Advent Day 16, The Perfect Defense

December 16, 2024 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Today’s Advent passage comes from Ephesians 6:10-17. Paul advises us as believers to be ready by putting on God’s armor as it will help us stand when things get hard, when we are under attack from the evil one, or when we feel weak and unfocused in our faith. Do any of those conditions describe how you are feeling this holiday season? Are you going through tough times? Is money in short supply? Do you have relatives that take pleasure in making fun of your faith? Are you doubting God’s power to overcome or your ability to hang in there with God? Paul is writing just for you.

Ephesians 6:10-12 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. ¹²For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Before telling us about the specific pieces of armor God provides for those who believe in Him, Paul gives his general reasons for putting it on. 1) From the beginning Paul reminds us that God’s armor works because it is given infused with His mighty power! 2) God’s armor will help us be strong in Him. 3) His armor will help us stand firmly rooted in faith against Satan’s attacks. 4)The forces coming against us are unseen, other worldly, not tangible so we need God’s special armor to be able to stand and fight victoriously.

God realizes that standing firmly against Satan and his minions will take His power within us. We cannot do it alone. He has designed special armor for believers to wear so that we can stand protected in His power. We need to know that God goes before us and also has our backs! “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” Isaiah 49:16

Paul continues in the passage to explain the separate pieces of armor and what they can do to help us in our struggles. The end result of wearing God’s armor is victory in Jesus.

Ephesians 6:13-17 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. ¹⁴Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. ¹⁵For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. ¹⁶In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. ¹⁷Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Belt of Truth- Jesus is the truth that holds us up and supports us. John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Breast plate or Body armor infused with God’s righteousness – provided for us in Jesus. Romans 3:22 “the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.“

Shoes for delivering the gospel of peace- the good news of the gospel brings peace. Acts 10:36 “As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all),“

Shield of faith to stop the flaming arrows of Satan– our faith is our defense in Jesus. Psalm 18:30 “This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.”

Helmet of Salvation- our salvation in Jesus protects our thoughts, minds and deeds from Satan’s’ grasp. 1Thessalonians 5:8 “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.”

Sword– which is God’s Word- our defensive weapon is the best ever. Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Being prepared to meet the challenges of faith is necessary to thwart Satan and his devious tactics. With Jesus, our Savior, by our side we can and will defeat the enemy. Jesus will be returning as the conqueror. I love Philippians 2:9-11 “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Remember Jesus- his strength, his power and love as you navigate this season of Advent.

Linda

You and Christ- is it spreading outward?

February 23, 2021 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Colossian 1:6b tells us what the Colossian Christians did with the hope they received from Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. “Indeed, just as in the whole world the gospel is constantly bearing fruit and spreading [by God’s power], just as it has been doing among you ever since the day you first heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth [becoming thoroughly and deeply acquainted with it].” Amplified Bible

This verse shows the power of God to transform a world with the good news of Jesus. His death and resurrection turned the world upside down. The fruit he speaks of is the transformed lives of those followers that want to grow more and more like Jesus. They want to show His love to the world. John 13:34-45 tells us what happens when one embraces the Spirit of God “I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another. ³⁵By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.” Love as the world had never known began to spread throughout the world. Just think, Jesus started with 12 disciples and then the news of the redemption, love, forgiveness and atonement of Jesus for the world began to spread. Amazing in a day with no internet, no phones or modern transportation, and yet God provided a way for the word of His Son to spread.

Who have you told lately about Jesus? Do you salt your conversations with words telling others of how God has blessed or guided you? How will someone know unless you tell or show them of God’s love? Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I have a living and vibrant grace-filled faith to share with the world.

Linda

Joy, Does your perspective need a ‘reboot’?

August 14, 2020 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Philippians 2:14-17 presents joy in several ways. My joy is increased:

godly character leads to joy in my life because of Christ’s work in me.
sharing the gospel and investing in others brings joy.
mutual joy is to be had for both you and me over what Christ is doing and will do in/through us both individually and as a group of believers.

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, ¹⁵that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, ¹⁶holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. ¹⁷Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.” Paul is continuing in these verses with the conclusions he made about our lives due to Christ’s power, sovereignty and sacrifice in Philippians 2:5-11. Ours is to be a life filled with integrity and humility as we strive to live together peacefully, in harmony, and shine as a light in the darkness for those who do no know Jesus. The gospel we offer, sometimes at great personal sacrifice, is a light holding promise of eternity for others. Paul says he receives joy as he looks at their lives and his own in light of eternity and work done in Christ’s name. He also claims joy that knowing other believers, working with them in ministry as he sees the work of Christ in his own life and in their lives. This brings mutual joy and gives him cause for rejoicing.

What about you? Do you rejoice in the growth you see in your own life as you strive daily to be more and more like Jesus? Do you feel joy when you share the gospel of Christ with others or take advantage of the opportunities God provides to praise and glorify His name? Do you have joy when you work with others in ministry for both yourself and those you are working with? Paul says all of these circumstances should bring us joy. I pray that you will see each of these in your own life and praise Him for the joy He brings!

Linda

Joy in Standing with Christ

July 31, 2020 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Paul knows by experience that the truth of Christ bring opposition. He is trying to encourage the Philippian believers by stating the facts about their shared work for Jesus. Telling others about salvation, redemption, eternal life, heaven…. are all things in which the believer rejoices. The unbeliever sees them as a pronouncement of coming destruction and fights against those who proclaim these gospel truths. In Philippians 1:27-30, Paul says we need to stand up for Christ and walk in a manner worthy of His calling. This is a life lived fearlessly for Christ knowing He alone is Savior, Redeemer, and Sovereign over all things.

^{27 “}Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. ²⁸Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. ²⁹For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. ³⁰We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.”

Paul’s conclusion is that knowing and walking with Christ each day is a privilege entrusted to us by faith and with that comes suffering. Know it, accept it and then lean on Him. Remember you can take strength in and from fellow believers as you stand together in the cause of Christ. Here are a few verses that help with the concept of suffering and why it comes with the job of being a believer. (I have printed them at the bottom.) I pray they help you to put in perspective what a privilege we have to suffer with Christ and the bigger purpose He has for us in suffering. James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 4:14 and Acts 5:40-41.

My joy is increased:

I do not need to be fearful in my daily walk. Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
I am in this with life with victorious Christ and fellow believers are at my side.
Remembering Christ sacrifice for me, it is a privilege to suffer for Him.

Let your joy in serving Christ fill you today.

Linda

James 1:2-4 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, ³for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ⁴And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

1 Peter 4:14 “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”

Acts 5:40-41 “and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. ⁴¹Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.”

The 5 W’s of Pentecost…Let them speak to you today!

June 9, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Who was there? Scripture tells us in Acts chapters 1 and 2 that the disciples and many other Jews from every nation were gathered together.

What? The arrival of the promised power from heaven that would empower them to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

When? Pentecost was 50 days after the Passover. It was called the Feast of Weeks in the Old Testament. It was 10 days after Jesus’ Ascension into heaven.

Where? Jesus told them to go and wait for the helper that would come. They returned to Jerusalem after Jesus’ Ascension just as He commanded.

Acts 2:2-4 describes to us vividly the arrival of the Holy Spirit. “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Peter stood and preached to the gathered crowd and told them that this outpouring from heaven was from God. He quoted the Old Testament prophet Joel in Acts 2:17 “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.” The arrival of the Holy Spirit was dramatic- tongues of fire- and noisy- as a strong wind and filled with many languages. It was a surprise arrival yet it had been expected. Jesus told them to go and wait, so they knew something or someone was coming. In John 15:15-17, 25-26, Jesus had promised them the Holy Spirit would come. “If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-the Spirit of truth. And all this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” Also in Luke 24:48-49 Jesus told them of the coming power and place, “You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Why was this necessary? When I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, His Holy Spirit came to dwell within me. This Spirit that arrived on tongues of fire and with a great sound lives within me. He empowers me to live a godly life and to speak to others about Jesus and His salvation. 1 John 4:4 puts it this way, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is great than the one who is in the world.” Romans 8:16 “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ” 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”

How do you answer your own 5 W’s about the Holy Spirit? Who is the Holy Spirit to you? What are you allowing God to do with this Holy Spirit that lives within you? Where are you walking in obedience and listening to His Word? When are you stepping out in faith to tell others about Jesus? Why is the Holy Spirit necessary in your life? Jesus wanted the disciples, and us too, to use the power the Father sent to do the work of telling others and living for Him. Will you begin today by allowing God’s Holy Spirit living within you to lead you to live for Him in a mighty way that will bring Him honor and glory?

Praising Him this Pentecost Sunday,

Linda

Are you ready? Jesus calls us to be part of His Plan “A”.

May 28, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Today’s meeting with Jesus took place on a mountainside in Galilee. I had always associated this scene with the ascension, but it is a separate incident. Jesus did give the ‘Great Commission’ at His ascension but he also gave it here sometime before the ascension.

Matthew 28:16-20 “Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. ¹⁷And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. ¹⁸And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

There were 11 disciples because Judas had betrayed Jesus and hanged himself. However, there were probably others along with them as in verse 10 earlier in the chapter Jesus had said to the women at the tomb garden, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” Scholars think that the people Matthew is referring to as ‘doubting’ are the other brothers who also accompanied the 11 to the mountainside and does not refer to the disciples. The heart of Jesus’ message is He wants the message of salvation and redemption to go out to all the world. It is their job to spread the ‘good news’ to the world. He promises to go with them (and us) throughout all the ages to come.

Have you ever considered that you are God’s plan A? There is no backup plan for spreading the news of redemption to the world- we are it! God promises that His word will not return empty or without use, Isaiah 55:11 “so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” God also promises that His will cannot be thwarted, Job 42:2 “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Jesus did His part- He came to earth, lived, died on the cross to redeem us and rose from the grave conquering sin and death. We have our part to do now- tell others about marvelous, amazing, redemptive Jesus! Since you are part of plan A, whom will you tell today? Remember there are many ways to tell others about Jesus. Yes, you need to be able to give a full account of the gospel which according to 1 Peter 3:15, “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,“ However, you can witness each day to the power of the risen Christ in your life by what you say, how you respond, who you help, what you do for others, how you treat them, etc. Our lives speak for Jesus along with our mouths. We can give a word of praise to God for little and big things in our lives and others will hear it. We can mention a verse of scripture and how it applies to our circumstances, we can offer to pray for a colleague or neighbor who is in need or lend a helping hand without being asked. There are many ways to show you love Jesus and that He is the driving force behind what you say and do. All of these witness to His power of redemption. At any point you are asked, you need to be willing and able to give words to your faith as 1 Peter 3:15 tells us- the reason for your hope.

Be encouraged today and mindful of the position and commission Jesus gave to me and you. Be bold for the gospel and let the gospel drive you thoughts, actions and words today.

Linda

God’s Blessings effect our ENTIRE Life!

February 12, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Psalm 128 gives a summary of blessedness for the believer who follows God and clings to Him in the midst of a sinful world. The list of blessings is not all inclusive nor does it mean that because we do not experience these blessings something is wrong. Rather, the believer can rest assured that God will bless him/her. A truth that is seen throughout the Bible is that God blesses His people. Faith brings blessings.

128 Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, The believer is gifted by God who walks in his ways! as he walks with him each day.

²You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. Your work is blessed.

³Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
around your table. Your home and family are blessed.

⁴Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
who fears the Lord.

⁵The Lord bless you from Zion!
    May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
    all the days of your life! Your city and nation are blessed.
⁶May you see your children’s children! Your life will be long
    Peace be upon Israel! and filled with peace.

God blesses us each day as we walk with Him. The blessings will look differently for each one of us but the truth of this psalm is that God’s blessings effect our entire life. From our selves to our work to our home to our city and nation. He blesses in all areas of our life and desires that we make an impact on those around us for the sake of the gospel. Paul summarizes his reasons for work and ministry in 1 Corinthians 9:22-23 “To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. ²³I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

As you walk with the Lord today, look for His blessings in your life. Seek to share God’s blessings with others so they may come to know your Savior and seek Him too.

Linda