Helmet Of Salvation

Salvation:redemption, preservation, deliverance from harm, ruin.

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

 

The helmet of salvation not only protects your head from external blows, it protects what is in the head!  There are internal blows the enemy launches at us.  He wants to deceive the mind! 

 

 John 8:32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

 

The proper way of being equipped with the amor of God is by knowing the truth of what is available to us through Jesus Christ.  We must get a clear understanding of what a particular truth provides to us.  We must passionately embrace what a particular truth has provided to us!  We must know the truth by spending time in prayer and in the word of God with logo truth (written) that will transition to rhema truth (life) after we have spent time with it.  We must spend enough time with truth to be illuminated by it.  

 

Romans 10:8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): ⁹ that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

 

Biblical truth must get rooted in the heart, not just in the mind.  The carnal mind, the carnal thoughts, the carnal imagination will try to dictate what we believe.  The mind will try to manipulate truth and rob it of its power to set us free from the bondage of the enemy.  

 

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech^[a] you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your ^[b]reasonable service. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

 

The mind must consistently be renewed by the word of God, sometimes moment by moment.  God’s word is truth, it has power and life to renew!  

Meditate on the word of God.  Spend time with it and in it!  We are transformed by the renewing of our mind.  God’s word renews the mind! 

 

We must take to us the helmet of salvation to protect our thoughts from the fiery darts and flaming arrows of the enemy!  As a man thinketh, in his heart so is he.  If our mind is not renewed by the word and Spirit of God there will be no transformation. 

 

2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not ^[a]carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, ⁵ casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

 

We have powerful resources in our head, mouth, nose, ears, eyes, thoughts, imaginations and such.  The enemy will try his best to get us to see with our eyes only and not with our imagination.  Certainly, I can see with my eyes but the greater seeing is with the imagination.  The Holy Spirit will infuse our imagination with the Divine if we allow Him to do so.

 

There are things we should see with our imagination before our eyes ever behold them!  That is called vision!  The use, or misuse of our imagination is determined by whom we are submitted to.  If we will submit ourselves to God in the word and in prayer and resist the devil, he will flee from us.  

 

We must cast down the enemy’s vain imaginations and bring into captivity every thought unto the obedience of Christ.  Our mind can be an asset or a liability. Each individual determines that outcome.  To whom are we submitting?  To whomever we submit is our lord.

 

Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

 

The mind of Christ being in us is determined by our letting! 

 

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 

 

Philippians 4:8 kind of thinking is what establishes an internal, eternal helmet of salvation. The mind cannot be deceived when we think on those things!  Salvation!

The Shield Of Faith!

The just (Christians) lives by faith (Romans 1:17). Faith is our lifestyle!

Ephesians 6:16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

 

#1. The devil launches fiery darts at the believer (flaming arrows).  Back during the time Paul wrote this passage, soldiers would set arrows on fire and launch them at their enemy as a battle tactic.   

 

Those darts represent ‘doubt, unbelief, fear, poverty or discontentment.

 

#2. Above all - Foremost - Faith is our protection – faith is our shield!   

 

Taking the shield of faith.  We take it! We put it on!  We wear it.

 

Shield: a piece of metal or another suitable material, held by straps or a handle attached on one side, used as a protection against blows or missiles.

 

The shield protects us from the flaming arrows of the devil. Wear the shield!

 

#3. Faith is the Divine, supernatural, tangible, substance and evidence of God in our heart. (Hebrews 11:1). 

Examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5)

 

Paul tells us to take up the shield of faith to extinguish all the flaming darts/arrows of the evil one. The shield is created by the word of God!

 

#4. 1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

 

Faith does not just give us victory, faith is our victory!

 

When the flaming arrow hit the faith shield it is quenched (extinguished).  

 

The faith of Christ is a shield in us, it destroys the fiery darts of the devil!  

 

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 

 

Believe this truth in your heart!  Confess this truth with your mouth! 

Believe that you live by the faith of Jesus Christ and confess that regardless of the season you are in! 

 

Not only is your faith your shield, your faith can change your season!

 

The fiery darts and flaming arrows of the enemy will come, but the shield of faith will quench or extinguish them!  

 

Stand firm and strong with your shield of faith and protect yourself, your marriage and your children, your finances, your job, your business and all of your affairs!  

 

You have supernatural armor to deal with the enemy’s assaults. YOU WIN!

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!