Get Dressed: Show Shoes
In our previous posts we have discussed the importance of being dressed for spiritual success. Spiritual warfare is something one is born into. From the foundation of the earth there has been war between Satan and God. In the book of revelations we read about the first war in the history of the existence of the fourth dimension that we understand as, the spiritual realm.
7 Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
Notice that the word of God says that the enemy, the devil, was not strong enough and that God defeated the enemy hurling him to earth. I want to remind the saints that whatever attacks the enemy has set against you that it is not strong enough.
4You, little children, are from God and have overcome them, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
1 John 4:4
17"No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their vindication is from Me," declares the LORD. Isaiah 54:17
According to Ephesians 6: 10-13 As to the rest, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might; 11 put on the whole armour of God, for your being able to stand against the wiles of the devil, 12 because we have not the wrestling with blood and flesh, but with the principalities, with the authorities, with the world-rulers of the darkness of this age, with the spiritual things of the evil in the heavenly places; 13 because of this take ye up the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to resist in the day of the evil, and all things having done—to stand.
During the last few blogs of this series we have discussed the power of prayer, walking in truth and the Breastplate of righteousness. This blog will continue discussing how to triumph or endure testing times of warfare. How does one travail to prevail. Pushing requires more than lengthy prayers, it also entails having ones feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. What does that word preparation mean?
According to the Merriam Webster dictionary the word preparation means;the action or process of making something ready for use or service or of getting ready for some occasion, test, or duty
The word preparation in Greek in this particular text is the word hetoimasae and it means the act of preparing or 2.the condition of a person or thing so far forth as prepared, preparedness, readiness
A root of that word is hetoimazo and it means
to make ready, prepare
to make the necessary preparations, get everything ready
2.metaph.
1.drawn from the oriental custom of sending on before kings on their journeys persons to level the roads and make them passable
2.to prepare the minds of men to give the Messiah a fit reception and secure his blessings
So esentially what the bible is saying in regard to having ones feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace it is saying that one is ready for battle and to maintain strength in battle by having ones feet covered with the good news of peace.
If one can just remember that God sent them a gift in the person of jesus Christ then the battle is already one. The bible says that God will keep them in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on him.
If you keep your mind stayed on Him depression has to leave because when one keeps their mind on God they are reminded of of who he is and who he is is peace.
He is your shelter. He is your provider. he is your healer. He is your peace.
So when the storms of life come if one can just grab a hold onto the peace supplier you can maintain a state of mind that is conduscive to productivity.
If you worry one can not think straight enough to make the right decisions to navigate to the right destination.
How can you think straight when you are having anxiety attacks and operating with stress. You are too blessed t be stressed.
When you are enduring triumphant seasons one must remember who you are and whose you are. Gosd is bigger than anything you can imagine.
God has not given us the spirit pf fear, but power, love and a sound mind.
If you can just remember that God is in control fear cant move you into the wrong direction.
You bettah hold on to your peace. You better wear your peace. You better wear your crown and that crown is God's peace.
Isaiah 26:You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you: because he trusts in you. wilt. Isaiah
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
The answer to your relationships and your interactions with others begins with your ability to accesss the peace of God. And when you allow your self to be covered in peace you will carry that peace wherever you go.
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Monday, March 6, 2017
Released Part 5: Get Dressed: The Ring, The Robe, The Crown
Released Part 5: Get Dressed with Righteousness:The Ring, The Robe, The CrownAs we continue this series let us look further at how God wants us to be clothed. God definitely requires that we travail in prayer, that we stay well-balanced, fearless and watchful. God demands that we operate on the offense versus on the defense. He requires that we examine ourselves, stay prayerful so that when attacks come and we sense that a storm is coming that we be prepared to respond according to God's word. Spiritual warfare requires the ability to put one's flesh under subjection and not respond according to the flesh. It is important that we wear the fruit of the spirit listed in Galatians 5:22 versus the flesh.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also [l]walk by the Spirit.
In several versus of scriptures God uses clothing to describe our position in Him. When one is considered naked, one is considered of the carnal nature, uncovered, unprotected, exposed, vulnerable and even empty. There are many scriptures to compare when it comes to the similarities and differences between nakedness and being clothed.
The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is established, that it cannot be moved. Psalms 93:1
The word majesty in Psalms 93 is the word ge'uwth in Hebrew it means a rising up (of column of smoke), a swelling (of sea)majesty (of God), pride.
This shows that God wears a physical picture of awe that can only be explained as bigger than what the human mind can imagine.
God manifested Himself to the Hebrews in the book of Exodus in a cloud by day and fire by night. God showed His power by being the light they could follow at night and the cloud that covered them by day, He allowed the Hebrew people to get to know Him as protector. He let them know that he was not only Jehovah Jireh-The Lord God our provider, but also as the omin-potent, Omin-present and all knowing God that He is. In Exodus chapter 16:7, God shows His glory by causing quail to appear to feed them.
Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honor and majesty. Psalms 104:1
God Himself is clothed with majesty, strength and honor. Majesty in psalms 104:1 is the word Hadar in Hebrew. It means ornament, splendour, honour and glory. God is ornamented in appearance and He is decorated with a light that shines so bright that it caused Moses's face to shine brightly as well.
When Moses asks God to show him His glory this is God's response: Exodus 33:23 And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen. God did not allow God to see His face, it was too much to behold. Just being in the presence of God, illuminated His face till the point that the people could not stand to look at it.
And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him. Exodus 34:35
The word Shone in Hebrew in this pericope of scripture is the word qaran which means to shine,to send out rays or to display or grow horns, be horned. The horn in the bible is usually used to sound the alarm for war, worship, new seasons and Holidays which also is a form of worship. When war or enemies approach a city, it is the job of the watchman to sound the alarm to let the city know to prepare for war.
The people could not stand the brightness that shone from Moses as a result of communing with God. There are several scriptures in the Bible that refer to the glory of God. Every time his glory appears men are impelled to fall to the ground or to repent out of fear and respect of who God is.
Ezekiel 1:28 As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so [was] the appearance of the brightness round about. This [was] the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw [it], I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.
Isaiah 6:5 Then said I, Woe [is] me! for I am undone; because I [am] a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
Revelations 1:17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
The word splendor points to God's ability to evoke joy and an overwhelming feeling of peace while in His presence. When one encounters the presence of God, one experiences splendor at no cost. Exchanging one's life for the splendor of the King is not a cost, it is a spiritual investment. Not only do you experience joy and peace, one also is promised eternal life. Synonyms for the word splendor are grandeur, lustre, brillance, and magnificence. When we make God our magnificent obsession we encounter the greatest splendor that surpasses or understanding or knowledge.
In the beginning when God created man he created a seed. This seed was most important to God. He invested in us the life of His Son Jesus Christ. When Adam and Eve sinned they sold all of mankind into the slavery of sin. In order to buy us back God required a perfect sacrifice. There was only one person to fulfill this job description, Jesus Christ. It is through the blood of Jesus Christ that we have victory. It is through his death that we can have a restored relationship with God. Revelations 12, gives us a prequel to Genesis. God basically shows Satan his future and Satan's goal is to kill every good seed that God has planted because he knows that his time is short. Have you ever known some one who wanted you to be miserable, just because they were miserable? Well that is Satan. It is his design to cause mankind to experience misery on earth and for eternity. As a result of God investing in His seed, He won't destroy the earth because He is waiting for His seed to shine forth, complete their earthly assignments and be who He has designed for them to be. Though God knows that their are a few bad seed out there; he is willing to suffer with them until all His seed has been harvested. Satan went after Eve and he thought because he had tricked her that the story was over. However Eve was had an assignment to reproduce and though from her womb would come good and bad seed, hidden with in her seed was THEE SEED, Jesus Christ! Satan wanted all the glory! He wanted to steal the throne from Christ, but God had a plan that the enemy could not triumph over. Anything the enemy sends is the antithesis of who God is. Before Adam and Eve sinned there was no sin, mental disorders, illnesses, depression, anxiety, or fear. Sin ushered in an intensity of emotions and lack of control over one's desires. God had to send His son Jesus and Jesus had to send the power of Holy Ghost to dwell inside of us so that we can have access to the fruit of the spirit and something to combat the horrible nature of mankind after the fall.
Genesis 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they [were] naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
They knew that they were naked because their souls had just been introduced to a side of them that could not be harnessed by their own strength and ability. Here we see a picture of what happens when we are born into this world. When we are born into this world we are born naked. We do not become covered until some one covers us. Babies are vulnerable and also need protection. That is what happened when sin or disobedience to God entered into the seen. Now that they knew that they were naked, desires that once had been sleep were now fully awake, they recognized a need to be covered. Adam and Eve had exchanged the glory of God for the glory of Satan which was abandonment, deception and misery.
As we look at these scriptures we see the difference between being covered by God or by Satan.
1. Psalms 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
What is God asking you to wear instead of?
Satan wants you to wear mourning, ashes, spirit of heaviness and depression. God wants you to wear beauty, joy and praise. His goal is for YOU is to be a tree of RIGHTEOUSNESS that He may be glorified. When we look like God, we make God look good. We look good when we look like Him. We look like Him by wearing His glory or presence. One can access the presence of God by getting to know Him daily, through prayer, studying His word and making the choice to listen for His voice and obeying it.
2. I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. Psalms 132:16
Satan wants you to walk in bondage, sin, infirmities, weaknesses and your own strength. God wants you to be clothed with salvation!
3. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto
him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.
Zechariah 3:4
Satan wants you to wear Filthy Garments and God wants you to wear clean garments.
4. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem. Job 29:14
Satan wants you to wear sin. God wants you to wear righteousness!
5. I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10
Satan wants you to rejoice in evil, be depressed, live in rejection and naked. God desires for us to be joyful, clothed with salvation, righteousness and Christ!
Parable Example
But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate Luke 15:22-24
Satan wants you to live in a pig's pen. God desires for you to be reconciled to Him and to be at your rightful place beside Him. God's response when we exchange our filthy garments for his clean ones is to throw a party and celebrate! Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
There are several scriptures where reconciliation, covenants and relationships were established. The ring, crown and brilliant clothes are a symbol of Authority and restoration to one's rightful place.
Joseph-Genesis 41:42- And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
Esther-Esther 2:17-And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
Esther 8:2 And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.
Esther 8:15-And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.
Purple is the color of royalty and it is similar to the color of robe Jesus wore during His crucifiction.
And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put [it] on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,And said, Hail, King of the Jews! ............and they smote him with their hands.And Pilate wrote a title, and put [it] on the cross............. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. (read St. John 19)
Jesus wore a mockery of who He really was. He wore something that was the opposite of the splendor described in the beginning of this blog. Jesus who had once known what it was like to be equal with God, was dying the death of a criminal. Unrecognized by the Jewish people, Jesus wore His prophecy. He wore a picture of the opposite of what God had to offer them. Sin offers thorns, but God offers roses. If Jesus did not endure the cross, he could not have obtained His true crown. Before Joseph was restored He had endured false imprisonment, rejection, false accusation, and disappointment. Before Esther received her crown she endured the test of purification. Before Mordecai received His robe, ring and crown, he faced false accusation and possible execution. Before Jesus received His rightful place again in heaven, He endured the cross.
20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1:18-23
5 Have this attitude [e]in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be [f]grasped, 7 but [g]emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death [h]on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11
8 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life [a]in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the Law could not do, [b]weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of [c]sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10 If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is [d]alive because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies [e]through His Spirit who dwells in you.
12 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you [f]must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery [g]leading to fear again, but you have received [h]a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. Romans 8:1-17
The crown we seek is found in Christ! God wants us to be dressed with righteousness because we become a Son of God and that is our inheritance in Christ Jesus. When we are covered with God's glory, then we walk according to the Spirit. When we walk by the Spirit we look more and more like Jesus every day. The image of Christ is to die to our flesh and be an example of who Christ was and is through us in this earthly realm!
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2. Timothy 4:8
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. James 1:12
And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 1 Peter 5:4
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Revelation 2:10
And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.1 Corinthians 9:25
Prayer: Lord help us to recognize who we are in Christ Jesus. As long as we have Christ and we stay the course, we know that we have a crown that can not be burned or destroyed awaiting us in heaven. God has chosen us to be His own and one day as the song says, "I shall wear a crown!"
I Shall Wear A Crown
James Cleveland
(Verse 1)
Watch ye therefore
You know not the day
When the Lord shall
Call your soul away
If you're Fighting
Striving for the right
Ye shall wear a robe and crown
I shall wear a crown (2x)
When that trumpet sounds (2x)
Oh, I shall wear a crown
I shall wear a crown
I shall wear a golden crown
Soon as my feet strike Zion
Gonna lay down my heavy burden
Put on my robe in glory
Shout and tell my story
Move over hills and mountains
Unto the chrystal fountain
All of God's sons and daughters
Will be drinking that ole' healing waters
I'm gonna move on up a little higher (4x)
We shall wear a golden and crown
May Your Day Be Filled With the Love of Christ!!!!
#Get Dressed!
Thursday, February 9, 2017
RELEASED PART 4: GET DRESSED WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS!
In the previous blogs in this series the nature of our enemy is discussed and how we are to use the armor of God to fight our battles. It also discusses that we do not fight according to our own strength but through the supernatural working power of God's Spirit. We also discuss that our enemy is not people but it is spiritual wickedness in high places. The war that we are fighting is not against one another. It is against the enemy and can only be fought through spiritual means such as prayer and the word of God. Part one of this series includes travail and how we are to use prayer as a weapon of defense against the enemy. In part two we discuss the importance of standing firm in faith while facing a new challenge or battle in our lives. It also encourages the believer to stay sober or well-balanced in ones emotions and remain alert so that the enemy does not catch us off guard. In part four of this series we discussed the difference between the truth and a lie, darkness and light. It is only through God's truth, Jesus Christ that we can discover or experience true illumination and spiritual victory.
In our last blog Recover the Oil Prayer Collective studied how important it is to hear the voice of God and how to not be led away by the voice of the enemy. We discussed the nature of our enemy and the importance of understanding how the enemy works and how to truly fight the enemy.This is the year of RELEASE and if we want God to accomplish the supernatural in our lives and if we want to experience the supernatural release of God we have to learn how to do spiritual warfare. DO you think that the enemy wants you to be free from BONDAGE? Do you think the enemy wants to release you from the yolks, chains, and forces of darkness that he has sent to hinder you from walking in a new level of freedom? As long as you are in this flesh the enemy will do his best to keep you from walking in your purpose and fulfilling your assignments, destiny and God-Visions that God has given you. It is his job to strip you of God's gifts that He has placed in you to complete the assignment of giving God glory in this earth realm and in the heavenly places.
As we continue this series let us look further at how God wants us to be clothed. God definitely requires that we travail in prayer, that we stay well-balanced, fearless and watchful. God demands that we operate on the offense versus on the defense. He requires that we examine ourselves, stay prayerful so that when attacks come and we sense that a storm is coming that we be prepared to respond according to God's word. Spiritual warfare requires the ability to put one's flesh under subjection and not respond according to the flesh. It is important that we wear the fruit of the spirit listed in Galatians 5:22 versus the flesh.
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: [i]immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, [j]factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who [k]belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also [l]walk by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:22-25
It is not easy to keep this up. As years go on and the longer one is saved, one may have to re-examine oneself and where one is with bearing the fruits of the spirit. Sometimes life can throw you a few curve balls or the wrong choices we make send us on the wrong path, but God is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) Let us reflect on how we are allowing God's fruit to develop in our spirit. Are you allowing patience, faith, joy, gentleness, goodness, kindness, and love to be developed properly during difficult trials. It is easy to have patience when everything is going well. But how does your fruit look when you are experiencing adversity and must travail?
In the book of Acts 12:1-11
Now about that time [a]Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to mistreat them. 2 And he had James, the brother of John put to death with a sword. 3 When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. Now [b]it was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 When he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him to four [c]squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out before the people. 5 So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God.
6 On [d]the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And his chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and [e]put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he *said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9 And he went out and continued to follow, and he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened for them by itself; and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. 11 When Peter came [f]to himself, he said, “Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all [g]that the Jewish people were expecting.”
During this series we are observing how Peter and the saints faced a perplexing and difficult situation. One must place oneself in the very shoes of Peter. Peter was an Apostle and very close friend and disciple of Jesus Christ. He had endured harsh times before, but here was an ex-fisherman turned Evangelist being guarded like a criminal in prison. They had him so tightly guarded that it would have been inhumanely possible for him to be delivered. However; God sent an Angel to do something in the natural that only the supernatural could accomplish. God worked a miracle for Peter and I believe that yes God can work one for us too!
Peter's response to his imprisonment was faith and obedience. Peter had been so trained by Jesus and Christ's example that his response to a testing situation was peace and obedience. When a storm came in Mark 4:35-41, Peter and the disciples' response was fear. While Jesus was resting at the bottom of the ship, the disciples were tripp'n. They were anxious. Jesus told them not to be afraid and spoke to the storm and it ceased. Peter's response to this storm was to trust God. He was sleeping through his storm. Peter had learned how to respond to the storm. This tells us that Peter was not afraid and fully trusted God no matter what the outcome was.
It is not a surprise that in order for the fullness of deliverance to take place, there was some things that Peter had to do. One was get up. Two was gird himself and put on his sandals. The sandals and the girding or pulling up on oneself clothing is a sign of preparation. Peter could not walk out of his imprisonment naked. He had to get clothed or covered. When we respond according to our flesh we leave ourselves naked and uncovered. When we obey we walk into divine order and freedom.
Our last blog ended with getting dressed by putting on the belt of truth. During this blog we will tackle the importance of putting on the breastplate of righteousness. The belt which is truth holds everything together even the breastplate. One could say that believing God's truth which is Jesus, is the foundation for standing against the wiles of the devil. Speaking and living by the words of truth keeps the enemy at bay. The Breast plate of righteousness is the next piece of armor that Apostle Paul mentions in Ephesians 6:10-14
Finally, brethren be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against [e]flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
What is a breastplate?
This particular piece of armor covers or protects the chest. The breastplate protects the major organs in the torso. The chest contains the heart and lungs, while the abdomen houses the digestive system, including the stomach, small intestines, large intestines, liver and pancreas. The torso also encases the spleen, kidneys, bladder and reproductive system.
These organs are imperative to have in order to maintain homeostasis or balance in one's body. If one's heart is injured one can die. If one's lungs go out one can also die. If one does not have a stomach or endocrine system food cannot be properly digested to insure that one's body receives the proper nutrition. The liver, spleen, kidneys and bladder help to keep the body free from waste and at optimum health. The reproductive system is necessary to sustain life on earth and that there are more humans to be created in this earth and sustain life. Plants rely on the carbon dioxide that we exhale as we rely on the oxygen that it releases.
What do these organs say about our spiritual life and how God can use each job of each organ to represent the importance of us maintaining our own spiritual survival as Christians.
It is the hearts job to pump blood and carry oxygen through-out our bodies in veins to keep the various parts of our body warm and thriving. Each time our heart beats it is supplying our bodies with necessary oxygen and nutrients we need to live. When the heart goes out we die. The heart is symbolic of our souls, emotions or spirits. When we allow our spiritual hearts to get clogged with a lot of junk it prevents our spirits from carrying the necessary word to ourselves that is needed to sustain life. When we became too carnal or weighed down with bitterness, anger, frustration, fear and pride we begin to get all clogged up with the flesh and fleshly appetites that we can no longer filter through God's word properly. The love we used to have waxes cold and we may have once been the most loving creature but because of the tests and struggles of life we allowed our love to wax cold. Love covers a multitude of failings and brings healing and wholeness. The heart also removes waste and gives the body nutrients. When negative substances enter into the blood stream it contaminates or poisons our body. The antithesis of love is hatred, envy, fear, pride, vainglory, self- ambition, jealousy, stinginess, anger and doubt. These are the spiritual poisons that the enemy brings into our spiritual circulatory system or thoughts through negative people, negative words, negative experiences, abuse, demons, and the works of our own flesh. The only thing that combats these spiritual diseases, weaknesses and infirmities is the supernatural working power of God including the breastplate of Righteousness!
What is righteousness?
Amos 6:12
Shall horses run upon the rock? will one plow there with oxen? for ye have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into hemlock:
Fruit in this particular text is the word Pere in Hebrew. It means the produce, progeny or actions that comes from a seed or plant. The root word is Para, and it means to bear fruit or show fruitfulness.
The word righteousness comes from the Hebrew word tsedaka, which means justified, truthfulness, of God's attributes, ethically right, vindicated, righteous acts, in conduct and character and prosperity.
HEMLOCK: any of several poisonous herbs (as a poison hemlock or a water hemlock) of the carrot family having finely cut leaves and small white flowers
b : a drug or lethal drink prepared from the poison hemlock.
WORMWOOD: something grievous or bitter
While we know that the Webster's dictionary describes that hemlock is a poison the word in Hebrew is Lahana and it means wormwood or bitterness. One can come to the conclusion from these studies that sin is the opposite of the fruits of righteousness. When we are not bearing the fruit of righteousness one is bearing the poison of sin. The poison that the enemy plants in our spiritual gardens is bitterness.
Christians develop bitterness when we pridefully forget that Jehovah is our maker. We forget that the great I am is and He exists without any one's help. He is not a resource; however God is the source. We get distracted feeling as if life is passing us by as we wait on Him. Sometimes we as Christians stop relying on God because it seems as if nothing is happening and we cannot see His hand at work. We feel that because we have been faithful, that we should not have to endure more harshness or pain. The truth is who are we to complain? Jesus never complained. He knew his assignment and though He was tired He endured the cross. Having endured the cross he experienced true prosperity, true promotion and true dominion.
Hebrews 12:1-17
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne.
For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary [c]and lose heart.
A Father’s Discipline
4 You have not yet resisted [d]to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; 5 and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons,
“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
Nor faint when you are reproved by Him;
6 For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines,
And He scourges every son whom He receives.”
7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
9 Furthermore, we had [e]earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of [f]spirits, and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. 11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
12 Therefore, [g]strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.
14 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; 16 that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.
Sometimes one has to take the necessary time to allow oneself to heal. It's okay to let yourself or give yourself time to heal. When a foot is injured one must bind it up or be put in a splint to hold it together while it heals. When it comes out of the cast or boot one must strengthen the muscles and limbs that have not been in use so that one is able to walk properly. Physical Therapy will be necessary to heal such wombs. So while the battle you are enduring has you whipped, fatigued or tired keep fighting by taking time to retreat, pray, fast and strengthen oneself so what is deficient, can be made strong again.
James 3:9-18
But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. 11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both [g]fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce [h]fresh.
Wisdom from Above
13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and [i]selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, [j]natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and [k]selfish ambition exist, [l]there is disorder and every evil thing. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [m]reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. 18 And the [n]seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace [o]by those who make peace.
Ephesians 5:11-21
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them; 8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light 9 (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10 [f]trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even [g]expose them; 12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things become visible when they are [h]exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 14 For this reason [i]it says,
“Awake, sleeper,
And arise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you.”
15 Therefore [j]be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 [k]making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, [l]for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to [m]one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to [n]God, even the Father; 21 [o]and be subject to one another in the [p]fear of Christ.
From the summation of the following scriptures one can surmise that the breastplate of righteousness is
1. RIGHTEOUSNESS Is the ability to endure by trusting God and refraining ones tongue in the times of battle. It is enduring through holding one's peace and allowing God to fight one's battle. It is the wisdom to be quiet for a season and wait for God to give us the right words to speak at the right time. This is the way of living offensively versus defensively.
2. RIGHTEOUSNESS is pursuing peace by remaining humble and serving your boss or leaders as if you were serving God and not man. This is not easy when one has been mistreated or mishandled by people in authority. However if one obeys God in spite of the test, one will learn the importance of being still, waiting on God and holding one's peace. When we respond in peaceful ways rather than in anger or fear our patience is being strengthened and the love of God shines more brightly. Negative experiences with people can cause us to respond wrong to people who may not mean harm. It is our responsiblity to ask God to take out any root of bitterness that can cause us to miss out on any blessings that God has for us.
3. RIGHTEOUSNESS is being wise and alert to be prepared to respond to others with wisdom, patience, humility and love.
4.RIGHTEOUSNESS is having a worship filled mindset and is filled with the joy of the Lord. A righteous mindset includes being so focused on not offending God that it is easy to humbly respond with words of peace.
5.RIGHTEOUSNESS is being easy or quick to apologize whether one is right or wrong. Righteousness is being willing to forgive or forbear.
6. RIGHTEOUSNESS is being content and not jealous or envious of others.
7. RIGHTEOUSNESS is being confident in who they are and does not fear that anyone can or will take their place because they get their self- confidence from God. Their greatest goal is to please God and that God will be glorified in all things.
8. RIGHTEOUSNESS is not being motivated by completing goals that precede from themselves, however goals that precede from the spirit of God.
As we go through difficult storms or tests remember what God's fruit looks like. Whether it is an accident, abuse, mistreatment on a job or assignment, a misunderstanding, being lied on or back-stabbed by a close friend or loved one, enduring a terminal illness, bereavement or any other type of challenge or test remember what your fruit should look like.
Lengthy exams can fatigue anyone. Ask God to help you in your weakness and time of drought. You may have never stopped praying and maybe you just don't pray as much as you used to, but if you see any difference in your fruit after a long lasting battle its perfectly normal. Now ask God to help you allow Him to develop His Fruit in you according to his word.
Prayer: Lord it has been a tough battle. It's been a difficult battle. Some of the people that I thought would be there for me in the storm turned on me. Some of the people I thought would have my back didn't. I was betrayed, denied and lied to.
Lord this has been a tough season. I experienced how it feels to be ill and unable to care for myself. There was even a time when I lost everything. I was disappointed by some people and experienced heart break. But Lord even through pain you were there. Even when I wallowed in self -pity, pride, anger, bitterness and denial you were there. You never doubted me and you have always been there.
I trust you. Even when I was defeated you counted me as a winner. Thank you for being there with me. Thank you for not leaving me and letting me completely throw in the towel. I won't give up. I won't grow weary in well doing I will fight the good fight of faith.
I'm still fighting. Even though I am depleted and I'm tired I let go and let you fight my battles for me. For anyone who tries to take advantage of me or mismanage the authority you have graced them with I turn them over to you. I trust you and I will not fight this battle. The battle is the Lords!'
In Jesus matchless name. Amen!
A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his
deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who
sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who
plants kindness gathers love.
Saint Basil
Let Your Day Be Filled With The Love Of Christ!
RecovertheOIL Prayer Ministry: Rhapsody Post
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