray together and maybe sample some food might be on the list of things to do, but foremost it is not tossing "one " around, not tackling them to the ground and give them reasons they failed again or try to jerk them back to normal life, when they have no life. No, those things do not work. Those who love God and are called and know the purpose, it is found in and through the life of Jesus and revealed through the Holy Spirit.

Days of dumbing down to act like the "fun" church", the "will do anything for a laugh church", or that "will out perform their band one more time church" should be gone, done away with forever.

That sound today is the tone of love, it is not forgetting the standard God has in place for righteousness and it is ever mindful of those heading for hell. Jesus did not come to accommodate our culture, He came to set up His kingdom of heaven.

John 18:36
36 Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."
NIV

To us a Child was born and to us a Son was given. He died that we might live unto life eternal with Him. Do we rage on like there is no tomorrow? Do we think we can run our mouths, throw people up against a wall with mouths that shriek horror and expect God to bless our futile efforts? Do we stomp "the future leaders" of tomorrow and expect God to hear our rambling and raving words with no respect at all?
Today, start a habit of speaking positive about others. Today speak one positive thing about yourself. Look at the habits which make you productive and fruitful in your life at home and at work and or church. Persist in seeking out the good. Look for that in others, no matter their race, color or creed.
If  you are busy expect to finish every project. If you are creative, expect to create new things for your home, work or ministry. If you minister, expect to minister life,  not only to your leaders within the church, but the coming leaders within your home. 

When we look at Jesus, He was the Finisher. He finished what He started.
Paul the Apostle was a finisher....2 Timothy 4:7.
Solomon, the wisest man who lived was a finisher. 1 Kings 6:14.
Jesus of course, the Prince of Peace and Cornerstone. Man could approach God without any fear, but could come in peace once and for all. Amen.

God is good and He searches for those who have hearts for HIM. God will hear and will answer prayers of those righteous before Him. But He will not answer that which profanes His very Word. Do not be deceived ........God is not mocked. 

Galatians 6:6-10

6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.  NKJV

What will you add to someone today? How will you leave others after you greet them with "a hello"? Is that all? Should they be more to us than someone we tackled to the floor with a loud and vexing scream that we are the unhappy, and our children are out of order, too?
What if we just told someone thank-you? Thank you Candace for what you do to huddle those people together and to tell them about Communion. Thanks Ron for all you do to gather the forces and clean some gutters, mow the lawn and still buy those groceries. How about that young man who pumps the gas for you when you stop at that gas station in Oregon?

We must sow to the Spirit of God to reap everlasting life. Those who do, will in due season reap if they do not lose heart. God is always on time. There is opportunity today to do good to all and especially those of the household of faith. Let's sow to life. Let's sow to giving our best so that we can expect something good ...........not because we want something back from anyone person, no, but because we desire to please our Father Who is watching.

Let's huddle, not slam the Dummy or tackle him till he is in pieces. No seriously, let's think of the other person around us, or within the group but seems to have a hard time to blend in with the talk and activity. When we pray in the Holy Ghost and live to abide in Jesus, we have the joy marked with a boldness that will gather every man, every woman, every race and every nation to God and declare Him to be God alone. Today, let's make the move to bring others into God's household of faith and may our lights shine brightly to the full light of day in Jesus' name. Amen.

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Offenses, Disipline and Apostles

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No Appetite, No Presence of God

Proverbs 16:20......20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good,
And whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he. NKJV

Proverbs 19:8.........8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul;

He who keeps understanding will find good. NKJV

Ever met someone, or worked with someone who had this statement of "I am not happy." Then the "someone" will state why they think they are not happy. It is either due to their job, their spouse, their children, the parent's that raised them or where they live.

But being happy has nothing to do with the other people in our lives or where we live, but has everything to do with our heart issues. We can always go look for "greener grass" but take the some 'ole heart issues with us.

Yes, many chase the proverbial, "greener grass" thing, sometimes by ending up divorced, separated from their offspring, changing jobs and finding more trouble than they believed they could ever possibly get into in their entire life.

We are told in 1 Peter to have one mind, compassion for one another, to be tenderhearted and courteous...........

1 Peter 3:8-12.....8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For 

"He who would love life 

And see good days,

Let him refrain his tongue from evil,

And his lips from speaking deceit.  

11 Let him turn away from evil and do good;

Let him seek peace and pursue it.  

12 For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,

And His ears are open to their prayers;

But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil."  NKJV

Imagine the world having one mind. Imagine a world where everyone had compassion for their neighbor and not trying to outdo that neighbor. And you know what I mean! Yeah, let's get that new car, move into that new home, but the old car is barely two years old and the old house is not even ten years old yet.

Yes, it is heart issues and what we think is "happy". It is all that "stuff" from the past that clutters and adds chaos to our thinking.

Imagine people who are tender-hearted toward one another, who will bless you no matter what! He who would love life and see good days is to refrain his tongue from speaking evil of anyone.

No lying here!  No conjuring up a lie to tell someone. You know like when you were in school and the "kid" said, "the dog ate his homework." My dog did not like eating paper. She preferred biscuits and gravy, thank you very much!

But honestly, being happy to me lines up with those beatitudes from the book of Matthew 5:3-12. Every believer should have these as the evidence they are saved and look out for others ........

Matthew 5:3-12..........3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

4 Blessed are those who mourn,

For they shall be comforted. 

5 Blessed are the meek,

For they shall inherit the earth. 

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

For they shall be filled. 

7 Blessed are the merciful,

For they shall obtain mercy. 

8 Blessed are the pure in heart,

For they shall see God. 

9 Blessed are the peacemakers,

For they shall be called sons of God. 

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. NKJV

ENCOUNTERS:These are encounters with God. They are those God-kind of things that cause us to look different, sound different and to act different than other people act in similar situations!

Nope, not making God to my image, I am the one who will fear the Lord! I will keep my focus on a  "Big God" and not little me! Whatever the chaos that may be taking on the world, our feet should be established knowing God is bigger and is greater than any major earthquake, bird flu virus, measles, mumps and rubella.

 OUR God wants us to operate in His wisdom and not bury our heads in some sand dune somewhere and "pretend".  (well, let's pretend this is not real)

It is our duty to mourn after God and to lament. For truly we are seeing today what sin does to a nation! We should not be looking for the way out, to run away from that which troubles our world, our nation, and community. Ours is to represent a great God and mourn. When others are looking for a way out, we should be looking for the "doorway in" to helping those who do not know Jesus. The only "happy" found here is looking to God who is our sufficiency. He has given us some very solid promises of what He wants for us if we are willing to go after them.

Today, it seems easy for some to lie, to cast the blame, and gather those who would slander and harm another, but our comfort, peace and life eternal is from the God who expressed His love to us through His Son..............

Hungering for God .......to be saturated with His Word, His Presence, and His glory. Is it not time to see all that come to pass for us?

I always hear people say, "well, you don't have to read the Bible everyday" and I am appalled.

I always think of the fireplace and those pieces of coal that were placed there hours ago and lit to heat a room. I know that when you take one of those lumps of fire-hot coals out, they will burn bright for a few minutes but in less than about 15 minutes they start to turn cold. But inserting the piece of coal back into the fire will cause it to burn brightly again.  So when we insert ourselves into His Word and His way of doing, we become saturated with Who He is.

Then we walk out into the world for a job that may be less than what we expected, a visit to a hospital to see someone who might need prayer and an encouraging word. We can walk out from the Word of God and prayer to call someone to let them know we are thinking about them. We could find something good to say to our children and grand-children or for someone else's grand-children. We become those peacemakers who choose not to lie, not be addicted to lying but on the contrary to make peace. Yes, it is an on-going study to find that place to stay in His peace. Not by my works but truly serving my family and others through a peace that came through Jesus Christ.

Psalm 23:5-6............
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over. 
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD
Forever. NKJV

A hungering for God is coming to the table that He has prepared for us to dine at!  He has prepared it for us, and do we sit at that table or hunger after the table set by the world. Do we hunger for "more fun", "more things for me", "more everything for me" or are we hungering to see the dead raised, the cancer victim carry cancer no more, to see a child healed of leukemia or senior citizen healed of alzheimer's.  For these are all names under the feet of Jesus and if we fill up with Him, then who or what can stand against?

I think of this family who live close by out here in the gorge. I am always reminded of their generous spirit to help foster small children. Most of those small ones come from broken homes and from parents who abuse some kind of substance. Some of these little ones were babies and I saw this couple take these "little ones" into their home to be loved and comforted in their pain. To me, their sacrifice has been to bring peace into these "little ones " lives. Can we do as much?

Closing: we choose to be happy because of the God Who gave so much. We choose this "green grass" here and know God has a life of happiness for us when we follow His lead and dine at His table!

I pray that people everywhere will make Jesus the Shepherd of their lives.

Father, today I think of all those who follow that pigskin and this is their big day today. In watching all that activity and ball throwing, I pray for people not to be taken in by all the ads they see and hear on  T.V. Today I pray for those to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd and not follow the voice of the stranger. Lord, when we commit our ways to You, YOU cause our thoughts to become agreeable to YOUR will and our plans will be established and succeed. I pray for all who have opportunity to read this to Know without a DOUBT, that they are of more value than any football game that lasts for four hours. I pray that they would find the table prepared by a good God and has called us to His kingdom of God for such a time as this.

Lord, for those who hunger, saturate them with Your Word and and lead them in paths of righteousness for Your name's sake. It is You that Restores Us! Restore us Lord, and make us into the man and woman You destined us to be and may it be to Your glory. We give You thanks for the good things You have for us and we do not have to chase after them or even after money. You are the Provider Who provides for our every need. Keep watch over Your children Lord and I will watch and pray for them as well. May they rise up IN YOU and SEE THEIR ENEMIES SCATTERED IN JESUS' NAME. Amen.

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV