“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:13-18
Since our warfare is spiritual, our weapons and strategy also must be spiritual for lasting victory. Paul unveils our heavenly arsenal in Ephesians 6. We are to:
Gird our loins with truth (verse 14) - the truth of all we are in Christ: a new creation indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
“Put on the breastplate of righteousness” (verse 14). We have been completely forgiven of our sins. We are acquitted by God of all guilt. Satan has no ground for accusation.
Have our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace (verse 15). We are valuable to God as His ambassadors on earth who are entrusted with a message for all.
Take up the shield of faith (verse 16). God is our supernatural Protector. We are under the shield of His blood which saves us and keeps us through its eternal power.
Take the helmet of salvation (verse 17). We have the mind of Christ. We can see life from His perspective. His conquering wisdom is available for every situation.
“... and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (verse 17). We stand on the specific promises of God which are true and effective - whether we feel like they are or not. We memorize and meditate on the Scriptures to fill our minds with His truth.
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.” 2 Corinthians 10:3
Friday, August 31, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
The Power of Your Thought Life
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:11-17
The desert battlefields of North Africa were disastrous for Allied tanks during the initial stages of World War II. Under the leadership of Field Marshal Rommel, German tanks were devastating British armour. However, British Field Marshal Montgomery learned key tactical maneuvers utilized by the Germans and soon neutralized and overcame the opposition.
The body of Christ likewise is engaged in daily warfare against a crafty foe. We do not struggle “against flesh and blood, but against...the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12). Therefore, if Christians are to live confidently and victoriously, we must pinpoint Satan’s strategy.
When Paul warned the Corinthians not to be “ignorant of his (the devil’s) schemes” (2 Cor. 2:11), he provided us with a major clue to the enemy’s tactics. The Greek word Paul used for schemes is derived from the same Greek word for mind. In other words, Satan’s primary assaults occur in our thought life.
“The flaming arrows of the evil one” that Paul describes in Ephesians 6:16 can be “extinguished” as we learn to put on and take up “the full armor of God” (Eph. 6:11).
“...for we are not ignorant of his schemes.”
2 Corinthians 2:11
The desert battlefields of North Africa were disastrous for Allied tanks during the initial stages of World War II. Under the leadership of Field Marshal Rommel, German tanks were devastating British armour. However, British Field Marshal Montgomery learned key tactical maneuvers utilized by the Germans and soon neutralized and overcame the opposition.
The body of Christ likewise is engaged in daily warfare against a crafty foe. We do not struggle “against flesh and blood, but against...the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12). Therefore, if Christians are to live confidently and victoriously, we must pinpoint Satan’s strategy.
When Paul warned the Corinthians not to be “ignorant of his (the devil’s) schemes” (2 Cor. 2:11), he provided us with a major clue to the enemy’s tactics. The Greek word Paul used for schemes is derived from the same Greek word for mind. In other words, Satan’s primary assaults occur in our thought life.
“The flaming arrows of the evil one” that Paul describes in Ephesians 6:16 can be “extinguished” as we learn to put on and take up “the full armor of God” (Eph. 6:11).
“...for we are not ignorant of his schemes.”
2 Corinthians 2:11
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
The State of the Nation
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” Proverbs 14:34
After emigrating to the United States, the Russian novelist and philosopher Aleksandr Solzhenitsyen was asked for his observation concerning the moral state of America. His response was terse: “The problem with America is that it has forgotten God.” The same root tragedy was addressed by the Lord through Jeremiah to apostate Judah: “Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet My people have forgotten Me days without number” (Jer. 2:32).
How does a nation forget God? By being superficially religious without heartfelt obedience and worship. Ninety percent of Americans believe in God. Churches are visible everywhere. But there is a vast difference between a religious nation and a Christian nation. Judah still practiced the formalities of her creed while living in immorality (Jer. 5:8-9), greed (Jer. 6:13), and deceit (Jer. 9:3-6).
The only known cure for Judah, America, or any nation is turning decisively from sin to God. The spiritual state of our people, beginning with you and me, directly affects the state of our nation. Do you genuinely hunger for God, or have we gradually “forgotten God” while pursuing other interests?
“And My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
After emigrating to the United States, the Russian novelist and philosopher Aleksandr Solzhenitsyen was asked for his observation concerning the moral state of America. His response was terse: “The problem with America is that it has forgotten God.” The same root tragedy was addressed by the Lord through Jeremiah to apostate Judah: “Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet My people have forgotten Me days without number” (Jer. 2:32).
How does a nation forget God? By being superficially religious without heartfelt obedience and worship. Ninety percent of Americans believe in God. Churches are visible everywhere. But there is a vast difference between a religious nation and a Christian nation. Judah still practiced the formalities of her creed while living in immorality (Jer. 5:8-9), greed (Jer. 6:13), and deceit (Jer. 9:3-6).
The only known cure for Judah, America, or any nation is turning decisively from sin to God. The spiritual state of our people, beginning with you and me, directly affects the state of our nation. Do you genuinely hunger for God, or have we gradually “forgotten God” while pursuing other interests?
“And My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
The Disaster of Wrong Desires
“The rabble who were among them had greedy desires; and also the sons of Israel wept again and said, ‘Who will give us meat to eat? We remember the fish which we used to eat free in Egypt, the cucumbers and the melons and the leeks and the onions and the garlic, but now our appetite is gone. There is nothing at all to look at except this manna.’” Numbers 11:4-6
“Say to the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat; for you have wept in the ears of the Lord, saying, “Oh that someone would give us meat to eat! For we were well-off in Egypt.” Therefore the Lord will give you meat and you shall eat. You shall eat, not one day, nor two days, nor five days, nor ten days, nor twenty days, but a whole month, until it comes out of your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you; because you have rejected the Lord who is among you and have wept before Him, saying, “Why did we ever leave Egypt?”’” Numbers 11:18-20
“Now there went forth a wind from the Lord and it brought quail from the sea, and let them fall beside the camp, about a day’s journey on this side and a day’s journey on the other side, all around the camp and about two cubits deep on the surface of the ground. The people spent all day and all night and all the next day, and gathered the quail (he who gathered least gathered ten homers) and they spread them out for themselves all around the camp. While the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, the anger of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord struck the people with a very severe plague. So the name of that place was called Kibroth-hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had been greedy. From Kibroth-hattaavah the people set out for Hazeroth, and they remained at Hazeroth.” Numbers 11:31-35
Behind the names of many places across America lies a particular tale that led to its distinctive designation. Such was also the case of a stopping point along the route of wandering Israelites during Moses’ day. They called it Kibroth-hattaavah which is the Hebrew rendering for “graves of craving.” Here is a warning for us all.
The Israelites had grown weary of manna. They longed for other food. “Who will give us meat to eat?...There is nothing at all to look at except this manna” (Numbers 11:4, 6). After extended grumbling, God sent them delicious quail. But “While the meat was still between their teeth...the Lord struck the people with a very severe plague. So the name of that place was called Kibroth-hattaavah” (Numbers 11:33-34).
Our wrong desires - physical or emotional appetites that are not aligned with the revealed truths of the Scriptures - just as certainly will wreck havoc. God doesn’t mind our asking for things so long as we filter every desire through His perfect will. It is only then that we are assured of receiving God’s best and not the fruit of our own misguided cravings. “Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).
You may get what you want, but you may not want what you get.
“Say to the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat; for you have wept in the ears of the Lord, saying, “Oh that someone would give us meat to eat! For we were well-off in Egypt.” Therefore the Lord will give you meat and you shall eat. You shall eat, not one day, nor two days, nor five days, nor ten days, nor twenty days, but a whole month, until it comes out of your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you; because you have rejected the Lord who is among you and have wept before Him, saying, “Why did we ever leave Egypt?”’” Numbers 11:18-20
“Now there went forth a wind from the Lord and it brought quail from the sea, and let them fall beside the camp, about a day’s journey on this side and a day’s journey on the other side, all around the camp and about two cubits deep on the surface of the ground. The people spent all day and all night and all the next day, and gathered the quail (he who gathered least gathered ten homers) and they spread them out for themselves all around the camp. While the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, the anger of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord struck the people with a very severe plague. So the name of that place was called Kibroth-hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had been greedy. From Kibroth-hattaavah the people set out for Hazeroth, and they remained at Hazeroth.” Numbers 11:31-35
Behind the names of many places across America lies a particular tale that led to its distinctive designation. Such was also the case of a stopping point along the route of wandering Israelites during Moses’ day. They called it Kibroth-hattaavah which is the Hebrew rendering for “graves of craving.” Here is a warning for us all.
The Israelites had grown weary of manna. They longed for other food. “Who will give us meat to eat?...There is nothing at all to look at except this manna” (Numbers 11:4, 6). After extended grumbling, God sent them delicious quail. But “While the meat was still between their teeth...the Lord struck the people with a very severe plague. So the name of that place was called Kibroth-hattaavah” (Numbers 11:33-34).
Our wrong desires - physical or emotional appetites that are not aligned with the revealed truths of the Scriptures - just as certainly will wreck havoc. God doesn’t mind our asking for things so long as we filter every desire through His perfect will. It is only then that we are assured of receiving God’s best and not the fruit of our own misguided cravings. “Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).
You may get what you want, but you may not want what you get.
Monday, August 27, 2012
An Ambassador for Christ
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Due to an emergency, you cannot attend a crucial business meeting. In your place you send an associate. You receive a call the next day informing you that the contract has been awarded to another firm because your associate misrepresented your company, falsifying key information.
Now think of your responsibility as a Christian. You are called an ambassador for Christ, representing His agenda and character on earth. How well have you carried our your duties? How many can see the identity of your Sovereign Lord through your words and deeds?
It is an awesome task, isn’t it? Weak, frail humans are assigned the noble position of communicating the Gospel to the unsaved world. Yes, God is the One Who saves; but we can be used to help introduce unbelievers to Christ through our silent and spoken testimonies.
He has sent you into the world with His message - to do His will, to present His truth. All He asks is that we represent Him to the world faithfully through obedient lives. The power is His, the message is His; but you are His appointed courier, carrying the good news in your heart and hands. Are you representing the King of kings to your world?
“...we are ambassadors for Christ...” 2 Corinthians 5:20
Due to an emergency, you cannot attend a crucial business meeting. In your place you send an associate. You receive a call the next day informing you that the contract has been awarded to another firm because your associate misrepresented your company, falsifying key information.
Now think of your responsibility as a Christian. You are called an ambassador for Christ, representing His agenda and character on earth. How well have you carried our your duties? How many can see the identity of your Sovereign Lord through your words and deeds?
It is an awesome task, isn’t it? Weak, frail humans are assigned the noble position of communicating the Gospel to the unsaved world. Yes, God is the One Who saves; but we can be used to help introduce unbelievers to Christ through our silent and spoken testimonies.
He has sent you into the world with His message - to do His will, to present His truth. All He asks is that we represent Him to the world faithfully through obedient lives. The power is His, the message is His; but you are His appointed courier, carrying the good news in your heart and hands. Are you representing the King of kings to your world?
“...we are ambassadors for Christ...” 2 Corinthians 5:20
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Our Identity in Christ
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:3-14
A life of enduring holiness (reflecting the mind and character of God) is possible only when we first are convinced of our identity in Christ. The Scriptures attribute these remarkable characteristics to the believer:
We are the salt of the earth.
We are children of God.
We are saints.
We have peace with God.
We are joint-heirs with Jesus.
We are free from condemnation.
We are justified by faith.
We are the temple of God.
We are ambassadors for Christ.
We are blessed with every spiritual blessing.
We are eternally secure in Christ.
We are citizens of heaven.
We are triumphant in Christ.
We are complete in Christ.
We are accepted in the beloved.
There are many other features that are already yours through faith in Christ. They are gifts from the Father - bestowed upon every disciple for effective service. Knowing who you are in Christ is the starting point for abundant living. You can live a holy life because you are holy in Christ.
Today agree with God concerning your new identity in Christ. “...the truth will make you free” (John 8:32). In light of who we are by God’s grace, let us walk in a manner worthy of our place.
A life of enduring holiness (reflecting the mind and character of God) is possible only when we first are convinced of our identity in Christ. The Scriptures attribute these remarkable characteristics to the believer:
We are the salt of the earth.
We are children of God.
We are saints.
We have peace with God.
We are joint-heirs with Jesus.
We are free from condemnation.
We are justified by faith.
We are the temple of God.
We are ambassadors for Christ.
We are blessed with every spiritual blessing.
We are eternally secure in Christ.
We are citizens of heaven.
We are triumphant in Christ.
We are complete in Christ.
We are accepted in the beloved.
There are many other features that are already yours through faith in Christ. They are gifts from the Father - bestowed upon every disciple for effective service. Knowing who you are in Christ is the starting point for abundant living. You can live a holy life because you are holy in Christ.
Today agree with God concerning your new identity in Christ. “...the truth will make you free” (John 8:32). In light of who we are by God’s grace, let us walk in a manner worthy of our place.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Our Eyes are On Thee
“Then some came and reported to Jehoshaphat, saying, ‘A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, out of Aram and behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar (that is Engedi).’ Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.” 2 Chronicles 20:2-3
“Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord before the new court, and he said, ‘O Lord, the God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You. Did You not, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? They have lived in it, and have built You a sanctuary there for Your name, saying, “Should evil come upon us, the sword, or judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before You (for Your name is in this house) and cry to You in our distress, and You will hear and deliver us.” Now behold, the sons of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom You did not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt (they turned aside from them and did not destroy them), see how they are rewarding us by coming to drive us out from Your possession which You have given us as an inheritance. O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You. All Judah was standing before the Lord, with their infants, their wives and their children.’” 2 Chronicles 20:5-13
A child in an emergency room. A diagnosis of terminal cancer. A tornado swirling toward your home. In disturbing times most call on God. For the believer who has established a rapport with the Holy One through the cross, the prayer of distress works three wonders.
First, it leads us into God’s presence. Yes, God indwells us always, but prayer brings His presence into critical focus. We are keenly aware of Emmanuel, God with us. We do not face our woe alone.
Second, prayer leans on the power of God. We place our problem squarely in the hands of the Mighty One. He will work according to His unlimited power and wisdom. He is fighting for us with all His indescribable strength.
Third, prayer links us to the purpose of God. There are no accidents with God. Our affliction is under His sovereign hand. He will accomplish His will through all turbulence.
The emergency may pass, or it may intensify. The disease may spread, or it may be cured. The storm may strike, or it may pass over. In either case, prayer leave the matter and results to a loving, powerful, wise God. We have brought our plea before Jehovah. We are in good hands.
“By prayer we change our natural strength into the supernatural strength of God.” -Andrew Murray
“Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord before the new court, and he said, ‘O Lord, the God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You. Did You not, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? They have lived in it, and have built You a sanctuary there for Your name, saying, “Should evil come upon us, the sword, or judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before You (for Your name is in this house) and cry to You in our distress, and You will hear and deliver us.” Now behold, the sons of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom You did not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt (they turned aside from them and did not destroy them), see how they are rewarding us by coming to drive us out from Your possession which You have given us as an inheritance. O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You. All Judah was standing before the Lord, with their infants, their wives and their children.’” 2 Chronicles 20:5-13
A child in an emergency room. A diagnosis of terminal cancer. A tornado swirling toward your home. In disturbing times most call on God. For the believer who has established a rapport with the Holy One through the cross, the prayer of distress works three wonders.
First, it leads us into God’s presence. Yes, God indwells us always, but prayer brings His presence into critical focus. We are keenly aware of Emmanuel, God with us. We do not face our woe alone.
Second, prayer leans on the power of God. We place our problem squarely in the hands of the Mighty One. He will work according to His unlimited power and wisdom. He is fighting for us with all His indescribable strength.
Third, prayer links us to the purpose of God. There are no accidents with God. Our affliction is under His sovereign hand. He will accomplish His will through all turbulence.
The emergency may pass, or it may intensify. The disease may spread, or it may be cured. The storm may strike, or it may pass over. In either case, prayer leave the matter and results to a loving, powerful, wise God. We have brought our plea before Jehovah. We are in good hands.
“By prayer we change our natural strength into the supernatural strength of God.” -Andrew Murray
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