Sword of the Spirit

Have you ever thought about the fact that Satan isn’t omniscient?  God knows the hearts and minds of everyone (so impossible to imagine!), but Satan cannot.

I remember years ago, when my husband and I attended Neil’s Freedom in Christ seminar, this bit of logic blew my mind.  It was so simple, but not stated in such a comparison anywhere I’d read before. 

Speaking the word of God out loud isn’t just reading; it has power: 

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.  Isaiah 55:11 (New King James this time)

I’m reminded today to speak the word of God over my kids as I pray, over situations in my life, and even, when I can, to read aloud during my daily reading time. 

Helmet of salvation

According to Neil today, salvation (my helmet) was put on my head at the moment I received forgiveness from my sins.  I did nothing to put it there, only believed, and nothing I can do will forfeit it.  That’s powerful.

I love the imagery of the rebel force against the giant, evil army…  It’s the stuff of great novels and movies.  Historical, fantasy, sci-fi – it’s a formula that works. 

Unlike your typical rag-tag militia, however, we have what basically amounts to superpowers.  Yes, we are the X-Men.  (Okay, not a perfect metaphor, but go with me, will you?)  We may be outnumbered, but we’re not outgunned.    

The blood of Christ by which we were saved is the strongest thing in the universe.  It broke the power of death and sin when it was spilled on the cross. 

I love Neil’s phrases here:  The Christian warrior wears the helmet of salvation in the sense that he [or she] is the receiver and possessor of deliverance, clothed and armed in the victory of his Head, Jesus Christ. 

Faith

Have you ever heard someone say, I wish I had more faith?  Do you think they knew that it was within their power to get more?  Probably not!

As we’ve talked about in past days, faith isn’t some mystical thing we’re either grace with or we’re not.  It’s something we earn; something we go out and get, take and own.  If my faith is weak, it’s not because God failed me.  It’s because I didn’t spend the time or the effort learning about Him through His word.

What challenged you today in Neil’s entry?  What did God speak to your heart?  Is there something He’s asking you to do? 

For me, it’s a renewed sense of passion for His word.  Although I’ve enjoyed writing a daily blog, I’m looking forward to spending more time in the Bible – time that’s just for me.  What’s up for 2012, in terms of this (or another) blog?  I’m not sure; I’m asking God what He has in mind.  For now, I’m going to get everything I can out of Neil’s devotional.  Thanks for making the journey with me.

Shoes of peace

The language of the shoes in the armor of God has always seemed a little clunky – why didn’t Paul just write “shoes of peace”?  That would go much better, I think.

But as I read it, there’s lots there…  I must be prepared.  That involves time and effort.  Prepared in what?  The gospel of peace.  God loved us so much that He gave His Son as a sacrifice so that we could belong to Him.  Now we live for Him by loving others – that’s how the world will know we belong to Him.

Loving others brings peace.  Yesterday was Black Friday, and the clerk at the store where I was shopping this afternoon looked tired.  I asked how the day had gone, and she reported that it was crazy.  I asked if, in general, people had been nice, and she shook her head.  “No, most people are complainers today.” 

I told her I was sad for that, and that I hoped the few nice customers in between all the mean ones helped a little bit.  She smiled and said that it did.

Loving others won’t happen if I’m not ready for the unexpected opportunity.  Yesterday, I got to spread a little peace.  Today, I’m going to look for more chances to do the same.

The breastplate

I love the image of the breastplate of righteousness – not my picture on it, but Christ’s, and the cross, covering me, keeping in mind that Neil said two days ago that this breastplate was put on me at the moment of salvation.  There’s nothing I did to put it there, and I can’t take it off.

It’s something I need to live by, though, which means two things:  I choose to make right choices, and I get things cleared up immediately when I don’t.  Once I am in the habit of confessing my sin, I don’t leave room for guilt, or its destructive effects on my life.

I’m thankful today for the truth of what Neil writes in the last paragraph, especially this one:  You’re in Christ; you’re already forgiven.  You are the righteousness of God in Christ, and He will never leave you.

Apparently, we can handle the truth

New information for me:  the belt of truth holds all the other pieces on.  I guess it makes sense when you know about real armor; it makes total sense as I think about it in the spiritual sense, too – truth has to be the foundation for everything I believe and everything I do.  It won’t matter where my feet go if I’m not spreading truth, right?

As I read, I was struck by the language Neil uses as he compares God, the author of truth, with Satan, the father of lies.  When I say something that isn’t true, partially or totally, I’m not just doing something that God doesn’t prefer.  I’m sneaking into the enemy camp and scoring one for his side.  I’m betraying truth; I’m siding with lies. 

Our culture chafes at the idea that there is such a thing as absolute truth; anyone who believes in such a thing is naïve, simple, or a religious nut.  When we live God’s way, we’re going against the current. 

I think I’m okay with that.

Armor

There’s a lot I don’t know about armor, namely, how to put it on or what it does, specifically.  I have friends in law enforcement, however – hi friends! – who rest the fate of their lives in pieces of protective gear.  Reading Neil’s entry today, one picture that came to my mind was the police officer going through the routine of putting on a utility belt, vest, and helmet…

As I read the last paragraph dealing with the language of Ephesians 6 (lots of action words), another picture came to mind:  football players, gearing up for game day.  Each team has two main parts.  One plays offense, the other defense, although the gear is pretty much the same.

As believers, it’s not enough to hang out on defense, looking to pick a pass when the opportunity arises, and gain a bit of ground.  We’re called to be on the offense, ready to march down the field. 

I’m inspired, and I’m looking forward to the next several days…