inundated

May 19, 2012 | Author: justin

Spam email. It’s the frustrating downside of being able to send an instant letter anywhere in the world. I’ve grown somewhat accustomed to the high rate of spam that enters my published email address, and a series of carefully constructed filters helps to skim off any offensive ones. I found it a little humorous, though, [...]
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Feet Shod with the Readiness of the Gospel of Peace

May 19, 2012 | Author: justin

Ephesians 6:14-15 - continued

If you have on Jesus’ righteousness, and the enemy of your soul comes and accuses you for some sin that you gave in to, then you can remind him that he is a liar, because your sins were nailed to the cross, and you have vicariously received the righteousness of Christ. (2Corinthians 5:21[notes1] ) He wants you down in the dumps and defeated emotionally because then you are ineffective at influencing others for Jesus. Put on the breastplate of righteousness!

I’m not saying you are free to go on sinning. I am saying that if this breastplate is of your own righteousness, then there will be times when the enemy can deal you with some serious blows. Make sure you are relying on the Lord’s righteousness. At the same time, we should be living a righteous life by the power of the Spirit so as not to give the enemy an opportunity, as well as to be a witness of the power of God to transform our life. (4:27[notes2] )

15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. My grandfather grew up in Oak Creek Canyon and seldom had shoes. His feet developed tough callouses. In World War 1, the podiatrist that was assigned to his company examined his feet. Everyone had their feet examined regularly because the army traveled on their feet. If their feet were bad they became slow and even ineffective. The podiatrist told him he wished the whole army had feet like these because they’d be undefeatable. (no pun intended) Feet and footwear are vital to an army.

The Roman army was ready for action when they put on their sandals. They were then ready to march into battle. A wounded foot would put the soldier off balance. He would be slow and unable to attack or retreat to fight again.

Paul says that our footwear is the readiness given by the gospel of peace. The good news of peace with God comes through the cross of Christ. (Romans 5:1[notes3] ) It is because He bore our sins in our place and the wrath of God upon them. Why does that make us ready? – check in tomorrow to find the Old Testament background for this readiness.

 [notes1]2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

 [notes2]Ephesians 4:27 (ESV)
27 and give no opportunity to the devil.

 [notes3]Romans 5:1 (ESV)
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

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excuses

May 18, 2012 | Author: justin

Cyclist Tyler Hamilton had steadily advanced through the ranks of the US Postal Service team, and now he was on the verge of being included on the squad that would race in the Tour de France. All he had to do was take EPO, an illegal drug that boosted endurance for the grueling mountain climbs. [...]
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God’s Provision

May 18, 2012 | Author: justin

TODAY’S VERSE
“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Self reliance. Isn’t that the modern day dream? I can do it myself. If I can perceive it, I can achieve it.  But what about “faith”? Where does this come in? Even considering faith we say, “Act as if it all depended on you but pray as if it all depended on God.” Really? Now I get the fact that, “faith without works is dead” but we can’t compare our efforts to God’s power and provision. We are called to live by faith. We are dependent on Him whether we see it or not. Just consider what happens when we work our hardest and yet our money, health or relational situations start to falter? When situations start to fall apart, so do we. Our “faith” go south, fret, worry and fear start to occupy our minds. Paul is suggesting a better way. He is saying, “Trust in God!”  Listen to what Paul writes. “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” We have a God who loves to provide all our needs. He wants to lavish us with His loving provision. He wants us to trust in Him. So today, when we feel threatened, when we consider bad news, when something comes up that goes straight to the pit of our stomach, let us stop and consider what Paul wrote, “God will supply all your needs from His glorious riches.”

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, forgive me when I become self reliant and forget that it is You who provides everything I need. I need You Lord and I thank You that You will supply all my needs today from Your glorious riches.
AMEN

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION & MEDITATION
God supplies all my needs
Meditate on the fact that God is fully aware of you! He knows you, He loves you, He knows your needs. See Him coming to you and lovingly provide for you. Sense His compassion, understanding and joy in helping you. Feel the union you have with Him. Affirm, “God supplies all my needs!”

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The Belt of Truth

May 18, 2012 | Author: justin

Ephesians 6:14-15 - continued

In taking our stand, we need to fasten the belt of truth around our waist. A week ago on the National Day of Prayer I was asked to pray for education. The verse the Lord gave me was from Psalm 51:6. “Surely You desire truth in the inner parts; You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.” We should always be found on the side of truth. In the example I gave, the question isn’t how does that person feel, but rather, what is the truth about the subject? The Word is truth. (John 17:17[notes1] ) Truth is what God desires and what Scripture proclaims.

In England there is a request before Parliament from the Archbishop of Canterbury to teach The Lord’s Prayer in public school. England still has prayer in school. It just may pass. They have yet to deny the fact of their Christian history unlike what we are doing in the USA. Truth is powerful. Truth will always line up with the word of God. We never need fear the truth. In fact, we should always be looking for truth, as truth will always align with the Word. We should be lovers of truth. (Zechariah 8:19[notes2] ) When truth conflicts with our understanding or interpretation, we need to correct our viewpoint. Just be sure it is truth and not some distorted interpretation of the facts.

The belt of the soldier could hold his sword and dagger. It connected his upper and lower body armor. It supported his back as well. Truth is the essential starting point for our spiritual defense and offense. It helps us stand the Lord’s ground! (Psalm 25:5[notes3] )

The next piece is the breastplate. It protects our vital organs against the blows of the enemy. The Greeks thought that emotions came from these organs. (Jeremiah 31:20[notes4] ) Paul called it a breastplate of righteousness, a description he gleaned from Isaiah. (Isaiah 59:17[notes5] ) In the Isaiah passage it was the LORD that put it on. Since we are in Christ Jesus, and have put Him on, then our protection is His righteousness. Remember I told you that one of the names of Satan is The Accuser? Well, this attack against our righteousness can really affect our emotions. That is why this righteous armor must be the righteousness of Christ that we have obtained by faith in His substitution on the cross for our sins. (Isaiah 61:10[notes6] )

 [notes1]John 17:17 (ESV)
17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

 [notes2]Zechariah 8:19 (ESV)
19 “Thus says the LORD of hosts: The fast of the fourth month and the fast of the fifth and the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth shall be to the house of Judah seasons of joy and gladness and cheerful feasts. Therefore love truth and peace.

 [notes3]Psalm 25:5 (ESV)
5 Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.

 [notes4]Jeremiah 31:20 (ESV)
20 Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he my darling child? For as often as I speak against him, I do remember him still. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him, declares the LORD.

 [notes5]Isaiah 59:17 (ESV)
17 He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.

 [notes6]Isaiah 61:10 (ESV)
10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

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highly contagious

May 17, 2012 | Author: justin

I rolled up my sleeve and looked away. The injection of immunoglobulin was going to sting, and I knew it. I knew, however, that it could prevent a battle with Hepatitis A. One of my family members had been exposed to the highly contagious disease—which karate- kicks the liver—and health authorities had recommended vaccinations for [...]
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