The armor of God - Equipped for a life that matters

The armor of God - Equipped for a life that matters

Ever since the beginning of created man, there has been the struggle of good and evil in our world, our circles of relationships, and
within ourselves. God in his great wisdom, desires us to choose an
everlasting relationship with Him through Jesus Christ his son. The strength we gain by being actively engaged in this relationship gives us the foundation to live victoriously day to day. Over the next several writings, I invite you to examine the following passage from :

(NIV) Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. [13] Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. [14] Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, [15] and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. [16] In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. [17] Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [18] And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

As if commanding a troop of soldiers not to lose hope and to be prepared for the battle ahead , Paul says

" Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. "


He, like a good leader, wanted his people to be prepared for the realities that lay ahead. He knew the most important resource that anyone could need was found in a close personal relationship with the great Creator. Without that knowledge of where there power came from, that the battles would spiritually take them under.

Jesus was given all authority in heaven and earth and it is that source of power he wants us to be equipped in before we face life victoriously. This is done with the armor of God !

A thought for the week....
You matter enough for God to offer to empower you with His strength for each day. Take him up on that offer each day. !!

His Servant,

Jeff

God !

You are too big for me to understand
But I am invited to know you

You are too Holy for me to set eyes on
Yet you want me to seek you

You are too majestic for me to fathom
Yet you humbled yourself to poverty for me

You are from everlasting to everlasting
Yet you hear my fleeting concerns

You alone God are worthy of all praise
Yet you were scourged by a crown of thorns for my salvation.

You are the creator of everything we know Yet you call me friend and in fact your child !

There is coming a day when every knee will bend and every tongue confess that you are Lord .
Yet you wait patiently to hear me volunteer my praise today!

You are amazing God

Imagine .......

Imagine .....

Sometimes in the middle of life's busy highway it is good to pause and ponder what it will look like when we get to our final destination. What will we see when we really do see Jesus face to face. What will we feel. How will we react ? A favorite verse of mine in John is one where we are encouraged to think of that day that is coming.

I can just see the glimmer in Jesus eyes after having defeated sin and death for you saying... Just wait and see what I have for you. My task now is to go and spend my Time preparing a special place for when I bring you to meet me. He knows well the challenges we will face on our journey, but with the joy of eternal restoration, commanded us not to grow discouraged but just keep trusting in God and in Christ his only Son.

(NIV) John 14:1-4
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me. [2] In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. [4] You know the way to the place where I am going."

So in keeping with taking a journey I pause to imagine my destination of meeting my savior face to face, I offer these thoughts and images of that day.

Will the joy I felt the day I found you as my savior at Clydehurst undeneath a large pine tree by the snack shack be as fresh as that day ?

Will the I feel the joy you take in my salvation ?

Will I have words to express the many thanks I have for seeing your hand in my life over and over ?

Will I truly see the enormity of your sacrifice for me when I see you in all the splendor, majesty, and power you left to redeem me?

Will I weep for the nail scars in your hands and feet on my behalf and for my sin?

Will I see the places in my life I allowed my stubbornness to miss your voice ?

Will I see those you used in my life to steer me to you ?

Will I see the gifts you truly planted in my heart ?

Will I understand your grace toward me ?

Can we walk along heaven and speak openly ?

Will I laugh outloud at the comedies in life you allowed ?

Will all my pretenses drop in humility ?

Are the streets really made of pure gold ?



There is a great worship song called "I can only imagine" sung by the group Mercy Me that grabbed my attention this week. It describes the emotion of the experience of meeting Jesus face to face.

I Can Only Imagine.

I can only imagine what it will be like when I walk by your side.

I can only imagine what my eyes will see when your face is before me. I can only imagine .....

Surrounded by your glory what will my heart feel !

Will I dance for you Jesus, or in awe of you be still...

Will I stand in your presence, or to my knees will I fall...

Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all !

I can only imagine ...

I can only imagine ...

I can only imagine ... When that day comes and I find myself standing in the SON.

I can only imagine ...
When all I would do is forever .. Forever worship you.

I can only imagine ...

I can only imagine...


Take some time to imagine that day and may it lift your spirit and direct your path this week !!

His servant,

Jeff

(NIV) Revelation 4:11
"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."

Reflections and Resolutions

The year has passed with its many resolutions,

The steps we took and deeds we planted

Are now the foundation of our reflections….

So the questions I must ask

I pray to God will shape my tasks



Did I see my neighbor with love ?

Did I hear your voice from above ?

Did I think about Your Word to Us ?

Did I revel in your mercy in the cross ?

Did my life move closer your Son ?

Did I demonstrate to others, You are the only one ?



Were the trials that came my way weathered with Grace ?

Were the Joys you gave, received with praise ?

Were the prayers I prayed, lifted in humility ?

Did I serve you each day to the best of my ability ?

Were the weak around me, given my words of kindness ?

Did I slow down enough to enlighten blindness ?



Were the struggles of those you entrusted to me,

Lightened and lifted with your love for them to see ?

Were the hopes and dreams you have planted
Supported with giving of the resources you granted ?



And so I start another year and consider my resolutions

I ask that you touch my heart with this year’s solutions.

To pursue first your kingdom here on earth

So that all those around me, will understand their worth

And to live each day before your throne

Until my work on earth is done.



Psalm 19:14

May the words of my mouth and the mediations of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, Oh Lord, my strength and redeemer.



Jeff