by Jeanie | Feb 26, 2010 | Uncategorised
Last time, we discussed what it really means to be grounded and settled. Today, we’ll look focus on how we can actually do it. I pray you’re encouraged.
14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And 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. Ephesians 6: 14-18
The devil is a schemer and one of his biggest schemes is to distort the truth. Jesus shed more light on this when he said:
“He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44b
Paul in the book of Ephesians highlights that you can however take your stand against his schemes with the whole armour of God, not a few bits. He writes:
Therefore put on the full armour 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. Ephesians 6:13
There is an evil day! I slightly touched on this previously; you’re going to have times of combat, windy seasons and moments of pressure that’ll test your firmness. However, to withstand these, you need a protective covering, something that will safeguard you as well as ward off the strategies of the enemy to take you out – the whole armour of God. Let’s look at the first armour.
Belt of Truth: Long before belts were being used as accessories, they functioned to keep clothes in place. The belt of truth or girdle as referred to in other texts is designed to keep every part of the armour in its place, and to gird the soldier on every side. This is where everything hinges on hence the reason it is buckled securely around the waist.
Truth is information and a commodity highly sought for. The accumulation and assimilation of information is knowledge.
Jesus is referred to as “the truth.”
“I am the way, the truth and the life.” John 14:6
Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and your law is truth. Psalms 119:142
Both are intertwined. We can only claim that we know Jesus when we abide by the truth – his commandments. He alone is the truth in life and his law is equally the truth.
And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and The Truth is not in him. 1 John 2:3, 4
Before going to a warfront, Soldiers are often briefed with information and given instructions based on that. The briefing may include information on who their enemies are, where they are, their attack mechanisms, strategies, strengths and weaknesses.
Knowledge of the Truth will prevent one from being ignorant and negligent and shield them from being exposed to any kind of assault which could result in them being ‘knocked out’. With this knowledge, they are able to wage war more effectively. The Bible contains a lot of information about Jesus, The Truth and Satan, the schemer. Spend time in God’s Word and learn the truth!
Related Journals:
Stand Firm – Part 1
Gear Up!
by Jeanie | Feb 19, 2010 | Uncategorised
However, you must remain firmly established and steadfast in the faith, without being moved from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. Colossians 1:23
This is an encouraging word from Apostle Paul; be firmly established in the faith. Most people today are established but loosely, and this poses a danger of them being easily moved.
Ever heard of the slang ‘no shaking’ before? If you have, then you would understand it connotes a state of stability and intactness. When one is firm it means they are resistant to externally applied pressure. It could also mean they are constant; steadfast and securely fixed in place. Note, there is pressure but they are resistant to it. The King James Version of the Bible uses the word ‘grounded’ which really means deeply rooted.
Another word used in this passage is the word ‘established’ which means to be placed or settled in a secure position or condition; to be installed. We are admonished to be steadfast also, unwavering, unchanging and to be set in our ways. Do you see how this relates to choices? Please understand the context in which I am using this, change is a good thing and most times inevitable but if you are ever changing and inconsistent, that’s nothing to write home about.
The word ‘settled’ has been used in KJV and this suggests to me that there is a tendency for something to be deeply rooted and yet not firmly put into a desired position or place. For a moment, I want you to think agriculturally, the position of a seed although firmly rooted may have an effect on how it grows. Are you gaining something?
Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Ephesians 4:14(NLT)
See? When you are grounded, it is impossible for you to be tossed and blown. Selah! The wind may blow, but you’ll stand firm in faith and not be moved. These are the last of the last days, God’s pouring out his spirit on all, and the mountain of the Lord’s house is being established the highest of all, but at the same time, scoffers are loose; many are falling away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of devils.
You need to stand firm in the faith, on that conviction you had of God being the creator and ruler of all things, a provider who can create an open door for you and not leave you destitute. Your belief in the truth that Jesus is the Messiah, your salvation, a deliverer who cares and is constantly saving you from trouble.
We’re going to delve deeper next time; I hope you have read a thing or two that you’ll walk away with. Stay Blessed.
Related Journal:
Stand Firm – Part 2
Gear Up!
by Jeanie | Feb 14, 2010 | Uncategorised
4Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. 15He shall call on me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. 16With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation. Psalms 91:14-16
The above passage is God’s response to the psalmist’s recital. Remember the psalmist began with:
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1
What is the Secret Place?
The first time we come across this phrase in scripture is in 1 Samuel 19:2. Here, Jonathan urges his friend David to stay in a secret place and hide himself. So we can conclude that a secret place is a place where one can:
- Be safe and free of violence.
- Live, as in a home where you can comfortably relax.
- Hide without any disturbances.
It’s peculiar, private and protected; under the shadow of the Almighty, there you are shielded from direct light. It’s a place you can
be alone or with company, bare yet covered, somewhere you can be intimate – into your mate, the secret place!
God responding in verse 14 says:
Because he loves me. Someone may ask how?? God answers; because he delights in me but how? He desires me? He comes close to me – the secret place. We spend time together! Friend, there is a blessing you receive when you love God and the people he has placed around you. Love in deed also not just in just words. I encourage you today to learn if you don’t know how, to express your love. Giving is one way. David said:
“And now, because of my devotion (affection, delight) to the Temple of my God, I am giving all of my own private treasures of gold and silver to help in the construction. This is in addition to the building materials I have already collected for his holy Temple. 1 Chronicles 29:3
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4 The LORD keeps all who love Him, But all the wicked He will destroy. Psalm 145:20
You can give of yourself, your time and your resources.
Who is the Most High?
The Most high is a title ascribed to God, it is indicative of His rank as Supreme Being. That means he is the highest, loftiest, chiefest; in essence, the principal, therefore worthy of respect and honour.
The Almighty
This name of God is first mentioned in Genesis 17:1. Here, God introduced himself as all powerful, all and self sufficient. A God who by himself is able to nourish, supply, satisfy, overpower and destroy. What a name!
The Psalmist in this Psalm also addresses God by two other names LORD and God. In the second part of Verse 14 God said I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. Promotion, just because you know a name! Isn’t it amazing how one can obtain favour, get a job, win a major business contract just because they know a name. Some lovers know how to use this to their advantage, whenever they call their spouses certain names, supernatural interventions occur! We need to learn from the Psalmist, know the names of God and call him by them. Verses 15 and 16 lists things those who know God by name stand to gain.
Let them praise the name of the LORD, For His name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and heaven. And He has exalted the horn of His people. The praise of all His saints–Of the children of Israel, a people near to Him. Praise the LORD! Ps 148:13-14
Other Valentine Editions
Love at the Upper Room – You Showed Me
Beloved
Come and see the man!
Love conquers all…
Will you be mine?
Because He Loved Me
Endless Love
You qualify!
I Love You
