Tuesday, March 6, 2012

The Armor of God is meant for the intercession of others.

Eph 6:10-18. I have always looked at the armor of God as personal amor meant for my protection, until today when I read the entire context. Verses 10 & 11 are very personal. "Be strong in The Lord and in the power of His might. Be empowered to put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Verse 12 tells us what the armor is for, yes it's personal, but we find in verse 18 that it's not just for us. (praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful FOR ALL THE SAINTS!) Verse 12; For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
This is what the armor of God is fighting against. Not against people, flesh and blood, but against the real enemy, principalities, powers, rulers of darkness in THIS AGE, and against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. That is what we're fighting against, not each other, or man made things.
Verse 13 is having us take up that armor which we are empowered to do, like we are commissioned in His army, so His armor comes standard issue. Then it says; that you may be able to withstand, (That you're able to make it.) in the evil day. We cannot make it unless we have this armor on, it's His and He's given it to us, for our protection.
Gird your waist (Or loins) with truth. What are your loins made for, what is its purpose; seek truth, not the lie of the enemy in this evil time, when everything around you says that your loins were created for something else! Like everything else, it's for purity, which needs to be based in the truth of what we were created for, for holiness, set apart for the things of God, we were created in a certain way, a design for His purpose.
The Breastplate of righteousness. This is not from us, our righteousness, it's His, because ours is useless, ours is like filthy rags, it won't do us any good in battle. Walk righteous, be righteous, for that is what He is in you.
Shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Interesting, amor for peace! What are your feet for, walking in places, standing, bringing you to places you're supposed to go; "Your word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path." (Psalm 119:105) Are we prepared, have we given ourselves over to His gospel of peace, there is no other, so that we can be brought to the places we're supposed to go?
ABOVE ALL, taking the Shield of Faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. This is amazing, all the fiery darts, man do we need this. Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1) And faith comes by hearing and hearing The Word of God. (Romans 10:17) If we're not hearing, where is our shield of faith. Do we believe based on what we see?
Look at two previous verses; 6b and 7 doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to The Lord, and not to men. If we aren't serving God, by His will, from our heart, not our mind, and doing it to The Lord and not to men, then we are missing the Armor of God right there. We're putting on something else, or mis using His Holy Armor.
We need the helmet of salvation, without it we are not saved. It also provides His vision, with His clarity. And oh do we need the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. This is the Rema, (Original Greek word) the spoken Word of God, living in your heart, guiding your every step, your every swing of that sword. But this is amor of peace, meant for prayer and supplication of the saints. The word supplication at its root means begging, and praying as if it's necessary, like food, or water, because it is necessary. So this armor is as much about prayer as anything, and it's meant for; being watchful to this end, with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. To what end? Verse 18; praying always with all prayer and supplication (Begging, praying as a necessity) IN THE SPIRIT. If we are not Spirit filled, we can't accomplish this; Now, being watchful FOR ALL THE SAINTS!
We are born the first time in the flesh, in our mommy. Then Jesus in John 3 talks about being born a second time, being "Born Again" and this birth is by The Spirit. If we are not born again, we can't pray in the Spirit, and if we can't do this, we are without armor, and we can't intercede for each other, and we are left without protection, in this evil day, with all the wiles of the devil, wrestling against principalities, powers and and rulers of the darkness and against spiritual hosts of wickedness...how do we expect to survive, we can't. It's all connected, we need it all, without a piece missing, or we are caught unaware, unprotected, and without any hope.
That's why we live in a hopeless world, because without Christ, trying to survive on our filthy rags, we just can't make it, there literally is no hope without Him in our lives.

Friday, March 2, 2012

The New Year, a new fast.

Well it's the new year. The Lord woke me up this morning with a request; fast and pray. I have been praying and fasting of and on for the past 3-4 week, but I have been "cheating." Coffee, an extra meal before I begin my fast again. I have been eating roughly one meal per day with few exceptions, but when I am eating my one meal, it has often been extending into later "one meals." Now I feel like He's asking me to go all the way.
I actually can't wait to see what this will look like. I love it when the Lord speaks so clearly. Most of us long for a time when The Lord speaks, we hear, and then are able to obey. He is so good, He is such a good Father. What a wonderful Go we serve, wow.

Thank You Lord, You are so faithful to me.

Saturday, December 31, 2011

New Things Verses Old Things.

I woke up this morning with the thought of how much I appreciate beautiful things. Like mountains, oceans, my wife, our children. It always turns me to the Creator, to give credit where credit is due. I hate it when I take credit for something I literally had either nothing to do with, or very little to do with. Like the creation of a child, how little do we actually have to do with it. Like a farmer planting a seed. All the growth is The Lords. yes, we have to be faithful to always do what is right, but the shaping and forming is ultimately left to God. He alone gives breath, and life to substance, as well as the substance itself! It's always amazed me that all the plants come from tiny seeds, to me it is the miracle of creation. A corn stalk from a tiny seed, produces over 600 kernels! (University of OK, 1 seed can produce 600 kernels; http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/aitc/lessons/upper/cornmath.pdf) What can we produced when endued with the Holy Spirit. Imagine God "invested" (Literal meaning of endued) in us His power from on high (Luke 24:49) So after all, what is impossible with God?

Romans 8: 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,[a] who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

"Lord, please help us to not walk in the flesh this year, this year of our Lord 2012. For we want to please You, and if we want to, we MSUT walk in The Spirit, in Jesus Name, amen."

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Never live in the too much.

"Lord please let me stop living in the too much. Too much food, too much money, too many clothes. too much stuff. Let these things not choke out Your words, You ways, Your life you'd have for me. Let me not go astray to find my own lusts, only to be trapped by it's demonic stronghold, in Jesus name, the mighty name to be praised, and honored, and glorified in every way, in everyday of the life that He made for me to live unto Him. Lord, let me live for you."
It's se strange. I was just outside for a little walk, and I could see no stars because of how over cast it was. Then about 20 minutes later, I went outside and I could see a sky full of the most beautiful stars you could imagine. 20 minutes change change a sky. 20 minutes can change a life too. When faced with death, or an abrupt change, like losing someone. Your entire perspective can alter forever. "Lord, let me life change forever. In Jesus Name, amen. "

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Why don't we hear.

Why don't we hear may well be titled why don't we listen.

First, what we should hear.
John 8:47 John 10:27 18:37b

John 8:29b Jesus speaking, "...for I always do those things that please Him." I think we get so lost in the have to do's that we forget it's not about commandments, it's about a covenant that He made with us, like marriage is supposed to be a covenant, not a contract, and we enter into this covenant with God because we love Him, because he first loved us. So we do what we do not out of obligation, but out of love we want to do everything to please Him. So if we're not starting out with that, we're off on the wrong foot already.
8:31b & 32 " If you abide (Literal meaning to continue in a permanent state, because He doesn't want us up and down, in and out He wants us by His side at all times, because He knows the enemy) in My word, you are my disciples indeed. "And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
Jesus states it pretty plainly, there's no way to hear what the Father has for each of us unless we're abiding, listening, and believing, all through Jesus and what He did for us, and "If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow after Me." (Luke 9:23)
Reasons we don't hear?
John 8:34b "...whoever commits a sin is a slave of sin." And notice He doesn't say is a slave to that sin, but simply a slave to sin. Sin wants to take root and grow, sin isn't happy to just take a little and be settled, it must have more and more until it gets all of us, and then we find ourselves hardening our hearts and not hearing Him any more, but it usually happens a little bit at a time, compromise by compromise.
There's two fathers, if Christ abides in us, He is our Father, if He does not abide in us, the devil is our father. John 8:37-58
Good news in verse 36; " Therefore if the Son makes you free you shall be free indeed." Then Jesus in verse 37b says of those who want to kill Him, they that don't know Him "because My word has no place in you." Then 38 defines the different voices, and who's father we are; " I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father." And in 41; "You do the deeds of your father." They claim their father is God, but Jesus replies in verse 42; "If God were your father you would love me." In 43; " Why do you not understand My speech" Because you are not able to listen to My word." 44: "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do." 45; "Because I tell you the truth you do not believe me." 47; "He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God."
That's it, if we're not of Him, we won't hear Him, and if we are abiding in Him, we will hear Him, because we are His sheep, and we will not listen to the voice of a stranger. (John 10)
John 10:1-5 The good shepherd comes in and leads His sheep and the sheep hear His voice; and He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. And when He brings out His own sheep, He goes before them; and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.
Verse 9 says; "I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved..."
The devil only comes to kill, steal and destroy, but He has come to give life, and that they might have it more abundantly! Which father do we want to serve?
I love verse 16b of chapter 10, "and there will be one flock and one shepherd."
That's what I want to see, One Shepherd, the Good Shepherd, and one flock, that wonderful Body of Christ, that one that only listens to the voice of the Father! Wouldn't that be wonderful to see!

Thursday, November 3, 2011

In all our ways let us know Him!

The word Acknowledge here in verse 6 is yada, it means to know...we must in all our ways know Him, so he can guide our ways, direct our path, so that His Word can be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, in Jesus name!

1 My son, do not forget my law,
But let your heart keep my commands;
2 For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
4 And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct[a] your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and depart from evil.
8 It will be health to your flesh,[b]
And strength[c] to your bones.
9 Honor the LORD with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD,
Nor detest His correction;
12 For whom the LORD loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding;
14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
And her gain than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies,
And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand,
In her left hand riches and honor.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who retain her.
19 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth;
By understanding He established the heavens;
20 By His knowledge the depths were broken up,
And clouds drop down the dew.
21 My son, let them not depart from your eyes—
Keep sound wisdom and discretion;
22 So they will be life to your soul
And grace to your neck.
23 Then you will walk safely in your way,
And your foot will not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror,
Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;
26 For the LORD will be your confidence,
And will keep your foot from being caught.
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to do so.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,

“ Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,”
When you have it with you.
29 Do not devise evil against your neighbor,
For he dwells by you for safety’s sake.
30 Do not strive with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.
31 Do not envy the oppressor,
And choose none of his ways;
32 For the perverse person is an abomination to the LORD,
But His secret counsel is with the upright.
33 The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked,
But He blesses the home of the just.
34 Surely He scorns the scornful,
But gives grace to the humble.
35 The wise shall inherit glory,
But shame shall be the legacy of fools.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

The Word of God, walking in it!

Matthew 4

Satan Tempts Jesus

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”[a]
5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:


‘ He shall give His angels charge over you,’
and,


‘ In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’”[b]

7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’”[c]
8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you,[d] Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”[e]
11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

And James 1:14 & 15 14: "But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death."

It's sad, really sad, but He plainly says; "Man shall not live on bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." and "You shall not tempt the Lord your God." and lastly; "You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only you shall serve."
These are clear commands, and yet I've broken each one. These are ways out of temptation, and yet I feed my own flesh anyway, and then I'm led away as James says, "Enticed by my own desires." "Lord forgive me for not following Your words, forgive me for giving into my own flesh and so being led away, from You, from Your sweetness. You are so kind, and yet I let my flesh lead me instead of Your sweet Holy Spirit. Why do I replace your Spirit with another, please forgive me, cleanse me, let me live again in Your Spirit. Let me serve You only.
Jesus I give my self to You.
In Jesus Name," Amen.