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Shelburne Free Press https://shelburnefreepress.ca/?p=4751 Export date: Wed Jul 3 13:25:43 2024 / +0000 GMT |
Crossroads Community Church On this solemn morning warmth welcomed us in God's sanctuary, Pastor Don began with prayer and worship was heartfelt, Bob read Joshua 1:5-6, Isaiah 55:1-2, and John 15:33. Prayers for healing and guidance were lifted up to God. Pastor Don came forth with the next part of last week's teaching; Putting on the Full Armor of God and read this week's scripture, Hebrews 11:1. We learned last week that the first component to the Armor is the Belt of truth on which the whole armor holds from, coming to God with confession and repentance is that first component to begin warfare against the enemy of our souls the devil. This week we look at 3 other components of our Armor. To be a strong soldier as we learned last week we need to be protected and the best protection is obedience to our commanding officer Jesus Christ. So let us read Ephesians 6:14, “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,” The Breast plate of Righteousness is like a bullet proof vest able to protect us and give us confidence to go into battle. This breastplate of righteousness is God's moral and spiritual standard, we receive it from Him when we submit to His command, it isn't from anything we have done but from everything Christ has done. We all have sinned so we all need to come under Christ's protection and authority,(Romans 3:10 ,Romans 3:23). We were made sinners through Adam who disobeyed God but we are made right through the perfect and complete obedience of Jesus Christ, (Romans 5:6), and Jesus did this at the right time for each and one of us,(Romans 5:6). We can leave our old attitudes behind and not let it haunt us, we have the Holy Spirit in us and our new changed Behavior is a by-product of Christ's righteousness flowing through us. This will defend us against the accuser of us all, the devil will not be able to penetrate our hearts or destroy our confidence because it is rooted in Christ's perfect obedience,(Ephesians 4:22-24). Another vital part of the armor is our footing, the sandals of peace,( Ephesians 6:15). Sandals of peace are like snow tires that give peace of mind on uncertain winter roads. When we have been made right with God through Jesus we will walk securely at peace knowing Jesus will guide us, pick us up if we fall and keep our faith steady. When we are at peace with God we have no guilt or shame for the devil to use to trip us up. This peace comes from humble repentance and believing in the Gospel of Jesus,( John 3:16). This peace causes us to rejoice because it brings hope and it means we have a flowing relationship with God( Romans 5:1). His peace is beyond what we can conceive or comprehend but we can be sure that He is in control and is able to protect us, (Philippians 4:7). Once we are made right with God and have His peace, He gives us Faith and God requires action from us, we need to use it! (Ephesians 6:16). A Soldier's shield needs to be cared for, doused in water and oil daily to be ready for battle; our shield of faith also needs daily dousing of Bible reading and Prayer to strengthen it, spending time with God gives us the daily encouragement to face the battle ahead. A well cared for shield repels the flaming arrows of deception and lies of the enemy,( Romans 10:17). Beloved The Bible, which is God's command book for battle, tells us clearly to be persistent in prayer, to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, to be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people, (Ephesians 6:18). So this week let us be confident in the Armor the Lord provides, let us cherish it, care for it as a precious gift for it is the ultimate protection and defense we have in our daily struggles, we may not all have a PHD in Theology but God has given us all His spirit which enables us to walk firmly before him, no matter at which pace we are moving, God is with us, He will lead us and have our backs every step of the way, let's suit up for God has already won the battle…have a blessed week filled with peace and joy, Asherey Shalom! To learn more visit http://www.shelburnecrossroadschurch.ca/ |
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Post date: 2013-11-21 09:52:38 Post date GMT: 2013-11-21 14:52:38 Post modified date: 2013-11-27 13:26:15 Post modified date GMT: 2013-11-27 18:26:15 |
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