Life Plan Devotion #71 [God's Armor--Gospel of Peace Shoes, Part III]

We've looked at the third important piece of the Armor of God--the gospel of peace shoes, which give the believer protection, preparation, and purpose. We've also looked at the aspect of "peace," the peace that comes from knowing Jesus as Savior. Today, let's look at how to put on this very important piece of armor.
The only way to have "our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace" (Ephesians 6:15) is to "be saved by grace, through faith" (Ephesians 2:8). Of course, that's the only way to obtain every piece of God's Armor.
Once you have access to the Armor of God, through salvation, prepare yourself to follow the Lord, no matter what, and put on your gospel shoes. The gospel shoes are meant to equip your feet to move in ministry. It doesn't matter if you're a butcher, baker, or candlestick maker, as a believer you are commissioned to "Preach the Word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage people with good teaching" (II Timothy 4:2).
You have been given a great gift, salvation, and it's a gift that is meant to be given away, over and over again. In Mark 16:15, the Lord commanded His disciples (that's you) to "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone." Wherever your "world" is, make sure you're a living testimony of God's Grace. "If someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it" (I Peter 3:15), knowing that no matter what happens, you "don't worry in advance what you will say. Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit" (Mark 13:11). Their only chance for salvation may be with you, today.

Romans 10:15b [NLT]
"How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!"

What this has to do with weight loss: As part of a community of people who are at various places on the weight-loss journey, you, as a believer, will have countless opportunities to be "salt and light" to others, many of whom do not know much (if anything) about Jesus, the one who can give them eternal life and help them be successful on their weight-loss journey. Today, I challenge you to take your beautiful feet and march into the life of a precious soul, bringing the best news of all: Christ died for all, to give those who believe in Him eternal life.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I cherish my gospel shoes. They are a perfect fit! May I use them to carry me into the lives of others who have not heard and do not know about You, My Savior--Jesus. When I received the gift of salvation, I held on to it so tightly, yet now I know that it is a most amazing gift, in that I can have it always, yet still give it away to others. May I be counted faithful in doing just that, with all that I say and all that I do. I pray in the Name of the One who died for all--Jesus. Amen."

Go forth today, putting on the gospel of peace shoes and living out your marching orders.

Life Plan Devotion #70 [God's Armor--Gospel of Peace Shoes, Part II]

Yesterday, we took our first look at the third important piece of the Armor of God--the gospel of peace shoes, which gives the believer protection, preparation, and purpose. Today, let's focus on the aspect of "peace."
Jesus Christ is the only foundation of a sinner's peace. When the heart has experiential knowledge of that, through salvation, it cries out with joy, "Christ is [my] peace" (Ephesians 2:14). Truly, "we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).
The Greek word for peace in Ephesians 6:15 ("having your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace") is ειρηνης (eirene; pronounced "i-ray’-nay"), and it means "peace, prosperity, one, peace, quietness, rest, set at one again." When you know "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding," you will see it "guard your hearts and minds," and it's all "in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:21).
Yes, it's Jesus Christ who lines our shoes with the peace of the gospel. That peace is amazing and overwhelming. When you get the revelation of that peace in your heart and down in your spirit, you will have instant peace with your past (no matter what was there), your present (no matter your current circumstances), and your future (with all its potentially fearful unknowns). You come to the place where you are fully submitted to God's divine will, knowing absolutely that "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion" (Philippians 1:6).
This peace comes over you when you read God's Word. You make the conscious decision to "listen to what God the LORD will say" because "He promises peace to His people" (Psalm 85:8). Whereas before you found Jesus as Savior, you felt conflicted within yourself, you now have received the benediction, "May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way" (II Thessalonians 3:18). You find yourself filled with great peace, peace that spills over to your family, friends, coworkers, church family, and even all mankind, knowing that "God has called us to live in peace" (I Corinthians 7:15; Colossians 3:15). Is it always easy? No. God understands that, for He says, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (Romans 12:18). There's just more power to live in peace, now.
What a gift of peace given with these gospel shoes. This gift is meant to be shared, which is the theme for tomorrow's devotion. Until then, meditate on the fact that "peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness" (James 3:18).

Isaiah 53:5 [NIV]
"He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed."

What this has to do with weight loss: When you feel any dis-ease on the weight-loss journey, know that you have Someone waiting to help bring you back to a place of peace. He is the answer to every question, the solution to every problem, and through Him there is perfect peace and healing.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, in a time when there's so little peace in the world, You offer a most amazing gift of peace through Your Son, Jesus. Help me to live in that gift, to the full. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today walking in the peace, quietness, protection, and rest that comes from knowing Jesus.

Life Plan Devotion #69 [God's Armor--Gospel of Peace Shoes

We've looked at the Belt of Truth and the Breastplate of Righteousness, and today we begin looking at the third important piece of the Armor of God, "having your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace" (Ephesians 6:15).
You wouldn't be able to walk a hard, stony road for very long without a good pair of shoes. You won't fare well in a battle without adequate preparation. In the hard, rocky battlefield of life, you need the preparation and protection that comes specifically with the Gospel, the good news. When you know the good news, no bad news can ruin it (or you).
When you know the Gospel, you know that you are more than a conqueror. You know that nothing can separate you from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37-39). You go wherever your will takes you, and having your feet shod with (wearing) the preparation of the gospel of peace is your spiritual readiness. The gospel sets our will, giving you a purpose and a focus, presenting you with a message and a task. It gives meaning to your life. When your will and heart are prepared and ready to serve the Lord, your Christian feet are shod, and you are prepared to face anything ahead of you.
When you responded to the Gospel, the good news that Christ died for your sins, and you believed in Jesus and accepted Him as Savior (John 3:16), He brought you out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light (Colossians 1:13). He placed His Holy Spirit within you so that you might work the works of God (John 6:28-29; John 14:16-17). Satan would love nothing better than to draw you back into the kingdom of darkness (Luke 22:31-32). Failing that, he'll settle for your testimony. He hates those who testify of Christ. Hence, the battle.
Next time, we'll look at why the gospel is the gospel of peace. Until then, meditate on Romans 5:6-11. Amazing.

I Corinthians 10:13 [NIV]
"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

What this has to do with weight loss: The believer, one who has responded to the gospel, will find that God's grace will take him/her through times of trouble and temptation, even those on the weight-loss journey. He/she will experience the truth of the promise in I Corinthians 10:13 and will be victorious.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I'm so grateful for my gospel of peace shoes. They are more than adequate to protect my feet from the stony places on my journey, and when I'm in the fight, they help me to stand firm, without slipping and falling. Thank You for the gospel, the good news, that gives me protection, preparation, and purpose. May I be found faithful in it. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen."

Go forth today, your feet armed with the preparation of the gospel of peace.