We have begun to look at the Helmet of Salvation, which we are to take (Ephesians 6:17) and which is given to us by God the moment we are saved through grace, by faith. We see that, just like the Roman soldier's critical piece of armor, the Helmet of Salvation is meant to protect our mind from Satan's mind games. The Helmet of Salvation is knowing who you are and what you have in Jesus Christ. Let us now enter the battle, with confidence.
There's a big difference between wearing a helmet and just owning one. You can be saved, but if you aren't actively in the Word and allowing it to be used in your daily spiritual battles, you will experience much defeat, as well as frustration, as a Christian. The Helmet of Salvation is absolutely crucial, if you want to be protected from the schemes of the devil, but you have to make the daily decision to wear it, to yield to it, to actively put into place that which you know about your salvation.
Each day, realize that you have been redeemed, bought with a great price, all because of love (John 3:16). Put on your Helmet. Protect your thoughts by realizing who you are in the One who shed His blood for you. As a true believer, you have eternal life to look forward to, and no one can take that away from you. Satan's fiercest dart of destruction (eternal damnation) cannot pierce you. No, you are an overcomer! [Romans 8:35, 37]
Read God's Word daily. Get it into your eyes and ears, and down into your heart and spirit. It lines your Helmet. The protection of your Helmet of Salvation grows, as you take God's Word and apply it to your life, as you use it to combat the enemy in every spiritual battle. The more you believe in the promises of God, the more you claim them [speak them and line yourself up with the requirements of each one, and believe they apply to you], the greater your faith will be to believe that God will bring the promised provision to that area of your life. That is a tangible expression of your "hope of salvation" (I Thessalonians 5:8).
Understanding and applying God's Word to every spiritual battle gives you hope, defined as unfailing expectation (not wishful thinking) in the ability of your God to fulfill His Word. With it, "nothing shall by any means harm you" (Luke 10:19).
I Corinthians 6:20 [Amplified]
"You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body."
What this has to do with weight loss: Your body was created to be a vessel of honor. Have you, like all who are or have been obese, forgotten that or acted like it wasn't true? Do you see your body as a vessel of honor, bought by the precious blood of Jesus? Do you "honor God and bring glory to Him in your body"? Have you reclaimed your body as the temple it was created to be, a holy, fit house for the Holy Spirit? If not, make the decision right now (and then the moment-by-moment decision) to live honorably, with your body in motion toward health and fitness.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I praise You that I not only own but wear the Helmet of Salvation provided for me at the moment of salvation. May I wear it in such a way that it protects my mind; indeed, my whole body. May my Helmet be so lined by Your Word, that I stand tall and confident in its power. I pray in the Name of the One who bought me...Jesus. Amen."
Go forth today, with God's Word lining your Helmet of Salvation and protecting your mind and body.
Showing posts with label John 3:16. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John 3:16. Show all posts
Friday, September 11, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #67 [God's Armor--Breastplate of Righteousness, Part II]
Last time we looked at the second piece of the Armor of God--the Breastplate of Righteousness. Today, we will look at how to put on the Breastplate of Righteousness, and tomorrow, we'll look at what to do if we get a kink in it.
Righteousness is imputed/given to us by God, at the moment of salvation, and it is imparted/worked in us by Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. Righteousness is "right standing before God," and is a most powerful weapon when dealing with the enemy, because we can tell him who we are and what we have in Christ.
In order to put on or put in place our Breastplate of Righteousness, we must be truly saved. Those who have depended on mere religion (nominal beliefs, church attendance, traditions of men) without being born again (praying to receive Jesus Christ as Savior, for the forgiveness of sins, and experiencing a heart change) will find they are ill-equipped to handle the darts of the enemy. Frustration, even defeat, is the result. In order to be righteous, you must "clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 13:14). Otherwise, it's just self-righteousness.
Putting on the Breastplate of Righteousness is not putting on your own good works, integrity, or honesty. It is not putting on Bible reading, church attendance, or prayer. All of those things are wonderful, and they will be the result of a heart truly changed by salvation, but in and of themselves, they do not make us righteous. At salvation, you become a new person, but it's your decision whether or not you will "put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:24). In other words, you must daily make the decision to put in place what you know about who you are in Christ.
As you submit yourself to the leading and power of the Holy Spirit, sin (in all its forms) will no longer have dominion over you. The person who intends to live the Christian life must yield to the power of holiness and righteousness in his/her life and conduct.
Putting on the Breastplate of Righteousness is something we do consciously. The key is knowing who you are in Christ Jesus. Once you truly know that, Satan can't get to you, because you know who he is and you know who you are and what you have in you and available to you. You will walk in the righteousness of God, and you will be protected. You will desire holiness, holy living, according to the Word of God. Nothing less will satisfy.
Obedience to God is what gives us success on the battlefield of life. The righteousness we display when we are preoccupied with obedience to God's Word will overwhelm the enemy every time, and every promise housed in the Word will be known by the believer, claimed, and evident in his/her life and walk.
Matthew 5:6
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."
What this has to do with weight loss: For too long, we've been hungering and thirsting, trying to fill spiritual needs with physical food, but all that left us was a body with excess weight and a heart longing for something more. When we recognize that what we really long for is a relationship with our Creator, then we're ready to take that all-important step of accepting the gift freely given so long ago (John 3:16). That gift gives one the power to have their needs satisfied in ways that do not involve food and overeating.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, in order for me to be able to put on righteousness, I must believe in, accept, and know Your Son, Jesus. There is no other way to live a righteous, fulfilled, and victorious life. I ask You to show me if I even have a Breastplate to put on. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen."
Go forth today, putting in place that which you know yourself to be in Christ.
Righteousness is imputed/given to us by God, at the moment of salvation, and it is imparted/worked in us by Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. Righteousness is "right standing before God," and is a most powerful weapon when dealing with the enemy, because we can tell him who we are and what we have in Christ.
In order to put on or put in place our Breastplate of Righteousness, we must be truly saved. Those who have depended on mere religion (nominal beliefs, church attendance, traditions of men) without being born again (praying to receive Jesus Christ as Savior, for the forgiveness of sins, and experiencing a heart change) will find they are ill-equipped to handle the darts of the enemy. Frustration, even defeat, is the result. In order to be righteous, you must "clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 13:14). Otherwise, it's just self-righteousness.
Putting on the Breastplate of Righteousness is not putting on your own good works, integrity, or honesty. It is not putting on Bible reading, church attendance, or prayer. All of those things are wonderful, and they will be the result of a heart truly changed by salvation, but in and of themselves, they do not make us righteous. At salvation, you become a new person, but it's your decision whether or not you will "put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:24). In other words, you must daily make the decision to put in place what you know about who you are in Christ.
As you submit yourself to the leading and power of the Holy Spirit, sin (in all its forms) will no longer have dominion over you. The person who intends to live the Christian life must yield to the power of holiness and righteousness in his/her life and conduct.
Putting on the Breastplate of Righteousness is something we do consciously. The key is knowing who you are in Christ Jesus. Once you truly know that, Satan can't get to you, because you know who he is and you know who you are and what you have in you and available to you. You will walk in the righteousness of God, and you will be protected. You will desire holiness, holy living, according to the Word of God. Nothing less will satisfy.
Obedience to God is what gives us success on the battlefield of life. The righteousness we display when we are preoccupied with obedience to God's Word will overwhelm the enemy every time, and every promise housed in the Word will be known by the believer, claimed, and evident in his/her life and walk.
Matthew 5:6
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."
What this has to do with weight loss: For too long, we've been hungering and thirsting, trying to fill spiritual needs with physical food, but all that left us was a body with excess weight and a heart longing for something more. When we recognize that what we really long for is a relationship with our Creator, then we're ready to take that all-important step of accepting the gift freely given so long ago (John 3:16). That gift gives one the power to have their needs satisfied in ways that do not involve food and overeating.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, in order for me to be able to put on righteousness, I must believe in, accept, and know Your Son, Jesus. There is no other way to live a righteous, fulfilled, and victorious life. I ask You to show me if I even have a Breastplate to put on. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen."
Go forth today, putting in place that which you know yourself to be in Christ.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #61 [Faith is...]
It is important for you to understand that while faith must be pure and potent, faith is really very simple. It's simply believing that God will do what He says in His Word. When Jesus said, "He who believes has everlasting life" (John 6:47), each of us must decide that either those words are true and apply to us, or they are not true and apply to no one. If we believe that they are true and choose to believe they are true for us, we receive the gift of eternal life (John 1:12).
At its most basic level, faith provides a means by which we can receive the gift of eternal life, but beyond that, faith serves a crucial role in the life of each believer. It is part of the "full armor of God," the "shield of faith," serving to protect us from the flaming arrows of the evil one (Ephesians 6:16). As Hebrews 11:1 tells us, "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
When things are going well for us, faith comes easy. However, when times grow tough, our faith is tested (James 1:2-3). During those times of trouble, ask yourself the following questions:
1) Do I believe that God loves me? (John 3:16; I John 3:1)
2) Do I believe that God is sovereign and that "all things are possible" in Him? (Job 42:1-2; Matthew 19:26)
3) Do I believe that God is able to accomplish His will in my life? (Proverbs 3:5-6)
4) Do I believe that God hears me when I pray according to His will? (I John 5:14-15)
5) Do I believe that "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose"? (Romans 8:28, NIV)
If during times of troubles or trials you can answer "yes" to those questions, you have all the faith you need. Through every difficult time in your life, know that through faith you can "cast all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you" (I Peter 5:7, NIV).
True faith is simple but powerful. It draws us closer to God. When we go through the valley of despair, faith leads us back to the mountaintop. When we find ourselves facing an insurmountable obstacle, faith moves the mountain. Not the faith of the mighty, nor the faith of a saint, but the faith of a child, the faith of a mustard seed.
Habakkuk 2:4 [NLT]
"'Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.'"
What this has to do with weight loss: Living by one's faith makes one's life truly healthy and meaningful. Willpower is not necessary, when Godpower is available and utilized. Is your faith evident, even in your weight-loss journey?
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, sometimes I make faith out to be something so difficult, when it's really very simple, as simple as saying 'Yes' to You. It's knowing You, knowing Your Word, and knowing that Your Word is true for me. Lord, help me today to exhibit simple, pure, potent faith in whatever circumstances I find myself, and may that faith be my shield as I fight the good fight of faith. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."
Go forth today, living life with simple yet pure and powerful faith.
At its most basic level, faith provides a means by which we can receive the gift of eternal life, but beyond that, faith serves a crucial role in the life of each believer. It is part of the "full armor of God," the "shield of faith," serving to protect us from the flaming arrows of the evil one (Ephesians 6:16). As Hebrews 11:1 tells us, "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
When things are going well for us, faith comes easy. However, when times grow tough, our faith is tested (James 1:2-3). During those times of trouble, ask yourself the following questions:
1) Do I believe that God loves me? (John 3:16; I John 3:1)
2) Do I believe that God is sovereign and that "all things are possible" in Him? (Job 42:1-2; Matthew 19:26)
3) Do I believe that God is able to accomplish His will in my life? (Proverbs 3:5-6)
4) Do I believe that God hears me when I pray according to His will? (I John 5:14-15)
5) Do I believe that "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose"? (Romans 8:28, NIV)
If during times of troubles or trials you can answer "yes" to those questions, you have all the faith you need. Through every difficult time in your life, know that through faith you can "cast all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you" (I Peter 5:7, NIV).
True faith is simple but powerful. It draws us closer to God. When we go through the valley of despair, faith leads us back to the mountaintop. When we find ourselves facing an insurmountable obstacle, faith moves the mountain. Not the faith of the mighty, nor the faith of a saint, but the faith of a child, the faith of a mustard seed.
Habakkuk 2:4 [NLT]
"'Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.'"
What this has to do with weight loss: Living by one's faith makes one's life truly healthy and meaningful. Willpower is not necessary, when Godpower is available and utilized. Is your faith evident, even in your weight-loss journey?
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, sometimes I make faith out to be something so difficult, when it's really very simple, as simple as saying 'Yes' to You. It's knowing You, knowing Your Word, and knowing that Your Word is true for me. Lord, help me today to exhibit simple, pure, potent faith in whatever circumstances I find myself, and may that faith be my shield as I fight the good fight of faith. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."
Go forth today, living life with simple yet pure and powerful faith.
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