"THE WHOLE ARMOUR!"

Ephesians 6:10-13    (KJV)

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

Many times, I write about the constant battle with the enemy.  Today GOD directed me the next verse, verse 13.  "Wherefore take unto you the WHOLE  armour" is more than a "hint" for how to fight the battle we are in.  We cannot just protect our heads and leave our feet unprotected!  In verse 14 through 19, Paul instructs readers to "PROTECT" their whole body, their whole being!  You cannot have the faith you need without your prayer life being what it needs to be.   Every part of your life must grow " IN THE LORD"!  A body does not form correctly if its head outgrows the rest of the body.  

Sometimes, I get so caught up in reading GOD's word that I don't spend the time alone with HIM!  And I must demonstrate faith in ALL I do to show complete growth.  

LORD, cause me to grow spiritually COMPLETE in YOU!  I want to be a vessel YOU can use for the glory of YOUR KINGDOM!!

"WITHOUT ERROR!"

Joshua 1:7-8   (KJV)  “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, THAT THOU MAYEST PROSPER withersoever thou goest.  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

This morning, I was sleeping SO good!  I hated getting up because I was sleeping so soundly.  My schedule had to be adjusted this morning.  I got to the office and everything started running in full gear.  Then I saw this quote:  If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed, if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed. --Mark Twain.  I recalled the scripture Joshua wrote in the early portion of his book of t he BIBLE. 

The only articles you can read WITHOUT ERROR is from the HOLY BIBLE! Yet, for a BOOK to contain nothing but TRUTH, we don’t take advantage of it near enough!  Joshua 1:8 says if we do  “ALL that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and THEN thou shalt have good success.”  When your success comes from The LORD, you don’t have to rely on anything else

When you get down to it, the “newspaper” is someone’s opinion, or view, of what is/has transpired.  “WORDS” can be delivered in a favorable manner, or they can be delivered in an unfavorable manner.  Even obituaries have mistakes, either by newspaper staff or information given to newspaper staff.  News, sports, social and other articles, have a writers view of what has/is happened.  I am not
trying to be confrontational, but newspaper writers are human!  Human’s are flawed. 
Why isn’t sitting down to read the BIBLE with my coffee the thing to do, instead of reading the paper?  Just a thought???

"S-L-O-W D-O-W-N!"

2 Corinthians 9:6-11   (KJV)

"But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful GIVER.  And God is able to make all GRACE ABOUND TOWARD YOU; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.  Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;). Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.  

The LORD has placed a desire on my heart to bless those in need of "SLOWING THEIR LIVES DOWN" to realize just WHO they claim to worship.  Scripture exudes us, many times, to "WAIT" on The Lord!  

Everything seems to be based on speed these days.  Speed reading, speed of the internet, how quick we respond to customers requests, how quickly our lunch is served, and I could go on and on.  But, all of this is an attempt to satisfy TEMPORAL needs.  Sure, it is good to help those with physical needs.  But the SPIRITUAL NEEDS tend to be overlooked, or ignored.  All of these "TV Preachers" preach wealth and prosperity, but there seems to be a lack of concern about getting people to "HEAR" from GOD!  

FATHER, I pray that YOU do a work in my life, to "S-L-O-W   D-O-W-N" my whole life, to move at YOUR pace.  My purpose in life should not be attempting to "CRAM" something else into my life, only what YOU direct me to have in my life.  Make me realize that JOY and PEACE come from YOU. My life's goal should not be trying to "be more successful", rather to be more of what YOU desire me to be!  

Psalms 37:1-5     (KJV)

"Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.  For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. TRUST in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.  Delight thyself also in the LORD; and HE SHALL GIVE THEE THE DESIRES OF THINE HEART.  Commit thy way unto the LORD; TRUST also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.  And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and WAIT patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass."

"DANGER AHEAD!"

Matthew 5:43-46    (KJV)

"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.  But I say unto you, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, bless them that CURSE you, do good to them that HATE you, and pray for them which despitefully USE you, and PERSECUTE you;  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?"

There is so much HATE and SELFISHNESS being spewed today.  People walking around with their "FANGS" out trying to annihilate their enemy.  Recently, I observed two so-called ministers addressing the media.  Never once was any scripture ever referenced, let alone quoted!  It was as if they only cared about "THEIR" agenda. 

2 Timothy 3:1-5 says "This know also, that in the last days PERILOUS times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having A FORM of godliness, but denying the power thereof: FROM SUCH TURN AWAY."

"IN THE LAST DAYS"?!  I would not be surprised to find that GOD is getting ready to remove HIS protective hand from AMERICA!  We must refocus on HIS agenda and remove our desires.  The consequences for Israel proved to be catastrophic in Isaiah 9:13-14.  I pray it is not too late for America.    

"WASH YOUR HANDS!"

Mark 7:14-16   (KJV)

"And when HE had called all the people unto HIM, HE said unto them, Hearken unto ME every one of you, and understand:  There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.   If any man have ears to hear, let him hear."

I was awakened this morning about 4:30AM.   Try as I may, I could not go back to sleep.  I eventually got up and started my day.  I was sitting here about 8:30AM reading my Facebook wall when a scripture from the Bible came up.  I decided to go there and delve into it a bit further.  When you slow the process down, it really helps. 

In verse 14 scripture records that JESUS called "ALL" the people unto HIM.  JESUS wanted everyone to hear what HE was about to say.  One would have expected to see this before the Sermon on the Mount or other long oration.  JESUS wanted to make sure everyone heard what HE had to say, so I better listen carefully!

Our church has just completed a study of CLASSIC CHRISTIANITY by Bob George.  In the book he discusses "TRUTH" (John 14:6) and "ERROR" or deceit (Genesis 3).  JESUS is truth, and error is from Satan.  JESUS says the "Truth" (John8:32) will set you free.   The enemy wants to "bind" us. 

JESUS is trying to tell everyone ("ALL") that the rules and traditions the Pharisees and Jews were holding to (Mark 7:3) was cleansing their hands, but their hearts were not being changed!  JESUS is not saying that you shouldn't eat with clean hands.  Rather, we tend to place so much emphasis on the "HERE AND NOW" and we neglect the "PERMANENT" matters!  

The sin that is a product of a "DEFILED" heart are what the Jews and Pharisees were trying to deal with.   JESUS was trying to get "EVERYONE" to see that the issue is with the "HEART"!  If the "HEART" is regenerated, it produces "NEW LIFE".  JESUS gives life, and life abundantly!!! (John 10:10). 

Some cannot "HEAR" (v.16) because they don't hear spiritually.  You cannot "DO" anything to warrant salvation.  You can't wish yourself into heaven.  You can work your way into heaven.  You can't "Wash your hands enough" to get to see GOD!   

Don't fret when someone "mocks".   They don't see or hear and cannot understand (Matthew 13:15) the Gospel.  Remember the quote from John Bradford (1510-1555)"There, but for the grace of GOD, go I."

"RIVERS IN THE DESERT!"

Isaiah 43:18-21    (KJV)

"Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.  Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and RIVERS IN THE DESERT.  The beast of the field shall honour ME, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen. This people have I formed for MYSELF; they shall shew forth MY praise."

GOD has a way of constantly displaying HIS power and majesty.  One's "EYES" need to develop a better ability to "SEE" the handiwork of a "Master Creator", much like one who appreciates fine art!  In v.19 GOD says "Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; SHALL YE NOT KNOW IT?" 

 GOD is able to "give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people", but are we prepared to drink when we can't see water?  

The Children of Israel were progressing on the journey into the Promised Land.  In Joshua 5, GOD had Joshua circumcise all of the Israelites, young and old.  It seems the Israelites had "forgotten" their covenant made with GOD in Genesis 17.  GOD had to get them "back on track"  and so HE told Joshua to circumcise them, and he obeyed.  The procedure was set to be done when a baby was eight days old, when the "PAIN" is not remembered as well.  Since the Israelites disobeyed, they had to endure the "PAIN" of adult circumcision. 

Mark 10:27 says "And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible."  HE is willing to provide "rivers in the desert", but are we willing to be SANCTIFIED by HIM??  I pray that HE will make my heart willing to serve HIM......no matter the cost!!

"TRUST AND OBEY!"

Mark 11:3   (KJV)

"And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither."

After graduating high school, I worked for a local electronics store. My supervisor was an older gentleman who was quite a man with words.  He had a saying "If I tell you a rooster dips snuff, check under his wing and you will find a box of Garrett's!"  Now, for all of the younger generation, Garrett Snuff was a brand of dipping snuff 35 years ago.  He did not dip snuff, but the way "Monk" said it made the saying legendary!  

JESUS was entering Jerusalem from Jericho.   HE instructed two disciples to go "into the village" and they would find a "colt" tied up.  The disciples are not identified, but had it been Peter, he would have probably had questions?

In verse 5 of Mark 11, the one's who were there asked the disciples what they were doing? The disciples responded, in verse 6, with exactly what JESUS told them to say and the people let them go.   The disciples were obedient to do what they were told, and JESUS' promise was fulfilled.  

Too many times, I want evidence that things will work out BEFORE I attempt to do something for The LORD!  I "worry" that the colt will not be big enough for My LORD.  Or that the people will object to My LORD using it.  Or that My LORD will need to use it too long.  All JESUS wants is someone who will OBEY, no questions asked.  

GOD has a purpose for every trial we go through.   HE is preparing us to get to the point where we TOTALLY trust in HIM.  It's not as if HE is being mean or dogmatic.  HE wants us to TRUST in HIM so our lives will be easier!  HE LOVES US!  

But don't be sold the bill of goods that being a Christian is a bed of roses.  Luke 9:23 says, like so many other passages, "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him DENY himself, and TAKE UP HIS CROSS DAILY, and follow me."  When we get to the point we realize HIS plan is far better than ANYTHING we could hope or dream for, then we are beginning to be used of HIM!  Whether it be taking up our cross daily, or fetching a colt, we are called to TRUST AND OBEY!!