Your Greatest Weapon 4/5

Over the past week we've been looking at the different pieces of armor that is explained in Ephesians 6:10-18. It's important to remember that there are 5 different pieces of DEFENSIVE armor (which we are breaking down in this blog series) and 1 piece of OFFENSIVE weapon...YOUR SPIRIT! Your spirit is your greatest weapon. The 5 pieces of defensive armor are around to protect us from injury and to defend us. Our SPIRIT is for us to back the enemy up! Until we learn to connect our Spirit to His, we cannot win the battle. Defense doesn't score enough points to win, only offense does!

Today let's look at: SHIELD OF FAITH

The point and power the shield of faith is actually explained within the scripture that it's listed. It's used to "...extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." Think about the shield of faith this way. A shield is used to deflect attacks...specifically arrows. A shield will cause an arrow to fall to the ground, harmless and useless. But, every so often, if a shield was worn and weaker and an arrow hit the shield in that specific spot, the arrow would penetrate the shield. Although this was very rare, it did happen, but it would still not hurt the soldier. It would, however, mean the shield would have to be thrown away or repaired.

Your faith will be one of the major areas that will be attacked by "...the evil one..." or Satan himself. (By the way, if you believe in Heaven, you have to believe in the alternative. One without the other is not necessary.) Satan understands that if he can wound or shake your faith, he has shaken the very core of your belief in God, Jesus, and His miraculous works! But your faith has the power to deflect the arrows of the enemy useless. It has the ability to keep any arrow from touching you or even getting too close to you. Your faith, however, if not strengthened or taken care of can become weak and easily penetrated.

But when the shield is penetrated you have an option. When that moment happens that is out of your control and you don't know what to do, you can repair or throw away your faith. When your finances come crashing down, your family comes apart, or your health is in question...you can repair or throw away your faith. The enemy would love for you to think that because there may be a small penetration of an arrow in your shield that your entire faith foundation is no good...but that's not true! Let God repair it and continue to deflect the arrows... because unless you have the shield of faith, the arrows WILL hit you...not might, but WILL!

Stand strong today. Don't quit. Don't give up. Don't hurt. Don't get angry... repair! Take your faith, your heart, your situation to the fixer of all things, God, and let Him repair your faith. Let Him bring you to a place where YOU aren't deflecting anything, it's your faith!

I'm believing this is your turn around day for your spirit to be your greatest weapon! Don't forget to go back and read any of the posts you have missed!

You can purchase my new book SHIFT HERE

Your Greatest Weapon: 3/5

As we look at Ephesians 6 we are looking at the concept that 5 of the 6 pieces of armor discussed in the Armor of God are DEFENSIVE, and only one is OFFENSIVE... why? Because all we need is the SPIRIT to back up and win against our attackers. I wanted to take some time and look at the defensive pieces of armor and discuss why those are so important in our lives. You can see  The Most Recent Post Here!

Today we will look at: Shoes Of Peace (Ephesians 6:15)

I have a thing for shoes. Some people would valiantly say that it's very unhealthy and maybe even need to see a professional for this. (Maybe my friend Dennis Wells at Wellspring could help?) I have a ton of shoes. I have shoes that I only wear with certain shirts, and to be honest, I'm a little embarassed to admit that on here. As we are preparing for our second child, my biggest anxiety is where are all my shoes going to go as I have to clean out my second closet of them! (Ok, maybe I DO have a problem)

I like shoes because they can help me look good or not. They also help take me where I need to go that day. They are protection and comfort. I go no where without shoes, and hopefully you don't either. (No shirt, NO SHOES, no service...come on just put them on!) But I think it's interesting here that Paul connects SHOES to PEACE. What in the world do those two have to do with anything?

Peace is of great value in our lives. Have you ever done something that you knew was the right thing or right decision? And although others may not like it you just feel right and good about it? That's peace! And Jesus promises that as we listen to His TRUTH, and we guard our hearts with RIGHTEOUSNESS peace can play a vital and valuable role in our lives. Peace is the thing that keeps us going, gives us ability to move ahead with boldness, and comforts us. Without peace we are very uneasy about anything we do.

I believe Paul is making a very bold statement here that we should all add to our arsenal as we go through life...everywhere you go...make peace, have peace, work in peace. Peace creates trust and comfort when you're building relationships with people. Don't be a peace-wrecker, be a peace-maker! People want to know if they can trust you, or if complaints and negativity will spring from your mouth. Someone with peace is easy to find because they have a calm security about their life. Things won't rattle them quite as much and issues wont' dictate moods quite as often. When you work in peace you are really working in an attribute of Jesus.

God is the God of peace. He desires to implant peace in our lives. He wishes to let us walk and live in peace. Think of it this way...everywhere you go the sole of your shoe leaves a shoe print. (Even on hard floors...ever seen CSI?) The shoe print Paul is saying we can leave is peace...Peace guards us and takes us places that strife and conflict can't.

Peace will take you to relationships, promotions, and goals that strife and conflict will steer you away from. Peace...it's what will lead your life to a place of power! So lace up your shoes, tie them tight, and walk in peace...because where it will take you might just surprise you!

You may purchase my new book "Shift" HERE

Your Greatest Weapon: 2/5

This is post 2 from Your Greatest Weapon based on Ephesians 6:10-18.

Last blog we looked at the belt of TRUTH. ( Find It Here! ) My goal in these posts is not to rehash something we've looked at and learned in Sunday School as kids, rather to give us all something to take home and utilize at home and at work.

Today let's check out: Breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS

So, we've already established that the 5 defensive pieces are set to defend us and help us hurt less as attacks and things are thrown our way. I'm sure you can picture this but I'm going to break it down anyway... A breastplate is a piece of armor that covers your chest and midsection, the front of your body. That way anything standing before you can be shielded from your heart.

Righteousness is defined as: 1. acting in accord with divine or moral law : free from guilt or sin. 2. morally right or justifiable (Merriam-Webster Dictionary Online)

So, looking at this literally, righteousness, or a lifestyle based on doing things and making decisions based on our convictions and beliefs that are right and justified, is not for people, but for the protection of our hearts! Think about it this way... good parents will try to keep their kids from doing things that may not make sense to them. As a kid my parents would ocassionally not allow me to attend a party a friend or schoolmate was throwing. At the time I didn't understand and would get upset, but now that I'm older I understand that they had more wisdom and saw into the situation more than I, thus keeping me out of a  situation that could have pierced my heart.

Righteousness is not an a lifestyle or act of perfection, getting it right all the time, or even claiming "I'm better than you." Rather righteousness is set as a protection of our hearts - but can only be applied if we are willing to live the lifestyle that it takes. Some people tend to think that righteousness is never doing anything wrong. I would like to say that I believe righteousness is the act of making decisions that will guard our hearts and try to live my life according to my convictions and beliefs...NOT perfection, but righteousness!

So, today, understand something...when you feel a nudge to stay away from something, or if someone is warning you of something, it may be a hint of righteousness trying to sneak in and protect your heart from any frustration, piercing, or hurt. Your heart is a sensitive thing...I mean that is where Jesus chose to dwell...if your heart gets pierced, often times it's difficult to repair without some major surgery/recovery. (figuratively speaking) 

Righteousness, or making the right decisions can be tough. Difficult. Frustration. Unpopular. But, it's necessary to do in order to live a life that is protecting the most sensitive area our lives.... our hearts!

In HIS Grip!

Your Greatest Weapon: 1/5

Hey guys. Based the message this past week, and the new series starting this week - "Toxic Mindsets" - I wanted to blog this week to keep us learning and growing. Last week we looked at the Armor (Ephesians 6:10-18) and what that meant for us. There are 5 pieces of DEFENSIVE armor, and 1 piece of OFFENSIVE armor. You need WAY MORE to shield you from hurt, than you do to win the fight. Let's break some of this stuff down.

This week: BELT OF TRUTH

Ever heard the saying "The truth hurts"? Or even "You can't handle the truth"? The reality of life is that most of the time that truth is introduced into our lives, both of those statements have truth. (haha, see what I did there?) There's something to be said about someone that doesn't shy from truth, whether they are giving it or receiving it. According to the scripture we're breaking down, truth is meant to shield and protect us from attacks, from hurts, and from pains. So, essentially, when we are denying truth, we are removing protection.

Think of this: Jesus said that He is the The Way, The TRUTH, and the Life... If "The Way" and "The Life" are connected to the truth, then it only stands to reason that when we receive and correctly give truth we are beginning to see THE WAY to THE LIFE! (oohhh, now that was good. I think I'm gonna praise for a minute...)

The truth does hurt sometimes. It usually hurts the most when it contradicts a comfortable way of life for me. I remember when starting Radiate Church, someone, a mentor/friend of mine, came in and told me things that I needed to change/work on. Some of it hurt because that was MY baby! That was MY church! That was how I had set it up! But, I was wrong about something... it wasn't my baby, God had birthed, fought for, and defended that church long before I ever became the vision carrier! And that wasn't my church... God had envisioned the personality and productivity of Radiate long before I was titled Lead Pastor! The truth hurt, because I was used to one thing, and it was being challenged. And here's something to remember the way I handle truth, is the way I'm protected while I'm on THE WAY to THE LIFE!

So, this week, find ways to receive the truth of the Word of God, the voice of God, and from the messengers of God. Listen, let yourself be protected and challenged and understand...The way to the life runs right in the middle of THE TRUTH!

See you tomorrow!