This past weekend, Paula and I flew to Dallas to celebrate my 50th high school reunion. We had a great time and Paula fit in perfectly with those who were there (about 150). The one thing that we all said about the group gathered at the Embassy Suites near Love Field airport was that there sure were a lot of old people in the group, that is except for Paula who was the youngest one there. This always brought a good laugh ...
On Monday evening, we boarded our flight back to Denver and, as ususal, we sat with one seat between us so that, just maybe, we would sit by ourselves. Kinda selfish, huh? Lotsa folks walked past us and we were beginning to feel good about our seats when one woman asked if that middle seat was taken. I said that I would move over and she could have the aisle seat. She took it and apologized cause she knew what we were up to. But, she sat down anyhow.
I felt kinda sheepish by this point, and the Holy Spirit began to convict me of my attitude. Diane, whom we quickly met, said that maybe it was just what she needed ... to sit down next to us. She immediately opened up about her "trauma!" Diane's 21 year old daughter, Michelle, who is a student at the University of Colorado in Boulder, had been rappelling down a rock face when she broke an ankle and tore some ligaments. Diane obviously was concerned about her and she was flying from Dallas to do what mothers do, make the pain go away. She wanted our advice about how to handle this, so we talked at length with her. Paula shared about how her ankle had been broken and tendons damaged years ago and that she still has problems with it. Our advice was that she needed to carefully convince Michelle that she definitely needs to have a really good orthopedic surgeon take care of her so that she won't suffer in the long run.
Diane was very thankful as we shared life experiences with her and she commented that she just knew that sitting with us was what she needed. Little did she understand that this was a God designed moment. I told her that we would be praying for both her and Michelle.
I had been praying and continued praying as I reached for Anne Graham Lotz' new book, Expecting to see Jesus. Our plane made a stop in Amarillo and many of the passengers got off leaving extra seats. Diane said that she was going to move and give us all more room and at that I knew that the time was right. I said, "May I pray for you and Michelle right now?" ... to which she was quick to say, "Yes!" She reached over and took my hand and I began to pray. Then, I asked her who Jesus was to her. She responded with something like, "a stong spiritual power." I had sensed all along that Diane was not a follower of Jesus and now I knew this for sure.
Knowing that I had just a few moments left with her, I quickly presented her with who Jesus really is ... God who came in human form to die on a cross to pay the price for our sins. Then, I told her what Jesus Himself said about getting to heaven, "No one comes to the Father but through Me." All you need to do is believe and ask Him to come into your life to save you.
At this she thanked me and got up to move across the aisle. When we got to Denver, she thanked us both again and we again said that we would be praying for a good outcome for Michelle.
I know that the Holy Spirit is the one who takes our words, feeble though they may be, and enlivens them in peoples' hearts. He is the one who convicts of sin. And, when someone confesses his/her sin and believes in Jesus, it is the Spirit who seals them forever into the family of God. I felt so inadequate but I continue to pray that Diane will recognize her fate outside of Christ and that she would come to faith in Him as her Lord and Savior. She is one for whom Jesus died. He desires to save her from a sinner's hell, but the choice is her's.
I trust that you too know who Jesus is and that you have given your life to Him. In Paul's letter to the Romans, he wrote, "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord', and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9) John quoted Jesus who said, "Here I am! I am standing at the door and knocking. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." (Revelation 4:20). He died for you and loves you so much that He is pleading for you to believe. Will you?
I am praying that God will use these words to touch your life and that you too will join us in following Jesus, all the way to eternity.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Sunday, October 9, 2011
The Armor of God
Something that all believers in Jesus Christ need is a better understanding about the war in which we are involved. In order to fully protect ourselves we must know the enemy, Satan, and God gives us the tools of our warfare against him. God tells us what we are to wear in the battle ... we just need to understand the armor and how we are to wear it. A great website, www.gotquestions.org explains it for us.
Question: "What is the full armor of God?"
Answer: The phrase “full armor of God” comes from Ephesians 6:13-17: “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. 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. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Ephesians 6:12 clearly indicates that the conflict with Satan is spiritual, and therefore no tangible weapons can be effectively employed against him and his minions. We are not given a list of specific tactics Satan will use. However, the passage is quite clear that when we follow all the instructions faithfully, we will be able to stand, and we will have victory regardless of Satan’s strategy.
The first element of our armor is truth (verse 14). This is easy to understand, since Satan is said to be the “father of lies” (John 8:44). Deception is high on the list of things God considers to be an abomination. A “lying tongue” is one of the things He describes as “detestable to Him” (Proverbs 6:16-17). We are therefore exhorted to put on truth for our own sanctification and deliverance, as well as for the benefit of those to whom we witness.
Also in verse 14, we are told to put on the breastplate of righteousness. A breastplate shielded a warrior’s vital organs from blows that would otherwise be fatal. This righteousness is not works of righteousness done by men. Rather, this is the righteousness of Christ, imputed by God and received by faith, which guards our hearts against the accusations and charges of Satan and secures our innermost being from his attacks.
Verse 15 speaks of the preparation of the feet for spiritual conflict. In warfare, sometimes an enemy places dangerous obstacles in the path of advancing soldiers. The idea of the preparation of the gospel of peace as footwear suggests what we need to advance into Satan's territory, aware that there will be traps, with the message of grace so essential to winning souls to Christ. Satan has many obstacles placed in the path to halt the propagation of the gospel.
The shield of faith spoken of in verse 16 makes Satan's sowing of doubt about the faithfulness of God and His Word ineffective. Our faith—of which Christ is “the author and perfecter” (Hebrews 12:2)— is like a golden shield, precious, solid, and substantial.
The helmet of salvation in verse 17 is protection for the head, keeping viable a critical part of the body. We could say that our way of thinking needs preservation. The head is the seat of the mind, which, when it has laid hold of the sure gospel hope of eternal life, will not receive false doctrine or give way to Satan’s temptations. The unsaved person has no hope of warding off the blows of false doctrine because he is without the helmet of salvation and his mind is incapable of discerning between spiritual truth and spiritual deception.
Verse 17 interprets itself as to the meaning of the sword of the Spirit—it is the Word of God. While all the other pieces of spiritual armor are defensive in nature, the sword of the Spirit is the only offensive weapon in the armor of God. It speaks of the holiness and power of the Word of God. A greater spiritual weapon is not conceivable. In Jesus' temptations in the desert, the Word of God was always His overpowering response to Satan. What a blessing that the same Word is available to us!
In verse 18, we are told to pray in the Spirit (that is, with the mind of Christ, with His heart and His priorities) in addition to wearing the full armor of God. We cannot neglect prayer, as it is the means by which we draw spiritual strength from God. Without prayer, without reliance upon God, our efforts at spiritual warfare are empty and futile. The full armor of God—truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer—are the tools God has given us, through which we can be spiritually victorious, overcoming Satan’s attacks and temptations.
Recommended Resource: The Handbook for Spiritual Warfare (Revised & Updated) by Ed Murphy.
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Question: "What is the full armor of God?"
Answer: The phrase “full armor of God” comes from Ephesians 6:13-17: “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. 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. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Ephesians 6:12 clearly indicates that the conflict with Satan is spiritual, and therefore no tangible weapons can be effectively employed against him and his minions. We are not given a list of specific tactics Satan will use. However, the passage is quite clear that when we follow all the instructions faithfully, we will be able to stand, and we will have victory regardless of Satan’s strategy.
The first element of our armor is truth (verse 14). This is easy to understand, since Satan is said to be the “father of lies” (John 8:44). Deception is high on the list of things God considers to be an abomination. A “lying tongue” is one of the things He describes as “detestable to Him” (Proverbs 6:16-17). We are therefore exhorted to put on truth for our own sanctification and deliverance, as well as for the benefit of those to whom we witness.
Also in verse 14, we are told to put on the breastplate of righteousness. A breastplate shielded a warrior’s vital organs from blows that would otherwise be fatal. This righteousness is not works of righteousness done by men. Rather, this is the righteousness of Christ, imputed by God and received by faith, which guards our hearts against the accusations and charges of Satan and secures our innermost being from his attacks.
Verse 15 speaks of the preparation of the feet for spiritual conflict. In warfare, sometimes an enemy places dangerous obstacles in the path of advancing soldiers. The idea of the preparation of the gospel of peace as footwear suggests what we need to advance into Satan's territory, aware that there will be traps, with the message of grace so essential to winning souls to Christ. Satan has many obstacles placed in the path to halt the propagation of the gospel.
The shield of faith spoken of in verse 16 makes Satan's sowing of doubt about the faithfulness of God and His Word ineffective. Our faith—of which Christ is “the author and perfecter” (Hebrews 12:2)— is like a golden shield, precious, solid, and substantial.
The helmet of salvation in verse 17 is protection for the head, keeping viable a critical part of the body. We could say that our way of thinking needs preservation. The head is the seat of the mind, which, when it has laid hold of the sure gospel hope of eternal life, will not receive false doctrine or give way to Satan’s temptations. The unsaved person has no hope of warding off the blows of false doctrine because he is without the helmet of salvation and his mind is incapable of discerning between spiritual truth and spiritual deception.
Verse 17 interprets itself as to the meaning of the sword of the Spirit—it is the Word of God. While all the other pieces of spiritual armor are defensive in nature, the sword of the Spirit is the only offensive weapon in the armor of God. It speaks of the holiness and power of the Word of God. A greater spiritual weapon is not conceivable. In Jesus' temptations in the desert, the Word of God was always His overpowering response to Satan. What a blessing that the same Word is available to us!
In verse 18, we are told to pray in the Spirit (that is, with the mind of Christ, with His heart and His priorities) in addition to wearing the full armor of God. We cannot neglect prayer, as it is the means by which we draw spiritual strength from God. Without prayer, without reliance upon God, our efforts at spiritual warfare are empty and futile. The full armor of God—truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer—are the tools God has given us, through which we can be spiritually victorious, overcoming Satan’s attacks and temptations.
Recommended Resource: The Handbook for Spiritual Warfare (Revised & Updated) by Ed Murphy.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Was the Cross Too Small for Jesus?
Yesterday, Sunday, October 2, 2011, was a wonderful day for Paula and me. We visited friends at the New Covenant Community Church which meets in a Rec Center just around the corner from our home. Ryan Gold is the pastor of this small congregation and he, his wife Rachel, and their four children are so very close to our hearts. Over the years, God has given us several younger families to add to our extended family and the Golds are the newest.
As Ryan was preparing us for the Lord's Supper celebration, he mentioned a passage of scripture found in Ephesians 3 which says, "18 And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is. 19 Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with the fullness of God."
Quickly my mind went to the place where God set in place the both the height and depth of his panoply of all eternity ... that place was Golgotha, the place where Jesus was crucified. That day when Jesus died would seem to many a terrible day, and it was, except for the fact that He overcame death. His victory has given all who will believe on His name the assurance of eternal life in heaven with Him. Romans 5 tells us of that day and of God's love, " 8 But God shows his great love for us in this way: Christ died for us while we were still sinners."
Go back with me to the Ephesians passage where it talks about "the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is."
Picture those rugged crossed timbers on which Jesus was nailed to die a horrible death. What do you suppose it was ... 6 feet across and 12 feet long? Maybe, but even at that it was way too small to contain the surpassing greatness of the body of our Lord.
John 3:16 tells us, “God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life." Notice that God's love was expressed to the whole world! On that cross, Jesus spread out His arms way past the ends of the timbers to extend the circumference of the whole world! When He cried out to the Father “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” recorded in Matthew 27:46, His heart split open the heavens themselves reaching out to the Father who had turned His back on the Son because of the Sin He bore. That cross was no where tall enough for that "sin-laden" body reaching beyond the stars. Then, as His blood began to flow, it filled the hole which had been dug to drop that cross in. The sins of the world were pounded below that timber, shoved to the pit of hell where they belonged and the blood of Christ sealed them there for all eternity.
The length and width and height and depth of the Love of Christ is beyond our comprehension, however it also is so very close ... close enough to grasp when in simple faith the sinner, separated from God, says, "Lord Jesus, I believe in my heart that you died on that horrible cross for me. I believe that you are God come in the flesh to pay the sacrifice for my sin which I could not pay. I accept your gift of life and ask you to come into my heart and save me!"
This prayer of faith will move you into a whole new existence. If you pray this prayer with all your heart, then I will welcome you into God's family for ever and ever. Comment on this below and I will contact you and encourage you in your new walk of life.
As Ryan was preparing us for the Lord's Supper celebration, he mentioned a passage of scripture found in Ephesians 3 which says, "18 And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is. 19 Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with the fullness of God."
Quickly my mind went to the place where God set in place the both the height and depth of his panoply of all eternity ... that place was Golgotha, the place where Jesus was crucified. That day when Jesus died would seem to many a terrible day, and it was, except for the fact that He overcame death. His victory has given all who will believe on His name the assurance of eternal life in heaven with Him. Romans 5 tells us of that day and of God's love, " 8 But God shows his great love for us in this way: Christ died for us while we were still sinners."
Go back with me to the Ephesians passage where it talks about "the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is."
Picture those rugged crossed timbers on which Jesus was nailed to die a horrible death. What do you suppose it was ... 6 feet across and 12 feet long? Maybe, but even at that it was way too small to contain the surpassing greatness of the body of our Lord.
John 3:16 tells us, “God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life." Notice that God's love was expressed to the whole world! On that cross, Jesus spread out His arms way past the ends of the timbers to extend the circumference of the whole world! When He cried out to the Father “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” recorded in Matthew 27:46, His heart split open the heavens themselves reaching out to the Father who had turned His back on the Son because of the Sin He bore. That cross was no where tall enough for that "sin-laden" body reaching beyond the stars. Then, as His blood began to flow, it filled the hole which had been dug to drop that cross in. The sins of the world were pounded below that timber, shoved to the pit of hell where they belonged and the blood of Christ sealed them there for all eternity.
The length and width and height and depth of the Love of Christ is beyond our comprehension, however it also is so very close ... close enough to grasp when in simple faith the sinner, separated from God, says, "Lord Jesus, I believe in my heart that you died on that horrible cross for me. I believe that you are God come in the flesh to pay the sacrifice for my sin which I could not pay. I accept your gift of life and ask you to come into my heart and save me!"
This prayer of faith will move you into a whole new existence. If you pray this prayer with all your heart, then I will welcome you into God's family for ever and ever. Comment on this below and I will contact you and encourage you in your new walk of life.
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