Under Armor

 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Ephesians 6:11

Hopefully the title perked your interest to read today's blog.  Since you have already started reading contine as we armor up in a different brand of under armor known as God's armor.  God’s armor is required for disciples of Jesus to defeat the enemies of Jesus. Spiritual surprise and intentional attacks increase for those serious about their walk and service unto the Lord in accordance with the Great Commission of Scripture who decrease their status for the sake of the gospel. The devil is determined to deter disciples of Christ who wage spiritual warfare on their knees in prayer. However, the armor issued by God has never lost a battle, and keeps us well equipped to win. Like wooden arrows striking titanium, Satan’s schemes are no match for God’s under armor. 

Have you, by faith, put on the full armor of God? Or are you exposed to suffering wounds by wearing half the world’s armor and half God’s protecting under armor? Indeed, the armor of the world: financial security, status and autonomy all seek placement in our spiritual protection. However, these are pseudo protectors of our mind, body, soul and spirit. Temporal trust facilitates a false sense of security, but only trust in the Lord’s protecting armor provides eternal security. So stand firm in Him.

“But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder” (Luke 11:22).

Spiritual battles require spiritual resources. Furthermore there are evil forces behind our fractured relationships and the conflicting desires within our heart. Beyond the surface of our struggles are demonic spirits with evil intent. Therefore, we intentionally and prayerfully put on the full armor of God, so we are equipped to engage the enemy. We speak the name of Jesus and fluster Satan’s foray to get us to doubt. “In Jesus’ name,” fuels our faith and frustrates the devil.

God’s defense for you is an armor of light. Yes, His protecting under armor exposes and expunges the devil’s deeds done in darkness. The light of the Lord’s armor shines on our path, so we are well able to confidently take our next steps in His will. We are a children of the light, thus, walk in the light as He is in the light. Awaken to God’s ability to resource you with His weapons of righteousness. Destroy and leave behind any worldly armor and cover your whole being in the full armor of God.

“So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:12).

What's your troub

 Elijah was afraid… and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. 1 Kings 19:3-4

The title of this may seem strange to you, as it is a question when I was young that my grandfather used to ask me when my countenance had fallen.  He would see me coming and ask the question "What's your troub"? This question was used as an intro to get out your feelings and out of the dumps so you don't find yourself seeking a pity party.

As the truth is life will present situations where we can feel sorry for ourselves when our faith has been frazzled and fear intimidates us. Sometimes these moments make us want to cry out, ‘Lord I’ve had enough!’ or make your act like Marvin Gaye and just want to throw up both your hands and holla. We may even host a pity party in our heart, but not so surprisingly we are the only one who attends. Health issues, financial frustrations, relational conflict, spiritual disappointments and circumstances like a global pandemic out of our control all contribute to self-pity. Has our confidence been crushed? Have we gone from a spiritual high to a new low of anxiety? Have hope; there is a righteous road to relief.

Great men and women of faith are not immune to severe insecurities. Elijah is calling down fire from heaven one day, and soon after is huddled, frightened and depressed in a cold cave. Isolation feeds our insecurities. It is in our struggles that we need the prayers and support of God’s people. Maybe you have always been the one on the giving end, but now it’s your opportunity to receive. You bless others when you accept their sincere love.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

You can depend on God’s protection when you do God’s work. His resources are never reluctant to get involved with a humble heart. So lift your focus from yourself and your situation, and seek Him. He has the grace you need to get through tough times and people, our weakness is an opportunity for Christ’s power to rest on us.

Above all, make sure mental, emotional or physical fatigue have not flattened your faith. Get away and rest in the Lord. Take long walks and take in the wonders of Christ’s creation. You may need to play before you can pray. Perhaps you engage a Christ-centered counselor to help you process your angst and anguish. Lastly, volunteer in service for Jesus and your self-pity will transition into love for others. Thus we pray, ‘How can I love my way out of my lamentations?’

“Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints” (Philemon 1:7).

Feast of love

 The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. Matthew 22:2 (NRSV)

What comes to mind when you think about the kingdom of heaven? If I’m honest, for most of my life I thought of disembodied angelic spirits floating on clouds, or a church service that lasted for eternity, neither of which sounded all that compelling! However, thankfully our Lord in Scripture gives us an image that we can all immediately relate to: heaven is like a feast.

In many ways, it is easy to get our heads around the idea of feasting. Yet in other ways, the heart of this passage is elusive and evasive. Why? Because we live in a culture of excessive consumption in which feasting is neither unique or special. As an American, I know this all too well. In fact, my country is famous around the world for our portions and “super-sized” culture! When you and I accept gluttony as our default rhythm, we will never truly know what it is like to feast.

In the ancient world, a feast was a rare occurrence, something longed for and aspired to as a beacon of joy and delight in the midst of a dark and difficult existence. It is this type of feast that Jesus speaks of, telling a story of a feast to end all feasts! And we must not miss the fact that this is a wedding feast, one in which we are reminded of the tender compassion and intimacy of God. As St. John Chrysostom said in a sermon on this passage, it is a marriage feast in order “for us to learn God’s tender care, His yearning towards us, the cheerfulness of the state of things, that there is nothing sorrowful there, nor sad, but all things are full of spiritual joy.” In short, a wedding feast at the table of the Lord is where all joy and happiness is to be found, and you and I would be crazy to miss it, right?

“And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19).Though our Lord sets a table before us, he does not force us to dine with him. Though he shines the light of his love into our hearts and lives, the sickness of sin can blind us to what is good and true and we dismiss the invitation to feast with the King, preferring instead to tend to our own interests and desires, assuming them to be far worthier of our time, attention, and devotion.

For love to truly be love, it cannot be coerced or forced upon us. It is a free response and we are free to respond or reject that love. Our king loves us and invites us to the wedding feast. Will you accept his invitation?