When a city has no defenses…the enemy can come in – invading and conquering without opposition. When we allow our inner self to act out without restraint…the enemy comes in also. He comes in to overpower our dignity and flaunt our volatility. He holds captive our discretion and boasts of our instability.
Tag: word of god
Genesis 4:9 ” Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is your brother Abel?’ ‘I don’t know,’ he replied. ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ “
From the first time that question was uttered by Cain, to today, we must all be accountable to God for our fellow-man. If we see someone flailing in the water…we help. If we see someone drowning in sin…we need to go to their aid as well. We can never become an island unto ourselves…for God commands us to love and protect one another, just as He loves and protects us.
Isaiah 30:15 ” This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.’ “
God really does know best, and always has our best interest in mind. But we sometimes think we know better. Exodus 14:14 is an excellent example of what the Lord is trying to tell us in the verse…”The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Our strength is derived from hope and obedience, not sheer force and brute determination.
Ecclesiastes 1:2 ” ‘Meaningless! Meaningless!’ says the Teacher. ‘Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless!’ “
King Solomon had spent his life searching after the pleasures of this world. And as he became older and wiser, he realized that he was just chasing after fleeting fantasies. There is and will never be peace and joy in the pursuit of the empty things of this world. All temporal things will disappear in a cloud of smoke… for they are empty and futile in the view of eternal life.
Ephesians 6: 17 ” Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
The Roman soldier’s helmet was a defensive weapon…covering and protecting the head, while the sword was an offensive weapon…used to attack the enemy. Each day we need to intentionally cover our mind with the blood of Jesus…asking Him to guard what we look at, listen to, and think about. We need to then take up our sword – the Scriptures – and armed with that Truth, we are then able to cut through the deception of the enemy.
Ephesians 6: 14-15 ” Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”
The first piece of equipment the Roman soldier put on was his belt…and the first thing every morning, we too need to be equipping ourselves with the truth from the Word of God. The only way we will ever be able to withstand the barrage of the enemy is with Truth. The breastplate was then hooked onto the belt… covering the vital organs, especially the heart. When we’re in right relationship, or right standing with God, our heart is protected from the flaming darts of the enemy. Finally, some historians credit the footwear of the Roman army as one of the greatest reasons why they were so victorious. Their shoes had spikes in the soles enabling them to maintain tremendous stance and balance whatever the terrain. When you know who you are in Christ and have that confidence…your “spiked soul ” enables you to stand firm and unmoved by the enemy threats and lies.
Ephesians 6:13 ” 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.”
It doesn’t say, ” If maybe someday pain or sorrow possibly comes into your life.” It’s not if, but when bad things happen that we need to be prepared. By putting on the protection and presence of God we’ll be able to not only resist, but to stand firm in the face of evil. For the battle is not ours, but the Lord’s. (II Chronicles 20:15).
Psalm 116: 8-9 ” For You O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.”
Living according to the Will of God brings life, peace, and harmony within our soul. Even when the tough times come, we can run and hide in His sanctuary until the storm passes over. Thank You Lord for rescuing me and giving me new life. Thank You for that haven of hope and safety I can rest in during those times of turmoil and strife.
II Timothy 2:15 ” Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
The word of truth – the Gospel Message – is the saving truth in which we must believe in order to obtain forgiveness of sin and eternal life. The word of truth is a light and guide for our journey in this world…making our path illuminated and straight. Our responsibly is to heed and obey that word of truth.
Romans 15:13 ” May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may over flow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
That deep inner psychological sense of hope, confidence and expectation can only be reached and fully satisfied when we allow the Lord to fill that “God shaped” void inside us. And that wonderful transformation then allows us to “spill over”….for the God of all hope fills us to over flowing so that we might give that hope to others.