Breastplate (Heart) Of Righteousness

Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;”

Facts About The Breastplate (Heart) of Righteousness.

Righteousness is doing from the heart what is right in God's sight.  
Righteousness is God's holiness established in our hearts. 

Our character and actions should reflect Christ righteousness. 

Righteousness does not change daily.

With the heart we believe.  With the mouth we confess.

Believers love unconditionally from the heart.  

Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Seek God’s righteousness.  Find it in Christ and put it on!

Putting on the breastplate of righteousness is about more than just protecting the heart.  It is about desiring, putting on and protecting the type of heart God has made available to us through Jesus Christ.  The Psalmist yearned for a clean and righteous heart.  A righteous heart is available to us through Christ, but by faith we must receive it and put it on.  The breastplate of righteousness is about protecting the righteousness the heart has become.  Christ has given it, but it is our responsibility to yield to Christ, put it on and wear it!  

Also, when we seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, it sets miracles in motions (Matthew 6:33).  

2 Corinthians 5:21 – “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” 

Imputed (given) righteousness.

The breastplate of righteousness refers to imputed (given) righteousness;

This means that Jesus Christ gives us His righteousness. He transfers His sinless account to us and our sinful account to Himself.  This is also called justification. – When this transfer takes place, it is as though we never sinned.  The sin slate is cleansed!  This takes place the moment we repent and confess Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord!.

His righteousness delivers us from sin, fear, doubt, bitterness and unbelief.  It delivers our heart from spiritual death because His righteousness gives us eternal life!  His breastplate of righteousness is what our heart has become!  

ROMANS 14:17 for the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Just don’t give it up!   

We will know when the righteousness of God has infused our heart!  His righteousness imparts to us Kingdom authority, perfect peace and Holy Ghost joy! The world cannot give us righteousness, only Jesus Christ!  What God gives the world cannot take away!  Just don’t give it up!  

The physical things of this world cannot be compared to what the righteousness of Jesus Christ provides to the believer!  Again, when the righteousness of God fills our heart, His Kingdom authority, His peace and His joy will flood our heart!  We are not the same as before!  We are new creatures in Jesus Christ!

Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Guard your heart.

Christ righteousness is a heart issue.  We believe from the heart!  We confess with our mouth what we believe in our heart!  Whatever is in your heart will come out of your mouth!  

Please, don’t contaminate your heart with sin, doubt, fear, unbelief, gossip, bitterness, disobedience or jealousy. Those things will hinder your walk with God, your love walk and your faith walk.  

 

The person you desire to be and the things you desire to accomplish are too important to contaminate your heart with such meaningless things.  

 

Spend time in the word of God, spend time in prayer and worship, stand in Christ, stand in righteousness, stand in faith, confess a good confession!  

 

Put the breastplate (righteousness) on and keep it on! 

Go forth and conquer!

Peace!

Be Sure! Stand! Be Ready!

We are living in the last days as never before.  It’s in the word, it’s in the spirit and it’s in the atmosphere.  You can sense something about to happen.  There are some things we need to be sure of.  I love you enough to remind you of what is important in these days.  

#1. 2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Be sure that you know Jesus Christ, that He is your focus & your life. Put your confidence in Him and His kingdom because His Kingdom stands sure.  When all else fail, and it will, His kingdom stands!

#2. 1 John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 

1 John 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

How is your love life? There are things that love will not say or do. Pay close attention to your conduct. Love does not do hateful things!  

#3. Hebrews 12:14Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 

Be sure your lifestyle is one of holiness.  Without holiness you will not see God.  We may live in the world, but we do not live like the world!  If we look like the world, talk like the world, act like the world and follow the world, we are the world!  Be separated! 

#4. 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Luke 18:1And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 

Spend time in the word of God and prayer.  Feed your spirit by communing with the Lord! Know the Way by studying the Way!

#5. 1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Be sure you have solid, Godly, mature leadership.  In this end time the first ones to be deceived will be those who are not attached nor accountable to anyone.  Don’t be a fault finder!  Get connected!  Paul told others to follow him as he followed Christ!  

#6. Genesis 8:22While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

Proverbs 3:9 Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:¹⁰ so shall thy barns be filled with plenty,
and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

Be a giver.  Sow your tithe into the Kingdom of God through your local church.  God will cause all grace to abound towards you as you sow your tithes and offering. There is seed time and there is harvest!  Sow!  

#7.  Matthew 25:1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. ² And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. ³ They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: ⁴ but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. ⁵ While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. ⁶ And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. ⁷ Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. ⁹ But the wise answered, saying, Not so;lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. ¹⁰ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. ¹¹ Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. ¹² But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. ¹³ Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Get filled and stay filled with the Holy Spirit.  Be prepared for the Lord’s coming!  When He comes, He will just call the Holy Ghost home!  Those who are filled will be caught up!  This life is about the Kingdom of God and Christ influencing society! 

6 Things Jesus Did Before He Was Crucified.

John 13:1-38 covers this message.  Please read!

The word of God was written for us to learn, not to just hear.

 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

 

It is important for us to understand what Jesus was doing and why! What Jesus did over 2000 years ago is relevant to believers right now! If you are serious about your walk with God, you will hear this.

#1. (1-3) Jesus established the Lords Supper.

Remembering Jesus sacrificial flesh and blood.  It's not about you or I!

#2. (4-14) Jesus washed His disciple feet.

Jesus washing His disciples feet was about humbling ourselves before each other.

  

#3. (15-17) Jesus led and left us an example of our humble relationship with each other. 

Regardless of our titles or gifts, we should follow His example of humility.  Sure, people will try to take advantage of your humility because they think you are naive.  Just distance yourself from them for peace sake.

#4. (18-33) Jesus predicted His betrayal.

Jesus knew Judas would betray Him, but he allowed him to remain with Him.  Don't fuss and fight with people, just love them.  If they don't change, they will eventually hang themselves!

John 13:1 - 33 prepared them for verse 34 and 35, the real deal!

#5. (34) a new commandment: love each other!  He commanded them to love each other, as He Loved them.  Do we really love each other?  Think; what does love do?  How does love act? 

Check out 1 Corinthians chapter 13!  That's God's kind of love!

Suppose I told you that I am a conservative, a Republican.  Would you still be kind to me?  Would you still speak to me?  Would you still accept me as your leader?  Would you still love me?  Ok, I am a conservative. Are you in a conflict with another believer because they vote differently?  We can have different political views and still be friends.  Remember, be a Christian first!  This world is going to pass away!

#6. (35) Their love for each other was a witness to the world that they were His disciples (trainees).  Un-believers are suppose to see our kindness, mercy and acceptance of each other regardless of our political views or Christian church affiliation.  Let's win the world!

Our gifts, our boldness, our loudness doesn't make us spiritual, they just make us visible.  Our gifts attract people, but does not save anyone!  We should be known by our love; love is the greatest! 

Cain would not have killed his brother if he loved him!

1 John 3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. 13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

If we love each other, we will not crucify each other over politics or different church affiliations.

Politics are not greater than the gospel!

A politician is not greater than Jesus!

Be influenced by Jesus Christ and the gospel more than anything else!

The Believer's Debt To Society - Facebook Live - 5.31.20

The Believer's Debt To Society Is Love And Mercy!

#1. Love God and neighbor

Matthew 22:36Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”³⁷ Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

These two commands are needed to properly govern our every day lives.  Love for God, self and neighbor. If such love is demonstrated, all the law and prophets are fulfilled.  If we are governed by love, there is no room for hate.  If we are governed by love, we will demand justice for ourselves and others.  

 These two commandments define God, our walk with Him and our relationship with each other. 

#2. He loved us first

1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

John 14:15 If you love me, obey my commandments.

Loving God and people is not convenient, it is sacrificial! 

Loving God and people requires obedience!  We can love God, because He first loved us.  The ability to love is available to every person.  

Loving is not a feeling or an emotion.  Love is an attribute of God's mercy!  If love is determined by a feeling or an emotional, it is conditional.  God's love is unconditional!

To receive love requires submission and obedience to the author of love.  Loving is a choice we make. Once we submit and obey the author of love, all of the attributes of love are available to us. 

Love changes us from the inside to the outside. 

We are not good enough to remain the same!  

We must pay our debt to society - LOVE THEM!

#3. Romans 13:8 Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Once we have been influenced and changed by the love of God, it is our responsibility to share the love experience with others.  Jesus Christ is the love experience! The world is hungry for love!  

 A lack of love is space for hate! We are told: owe no man anything! Fill the void in another person's life!

We don't know how to love each other until we have experienced the love of Jesus Christ!  He loved us first and then gave us the ability to love Him, ourselves and others.

The world is in chaos because we have failed to pay our debt to society. The love of Christ is the debt we owe to society.  Until this debt is paid there will always be chaos!   

We must pay this debt of love to everyone in our circle of influence.  That is when change will come, one by one!

The proof of love is not feelings or emotions, it's mercy toward our neighbors.  Our neighbor may live in another state or country!  Pray for them, speak up for them, demand justice for them!

#4. Luke 10:29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? ³⁰ And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. ³¹ And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. ³² And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. ³³ But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, ³⁴ and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. ³⁵ And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. ³⁶ Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? ³⁷ And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

The God kind of love lifts up, binds wounds, makes sacrificie and demand justice and is neighborly!  

Witness Christ to someone.  Demand justice for yourself and others!  Speak up on behalf of someone else.  Go, be merciful toward someone! Love is not something you just talk about.  Love demands to be demonstrated!  

Love is something we do!

It's Time To Fight Back! Facebook Live! 5.24.20.

Are you ready for this word?  It's a strong word!  Ok!

Be strong/tighten up those muscles, get rid of the flab!    

#1. Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Why be strong?  The devil is out there ready to kill, steal, and destroy!  He's bullying you!  What you gonna do?

 #2. 1 Peter 5:8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers^[a] all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

Know what’s yours!  Fight for what what is yours!

#3. 1 Corinthians 2:9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him. 10 But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. 11 No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. 12 And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.

I've got faith fight in me!  Do you have faith fight in you?

#4. 2 Samuel 23:11Next in rank was Shammah son of Agee from Harar. One time the Philistines gathered at Lehi and attacked the Israelites in a field full of lentils. The Israelite army fled, ¹² but Shammah^[a] held his ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory.

#5. Shammah!

I want to talk to you about a man who became a warrior by hanging out with a man who was a warrior!  The man's name was Shammah.  He had been trained by David.  David was a warrior!  Shammah was trained to be a fearless warrior.  He knew he was empowered by the Spirit of God to put His power on display!  

There was a plot of land with lentil on it that belonged to Israel.  Lentil is like small peas.  Lentil was food for the people of Israel.   The field was ripe for harvest. Problem was, the enemy wanted it!

The philistines gathered a troop and decided to take the land and the food that was on it.  The enemies seem to always want what’s ours. 

All of the people ran from the enemy.  An entire army ran, except 1 man!   Sometimes you may have to stand alone!  Stand!

  

Shammah couldn't run!!  He wasn't wired that way. He stood and fought! He was not giving up his stuff! 

Shammah took on up to 150 men!

Get off of that couch, get off of that bed, stop complaining and FIGHT BACK!  Take the sword of the spirit which is the word of God and quench every fiery dart of that wicked one! The word is your weapon!

He had his mind made up that he wanted to keep what was his!  The enemy positioned themselves for a battle, but Shammah positioned himself for a slaughter!  He stood right in the center of that pea patch and defended what was his!.  Everything that is mine I want!  The word of God lets me know what’s mine and I am willing to fight for it!     

He knew what had been freely given to them of God.  The scripture says: and the Lord wrought a great victory.  You've got power!

Quit just watching the battle! Fight!  If you fight, you will win! The prayer of faith, Your confession & intercession is your victory!  Fight!

When trouble comes, FIGHT the good fight of faith for your family, your marriage, your children, your health, your money, your business, your ministry, that house, that car, your jobs, and all that is yours!

It's time to fight back!  Pull out your sword and fight!

Fight for the anointing that's on your life.  It is the anointing that destroys the yoke.  Don't waste time on negative people!

Don't allow the devil to rob you of what is yours through Jesus Christ!  

 Stand your ground!  confess that word!  

FIGHT!