STILL STANDING

EQUIPPED        GROUNDED        PRAYING

ALEDA J. MARSHALL

COPYRIGHTS

All Scripture quotations unless otherwise indicated are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version, PUBLIC DOMAIN.

Scriptures marked as "(THE MESSAGE)" are Scripture quotations from THE MESSAGE. Copyright (c) by Eugene H.Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002.  Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Italics in Scripture notations indicate the author’s added emphasis. Details in some anecdotes and stories have been changed to protect the identities of the persons involved.

Research reference and special thanks to Preceptaustin - preceptaustin.org

Published for:

HE and ME MINISTRIES

6300 SOUTH POINTE BLVD #139

FORT MYERS, FL USA 33919

Copyright © 2012 ALEDA J MARSHALL

All rights reserved.

ISBN-13:978-1475194173

ISBN-10:147519417X

DEDICATION

MEAGHAN

Growing to be a virtuous woman with strength and honor as her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. Proverbs 31:25

DYLAN

Ye are the salt of the earth: … Matthew 5:13 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. Colossians 4:6

APRIL

147 I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word. 148 Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word. Psalm 119:147-148

TRACE

… O man of God, … follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:11-12

SAGE

Now thanks be unto God, which always cause you to triumph in Christ, and make manifest the savor of his knowledge by you in every place. 15 For you are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 16 To the one you are the savor of death unto death; and to the other the savor of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17 For you are not as many, …: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak you in Christ.                             2 Corinthians 2:14-17

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

By the time this book is released, I will have celebrated my sixtieth birthday. Like you, I read a little here, hear a little sermon there, and absorb HIS Word to the extent of HIS will and my listening and obedience. This life’s journey of experiences and lessons has been long, but not as long as for some God has used to further enlighten me with some of His omniscient Wisdom as approached in this book. If God has placed you in my path to walk with me, all or part of the way as I have grown and continue to grow in the grace and the knowledge of my Father, God, I would want, here and now, to give you full acknowledgement and special thanks.

God has my custom woven tapestry representing my life, hanging in eternity. HIS lessons and messages to me are finely woven by HIS HOLY SPIRIT into each stitch of that tapestry. The stitches of such represent messages through various Christian authors and pastors in their study of the Word of God, and through various Bible studies, quiet times and meditations, all provided to me in my life’s acquisition of GOD’s customized tutorial. And I cannot forget the labor intensive stitches fashioned in the hands of God through my various acts of willful disobedience.

My hope is that as each one sees the expression of their imprints on my life as conveyed in this book, they will be blessed to know that the seeds they planted in my heart are bearing fruit in and through this book for the Lord Jesus Christ. To God Be the glory! Satan intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. God has brought me to this position so that I could be used by HIM to save the lives of many people, for such a time as this. Thank You Father, for this honor and this privilege.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COPYRIGHTS

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARMOR OF GOD

CHAPTER 1 STAND AGAINST

CHAPTER 2 EQUIPPED WITH THE HELMET OF SALVATION

CHAPTER 3 EQUIPPED WITH THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

CHAPTER 4 EQUIPPED WITH THE BELT OF TRUTH

CHAPTER 5 EQUIPPED WITH THE SANDALS OF PEACE

CHAPTER 6 EQUIPPED WITH THE SHIELD OF FAITH

CHAPTER 7 EQUIPPED WITH THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT

CHAPTER 8 GROUNDED TO WITHSTAND TO STAND

CHAPTER 9 STAND THEREFORE

CHAPTER 10 PRAY WITHOUT CEASING

PSALM 91

CHAPTER 11 ARMOR DRESSING

CHAPTER 12 WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A CHILD OF GOD?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ARMOR OF GOD

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

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

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

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

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:10-18

CHAPTER 1

STAND AGAINST

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to STAND AGAINST the wiles of the devil.      12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.          Ephesians 6:11-12

WOBBLING

Have you ever had a particular Scripture verse or passage that you sense God had branded into your soul? No matter where you go or how many years have passed since the initial teaching was launched into your spiritual journey, it seems as though that certain portion of Scripture has set a firm foundation into your spirit. That portion of Scripture for me is Ephesians 6, The Armor of God.

I cannot tell you the specific sermon, or the specific day of Bible reading, or the specific Bible study or conference I was attending when first initiated into this defined spiritual expedition. However, I can identify the stretch of time to be framed between December 1976, wherein while searching for Christmas carols on the radio, I not only found those carols, but I also found and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior; and September 1982, wherein I embarked on a homeschooling adventure with my children.

Our independent structured school format aimed to adhere to a daily opening agenda which commenced with the Lord’s Prayer, as well as prayers for family, friends, and the President. A poster of President Reagan along with the world map was affixed to our schoolroom wall. After prayers, and with hand on heart and facing a little flag attached to the easel supported chalk board, we recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and sang the national anthem. Prior to these exceptional family lessons, I had not been provided with the opportunity to learn either of these national American treasures. I was educated in Canada with that country’s distinct ritual of allegiances and anthems.

This school commencement program concluded with Armor Dressing. Hoping to provide a more practical visual topical learning experience for the children, I had purchased a child’s play plastic warrior outfit to include: shield, sword, helmet, belt, breastplate and footgear. I nostalgically recall dashing out the door one day, with my then, ten year old son in tow. As we drove out of the driveway and onto the busy street, I remembered that we had forgotten to dress in our armor that morning. And so, motoring down the road in prayer, we proceeded to dress in the armor of God. Don’t ever leave home without it!

With the armor so transfused into my spirit and part of the children’s daily routine, I believe to this day, whether admitted to or not, the armor of God still remains imprinted on my adult children’s hearts. I gifted a similar child’s play armor suit to my grandson and trust the power of our Almighty God to perform His perfect work impressing His same Word on the armor to the third and fourth generation.

Whencesoever this Scripture became so affixed to my heart until the present, armor dressing has been my vital requirement. And since this is my tale of the Potter’s work in fashioning His Armor to fulfill His purpose in my life, the armor, my daily asset, my necessity, has become my protection from the wiles of the enemy.

My spirituality was floundering before accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. For many reasons, the need for control was one of my many defects, and often exhibited itself in the forms of orderliness and structure. At the onset of my spiritual journey, I believed the Word of God would offer me that black and white, systematized format or road map, I so desperately craved. At that point in time, the armor of God was one of my initial logistic forms of security. However, my directorial religiousness evolved into the perfectionism of a seamlessly picture-perfect Christian wife, mother, church member, volunteer and community activist.

With my weekly coordinated regiment of cleaning, baking, laundry and other chores, my Christian girlfriends would often marvel at my organizational skills and request “how to” advice. Pride and self-admiration oozed through my continual profession of homemade everything: starting with bread and granola, to other mouthwatering dainties; and expanding into homemade mayonnaise, and butter churned from the cream of the milk purchased from the dairy around the corner; all lovingly prepared with my reeking narcissism.

Add to that boast, the labor requirements and pride expressed in the raising and preserving of most of our food. What smugness I must have displayed when admiring my food pantries. There, jam-packed into every possible storage container, were fifty two weeks of every kind of vegetable, fruit, or the like, either canned, frozen or dried. Oh the self-satisfaction, standing there and realizing that all storage capacities were filled by my capable, hardworking, hands. Was I not the Proverbs 31 wife?

Did I forget to mention, I made most of our clothes to include my husband’s dress shirts. I also taught Sunday school to preschoolers; and I facilitated both a weekly ladies’ and couple’s Bible study in our home. And if that was not enough, I tilled the garden, mowed the lawn, heated with wood and had no clothes dryer. I was puffed up like a bull frog in this hideous display of self-importance and arrogance, at its best.

However, that story is for another book. This book is about the armor of God and our heavenly Father’s patience in perfecting me, His way. As such, what I can express in this book are my heart’s lessons as related to the armor of God and peripheral tales associated with such progress in His wisdom and understanding.

Divinely ordered as the eldest child of eight, our home provided a lively environment with many challenging opportunities. With both parents working: dad, days, and mom, nursing at night, our three bedroom, one bath, spirited humble abode, offered one bedroom for my parents, with their varying work shifts; a second bedroom divvied up by four boys in bunk beds; and a third bedroom strategically apportioned up by four girls. Remember, I was the oldest girl in that bedroom. The one bathroom provided ample opportunities for all to negotiate their allotted needs.

The resourcefulness associated with this form of upbringing afforded plenteous possibilities to foster the persistence, used by the grace of God, to mold and refine each family member to whom they respectfully are today. As a result, and as expressed earlier, a life of structure and control became paramount in and for my order. The wiles of the devil had popped out of too many past closets up to this point in my early life’s wander, and even more so after my acceptance of Jesus as a baby Christian.

Consequently, the safekeeping and sanctuary of the structured armor of God came to be my source of strength in my new Christian walk. Having been exposed to many variables, I besought how to stand against the deceptions of the enemy. My lists of questions to my spiritual advisers were endless: how would I become more like Jesus; how would I get the strength to overcome these temptations; how, how, how? I needed some clear and precise black and white answers; I needed a plan. Their responses were too abstract for me. What would be my strategy? Where was my perfect road map?

For my part in this flesh, and being a babe in Christ, all I could see was forceful control to make my spiritual walk perfect. That forceful control only led to my application of legalism. What is that? My form of legalism found me observing, comparing and judging others. They were not following the road map correctly; nor should I say, perfectly! We were to not only read God’s Word, but we were to do exactly what it said, whether we understood it or not. Be a doer of the Word and not a hearer only; even for those who are not babes in Christ.

What happened to the mercy I received at the cross, as expressed through Jesus’ sacrifice for me and all sinners? Where were the expressions of compassion, love, mercy, acceptance, and forgiveness in all of MY control? In my own strength, I was failing miserably in my attempt to wrestle against both flesh and blood, and against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Was my whole armor of God, not working? Thus far on my spiritual travels, I certainly was not able to resist or “STAND AGAINST” those evil days, as it clearly emphasizes in Ephesians 6; not the current way I believed and understood how to do it. What was I missing from this armor of God? All of that control, structure, organization, self-made security and legalism finally caused me to break. Yes, that perfectly flawed Christian woman cracked into so many pieces that only an infinitely loving, merciful and patient God could put her back together again, His way!

What I am about to convey through THE ARMOR of GOD, as found in EPHESIANS 6, may not be phrased or formulated in the way many more gifted and qualified scholarly theologians may have previously articulated it. Nevertheless, the approach disclosed here is the message our God has molded into my heart thus far. This is a road map of my ARMOR journey; the answer to some of the questions I had as a baby Christian and past. Nobody who had crossed my path during that space and time was able to respond sufficiently to my many queries or; maybe I just wasn’t ready, and/or, maybe I couldn’t hear them then. I pray through the grace of God that what I have written here will grant you a small glimpse into some of what God desires for you, His child.

And so, as a baby Christian, and as circumscribed in Ephesian 6:11, I embarked on my armor course that I might learn and “MAY BE ABLE TO STAND AGAINST THE WILES OF THE DEVIL.” Anxiously anticipating being garbed in my royal suit of armor, I imagine myself a toddler; wobbling around in my gifted body gear, balancing to support myself on my newly discovered appendages; shaky and purposing to remain on my feet, and in an upright position. But who was going to accomplish this feat, my flesh, or the power of God at my disposal?

You see, dressing in the armor, is comparable to putting on a hard outer coat, similar to a shell or external hull of a seed. That is what God’s Word does; it physically wraps, arms, protects and EQUIPS us. But bearing the Word of God, His sword, and wearing His battle gear; and actually knowing how to use it, to maneuver and function under its protective awkwardness, is another story. That story is often easier read, or said, than done.

I needed to learn how to STAND in this fortified gear. The challenge of standing necessitated the preparation of my heart’s garden plot to establish a firm foundation. The soil of my personal garden where my hard coated armored seed was to be planted required the correct PH balance. Figuratively speaking, the fertilizer and other additives, all had to be combined in the most accurate of portions; a prescribed recipe, personalized for me, by a loving God. As I learned to “STAND AGAINST” through the Word of God, it would then be possible for me to become “GROUNDED”, so that I might be able to “WITHSTAND TO STAND”.

As I began to memorize His Word, the inner seed of self, covered by its protected coat, began to die. The Word of God was transforming me; making me something new. The Word of God provides the fertilizer necessary to stimulate new life and growth from this dying seed. And, as my new life sprouted forth through the soil, I began to experience the winds, the storms, the droughts, and other elements that would strengthen and develop a deep root system essential to GROUND me.

Why? God had a purpose for my life. To fulfill that purpose requires me to be obedient to His will and follow His directions in order that I might learn to STAND GROUNDED. How would I do that? I would have to learn to STAND on His promises found in His Word; and at times, as life intervals evidenced, I would have to learn to literally cling to those promises. If I did not cling to my ANCHOR IN THE STORM, I would find that I would just topple over, losing my balance, in ever unexpected and uncalculated move that I would make or that the enemy would fling at me.

Soon, I would find myself a young warrior, outfitted in my armor with all of the clumsiness of my uncoordinated parts, as demonstrated through my lack of experience and the jostling tests to follow; and trying to stand. Thinking back again to the small child, I envision myself, taking the first steps. There, hanging onto mom or dad’s hand(s) or the edge of a coffee table, the toddler, as I would also find, boldly attempts to make every effort to operate our unconditioned legs.

However, take those supports away, and the child attempts to catch itself, learning to stand; somewhat unsteady initially, but with more practice, blooms more confidence. And with the confidence and encouragement expressed and promised in the glee conveyed through both the facial expressions and the verbal utterances by that tyke’s parent, a belief, a knowing, an assurance is created and re-enforced. Yes, the challenge can be met. The toddler can do it. Indeed, the tike can take that step, standing on the promises found in its parent’s expressions of faith.

That is faith. Believing something you cannot see. Yes, my journey has found me trustingly reaching out as God entices me with each new step. And to this day, my heavenly Father, similar to a child’s parent, strategically distancing His extended hand(s), as the child, as I, slowly recognizing, as the parent already knows, as my heavenly Father already knows, that I can stand on my own, by standing on His promises.

Confronted with varying terrains, the little one’s balance and equilibrium steadies and strengthens. My balance too, as God’s warrior, also would steady and strengthen. The achievement of standing on the promises would be critical in order for me to stand positioned and protected on my life’s myriad of battle lines established by God.

Oh, we may, like the toddler, fall here and there. I am proof of that. As our pitter pattering little feet tread unintentionally or perhaps, intentionally, into harm’s way, crossing the battle line wherein we were commanded to stand, pre-ordained for His purpose, He, like a young'un’s earthly guide, will still be there.  Our God will be cheering and applauding us on, reaffirming His strength in us through His Word, His promises; faithfully confirming that we too, will make it. We will learn to “STAND AGAINST”, if only we trust and obey Him.

With each new step, test, trial and storm; armored, hence, EQUIPPED, and soon to be better GROUNDED, and definitely, PRAYING without ceasing in our moment to moment interactions with our heavenly Father, we too will “STAND THEREFORE” protected on His battle line.

STAND AGAINST

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to STAND AGAINST the wiles of the devil.      12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.          Ephesians 6:11-12

CHAPTER 2

EQUIPPED WITH THE HELMET OF SALVATION

And take the helmet of salvation, Ephesians 6:17a

STINKING THINKING

The Scriptures provide the strategically orchestrated formality mandated to garb oneself correctly for the maneuverability requirements necessary for the historic warrior’s successful armor dressing. Specifically, gearing up commences with girding the loins, and follows with the breastplate, shodding the feet, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit.

However, the mental visual approach that I have chosen for my own personal natural progression of suiting up in the armor of God commences at the top of my head, with the helmet, and proceeds to my breastplate and loins or belt, and then, follows on to my feet, with the sandals of peace. My suiting is complete when I have taken up into each of my hands, the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit; and then concludes, by taking my stand, at the line of battle.

When I prepare to ride my bicycle to the nursing home several times a week, I readily “take” into my hands my bicycle helmet. This bit of biking gear is the most critical and defensive part of my protective riding apparatus necessary for the life threatening experience of traversing on as few roads as possible; sidewalks please; on my route to the neighborhood nursing home; or wherever I may happen to ride on a particular day.

I only “take” my helmet prior to straddling my bicycle. The helmet does not make a fashion statement, and does nothing for my hairdo. It covers the upper part of my head and part of my ears. Apparently, the historic helmet of this Roman era, as pictured in some of my research, surrounded the warrior’s head, with a band to protect the forehead, and plates to cover the cheeks.

For additional protection, the ancient helmets often extended down onto the back of the neck. Strapped into place, the head covering left little exposed except for the warrior’s eyes, nose, and mouth. Maybe I should consider such a helmet for my future bike riding experiences. I am sure that if I shopped around enough, I too, could find various helmets that would provide the needed protection for my biking battleground similar to that of the Roman soldiers.

My riding helmet is lined with some kind of Styrofoam; the ancient helmet was lined with sponge or felt or some reasonable facsimile appropriate for the period. Like my helmet, especially in this southern heat, the antique helmet was hot and uncomfortable. The Roman helmet, as with my helmet, was only fastened and secured in place when faced with impending danger; battle for them; riding my bike on the roads of Florida for me.

A Roman soldier in battle, like me, fighting my way around the streets on the frontline of this retirement community, is in constant danger of encountering severe head wounds. The helmet on either of our heads is the only way to deflect the brutality of a blow, or an accident, in my case. I have been over the handle bars once, and by the grace of God, did not break my jaw bone, or anything else for that matter.

With this visual, I hope that I have not only helped stress the life-threatening importance of wearing a bicycle helmet, but that I have also help to stress, with greater importance, the necessity for each of us to daily “take” or put on, God’s helmet of Salvation.

But let me digress and discuss the most fundamental foundation of all, SALVATION! Have you receive this free gift of Salvation and forgiveness of sins, paid for by Jesus Christ with His blood that was shed on the cross for ALL YOUR SINS? If your answer is yes, then, praise God for His grace and the power of His Spirit to perform His perfect work in your life as you continue to submit your free will to His divine purpose for your life.

However, if you have answered NO, to this all important question, and have not, as of yet, received this free gift of Salvation, the principally most liberating free gift you will ever receive in your entire life, let me provide you with an invitation to do just that. You see, SALVATION as translated from the Greek and used here based on my readings, means “Savior”, one bringing salvation, one who delivers, one who rescues from great danger or peril, one who provides healing, protection and preserves.

This is a description of what the Gift of God is, and found only in Jesus. God’s grace through Christ death provides you and me with this free gift that is both beneficent and redemptive to our personal welfare now, and for eternity. Would you like to receive this free gift of Salvation and forgiveness of sins, paid for by Jesus Christ with His blood shed on the cross? See Chapter 12, WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A CHILD OF GOD?

The magnitude and consequence of the practical application of wearing the helmet of Salvation is an essential requirement, as we each equip ourselves, God’s warriors, to stand, firmly grounded, on our respective life’s battle lines. And now, as God’s warrior, you have the helmet of Salvation. Suit up and put it on! Why?

For my life, the helmet of Salvation has become the most exemplar covering I will ever possess. Although I am comparing it to my bicycle helmet, the helmet of Salvation through the Word of God is a MIND SAVER. If you choose, your mind can not only be protected, but it can also be renewed by this God helmet.

I do not know about your mind, but my mind is like a freeway. There are so many distractions and events, as well as news reports with all the calamities, to include instant news feeds on devices, right at our fingertips, to name a few. In addition, consider all the day to day details critical to our immediate respective worlds, required to ensure that our personal sectors will function accordingly and stay on tract. And, I have noticed even more so lately, that it is becoming more difficult for me to stay focused on the things of the Lord. Or maybe, it is the devil working overtime to keep me ineffective for the Lord.

All that I know is that I cannot get two lines into the Lord’s Prayer without ending up in some other space and time somewhere in the realm of impossibilities, or ruminating on some unresolved, partially resolved or close to being resolved situation, bitterness, worry, depression, planning, organizing, festering, pondering or depressing, discouraging or even judgmental thought. An awful lot of words, but I am going to assume that in this barrage list of possibilities, you found yourself somewhere. Am I right in my assumption?

Satan often uses many of the aforementioned cataloged items as weapons to oppose us as effective ambassadors of Christ. I have found that it is when I am most tired and discouraged that I am the most exposed. Or perhaps, I have made a foolish decision, such as, choosing to not put my helmet on one day as I ride off on my merry way, only to end up, unprotected and succumbing to certain kinds of mental temptations, or worse yet, an actual bicycle accident.

Even if I may be attacked unexpectedly by some wayward vehicle and my long limbs soar over the handle bars and splatter to the ground below, there is a much less likely chance that my mental tools will end up all over the pavement if I am wearing my protective bicycle helmet. Whether the helmet is for a bicycle ride or the helmet is for my daily spiritual journey, the plan to wear either helmet for the day is a NO BRAINER. Just DO IT! DON’T LEAVE HOME or bed for that matter, without it!

As a defensive part of the armor, our God given helmet is provided to protect us no matter what the events of the day may unveil. By utilizing this God given helmet on our head, we are not only protected by and through the promises of Salvation, but we are also protected by and through the Word of God:

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Joshua 1:8

If you are using your mind to memorize, meditate and pray the Word of God, and think God’s thoughts, it makes it more difficult for Satan to defeat you with discouragement or any other form of attack.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night; Psalm 1:2

We have the opportunity to have the mind of Christ, to think His thought, to meditate on His ways. Why would I want to take the helmet off and hear all the negative reports when I can think about Him; when I can let His Word wash my mind and renew it? Let me re-iterate: DON’T LEAVE HOME or your bed, for that matter, without your helmet! Better yet, just SLEEP WITH IT ON; NEVER TAKE IT OFF!

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

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, Ephesians 5:26

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

I have a choice about what and who I am going to think about. Who am I going to entertain in my head? What will be the topic of my mental conversation? What will I ruminate on? Will I think good things or will I mull over some unforgivable wrong? Those choices can provide me with a level of sanity resulting from the peace, joy, rest, and trust I experience in my relationship with God or anyone else or, I can allow whatever to come into my head and drain me with an exhaust that comes straight from the gates of hell. It starts and ends with the Word of God.

Our God has given each of us a free will; we get to choose. Are we going to choose to be obedient or, are we going to do it our way? When it comes to my mind, I want to choose Him and His Word. Sometimes there are detours onto STINKING THINKING AVENUE, but it does not take as long for me to get back onto GOOD REPORT ROAD.

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. Philippians 4:8-9

How do I choose to intellectually surrender my mind? What things am I going to listen to? What things am I going to watch? Will I have my helmet of Salvation on, or off?

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:     Proverbs 23:7

Are you going to feel sorry for yourself, as a result of what you’ve watched, listened to, or thought about? Are you going to be critical and judgmental of someone else as a result? Are you going to worry about losing your job or paying the bills? Or, are you going to rest in the Word of God, thinking His thoughts and meditating on His ways? Are you going to put your helmet on and, KEEP IT ON?

Would you rather spend your time wallowing in the muck and the mire of the pig sty or, are you going to get up, walk out of there, take a shower, wash your mind and renew yourself in the Word of God? Practice meditation. Keep a Bible verse written on a piece of paper in your pocket or by the speedometer in your car. Find verses of promises from God’s Word.  Write down these personal promises to you from God’s Word, in the form of a prayer, and repeat them daily as you pray for whoever or whatever.

As I disclosed earlier, I often find my mind wondering.  Sometimes, if I am not alert, I will end up on a particular mental freeway that takes me right down the road to a very dark place in time. What are my choices at this juncture? I can begin to pray for that person who lives in that dark place in the recesses of my mind; and I can call on the Word of God, my GPS, to navigate me back onto His well-lit Salvation Freeway.

Often when I’d lay my head down to sleep at night, my mind would enter the warp speed zone. Things would begin to accumulate as I ruminated on this and that for tomorrow or next week or next month or ten years from now. I wanted to figure out God’s plans. How was He going to do so and so in my life or someone else’s life, etc., etc., etc.? I mentally had to get back up, and put the helmet of Salvation back on to literally, save me from myself.

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16

Lying back down, I would restart my nightly repose and thank God for the finishing day. I would remind myself that I am not promised tomorrow! Why was I worrying about it? Should I wake up in the morning, I would deal with what may, with His grace and His Word. That was an important lesson for me, of which I am often retested!

I have an elderly Swedish neighbor who has been battling cancer for the last 12 years. He does not like to go to the condo swimming pool alone. When we meet together in the mornings, I will often ask him, how he is. His response is always the same, “I woke up today; that is good. However, if I had not woken up, that would be even better.” By his response, you can assume, and yes, you are correct, he is a Christian who loves his Lord. What a great thought for our thinking.

I have another neighbor who at every visit recites the same problems. She is driven by and is continually under duress by those same problems. One day, we imagined putting all those problems into a plastic garbage bag and walking them together down to the dumpster, wherein we dropped them into the big container together. The lesson here was to allow her to envision leaving her problems at the foot of the cross.

Well wouldn’t you know it; next time we met, she was back to reciting her same list of concerns. I took a deep look into to her eyes, and asked her if she had gone dumpster diving after I had left the prior day. Am I making any sense? Why do we carry such a load around with us in our minds? Where are our helmets of Salvation to save us from ourselves and from the wiles of the enemy?

With our helmets of Salvation atop of our heads, let us be on alert and on defense, as well as prepared with His offense, having the mind of Christ, and thinking His thoughts. Let us leave no room for the devil to sneak in his little jabs of critical spirit, envy, lusting, judgment, etc., etc., etc. Remember, we must be continually on guard:

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 1 Peter 5:8

Let us receive or accept the helmet from God so that our head (mind) might be protected. And wearing God’s custom designed helmet of Salvation, let us meditate and pray the Scriptures back to God. As need be, let us personalize, customize and/or paraphrase our prayers in our private communications back to our ABBA Father. He knows our heart’s desire and intent.

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and WITH ALL THY MIND, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. Mark 12:30

Do you have STINKING THINKING? PUT ON THE HELMET OF SALVATION! Please do not leave home today without your helmet. In fact, don't ever take it off; not even when you go to sleep. (It’s a good thing we are speaking in spiritual terms!) IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE IT ALREADY, do this now; for your survival; don't delay!

HELMET OF SALVATION

And take the helmet of salvation …           Ephesians 6:17a

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16

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

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, Ephesians 5:26

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

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. Philippians 4:8-9

CHAPTER 3

EQUIPPED WITH THE

BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

and having on the breastplate of righteousness; Ephesians 6:14b

CONDEMNATION

When touring Israel in 1990, I purchase a gold pendant that has a cross representing the resurrected Christ surrounded by or set inside the Star of David. It has proven to be a great conversation opener on many of my travels. Hence, when I see eyes begin to focus on the base of my throat, where the shiny little adornment sits suspended on a gold chain, experience has taught me to anticipate one of many questions. Here are a few examples:

         Looks like you can’t make up your mind? or,

         Looks like you are covering all the bases? or,

         Is your husband Jewish? etc., etc., etc.

Now who would have thought that this little blessing representing the desire of my heart at its acquisition would bring about the perfect introduction to share with total strangers the saving grace of the Gospel message found in Jesus Christ?

Whether I am on the beach in Florida, riding on an elevator in New York City, getting on a plane at the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport, or pick any other place in the world that this sojourner may tread, what a blessing to wear such a key; created to open doors and extend invitations to share Salvation through Jesus Christ with divinely appointed strangers.

Weren’t they asking me the questions? I was not running through airports, hotels and the like, hitting unsuspecting travelers over the head with my Bible. What a perfect device for entry into discussions about eternal life. And for each varying query, I have been granted just as many varying responses.

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain:          John 15:16a

In my response to the Jewish inquirer who may look at me and easily surmises that I am not from the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and who then proceeds to wrongfully assume that I must be married to someone from one of those tribes, my reply is as follows:

Yes, you are correct in recognizing that I am wearing the Star of David. As provided in the Talmud, the Jews are God’s chosen people. It is written:

For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. Deuteronomy 7:6

Continuing, I briefly describing the requirements of the LAW for God’s chosen people. Specifically, I remind the now listener, how through obedience to All of God’s Statutes one is found RIGHTEOUS:

And it shall be OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS, if we observe to do all these commandments before the Lord our God, as he hath commanded us. Deuteronomy 6:25

Carrying on, I explain, as they are probably already aware, how impossible it is to live a perfect life without sin. You just can’t stop and offer a lamb, bull, oxen, or even a dove these days without PETA jumping all over you, never mind, fulfilling a requirement of the Laws of God for atonement of your sin and purification that I have not seen practiced in this country, as of late.

And if they are still listening, I point to the dangling Star of David at the base of my throat and evidence to them that a cross is encompassed by the Star. Many see the Star and not the cross.

I then continue to articulate the fact that God sent Jesus, the perfect Sacrificial Lamb, the perfect Messiah, as a Savior for not only the Jews, but also to provide Salvation for the Gentiles as well. Through Jesus, the Gentiles too, may become God’s chosen people; through the Blood of the Lamb.

9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 10 As it is written, There is NONE RIGHTEOUS, no, not one: … 12 … there is none that doeth good, no, not one… 29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:         Romans 3:9-10,12 & 29

And sometimes the opportunity to provide an invitation to receive Christ as their personal Lord and Savior follows. For book writing purposes this is all very formally laid out. When being led by the Spirit of God, the format will be followed by the grace of God.

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto RIGHTEOUSNESS: by whose stripes ye were healed. 1 Peter 2:24

For others pendant inquiries made by varying “religious” encounters, pointing again to the cross, I may jog the memory of the inquisitive mind to recall that Jesus was a Jew. Sometimes in all the “religiosity”, that fact is often forgotten or omitted. Other times, I may say in passing, one must be a good Jew before one can be a good Christian. SELAH! (Pause and ruminate on that!)

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the RIGHT-EOUSNESS of God in him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

The intent of using the pendant as the thrust of the above ramble is to present the pivotal point of this chapter, and to focus on this particular piece of armor, the breastplate of Righteousness. Again let me emphasis, I am not a Biblical scholar or theologian. I am speaking from my heart, my experience and my journey. Terminology may be open to varying interpretations from the scholastic communities’ points of view. I am purposing to keep this message simple, and straight forward. And should someone asks you, like I asked someone once at the beginning of my Christian walk, “HOW DO YOU DO IT?”, you too can respond with a simple way to provide the answer.

… be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 1 Peter 3:15

So getting back on topic, let me begin by saying, there is no righteousness here, at least not on my part; not within me, or within you, for that matter. There is nothing on either of our parts, in and of our own selves that can get us any closer to heaven than through the saving blood of Jesus Christ.

Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. Revelation 1:5

We must be very interesting spiritual creatures to our patiently loving, heavenly Father. When all is going well: we have our devotions; we get to all the services and activities; and we are involved in a ministry or two. Don’t we feel so polished and meticulous in our smart looking church clothes? By outward appearances, and as we check off our spiritual to do list, it is so easy to come running into the heavenly throne room of our ABBA Father God. After all, we have been doing everything right, according to our stinking self-righteous selves.

But oh, that self-righteousness stinks. Our righteousness is as filthy rags. What we really look like is someone who has fallen into a big mud puddle on the way to church, save for the blood of Jesus. What about all of our secret sins that no one can see: oh that movie I may have watched last night or; that second heaping plate of spaghetti or; those horrible thoughts that I had about that lady at church. YES, ME! I am talking to you and me; sinners we be!

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our RIGHTEOUSNESSES are as filthy rags;           Isaiah 64:6a

And then there are those days, when we recognize that we are out and out sinners. We may have been willfully disobedient. We may have deliberately missed church or, lied to get out of serving or, we may have been doing or watching something we really knew was contrary to the Word of God. We knowingly committed out and out sin. WILLFUL, WILLFUL, WILLFUL!

If I am not wearing my breastplate and if I do not remain prepared through my continuous communion with my Abba Father; my world, my routine, my spiritual structure, and my righteousness will commence to fall apart. I may become too embarrassed to drag myself into the presence of God. Isn’t that exactly what the enemy wants? If I do have the courage to enter His throne room, I may barely be able to get my head up off the ground, cowering in shame.  Does any of this sound familiar?

What each of us, and again, speaking from my experience; what I am really struggling with in all of this turmoil is my pride and, accusations from the devil; CONDEMNATION. What kind of Christian are you; you didn’t say that right; you should have been more helpful; you forgot to read your Bible this morning, etc., etc., etc. And so, putting on God’s breastplate of Righteousness:

There is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1

If I have asked Jesus to come into my heart, to forgive me for ALL of my sins, and to take over Lordship of my life, then, I am a child of the King! I have been washed in the blood of the Lamb. Yes, I will fall into a mud puddle now and again, but I am righteous and clean because of what Jesus ALREADY DID ON THE CROSS. He paid for ALL of my sins; even the sins I will commit tomorrow. God now sees me only as WHITE AS SNOW through the Blood of His Son, Jesus.

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; Colossians 2:14

God is pure. He is a HOLY GOD! He cannot fellowship with sin. The Israelites had the Levite priests as their mediators, offering the various sacrificial livestock for their respective atonements. We have Jesus. He is our sacrificial Lamb. He is our High Priest. He is our Mediator. Jesus came once, died once, for ALL THE SINS OF THE WORLD. Hence, I am, and if you have made Jesus your Lord and Savior, you are clean because our ABBA Father sees us through the Blood of the Lamb. There is nothing you can do to change that fact, my righteous friend.

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 1 Peter 1:19

Maybe it is our culture or maybe it is our pride; for some reason we belief we must earn everything, to include the righteousness of God.  As I have said before, give it up! My work, my effort, my pride, will not get me into heaven. My attempts are all a big dung heap, to put it politely. When we coward before God, whether due to willful sins or sins of omission or recurring sins, our righteousness is not based on how we feel. My righteousness is founded on my faith in Jesus Christ. As I said earlier, it has NOTHING to do with what I have done or will do.

I cherish a particular past time whence I experienced such sweet fellowship with our Lord. I was safeguarding my daily spiritual ritual with checklist in hand. Writing His messages in my journal and thinking His thoughts, I would read the Word, waiting, as it were, with bated breath, His next revelation to me. Remorseful and contrite for all the sins of my life to that point in time, I pondered how I could have been such a sinner, and how I could have placed such a burden of sin on my Savior at the cross. And then my world fell apart.

What was to follow with the sins that mounted was greater in comparison to what I had repented of during those prior years of rewarding communion. How could I further crush my Savior with an even greater burden of sin? That, my friend, is a story for another time. Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe. I am Righteous because of my receipt of His free gift.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7

Now let us get back to my biking example. After I have secured my helmet, straddled the bike and launched peddling, I mentally put on my breastplate of Righteousness. Thinking of my children’s plastic armor outfit, I envision literally dressing myself in it like I am getting bedecked in my clothes for the day.

If the breastplate is intended to be my heart-protector, as described in warrior terms, then it must be my attire for my entire daily safekeeping. It is not a sweater or jacket that I might anticipate removing as need requires. Remember, I am dressing in the Armor of God; preparing for the wiles of the devil; all slated for my falter or destruction that day.

As I reflect on the breastplate, I recognize that God understood before the beginning of time that man, that I would never be good enough, or righteous enough, to fellowship with Him or to spend eternity with Him. Our Father does not want robots praising Him. He wants to have a personal relationship with each of us. As an all knowing, omniscient, God, He knew the Israelites could not keep His commandments. Based on our sinful nature stemming back to Adam and Eve and the evil nature of our own free will, God knew that we would need a Savior; and the only perfect sacrificial lamb for that job was His Son, Jesus.

Secondly, when I meditate of the breastplate, I comprehend that Jesus left all of His riches of heaven. He humbled Himself by coming to earth. Jesus lived His life as an example for me. What was Jesus’ reward for His humility? He offered Himself a living sacrifice for ALL MY SINS on the cross. What kind of reward is that?

And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; Colossians 1:20

I am reconciled to Almighty God my Father, not because of what I have done. There is no check list, brownie points, credits and the like. There is only, the precious Blood of the Lamb.

As I finish considering my breastplate of Righteousness, I am reminded that in confessing my sins, I am cleansed, washed cleaned; and all my iniquities are removed as far away as ever after:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. 1 John 1:9

As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12

In conclusion, my sins are gone. If I fall short half an hour later, I will confess those sins. But the fact of the matter is that ALL of my sins were nailed to that cross. All of my sins were paid for that day, washed away in the blood of Jesus. With what does Satan have to torment me, to CONDEMN me? Doesn’t God’s Word say?

For I will be merciful to their UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. Hebrews 8:12

When Satan the accuser, comes reminding you of your sin, tell him, “get thee behind me Satan, I don’t know what you are talking about”. If God remembers them no more, why am I, or you, remembering them? They are gone. Aren’t they out there in somewhere beyond the east and the west? Tell the old faultfinder to get out of your way. You have no idea what he is talking about. You are washed in the Blood of the Lamb. You are as white as snow in your Father’s eyes. You are a child of the King. Those are the only thoughts you want in your mind.

Remember the lady who went dumpster diving looking for her past; same message here; forget what is behind; forget what is past. We are now righteous; let us not forget that. That is our BLESSED ASSURANCE in Satan’s court of law. We will stumble and fall on this journey because we have never walked this way before; but we are Righteous because of Jesus’ obedience to the cross. What an example; what a Savior!

When thinking back to my perfectionist days, (didn’t I just write: forget what is behind; forget what is past?), I am reminded how arrogant I was to think that I could master this unbroken trail of life perfectly. But now when I stumble, I get back up. I brush the dirt off. Why; because I now have a more intimate relationship with my heavenly Father. And just like that small child learning to walk, He cheers me on to success through His Word: get back up, take another step!

What failures and shortcomings! No more guilt. No more lies from hell. The BREASTPLAT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS is in place; no longer my miserable, tattered righteousness that covers my heart, but the impenetrable righteousness of Jesus. As I enter my Father’s holy throne room, I am greeted at the door by Jesus.

As I pause and wipe my muddy shoes of sin before entering, I am welcomed with the outstretched arms of my Abba Father. Our Abba Father is always waiting for us to run to His arms, to sit on His lap and whisper the secrets of our heart into His listening ear. He longs to cover us with His feathers and hide us under His wings.

I can enter your holy throne room: Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus. Hebrews 10:19

As I continue my bike ride with my breastplate fasten in place and garbed, as it were, for the day, I am reminded that this was all God’s perfect plan, set in place before the beginning of time. Wearing this breastplate, I am encouraged that Christ lives in me, everywhere I go.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

and having on the breastplate of righteousness; Ephesians 6:14b

Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. Revelation 1:5

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; Colossians 2:14

As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12

CHAPTER 4

EQUIPPED WITH THE BELT OF TRUTH

…having your loins girt about with truth, Ephesians 6:14a

LIES/WEAKNESS

Alright, I am going to date myself here. Way back in the day, before Spanx and other forms of body shape wear, ladies, and unbeknownst to some, a few men, wore girdles. Now as a five foot, nine inch tall, high school teenager, weighing in at about 118 lbs., nicknamed by some as TWIG (short for the infamous model, Twiggy), I certainly did not need a panty girdle.

However, that was the style then, and like too many today, style continues to set the standard for everything. The girdle fasteners or garters were also functional in keeping my stockings up. Yes, these were the antiquated days before panty hose. I know that I am a relic, but I continually remind myself that next to eternity, I am still a spring chick.

My panty girdle held what bit of flesh I maintained on the boney little body frame that I had at the time, rather securely in place. Like todays shape wear, there were no visible bulges, panty lines or the like. Everything was very snuggly held immobile. So in consideration of the armor of God, specifically, “having your loins girt about”, I think about my historic panty girdle.

In armor dressing, the Roman soldier would, while standing, first restrain himself into the girdle or belt, before taking any other piece of armor. This piece of equipment passed round the upper legs and was essential in keeping certain parts in place. It protected the midsection between the upper and lower body, like the small of the back, the waist, and the reproductive organs. You sometimes see furniture movers wearing belts to reinforce their strength and protect them from straining their lower back. As I have described here, so too, the belt or girdle protected the warrior’s lower back.

And like my panty girdle, securing me the confidence to walk the runway, if need be, the girdle or belt granted the warrior security in freedom of movement and the proper soldierly stance. The belt was broad and composed of sturdy leather. It had leather straps dangling about it, almost like an apron with specialized hooks and holders to hang various supplies on such as: bread, oil, water and the like.

Prior to the soldier entering into battle and as a symbol of readiness to fight, the warrior would tuck his longer garments up under his belt or girdle so as to leave his legs unbound and unobstructed for the fight. Hence, “having your loins girt about” is always the critical first step in dressing in God’s armor, and you, and no one else, like my panty girdle, can affix and/or secure it.

So let us get back to riding the bike. I have put on my helmet of SALVATION and my breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS. As I ride, I consider girding myself with the belt of TRUTH. From the Bible verses that I have memorized, applying them daily for armor dressing, I recite aloud:

Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it forever. Exodus 32:13

Peddling along, I am taken aback to the fact that these words were the same words that God spoke to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. I am recounting the Word of God spoken to Moses, the TRUTH; who God is, what God has said and what God has done. I think about Joseph in his various jailhouse experiences; how God was using His Word to prepare him for the job he was to do, for his divinely appointed purpose for Joseph’s life.

Joseph had to choose with what he wanted to gird up the loins of his mind. What was he going to think about during all those long days of confinement? I am sure he was wondering how many more days he would remain in prison. Being left behind and forgotten, he finally got his belt on right; he accepted the TRUTH. He finally remembered the Word his father taught him as a young boy, and that TRUTH, set him FREE.

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

These are God’s Words. I am dressing in, girdling up my loins in, the belt of TRUTH. God spoke the Word and the same Word became flesh and lived here on earth. That Word is Jesus Who is never changing.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, John 1:14

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8

Like the security of the tight fitting panty girdle, the belt of TRUTH, is my firm anchor in the storm. No matter what comes my way, I have God’s Word, my ANCHOR. Dressed in the armor, wearing the glaring TRUTH, the devil no longer has the power from this darkened, deceptive world to deceive you or me. Oh, he certainly tries and we certainly do stumble, but we are now made light by the TRUTH of the Word. We are the Light of the world, purposing through obedience and the power of God to reflect Jesus in what we say, and in what we do. God keeps us safe and secure from all our fears.

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth; John 17:17

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Hebrews 6:19 a

Do you know that childhood song, THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE? That is you and me, with Christ in us, our HOPE of Glory. And the HOPE is found in the Word, the TRUTH. We will not let Satan blow our LIGHT out because we are children of God. We are not listening to what the world says, to the lies from hell, but to the encouraging Word of Truth spoken by our Abba Father as we take each new step on our life’s journey with Him.

I am going to listen to the TRUTH, what God said, my protection in the armor. We can’t be deceived if we are girding up our loins with the TRUTH. Christ in me, this is Truth, embodied in the Person of Christ Jesus!

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Think about the fact that as Christians, Christ lives within each of us! The TRUTH has set up His home within each of us! Personally, I must pause and consider, what we/HE is listening to on the radio or TV, etc., with Christ in me, travelling within us, on our daily journey? As the Truth, Christ in me, further begins to illuminate the deep recesses of my mind, I start to question what am I doing, what am I watching, and what am I thinking. He is Omniscient; He knows everything. I started to recognize the importance of His thoughts, His TRUTH, His mind, and my protection.

Are you beginning to see a connection here regarding all the pieces of the armor? Is it not becoming more glaringly obvious that there is a cord weaving its way through each piece of the armor and linking all pieces back to our minds?

Helmet of SALVATION – mind;

Breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS – mind;

Belt of TRUTH – mind.

Protecting our minds from the wiles of the devil is the quite essential component vital for us to pull our minds together, to have the mind of Christ. God’s Word is the only safety net to grant us the right mental attitude. When I center my thoughts on the Word, I escape the manic world freeway of bitterness, lack of forgiveness, envy, lust, worry, etc., intended to rob me of my spiritual growth and life’s purpose.

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ 1 Peter 1:13

Again, when those thoughts creep in, what will our response be? We have a choice of what we are going to think. Shall we tread the Way of the Word, and tell Satan to GET OUT OF MY PATH; YOU ARE IN MY WAY? Let me see: PIG STY or SECURITY WITH GOD? Do I want the belt on and receive the joy and freedom of movement while at the same time being secure with God?

Or, do I want to wallow again in the muck and mire, thinking troubles that would encumber me, slow me down and/or block my freedom and actions? HMMM, sanity vs. despair?  My choice: healthy mind vs. diseased mind; life vs. death; love vs. hate? As you can see, God’s TRUTH is in opposition to Satan’s lies.

So, am I going to use God’s TRUTH to hold everything together or, open the door to defeat? When you gird yourself up, your loins, you are on the defense, you need protection. There is no offense called out here. Protect those vital parts. This does not mean the attacks won’t come. It does mean we have our girdles on and if we leave the girdle on then everything is safe and secure and in its right place; no bulges. Take it off, well it all just rolls out everywhere. Can you picture that?

There have been times in my pride that I thought I had all the truth I needed. Things were going really well, in MY mind.  What had happened was God turned me over to the desires of my heart. He gave me much of what I had dreamed for in my worldly desires; the desires of my heart. The trouble with that was that I came out from under God’s umbrella of protection. I took my girdle off, so to speak. I am not 118 lbs. anymore so you can picture all the bulges and rolls as expressed in that image.

My human arrogance had chartered my own course and demand that the world adjust itself to my wishes. However, I was miserable because I was conforming to my mind, not the mind of God. I was empty and hollow, because I was doing everything my way, until I had hit my head against the wall for the gazillianth time. God was not budging. Why, because God's truth is unchangeable, inflexible, and fixed.

God’s truth is what keeps everything together, from math to geometry to chemistry to physics. You must follow His formula or your girdle will fall off, and there is blob everywhere. In my life, God did not have to alter His truth; I had to alter myself to Him and His TRUTH. And, my hard head finally yielded to His TRUTH; to putting on His girdle or, I am at least purposing to remain girded up.

Our society has become filled with grey areas. But, when we are being girded with the Truth, things begin to seem clearer, more black and white. Wearing the girdle eliminates the bumps and ripples that become readily apparent when we allow ourselves to be led astray, getting too comfortable and taking the girdle off.

As I said earlier, and as stated in His Word, Jesus Christ is unchanging. He's the same yesterday, today, and forever. That is how you know we have the TRUTH, AMEN! He said that:

I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

Jesus is not only, never changing, but He leads the way. With Jesus holding our hands and guiding our way, we no longer will accept invitations to discouragement, depression, and disillusionment parties. We, through the Word of Truth are now accepting invitations to Christian optimism parties ONLY! We choose to see the best in all because God through the blood of Jesus sees the best in all of us. We have BLESSED ASSURANCE in and through our blessed spiritual status, through our Anchor in the storm. Jesus is the solid, unchanging Rock and with Him as our Truth, our Anchor, and our Stronghold, there need be no more lies and weakness.

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2.

BELT OF TRUTH

…having your loins girt about with truth, … Ephesians 6:14a

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

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth: John 17:17

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, John 1:14

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Hebrews 6:19a

CHAPTER  5

EQUIPPED WITH THE SANDALS OF PEACE

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Ephesians 6:15

CONFUSION

So far on this armor dressing trek to the neighborhood nursing home, I have put on the helmet of Salvation, represented by my bicycle helmet; slipped on before I embarked on my senior visitation trip. Travelling through the neighboring development, I have put on the breastplate of Righteousness and the belt of Truth as well. And now coming out of that development, the treacheries of crossing my first busy street are upon me. Having successfully traversed the teed intersection with its darting traffic, I emerge onto the sidewalk on the other side of the road to a row of country living manors.

Looking weirdly out of place, there are still a few smaller ranches/estates in town. They are slowly being swallowed up in the expanse of the population growth and building booms of past years. Passing by this segment of God’s beautiful country creation, blesses me with the gift of Peace. Taking a deep breath, I survey the occasional horse and/or cow, grazing in the front fields of the properties.

While trying to maintain a steady course on the bike, I look to the heavens and absorb the shades of its clear, brilliant blues. Flying overhead I catch a glimpse of some of the many kinds of Florida birds travelling in flocks to the estuaries near the waterways. When the street traffic lulls, I capture the sounds of nesting birds nearby, melodically singing or summoning to one another in the fields.

I marvel at the beneficial windfall provided by these surroundings, a hidden Garden of Eden; uncovered here, so near my condo development and other confining structures in South Florida. And one cannot miss the vibrant, never ending bursts of God painted colors provided in the continuous explosion of the many ever blooming flowers scattered throughout the landscapes.

Peddling past the splendor of these sites and further up the sidewalk, I reach a short cut to further avoid traffic. Here, I encounter a series of churches in succession. Breaching the first church’s parking lot, and in the serenity of cutting through the midweek isolation of this leeway, I continue suiting up in the armor, equipping myself now with the sandals of PEACE.

If you have ever been to Florida, you may have noticed that sandals come in many different colors, shapes, fashions, effects, and utilities. There are colors to coordinate with every tropical outfit with shapes from flats to ankle breaking heels. For those with a sense of fashion, design effects come with an array of buckles, buttons and/or bows, or the possible adornment of bedazzles or other sparking jewels.

For the few utility conscious, sandals with the everlasting rubber treads are available. And we even have a sandal for the risk taking flamboyant dresser seeking a flair built more for display than practical use.  And of course, for the frugal minded or just emergency driven, there is always the ever present slip-on flip-flop sandals, commonly worn all over the world today; often abandoned by returning tourists or forsaken without mate on beaches and road sides.

When I lived up north, I loved to ice skate. Today there are indoor ice skating rinks everywhere, but I enjoy the outdoor rinks. I have many fond memories thawing my frozen ears, fingers or toes in the warming shacks, air clouded from the wafting smoke of the burning wood escaping the raging fire burning wood stoves.

I recall the critical importance of ensuring the proper lacing of my ice skates. Such measures were necessary in order to successfully maneuver about the ice without over straining my ankles or worse yet, losing my balance and breaking an ankle, or something else. And if we had our wits about us before lacing up, we would ensure the blades were well affixed and test the sharpness of those blade. That was probably something that should have been done immediately after the last skate. Nevertheless we were kids and we always managed to get by rather unscathed.

Similarly, it was essential that the Roman soldier attend to the details in the structure, design and versatility of his own sandals. The historic pictures of the warrior’s sandals seem to be more like the enduring rubber treaded version donned by the many earth conscious consumers today. With his life threatening duties, you can be sure the soldier when selecting his foot gear, painstaking scrutinized and analyzed the construct of the sandals, wiggling his toes, and making sure nothing was rubbing on his foot the wrong way; all critical for his protection.

Additionally, it was imperative for the warrior to have previously attended to the condition of the binding under his feet to ensure the strappings would secure his foot and provide the necessary support to dig in and stand firm on the battle ground. With each new garbing, the warrior bound the sandal and then secured the bottom or sole part with straps or throngs over the top or instep of the foot and around the ankle.

I was surprised to learn that the soles were generously studded with nails, or hobnails, as they were called. This technique aided in supporting the soldier’s firm footing during battle, providing not only traction but also a weapon of sorts while kicking the enemy. Ouch!

The soldier also had to ensure that the thickness of the construct of the sandal bottoms would protect him from being pierced with any unknown obstacles hidden in or on the battle ground. From my study I discovered that a strategy often employed by combatants before battle was to plant sharpened sticks, with the pointy side up, just below the superficial surface of the ground. Can you imagine being so engrossed in the battle only to be incapacitated by such a piercing into your foot?

My bare tender tootsies have trouble walking on the shelly beaches, or scampering across a sidewalk or hot parking lot with the few pebbles or other debris waiting to take aim and inflict injury at my exposed foot. Can you imagine being so engrossed in the rage and force of the battle only to be shocked by and endure the crippling effect of an impaled foot. You cannot battle the enemy crawling around on your knees. You must stand to fight.

I am reminded of the childhood story of a ferocious lion that appeared to be even more severe because he had a splinter in his paw. As fairy tales go, such a small impediment had turned this forest king into a roaring ineffective pansy.  To the rescue came the bravery of a wee little mouse, removing the irritant and saving the day. What about you and me? Do we have a splinter in our paw? Are we roaring ineffective pansies?

Are we roaring around in misery because we have a sliver in our foot and it is making us unruly in our current environment both to ourselves and to all those around us? Is it less peaceful being around you? I can readily raise my hand in response to that question at varying points of my life. Do people see your grumbling self coming down the hall and make excuses to stage left or make up an unexpected errand to dash off to attend, quickly shortening any possible interaction of listening to your endless moaning?

What have we done in advance to properly protect and equip our feet? Have we put on our custom fabricated sandals of PEACE from God? Do you know that they are divinely designed to be used to stand up against the attack of the demons? How? God intends for us to have our feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace.

The product of receiving that Peace, the gift of Salvation through the blood shed by Jesus Christ that cleansed us white as snow, is a desire to share that same Peace with all those around us. The purpose of my peddle to the nursing home, my goal this day, is to share the Peace of Christ as reflected through me. I pray to be His arms, His eyes, and His heart, to the forgotten. I pray for clarity and an open spirit to share the saving Message of the Peace of the Gospel with one more soul before it is too late.

1^4How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?1^5And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Romans 10:14-15

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.          Mark 16:15

What is that message, you ask? Oh, the message of the sandals of Peace; the peace that God made through the blood of the cross. Peace through the blood of HIS Son Jesus that was shed on the cross to reconcile ALL people onto HIM.

And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven; Colossians 1:20

As I continue my cycle through the church parking lot to the sidewalk on other side adjacent to another traffic bound avenue, I marvel that God loves me; that God knows me and that God chose me. Our God lovingly and patiently waits for each of us to accept His free gift as His Holy Spirit draws us out of darkness into His wonderful light; into His arms of salvation and grace:

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 5:5

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; 1 Peter 2:9

And so, I am draw out of darkness by the Holy Spirit, my Comforter, and our Comforter. We are equipped with the Peace that has cleansed our sinful hearts. We are filled with His TRUTH, as we prepare for battle, daily dressing in the armor and studying His Word.

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me. John 15:26

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26

That is our mission, our purpose here on earth. We are to share this hope, this joy, this peace, boldly and confidently, with all those around us. We cannot selfishly keep this life changing gift to ourselves; we are Christ’s ambassadors.

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us:                            2 Corinthians 5:20a

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.           Romans 15:13

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,         2 Peter 1:2

And so now, we choose to be filled with His joy, His peace, His hope, and His grace; all multiplied in each of us more through the knowledge of God, as we prepare, as we daily affix the sandals of peace. In addition, we must also remember that when, in that battle, no matter how prepared we individually are, we are an army fighting together. Yes, your brothers and sisters in Christ are fighting also. And sometimes, one of us gets weary.

Have you ever seen a flock of Canadian geese during their seasonal migrations? When the geese in the lead weary from the unrelenting winds of the journey, a God anointed rotation occurs, and the less wearied birds interchange and relieve the depleted front windbreakers. Such is the case in the body of Christ.

As we press on towards the goal, different members of the body of Christ, the army of God, fatigue. Just like when Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ arms, we too need to be alert, to defend, to strengthen, to hold up the weary arms of our brothers and sisters who are fatigued from the battles.

11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. Exodus 17:11-12

Think of our church leaders and the wiles of the enemy continually flung at them. They too, weary; and we need to be there to come along side as Aaron and Hur were there for Moses. Like the geese, we need to lift up their spirits, whether financially, prayerfully, emotionally or physically. We have our God given armor to stand in their place, and supplant ourselves so that our drained comrades may be refreshed, replenished and/or restored.

Whether you view the church as the bride of Christ, or as the body of Christ, or as illustrated above, migrating geese, Christ is our GROOM, our HEADSHIP, and marching forward toward the mark of HIS high calling, like the roving geese, we must preserve the unity of the fly, to reach our goal in the bond of peace.

Have you ever seen geese stop, mid-air for a goose meeting over an illegal lane change? Do you see backbiting and impediments put in place to decrease the efficiency of the fly? If Satan can disrupt and divide our respective Christian church army saved through the gospel of peace, then he can certainly increase his chances of defeating us in our individual battles. So how do we get, keep, and maintain the peace provided by these sandals of God in our churches, in our communities, in our families and better yet, within ourselves? How do we eliminate the CONFUSION?

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Colossians 3:15

Is this another one of those: “easier said than done” statements? No! We have the armor; we have the sandals of PEACE. We have the Word of God. And, if we memorize and meditate on it “day and night”, the effect:

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:2-4

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus; Philippians 4:7

And so, as we make PREPARATION, by meditating on the Word of God, and as we memorize, hiding God’s Word in our hearts, we lay a firm foundation for the sandals of Peace wherein we may stand. My fellow Christian soldier, we will have perfect peace, in spite of the battle raging around us because the peace that passes ALL understanding will be guarding our hearts and our minds. Why; because we are trusting God; a God Who is in control; a victorious undefeated GOD.

Do you see it again? Is it not becoming even more glaringly obvious that there is a cord intertwining its way through each piece of the armor and linking all pieces back to our MINDS?

Helmet of SALVATION – MIND;

Breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS – MIND;

Belt of TRUTH – MIND;

Sandals of PEACE - MIND.

When the devil comes a roaring with accusations from the gates of hell; when the world begins to topsy-turvy through the blasts of the battle; with our sandals prepared with the Gospel of PEACE, we will remain well planted, and firmly fixed. Oh, we may wobble here and there or, we may totally be thrown off course. Reasonably expected, because we may have never fought some of these battles before; or experienced these life events.

However, our ALMIGHTLY GOD knows that. He already knows we are not perfect. His Son was the only “PERFECT ONE”. We must continually get up and dust ourselves off amidst these often unpredictable mêlées. We need to get back up and STAND on that battle line.

Our minds are being prepared: as we rehearse, repeat, ruminate and remember the Word of God. Our minds have all they need for the Peace that passes ALL understanding because of His Word. We make a choice to be prepared and to refrain from entertaining other confusing thoughts that rob us of our Peace sandals. No confusion here! I have Peace; we have Peace because our minds are stayed on HIM. That my friend is the right choice!

As I finish putting on the sandals of Peace and consider the next stretch of the ride, I reflect on my purpose, our purpose: to bring tidings of good news to the lost. Today for me, it is the nursing home. Today for you, it is wherever you choose to wear your sandals of Peace. As we ready to go out, to defend, and to spread the Gospel in our God primed sandals of Peace? With the preparedness found in the Gospel, will we choose to guard our hearts and minds; keeping us in perfect Peace? No more CONFUSION!

SANDALS OF PEACE

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Ephesians 6:15

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things; Romans 10:15

And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven; Colossians 1:20

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus; Philippians 4:7

CHAPTER 6

EQUIPPED WITH THE SHIELD OF FAITH

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Ephesians 6:16

WAVERING FAITH

Completing my cycle through the parking lot, by the pre-school playground and pastoral residence of the United Methodist Church, I embark down a busy avenue of traffic and churches.  Here, I carry on armor dressing by taking the shield of FAITH. I consider this to be a semi well-protected biking area. Why such confidence, you might ask?

To begin with, I am travelling on the sidewalk. Secondly, I am travelling down church alley. Apparently, way back when, someone donated this entire section of land to various churches. The end product: a United Methodist Church whose parking lot I have just traversed; a Baptist Church whose weekly updated roadside sign postings of meaningful Scriptures or hymn lyrics oftentimes encourages me on my way; a Presbyterian Church that houses the south side of town’s major food bank distribution hub to the needy; and last but not least, the Greek Orthodox Church. It hosts an annual festival with the most undeniably scrumptious Greek food available for miles around, to include authentic cooking and dance lessons for the tourist as well as carnival rides for the kids.

There are many driveways on this portion of the trek into not only the aforementioned church parking lots but also into several well hidden condo developments. As I mentally alert myself to take the shield of FAITH, it is also imperative that I am alert to the various vehicle turns into and out of, transpiring during the morning rush hour traffic. Or I, like I am mentally envisioning with taking the shield of Faith, will be caused to go up, to be lift up and/or to be carried away, by some hurried driver whilst I least expect it.

Survival demands that I chose to be alert to the dangers on the bike ride ahead. There are life or death decisions at every turn. Spiritual survival is much the same way. I have to make a choice to take my shield, as I have made the same choice to garb myself with each other piece of the battle gear.

I must TRUST the Lord in ALL things, to include this bicycle trek; dodging cars and other forms of potential challenges the enemy may have prepared for me this day. At each obstacle, bump in the road, wind and/or rain, I must be watchful for the wiles of the devil. Taking the shield of Faith, requires that I trust the Lord; knowing that HE, and not the devil, is in control. And that my friend, demands unwavering FAITH.

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

This shield of FAITH challenges me to the choice of believing God and His Word, no matter what my eyes may see and/or what I may be experiencing. The practical application of trust and faith require me to choose to allow the shield to defend against the factors that are coming against me, hence letting that same shield protect me.

My research has evidenced that the historic battle shield often consisted of two wooden layers, encased and covered with canvas, and/or a combination to include a leather covering. The outside frame of the shield had four corners, and the shape was large, and oblong, about 4 feet x 2 1/2 feet in dimensions. Some shields had a slight curved on the inner side. Standing in place, the shield would cover two thirds of my almost six foot frame.

Maybe you have seen movies where the ancient soldiers all pack together, almost shoulder to shoulder like a can of sardines. Strategically, the frontline warriors set their shields side to side with their comrades’ shields. This tactical step created an impenetrable portable front wall, with each man holding his respective shields forward.

The strategy was continued with each subsequent row of shields. However, those rows of shields were held edge to edge overhead like a canopy barricade. With such formation, the protected force could slowly press forward into enemy position, well sheltered from the arrows by their synchronized dovetailing shields.

And so by FAITH as a Christian soldier, I take my shield. As I have said in other books, I have spent a number of years of my life wresting with God. I cannot tell you how many times that I have had to finally say, “Uncle” or rather “GOD”. Who can count the number of various tête-à-têtes, discourses, bouts and wrestling matches wherein I purposed to challenge God in one form or another.

Hence, FAITH, or rather, God, through my choice of the school of hard knocks, as well as some major renovations to my Christian foundational building blocks, has laid a purified groundwork in my life; an underpinning so to speak, built upon faith, confidence, and trust in a faithful, non-forsaking Father. It is then one’s Faith that changes one’s prospective on everything, and makes everything worthwhile.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

There was a time in my life and still is, wherein God will grant me the most incredible revelation from His Word. I’d like to think that I had finally been granted the Master’s full understanding on a particular matter as proved through this initial divine clarity. However as time progresses on this spiritual journey I often see the same truth returning, only to evidence a greater depth and dimension of understanding.

One such experience in this unfolding of His anointed Wisdom, I will call the Holy Spirit’s tutorial on the importance, power, and effect of God’s spoken Word. As my confidence, Faith and trust grew, it became easier to master my baby steps. My legs were becoming stronger. No longer a toddler, but still a young Christian, I was led to pray Scriptures aloud. I would write out Bible verses and audibly pray them back to God in Faith. After all, isn’t God’s Word holy? Doesn’t everything that is holy have entrance and access to God’s holy throne room?

In this manner, laying ahold of the Word of God through this form of prayer, allowed me to memorize through repetition. Soon, I was writing the promises of God on blundered business cards supplied by my then, printer husband. I kept a verse by the speedometer of the car, the same noted verse in my pocket while weeding the garden and a triplicate by the kitchen sink. Hence, I was renewing my mind as I meditated on specific verses of God’s Word. Throughout the day I was mentally ruminating on His promises to me and for me.

Now this may seem like the perfect formula; and remember, for me at that time, I was looking for formulas, roadmaps, black and white blinking signs. However, the life that followed was not all floating on clouds and feasting at the banquet table. Why? Because memorizing and believing the Word of God for the day is one thing; carrying that belief, that Word in your heart, day in and day out, whilst observing, encountering and sometimes, engaging in hand to hand combat, requires consistent focus on the Word of God and obedience.

Doesn’t Satan believe the Word of God? Yes, he just doesn't obey it. Being disobedient quenches the Spirit, whether through acts of commission, acts of omission or reoccurring and/or willful acts; it is all SIN.

Quench not the Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:19

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.         Ephesians 6:12

In ancient warfare, the opponent’s arrows were often covered with an easily ignitable substance. The ingredients required to make such a substance often included: tow, a bristly and broken part of hemp or flax often make ready for spinning; and pitch, a sticky resinous black or dark brown substance, made from the distillation of wood or coal, consequently yielding tar. Combined, the tow was dipped in the resinous tar which hardened as it cooled. When retrieved for battles, the prepared and attached incendiary projectiles were then set afire on the arrows before launch into battle.

The shield of Faith is provided in God’s armor for us to help quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Do you know about spiritual fiery darts? Sure you do! Don’t you remember the last time you were floating along on your celestial cloud and some speeding cloud shot past and splatter your billowing snowy white masterpiece with blobs of devilish ash pith. You were about to toss that slick shield you were travelling with aside and take off after that impish HOT CLOUDER.

By our disobedience, we quench, stop, or resist the Spirit of God. Without the power of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, how are we going to be able to quench ALL the fiery dart of the wicked one? We have armor for a reason. This is serious business or God would not have stressed the importance of each piece of our protective garb. The Scriptures evidence who the attacker is. We must be on the look-out for the fiery darts or arrows. Choices again; will I chose my way or God’s way; will I chose life or death?

I love everything about the armor of God. However, I especially love this treasure found in my study when combined with a further insight that I will share as we proceed further. Often before battle, particularly if the troops suspected that flaming arrows might be shot at them during an incomparable clash, the soldiers would soak their shields with water. The result of this practice provided even greater protection for those who had leather coverings enclosing their shields. What strategy to extinguish the fiery arrows of battle!  Just soak the cover or the entire shield with water before the engagement.

Should this approach not be implemented due to lack of water or other fluid sources, the alighting flaming arrow would often speckle the pitch as it would hit the shield. The intent of the fiery darts was to spark confusion and panic within the warrior when the spattering of little fires hit the shield and everywhere else on the warrior.

The result, little infernos would start either on the wooden shield or possibly where splattered on the soldier’s clothing.

Hence, confusion and not injury was the goal here. The task was to knock the opponent off balance, distract, confuse and cause panic, potentially causing the warrior to drop his burning shield. Without his shield, the fighter’s impending result might be exposure to the foe’s plunging spear and potential death.

You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. Psalm 18:35

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.       Psalm 28:7

Now put all of this visual into your life’s battle that is not against flesh and blood. What do we soak our shields of Faith in to quench the fiery darts of the wicked? Are you ready for this most amazing visual? We soak our shields in the precious blood of Jesus Christ, Amen! There you have it! By Faith, the power in the blood of the Lamb extinguishes ALL the fiery dart of the evil one, the splatters of doubt, fear, worry, lust, lies, bitterness, envy, etc.

Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces. Psalm 58:7

Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered; let them also that hate him flee before him.         Psalm 68:1

Think of all those seducing temptations, missile thoughts, feelings and imaginations, impure flaming arrows of greed, vanity, and all the lust of the flesh, the eyes, and the pride of life hurled at us by principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places. But fear not, for the blood drenched shield of Faith stops and extinguishes them; if you choose life, if you choose to obey.

We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. Psalm 33:20

Faith is the substance of things hoped for and unseen. Jesus is our unseen HOPE; our Salvation. Combined, we experience the satisfying joy that comes with that Salvation.  I have chosen life. I am resting in the peace and in the Salvation that comes with that choice. What about you?

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13

Our society has become so diluted when it comes to the things of God. Just turn on the TV! We are bombard with a continual wide selection of enticements. It is like a temptation shopping mall! Oh tell me there aren’t a few of those actors that make you do a double take!  Or maybe you become dissatisfied with you current wardrobe; baby needs new shoes; no, I think it is, baby wants new shoes.

There it was, flying right through the TV set; the fiery dart of lust or discontentment. Did you see it? It was sizzling; how could you miss it!  All such temptations play with our minds and fly by so quickly. We can hardly see the ignition preparing to burn into our spirit of want, greed, envy, or judgment. We must be ever on guard! The shield of Faith is our ever present protection against those flaming arrows of the devil.

I too, sometimes ease back and set my brain on cruise control before the almighty altar of TV. I am guaranteed from prior experience that within five minutes, I will have seen the unscriptural handling of anger, fighting, immodesty, lying, profanity, etc., etc., etc. And what do I do? Most often than not, I will continue watching. Other times, conviction sets in, and I change the channel; or maybe even, I will shut the TV off.

Later, before dozing off to sleep, in review of the day’s events, or thereafter while reading Scripture, the deficiency of conviction displayed in my lack of stance and neglect by my observations on the TV or any other sin that may have transpired that day, leave me exposed, and lacking, for not taking my God given shield of FAITH. Hence, in retrospect, the willful failings drive me to resolve through confession.

As I think I have mentioned in another chapter or book, my mind is sometimes like Interstate Freeway, I 95. I will commence praying the Lord’s Prayer and the next thing I realize, I am planning the next title of a book, or considering the strategy for the sink repair or I am having a negative thought about a situation that occurred yesterday, last week, or TEN YEARS AGO!

Quick, make a choice! Where did that come from? And so, in an instant, I seek forgiveness, and I am back on track. Here I am, in the presence of, standing or sitting under the wing of, the ALMIGHTY GOD, and I start thinking about something else! Thank You Lord for Your mercy and forgiveness. I will not wallow in the sin and be discouraged, as Satan would have me be.

See how fast that burning arrow splattered my shield. Did not even see it until it hit me. However, by Faith, by carrying the blood drenched shield of Faith, God snuffed it out. The Blood of the Lamb extinguished it ALL. By the recall of some promise of the Word, by belief in that promise, and by obeying His Word, my God put me back on track.

Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces. Psalm 58:7

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2

Do you see the cord again? Do you see the cord that laces the armor together? Surely you can now see the cord that associations all the parts of the armor back to the MIND, and the Word of God?

Helmet of SALVATION – MIND;

Breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS – MIND;

Belt of TRUTH – MIND;

Sandals of PEACE – MIND;

Shield of FAITH – MIND.

We have a choice with our minds. Are we going to let Satan start a forest fire with the small spark of the splatter or, are we going to extinguish the spark with the blood of Jesus? Jesus is the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us.

I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. John 17:15

Martin Luther, I believe said, if I remember correctly from some reading, “I cannot keep the sparrows from flying about my head, but I can keep them from making a nest in my hair!” I love that. We may not be purposing to sin, but we do not have to purposely stay there and ALLOW it.

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Corinthians 10:5

SHIELD OF FAITH

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Ephesians 6:16

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. Psalm 33:20

Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces. Psalm 58:7

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost.         Romans 15:13

CHAPTER 7

EQUIPPED WITH THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT

and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Ephesians 6:17b

DEFEATED

As I wait for the traffic light to change in front of the Presbyterian Church, I mentally take the next piece of equipment necessary to complete my armor dressing decree, the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT. The specific swords of old utilized here, were not the great big long broad swords that we may have seen in movies, nor were they the sleek skinny bendable foils used in “en garde” fencing.

The warrior’s sword wielded during this epoch was in fact, a two-edged weapon. This Sword was more dagger-like with a razor-sharp point, designed to enable it to pierce the armor. The shape and blade made it possible to strike one’s mark equivalently on either side without the warrior’s need to change hands to execute his mission.

We have all seen at one time or another, either in the movies or on TV, the recreating of these champions: masterfully training, and practicing sword thrusts, moves and positions, preparing, rehearsing, repeating and perfecting the effective functional use of the sword. Such is the case with the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. To effectively use the Sword, we must also, masterfully train and practice, preparing, rehearsing, repeating and perfecting the effective functional use of the Word of God in our day to day lives.

Early in my spiritual walk, I began memorizing the Word. Being related to a printer provided occasional opportunities to receive client rejected finished paper product such as letter heads for the children to color on or use as scrape paper, as well as erred business cards. These rejects were perfectly acceptable for me to scrivener the Word of God. As such, I often could be found carrying God’s Word engraved to my readability on these cards.

In addition, knowing God’s Word, the Scriptures, to be holy, I realized that there would be no restrictions imposed for the Word’s entrance to our Father’s presence. Hence, I often would write out specific Scriptures related to a promise, and/or a need, and by Faith, I would silently pray those Scriptures back to God. I was believing what I could not see. And if God’s Word said it, well then, it was true, and I was going to believe it and claim it.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11

When I was still married and living on sixteen wooded acres of pine trees in the woods of Washington State with my children at varying ranges of Toddler Ville, I experienced a bout of depression. I found myself pounding on the kitchen counter, having one of my mental tête-à-têtes with God. I was rebuking the devil and doing everything I had been exhorted to and/or learned to do through the Word up to that point in my Christian wander.

Throughout this interaction, no audible words were coming out of my mouth. I queried the Lord as to “why” His Word that I had been claiming was not keeping my mind in check, and the devil at bay. I received two responses. First, God reminded me that He, and only He, is omniscient. That means that no matter how many times I quoted Scripture in my spirit and rebuked the enemy for his torments; HE HAD NO IDEA WHAT I WAS SAYING. Why; because Satan is NOT omniscient. Good one, Lord; thank You!

Second, and in a logical form which God knew catered to my unique personality of which He had blessed me, God advised me to speak His Word OUT LOUD! After all, didn’t God speak, and the world and all its glory were created? Didn’t Jesus speak specific Scriptural truths to oppose specific satanic misrepresentations when He was tempted in the wilderness? Didn’t Jesus rebuke Peter who, like some of our friends and family today, was used as a channel from Satan? And when Satan is plaguing us with false accusations, guilt, lies, depression, lustful thoughts, etc., etc., etc., should we not be AUDIBLY rebuking him?

But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men. Mark 8:33

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17

We can brandish the spoken Sword of the powerful and eternal Word of God. There are a lot of words being spoken today that are not the Word of God. You have the news, the radio, the TV, the neighbor, your friend, and there is a more than a significant chance that those words are not Kingdom words; not God’s Words. There is death and life in the power of the tongue, my friend.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.     Psalm 18:21

You have seen people or heard of people talking to their plants. Some would say that speaking to the plants, speaks life into them such as God did when He spoke and created all life in Genesis 1. What would happen if we only spoke God’s Words, or at least paraphrased God’s Words in our communication?

No matter where you are or where you go, it is difficult not to hear the words that people speak to each other; parents to children, spouse to spouse, political opponents, sports rivals and announcers. Are they always speaking life into each other by what they are saying or, are they killing each other with their words? Are they verbally sucking the last breath of life out of someone’s dreams, hopes or goals? God wants us to speak His Word. He desires us to learn how to employ His Sword. God want us to hunger for Him and His Word. God told Ezekiel to literally eat the scroll that contained His Word:

1 Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel. 2 So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll. 3 And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness. Ezekiel 3:1-3

Even Jesus said that man shall not live by bread alone:

It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4

Did you catch that? “Out of the mouth of God”, must mean the spoken Word of God; the spoken Word that created heaven and earth and everything in between. We have the Word of God, placed in our bellies, placed in our minds, placed in our mouths, and like the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, placed in the hand of the believer.

Now, it is up to us to choose to do with it what we may. Like a warrior, will we practice reciting the Word ahead of time, anticipating, preparing and rehearsing to apply it to each specific situation as it arises in our life? Will we be attuned to the Holy Spirit, to the Word of God, primed to instantly recall which thrust, which position best suits the precise moment, hearing God’s Spirit, His Word, and His instructions, hidden in our hearts? Practice, Practice, Practice!

There is power in hearing the spoken Word. Henceforth, the majority of my prayers remain audible, LOUD prayers. By verbose faith, I pray Scripture, not only from the meaning of the names of my children, but for their lives. My daughter’s name is Meaghan which means STRENGTH. From the time she was a very little girl, my prayer for her has always been thanking God that Meaghan is growing to be a virtuous woman:

Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. Proverbs 31:25

She currently lives in Colorado and has her own salon. There is a graciousness and kindness about her, along with His strength and honor girding her that shines forth in her presence.

As a side note, this is the child that takes credit for her parents Salvation. On hearing repeated so many times, the same story of how her parents came to know the Lord after her birth, her young ears’ translation of those audible words in her mind equated to: “she told mom and dad about Jesus when she was born”. Had to share that! Did you see what happened when the same words or story were told over and over? It was remembered in her mind and it was applied to our lives; life and death in the power of the tongue!

My son, Dylan’s name means, WAYFARER FROM THE SEA. In consideration of the fact that anything in, from or around the sea is salty, Dylan had two life verses

Ye are the salt of the earth: Matthew 5:13

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. Colossians 4:6

By faith, I too have prayed and thanked God from the time he was a little boy that Dylan is the salt of the earth. I thanked God that his speech is always with grace and seasoned with salt. After all, God’s Word is God’s will for both of my children. As a matter of fact, that is God’s will for ALL of His children.

I continue to do this to this day. I pray and claim God’s will, His Word, into my children’s lives, even though I cannot always see the finished product of His will in my desired timely way. The children are now adults and both, at six feet plus in stature, and with my son, now married with children, a parent. Both my adult children are well aware of their life verses; often stated while in their presence. And so carrying on by faith, I am now through the given names and into the lives of my grandchildren, praying and claiming God’s Word which is God’ will for each of their lives.

The church we attended while in Fort Myers, after my son had moved in with me, provided a version of Bible College for transitioning high school grads. Dylan spent one year in this program, to follow with being pastor support associate working with the youth of that local church. After my move to Orlando and when I was able and could visit this church, the reward from those years of praying was gifted me as I would watch Dylan rally in the Spirit before sharing a message with the youth group.

Sometimes when Dylan says something to me that I do not necessarily like, I must remember what his name means, and contemplate whether what has been said, is a word from God. God does not want His salt to lose its savor. His words may pierce my spirit, but I must ask, are they the powerful Words of God designed to work on my thoughts and the intent of my heart, and are they the TRUTH?

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

The Word of God is powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, the armor sword, the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, as my comment on some of Dylan’s remarks suggest. But again remember, God’s Word is holy and His Word is His will. His Word does not return unto him void, but will accomplish the purpose for which He sent it.

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.             Isaiah 55:11

God’s Word, if I understand this correctly, is eternal. Hence, speaking God’s Holy Word, God’s life into someone or a situation, is in essence, praying THY WILL BE DONE.

The Greek word “rhema” suggests the spoken or word uttered by a living voice; a word that has a definite meaning with knowledge and understanding of specific truths. God’s Word has a definite meaning. Have you ever considered that when you pray God’s Holy Word back to Him, or you speak it in your daily life, that it is carried off, and continues about throughout eternity? The Word of God is ETERNAL. Think about that a bit as you read the following:

10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11

Remember what I said when I would encounter the words from my son, the salt of the earth. Sometimes, I would not like the TRUTH that he would share with me. However, I also had to remember that he, like each of us, is the salt of the earth.

There it is again! Do you see the cord that plaits the armor together? Surely you can now see the cord that twills all the parts of the armor back to the MIND, and the Word of God?

Helmet of SALVATION – MIND;

Breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS – MIND;

Belt of TRUTH – MIND;

Sandals of PEACE – MIND;

Shield of FAITH – MIND;

Sword of the SPIRIT - MIND.

This may be silly, but I have considered this thought a long time and believe there to be a significant truth to it. It is even possible that it is one of those treasures I picked up at some point of time and am not sure if it came from within or without. Nevertheless, if I have received this treasure from without, thank you; and my humble apologies to the expounder for not recognizing and honoring you with this treasure.

Whether it is at school, a sermon, a conference or a meeting, it has been scientifically proven that there will be an increase in retaining those spoken words and the details associated with the topic later, if the listener, writes, jots, logs or scriveners those spoken word down in a notebook, journal, or the like. Again not remembering where I received this illustration, but convinced anyway, bear with me as you consider the following.

If I read a text book or the Word of God quietly, where does it go? It goes through my eyes and into my brain. If I read the same book or the Word of God audibly, or speak what I have just quietly read, audibly, where does it go? It goes through my eyes to my brain, from my brain and out of my mouth, and out of my mouth and into my ears, as the spoken word. I believe that spoken word, heeded to by my ears, the Word, or any word when spoken, subsequently has a significant opportunity to become embedded into my heart; rooted into my spirit. I am no scholar, but I believe there is something here to ponder.

What has been the message of the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God that we have journeyed through in this chapter? The message is the unyielding power of that Sword through the spoken word? God’s Word tells us that there is life or death in the power of the tongue. Am I making any sense? Are we going to be DEFEATED or VICTORIOUS?

What are we going to listen to; what are we going to say; what are we going to pray? Let us take the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT; let us take the Word of God and hide it in our hearts; meditating on it and renewing our minds with it. Let us live victorious Christian lives for the entire world to see; for all the world to see; Christ in us, our HOPE of glory.

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT

and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Ephesians 6:17b

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalm 1:2-3

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.             Isaiah 55:11

CHAPTER 8

GROUNDED TO WITHSTAND TO STAND

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to WITHSTAND in the evil day, and having done all, TO STAND. Ephesians 6:12-13

GROUNDED

As I bike along the sidewalk in front of the Greek Orthodox Church, mentally dressing in my battle gear wherein I am now shillyshallying my way to the line of combat, I picture myself finally standing on the mark. Yes, here I ideally stand, positioned in my custom designed armor, wobbling to and fro on the battle line. The longer I stand, the less awkward I feel in my maneuverability. The more I, His child and His warrior, dig in my heels, the more GROUNDED I become. I am, in essence, learning to, “WITHSTAND TO STAND”.

I once had a home on a hill in Minnesota that overlooked one of the state’s 10,000 lakes. Surrounded by the beauty of God’s landscaped creation, the children and I would often embark on “a grand explore” as we probed many of treasured rudiments on or near the walking path encircling that lake. Alone and gazing out of the French doors of my study, I would often survey the panoramic view of the wonders of the seasonal transformations transpiring in this garden of many splendors that bounded the lake.

One such recurring winter conversion was the annual migration of the fish houses or fishing shacks on and off the lake. The desolate frozen landscape often left me feeling isolated and autonomous, save for the warmth of the home I found myself perched in observing the uninhabited, bleak, secluded, gloomy and ice-covered backdrop. However, it would not be long until, almost like clockwork, a colony of little shacks would sprout up overnight, with more huts and cars in view than the movement of human beings. The owners of such were probably fishing, and coveting the bit of warmth and protection found inside their mini “port-a-abodes”.

But there was something else that I witnessed from the watch tower of my little den; the tall old oak trees encompassing the lake below. From the fresh green buds emerging in the warming spring sunlight, to the winds and thunderstorms sounding the alarms of tornado season; followed by the lazy swaying breezes rustling through the overgrown summer greenery, only to be trailed by the whooshing winds gusting through the brilliant colored autumn leaves wafting to the awaiting ground below; and then to all finally culminate with the besieger of the naked brutality of the fierce, piercing, blustering, and drifting blizzard winds, filled with either sleet and/or snow; a reflection of the grey wintery rudiments; and yet, the old oak trees about the lake, ALWAYS remained, standing tall. They were GROUNDED; seasoned to “WITHSTANDING TO STAND”.

No matter the onslaught, the old oaks confidently displayed their indestructible faith and praise to their Creator. With their outstretched branches and limbs resembling uplifted arms, these trees appear to be in worship and adoration of their Almighty Maker. As if waiting to receive the outpouring of HIS bounty, these antiquities stand ready, “WITHSTANDING TO STAND” at their battle line; immovable and GROUNDED, no matter the meteorological conditions.

Consider the Faith of Rahab, a harlot, who was not destroyed by God in the outbreaks of destruction with the unbelievers in her town because she had received and hid the messengers with peace which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho. Or consider the Faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, David, Samuel, and other prophets who were delivered by Faith in their God. Their Hope was in their Creator, like the trees before me during those seasons:

33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Hebrews 11:33-34

Thinking back, I reflect on the joy I now experience as a result of a particular storm or series of storms, intended to GROUND me. However, as you will soon see, those were not always my sentiments during those particular raging winds. Our God had a plan for me that I never saw coming; a plan that would require a lot of God’s breaking, melting and molding. His plan caused me to walk away from a very successful career in corporate America and into a particular neighborhood nursing home for one of His divine purposes today.

Man's goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way? Proverbs 20:24

The strength, confidence and protection that was provided to me, as directed by God’s ordained steps, allows me, in retrospect, to see the love in His execution of the intricate making of each stitch in a particular section of His woven tapestry of my life. All designed to GROUND me so that I might “WITHSTAND TO STAND” on the battle line. This portion of HIS divine work in my life is recorded in my first book titled, NO, NEVER ALONE. The following is a synopsis of that continuing adventure.

49 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. 50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. Psalm 119:49-50

The first significant portion of that breaking occurred as a result of my willful disobedience wherein I made a choice to give up my children. I moved into the inner city from the suburbs so that I might finish my education after my divorce in 1987, choosing to leave the children with their father. This heart wrenching decision provided them with the same beds, same house, same church, same neighborhood, same everything, but no mom.

The years following the divorce, my graduation from the University of Minnesota and subsequent move to Fort Myers, Florida in 1989, did not embrace my children as I had expected they would. Without words, many may understand the pain related to such a separation. I had been a stay at home mom and my children had rarely left my side. The children’s early lives were spent primarily in church, and those related activities. They were homeschooled the first years of their education.

In 1997, my son moved in with me, as my career as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) was flourishing in Florida. Some of our discussions included my anticipated degree of involvement in the lives of my future grandchildren. Based on fond memories of my relationship with my grandmother, and my son’s expectation of a built in babysitter for him and his wife, left no doubt in my mind that I would be an intricate part of this yet to come family structure.

Through a serious of events, my son re-dedicated his life to the Lord. As he became actively involved in our local church in Fort Myers, I relocated to Orlando, Florida, in July 1998, chasing yet another career opportunity. However, by July 2003, I quit that job and moved back to a house I owned in Cape Coral, across the river from Fort Myers. The house necessitated updating in order to sell it. I needed to simplify my life. I was going through menopause and nothing seemed right. I had lost my purpose. My church, my son and my condo were in Fort Myers and I wanted to re-focus on what mattered.  I wanted to begin the journey of restoration of some of what had been lost in the divorce: relationships, family, commitment, accountability, and my close relationship with God. God had blessed me with the “desires of my heart”, but I was left with “leanness of soul”.

My extended family lives in Canada, where I was raised, as the eldest of eight children. My grandmother was my sanctuary, my respite in the storm of a somewhat chaotic house. Although I came to the United States in 1973, when I was 20 years of age, my granny and I remained very close until she passed at the age of one hundred years in 2000.

My son met his wife while they were both ministering at church and they were married in early 2005. Things were looking up. Not only did the Cape Coral house sell in 2006 and I moved back into the condo, but I was blessed with a grandson. This grandma, a/k/a, NANA “M”, was enjoying weekly visits with her new “little man” while anticipating the birth of a second grandchild.

Maybe my necessity to be there for my grandchildren was the memory of my grandmother’s significance in my life.  Maybe the necessity to be there for my grandchildren was longed for to fill the void that was left raw from the divorce and subsequent separation from my children. Whatever the reasoning, after the birth of a beautiful baby granddaughter in 2007, and in the midst of confusion, a misunderstanding occurred that literally brought me to my knees.  I was no longer allowed to communicate with or see my son, his wife or my grandchildren. What would/could I do now?

I had enough years of experience with God to know that wresting with Him would not result in my win. I knew the results of any angry temper tantrum on my part would not be in my best interest. Been there, done that. The only thing I could do, take HIM, GOD, at HIS Word! HEM CLINGING. My pastor was taking us through The Beatitudes, one sermon in 2008, and he read:

"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.”                       Matthew 5:4 (THE MESSAGE)

Yes, I was ripped apart, but I was going to take HIM, GOD, at HIS Word; hem clinging. The heart ache in the midst of confusion; that misunderstanding that literally brought me to my knees; look what the Lord has done to Ground me, so that I may learn to WITHSTAND TO STAND!

I became immersed in the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  What did Jesus say/do? As time progressed and I began to gain some feeling, I began compiling verses on HE and me. Affirmations, if I may, a Bible verse or two for each letter of the alphabet. After all, it was HE and ME! I was being “embraced by the One most dear to” me.  And so was birthed, “HE and ME from A to Z”, the first little Bible booklet or tract in a series of tracts that I did not know were to come. Oh merciful God, I’m taking you at Your Word!

Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. Psalm 57:1

When considering what God would have me do in my next step, I felt Him lead me to open my front door. I lived in a condo community of seniors. Slowly becoming re-lit through God’s Word, I visited with my senior neighbors. Baking cupcakes, cookies and other sweet offerings became the door opener to re-acquaintances and an introduction to those neighbors I did not know. Armed with “HE and ME from A to Z”, the first Bible booklet or tract that included an invitation to receive Jesus Christ as one’s Lord and Savior, I baked and visited, listened and drank tea, and listened again and even prayed with a few souls.

I began to feel like Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus, as opposed to Martha, dashing about conquering the world. Empathizing with how lonely, forgotten, and misunderstood many felt, I was relating to the pain of children not calling, not wanting to have anything to do with you. And the listening wisdom of this period birthed a second Bible tract titled, “IS ANYONE OUT THERE?” Despair? NO! Hope? Most definitely! Senior tea time!

In search of ministry expansion, but ultimately following God’s directing to another avenue to reach the lost for Christ and opportunities to distribute the two topical Bible booklets God had me compile thus far, I started volunteering at hospice, providing caregiver relief. As sprouts in the ashes began to emerge, my dear church friend who was under hospice care taught me some very important spiritual lessons.

In my fumbling attempt to provide her comfort, read Scriptures, sing hymns or, as the Lord led, I found my ailing friend ministering to me. On each of my visits, she would have her Bible open to a particular passage she wanted me to read and we would sing hymns together. I had visited the sick and dying before, but I had never watched a saint die. Oh, the peace, the joy and the love from the Lord’s presence in that room. I was walking on Holy Ground.

As I began to see more clearly sketches on His canvas of my life, a deeper mission, a multifaceted vision was stirring in me. I began to see that not only homebound, but mobile seniors are invisible in many ways in their respective communities also. I was now being driven by His purpose. I sensed a new responsibility to provide comfort, companionship, compassion, healing, prayer, and solace for senior women, whether mobile or shut in, with dignity, honor, and humility demonstrated through the agape love that comes from God.

A metamorphosis was occurring as I was providing caregiver relief and sitting with hospice patients, as well as watching my friend, the saint, prepare to meet her ABBA FATHER. Hospice volunteering had extended to sitting with end of life patients, many of whom had no family, together with coming alongside and encouraging the elderly in my community, the forgotten.

A merciful, patient God was breaking, melting and molding me to HIS image. A God Who never gives up on HIS workmanship! I revisited Ephesians 6, and a third tract was birthed: “ARE YOU READY FOR THE BATTLE?”.  My reading challenged me to several truths: Jesus borrowed, Jesus did not accumulate stuff. The second challenge was to be driven by God’s purpose. God had a plan for me and I was catching glimpses of the sketches on His canvas!

At the end of 40 weeks of meditation on God’s purpose for my life and much to my surprise, God’s plan for me was a ten day medical mission’s trip in the Dominican Republic. I was considered an “OTHER” volunteer, having no medical or Spanish language skills. I was, however, ordained in the school of hard knocks by my heavenly Father. So, my new family of senior neighbors and church friends, the senior patrol, mobilized for a mission! They were going on this trip through me. They had a short term purpose and my purpose was starting to come into focus; and even more so, as the mobile clinics began in the Dominican Republic and the people lined up for care.

My purpose was to let HIS light shine! And so, I smiled, not only with my mouth, but with my eyes, with my face, and with whatever form of non-spoken communication, I PRAY, God released through me. Christ in me! I was Christ’s Ambassador. Seeing the contagion of letting HIS light shine, we, the team, were Christ’s Ambassadors, the family of GOD on HIS mission for HIS purpose. Why; because I questioned in my heart, what would Jesus do! And the miraculous gift to me, returning home, a healed germ-a-phobic.

On my return, I found myself aiding and visiting a neighbor rehabilitating after surgery at a neighborhood nursing home. Looking around at this divinely planted opportunity, I pondered and asked myself: IS THAT ME?. I was witnessing how an Almighty God, in my helplessness, was guiding me to express HIS love to those around me; prompting me first with the Lord’s Prayer, revealing to me that HE had not forgotten, the forgotten. HE had died for each of us. Our God had sent me to express HIS love to the residence here; remembering when questioning, Where to Begin? - Do Unto Others!

Finally, God opened the door and allow me to visit with whomever, whenever, and to talk about whatever, as often as I wanted, to whomever would receive me at this neighborhood nursing home. With 95 residents in this facility, I have a mission; Glory Alleluia! Stepping out in faith, with each new visit and introduction to another resident, God dropped clues as to how I may support, assist and pray with each: even providing a simple task of offering and/or giving someone a drink of water. Isn’t our Almighty God amazing? Remember how God had previously healed me to no longer be a germ-a-phobic in the Dominican Republic; all in preparation for this next assignment?

And as a bonus, God has reunited me with the family, a treasure, a gift from God; another step in the healing process. And as I continue to interact with my family, the blooms of those sprouts in the ashes now have a more vibrant color. Yes, my heart’s desire is to spend more time with those blooms, but how can I question anything when I look and see what the Lord has done thus far. As each day has unfolded on this journey here, many small miracles have and continue to occur.

This life’s series of storms took over twenty years to break, melt and mold me to even become partially aware of God’s purpose for my life. There are more details in my book titled, NO, NEVER ALONE. As we are further GROUNDED through life’s storms, as somewhat expressed here, our roots, like the tall old oak trees, further develop and grow deeper into the soil. Sometimes our lives become impossible even though we have dressed in the armor of God. However, by FAITH, we are choosing to “WITHSTAND TO STAND”. The greater the trials, the more the winds blow, the deeper the demand to sink in our heels to deepen our roots. GROUNDED in Almighty God, we learn to “WITHSTAND TO STAND”, until we masterfully comprehend how to “STAND THEREFORE” on the battle line.

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.        James 1:2-6

“WITHSTANDING TO STAND”, we, like the trees in the storm, with our arms reaching to the heavens, have our eyes focused on our heavenly Father. We may sway a little here or there; we may even fall over and become uprooted. But we know our Faithful God will be attending to our uprooted rhizomes shortly, covering them with the refreshment of the nutrients found in His Word. After all, our God has each of us in the palm of His hand, under His tender care.

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 1 Peter 5:10

We are His children, and if we are in His will, there are going to be storms; some storms more severe than others. But always remember, He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us, no matter the strength of the storm, or the length of the drought.

I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.    Hebrews 13:5;

I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Matthew 28: 20

Our job is to Hope; to stay focused on Him; drinking His living water, His Word. What is the Hope promised for those who delight in the law of the Lord?

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalm 1:12-3

We do not have to do this. We have a free will. But based on my experience at this point of my life, everything is much easier if I choose His will; it might even be joyful, in the midst of the storm.  What did God say through Peter?

12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.                   1 Peter 4:12-13

But the perfecting of that feat, that wearisomely standing, as we acclimate ourselves to finessing our way in our well-equipped suit of arms, can only be accomplished the more GROUNDED we become. Yes, my job, our job, through the droughts and torrential rains, through the merciless scorching heat and the desolate tundra winds, is to become grounded, deep rooted and fortified by the Word of God.

GROUNDED TO WITHSTAND TO STAND

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to WITHSTAND in the evil day, and having done all, TO STAND. Ephesians 6:12 & 13

The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. Psalm 138:8

For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even unto death. Psalm 48:14

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. Isaiah 54:17

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6

I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5

CHAPTER 9

STAND THEREFORE

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.                         14 STAND THEREFORE, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; Ephesians 6:12 & 14

KNOWING IN FAITH

At the end of the Greek Orthodox Church field where the Greek Festival encamps, and prior to entering the college campus on my route to the nursing home, there is a rather dangerous intersection. Pulling up to this perilous traffic light, I stopped the bike, even though the light was green; and I “stand therefore” firm. What should I do?

Dressed in His armor, amid the chaos, the clamor, the clashes, the clatter, the crashes, the commotion, and the confusion about us, and in the strength and the confidence that comes from God, we submerge our heels ever deeper and become further grounded in Him, until we finally learn to “STAND THEREFORE”.

The meaning of the word “Stand” used in Ephesians 6:14, is not as I had described in the first chapter when portraying a toddler, balancing to support itself on its newly found shaky appendages, and purposing to remain in an upright position, on its feet, trying to “STAND AGAINST”.

At this juncture of the text and used for the third time in this passage, the word “Stand” coupled with “Therefore” suggests that I must continually, henceforward, hereafter, and after this, maintain and sustain this new found posture and bearing; a life or death specified stance or attitude. Daily, we learn to become more “GROUNDED” and better able to “WITHSTAND TO STAND” suited up in our gear. However now, we must gain even more knowledge and continue to preserve the critical stance from this time forward.

There appears to be a God ordained boldness associated with this comportment or conduct. Achieving such assertiveness would now require me to brace my carriage and literally have my heels burrowed in on this battle line of confrontation. A perfect example of this, I believe harkens back to the 1950’s and 1960’s with the New York and New Jersey gang wars of the greaser days.

I visualize them in their battle gear: greased back hair, black leather jackets, switchblades and cigarette hanging out of each of their mouths or perhaps, chomping on some chewing gum, each mentally preparing for the skirmish. They all have already taken a stand and have suited up in their gang colored armor. But now, equipped and standing positioned on the line of confrontation, each gang’s posture and bearing, demands the attitude, behavior, comportment, and the demeanor, for the life or death events that may unfold. I almost envision a rooster fight, or deer stags angling their horns in territorial defense through their mating confrontations.

Like these examples, to “Stand Therefore” or stand firm with confidence, originates from knowing the TRUTH. Whether that truth is instilled through nature in the pecking order of life or, as a child of God, both are empowered by our Almighty Father. The requirement: to maintain, “henceforward the stance” of my obedience; obedience and only obedience will perfect me.

Suited up and peddling along, I have by this time conceptually prepared to “Stand Therefore”, as I had already recited the following Scriptures:

The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. Psalm 138:8

For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even unto death. Psalm 48:14

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Psalm 91:4

Back at the intersection and evaluating my green light dilemma, initially, I decide to take my “STAND THEREFORE”, at least for a minute. However, feeling rather empowered in my invisible armor, I slowly creep out into the walk path in front of the stopped traffic on my side of the intersection. The crossing sign was flashing “don’t walk”, but I was on a bicycle. Decisions; life and death decisions!

I’ve read that our greatest weapon is the visual expression of our Christian walk; not what we say, but what we do. It is not about what we say to the devil but more so: how and where the rubber meets the road. The reality of that expression is through our obedience; our yielding, and conformity to our heavenly Father. If we choose to be obedient, then the “what we do” behavior will be the best demonstration of God’s strength on our respective battle lines of life for warding off the wiles of the devil.

However, if we choose “what we say”, being hearers of the Word and not a doer, well, I will let you finish that life or death outcome sentence. Had I followed the application of the say/do, obedience, compliance, and observance protective measures, with my bicycle, crossing at this hazardous traffic light that day, I would not have this cautionary tale to share.

I had just finished saying the “Stand” Scriptures as I do each time I dress in the armor, to include:

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. Isaiah 54:17

Wouldn’t you say I might have been feeling a little invincible having just finished dressing in the armor and having just recited the above verse?  But here is the dilemma! Satan is very cunning! Didn’t he twist the Word of God when tempting Jesus at the end of His forty days of fasting?

Maybe I thought that I was so empowered with the Spirit of God; having just equipped myself in my custom made battle gear. But look at how quickly my pride and fleshy self-confident decision making took over; no matter how cautiously secure, I considered myself.  If I chose not to follow the letter of the law of the land, I was walking out from under God’s umbrella of protection. I was pretty much taking off the armor wherein I had just fortified myself. What life or death, Spirit or flesh decision would I make?

There were cars turning here and there from many lanes, into and out of the college. Like many other drivers that day, this one particular car I was passing in front of was busy scouting out an opportunity to make a “right on red” merge. He was not readily concerned with who may be walking across the street in front of him. The driver’s eyes were intent on catching an opportunity to meld into the busy oncoming traffic, and not focused on what was occurring directly in front of his car.

What I thought would happen, did happen. I slowly crept out in front of the car, straddling, but more walking than riding the bike. Did my caution already evidence that God had forewarned me? Like I said earlier, our greatest weapons against the wiles of the devil are obedience, surrender, and submission. Maybe if I had obeyed the “don’t walk” sign, surrendered my right to cross, not as a pedestrian, but as a bike, and submitted to the car that was bigger than me, I would not have this miraculous story to tell.

Again, do you hear and visualize how my will moved into my decision making? There I was all puffed up there on the battle line; only I was wearing the wrong heels? I was digging in the heels of disobedience, not obedience. Disobedience gets you into trouble every time. I was assuming, or rather, praying that the driver would turn his head and see me. My disobedience was not causing me to bow and surrender to this challenge, as one might expect the outward reaction to be reflected in an obedient Christian walk. I was literally trying to challenge the situation; bicycle vs. car! Who would be the winner there?

As I have already expressed, there was a sense of urgency for me to “stand firm” here, but I didn’t. God gave me a choice. He did not force me to choose to stand firm there at the intersection. Little by little, I crept into the intersection. My choice had now placed me in front of a car which was off to my left side. This position allowed me to witness the vehicle, commence its gradual approach into the turn; inching closer and closer to my left leg and bicycle. Anticipating the inevitable, I gently proceeded to lay my bicycle on its right side whilst mentally preparing for the car to ride right over top of me.

I thank my God that in spite of my disobedience, He still loves and protects me. At a snail's pace and unintentionally preparing to overrun me, the driver, upon catching sight of my manifestation, stopped his car. Thank God my son was not driving that vehicle, or I would have been converted into his car’s new hood ornament.

There was another factor at work here that day. Where was I headed? I was on my way to a Bible study and tea party that I facilitate each week with my friends at the nursing home. It is scheduled on their monthly calendar so that the residence may plan accordingly. There were many that wait with anticipation our time together, sharing God’s Word and fellowshipping. There are probably about 25 attendees each week.

And so trembling but amazed I am fine, I pull my bike up on the sidewalk as the driver parks his car. My concern, the bike, as it is my main form of transportation, aside from the bus and my ten-toed appendages below. As I examine the bike, I notice that although the bicycle peddles were rolling freely, there was no wheel movement created as a result of each rotation. Being “Jacqueline of all trades”, I figured that if I turn enough gadgets, all things will be as they should.

I attempt to shift gears while holding up the rear of the bike. Changing those gears did not cause the impetus necessary to catch the peddle mount and to create the desired turning movement. I was desperately hoping that things would just naturally fall back into place.  I had a few other techniques up my sleeve, but this was almost the extent of my bicycle repair training.

The young man offered to buy me a new bike and gave me his phone number should there be any additional problems evidenced in the near-term, To ensure that the number and information the fella gave me was correct, I advised him that I was the daughter of the most high God. I further offered that my heavenly Father takes very good care of me and that it would not be in his best interests to be on God’s opposing side should any of the information provided be incorrect.

My confidence again rests in a few other “STAND” Scriptures that I had just completed before this incident:

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6

I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.       Hebrews 13:5

And then a very unusual thing happened. A very tall, dark man, inquiring as to the status of my condition, peddled up. Appearing to have just ridden out of the most recent, state-of-the-art cycling magazine, he was wearing what looked like the latest trendy, avant-garde cycling gear. Now, I have frequented these riding trails and I must say that I have never seen such a distinguished looking cyclist on any of the paths that I had utilized as of late.

Still a little shaken and voice quivering, I explained that I was fine, however my attempts at shifting gears was not providing the quick fix I so desperately desired. The push peddles just turned freely. After a quick glance, the cyclist observed that the chain had fallen off the wheel gear. Why did I not think to look at the chain? I had tried every other aspect of repair. I could say I was dazed! After all, I ride the bike; I don’t fix it.

In an instant, my bike savior leaned over and touched the chain, positioning it to functionality. He inquired about the brakes and had me squeeze the front brake, to which he nodded in approval. We followed the same procedure with the back brake. All was fine. I explained to him rather briefly through this process, where I was headed. In less than five minutes, my bicycle repair man was riding off into the sunrise.

As I bid him, “God bless”, he returned with a "bless you", and vanished into the morning rush hour. I mounted my bike and parted ways with the vehicle driver. This entire event transpired in ten minutes or less, allowing me a timely arrival at the nursing home. What a testimony as to what the Lord had done, I had to share with my awaiting friends.

Aside from the jitters, I was fine. Crossing in front of that car, to a “don’t walk” flashing sign, did not give me the go-ahead just because I was not walking but was riding on a bicycle. See my reasoning? I was deceived. This was the result of my disobedience through deception. I could say that I was a deceived person and didn’t even know it, but that would be a lie. Why did I proceed so cautiously if I knew I had the right-of-way?

We all know that Satan hates the ministry purpose God has given to each of us to fulfill. As the Holy Spirit brings to mind another ‘STAND” portion of Scripture memorized and applied during armor dressing, I am reminded that I was protected anyway. This battle is not mine. We are to be obedient, claim His Word, dress in His armor and “STAND YE STILL”; be still and do not fear. We are to “GO OUT AGAINST THEM”. And even with our irregularities, the Lord will be with us:

15 … BE NOT AFRAID NOR DISMAYED by reason of this great multitude; for THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS, but God's. … 17 YE SHALL NOT NEED TO FIGHT IN THIS BATTLE: set yourselves, STAND YE STILL, and SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow GO OUT AGAINST THEM: FOR THE LORD WILL BE WITH YOU.         2 Chronicles 20:15, 17

As I recounted the details of the event to my listening senior companions, it dawned on me that I may have been visited by an angel that morning. God has not forgotten, the forgotten seniors, many of which are His children, residing in local nursing homes. God accomplishes His purpose, regardless of the behaviors of the messengers He sends. Look at what happened to poor Jonah. He was not obedient to his task and he ended up in the belly of a whale. But, he eventually got his God ordained job done, in spite of his disobedience.

God did all of this because He loves ALL of His children. I believe He was ensuring that I arrived to have a Bible study and fellowship with my senior friends. Yes it was my testimony, but there were other events that would have been affected should the enemy have created the havoc that could have resulted because of my risk taking on the battle line.

Let’s go over some of the details. First, the cyclist (savior repairman) was too perfect to just be a passing peddler. Second, I have never seen anyone just touch a chain and have it uniquely repaired, that is, on and back in place without tools or grease on the fingers; definitely grease on the fingers. My hands are readily soiled with any attempt to adjust the bike to include air in the tires.

Thirdly, the car hit my left leg; gently mind you, but the vehicle still hit my left leg as I observed the car slowly moving in process to run over me. The car stopped upon hitting my leg, with me deliberately easing my bicycle to its side. Fourthly, the bicycle chain is on the right side. I was hit on the leg on my left side. I laid the bike down. Nothing hit the chain or caused the chain to come off; not from just laying it on its side. Why did the chain come off the right side, and I not even have a scratch, let alone a bruise on my left leg that was tapped by the car?

Fifth, I had elderly people awaiting their Bible study and tea party to include jelly and fresh baked scones that I had just made. God had not patiently re-molded me from a prestigious career as a CPA to the point of full-tilt senior ministry to let the enemy hinder His purpose because of any foolish, willful decision on my part.

What is my conclusion? I had in obedience just completed putting on the whole armor of God.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to STAND AGAINST the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11

I was mentally preparing and praying in order that I may be a worthy vessel used by my Father to perform His perfect work as I would share His TRUTH with the seniors.  However, it appears the enemy was not pleased with the work God was doing in my heart and the ripple effect that was flowing forth to bless the seniors in this ministry:

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.         Ephesians 6:12

Nevertheless, even after, what I will call, an attack; a ploy to cripple me from fulfilling the Lord’s will in so many areas that God was having me reach out to accomplish that day; having His armor on protected me so that I stood in that evil day, and God glorified Himself.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, TO STAND.       Ephesians 6:13

And standing up and mounting my bike, I continued to “STAND FIRM” in the determination and confidence required to perform His perfect will; empowered by seeking, trusting and leaning on Him. I am protected in His Everlasting arms. And as a testimony to the seniors awaiting my arrival at the nursing home, I proclaimed at the conclusion of my tale, “the gates of hell shall not prevail against the kingdom of God!” What a conclusion!

the gates of hell shall not prevail against   Matthew 16:18

STAND THEREFORE, … Ephesians 6: 14

It’s the Word; it’s the Word; it’s the Word! It is imperative for my mind that it be washed in, renewed, restored and revived by the Word of TRUTH. What do I have if I do not stand firm in His word, obeying His word, repenting quickly and returning to my heavenly Father? I have Christ living in me. I am a child of the King. Even when I fall, He is there to catch me. He has a divine purpose in everything and He will even accomplish His purpose in spite of this day’s shortcoming.

Why; because our God had a purpose for me, and for you, in so many ways. He showed me He loved me by caring for me. He protected me. He repaired the situation and got me on my way with little time lost. He made sure the seniors who were waiting to hear His Word, got to hear His Word and more. He showed me that the armor works. His Word works.

21 …he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth forever. 22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.                                    2 Chronicles 20:21-22

We have a choice. If we dress in the armor, go out to battle, and obediently stand our position on the battle line, no matter the array of the attacks about us, God’s Word says that the battle is not ours. The battle is His! Our job is to stand and sing and praise and worship and elevate and adore and worship and exalt the King of Kings!

Shall we dabble in the darkness or stay in that light under the protection of the armor? Shall we fall to the ground and hide our face in the shame of sin or, shall we be invited to “STAND” with humility in the presence of an Almighty God? What will you choose? Remember, we are not told to go into the battle. The battle is not our; IT IS THE LORD’S.

Let me repeat; we are to “STAND” and sing and praise and glorify and magnify and elevate and exalt our God Who is our Rock, our Fortress, our High Tower, our Protector, and our Deliver.

As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was … THE APPEARANCE OF THE LIKENESS OF THE GLORY OF THE LORD. And when I saw it, I FELL UPON MY FACE …. Ezekiel 1:28

1 And HE SAID unto me, SON OF MAN, STAND UPON THY FEET, and I WILL SPEAK UNTO THEE. 2 And THE SPIRIT entered into me when he spake unto me, and SET ME UPON MY FEET, …. Ezekiel 2:1-2

23 …THE GLORY OF THE LORD STOOD THERE, as the glory which I saw by the river of Chebar: and I FELL ON MY FACE. 24 Then THE SPIRIT entered into me, and SET ME UPON MY FEET, AND SPAKE WITH ME, … Ezekiel 3:23-24

Through the struggle of growth, our job is to be and remain EQUIPPED in our armor, ever digging our heels deeper as we learn to become more GROUNDED. Our job is to “WITHSTAND TO STAND”, by standing on the promises of His Word. Then and only then, may we finally master, through only the Master, to “STAND THEREFORE” on the battle line.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. 8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.         Psalm 91:7-8

STAND THEREFORE

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places…                       14 STAND THEREFORE, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; Ephesians 6:12 & 14

The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. Psalm 138:8

For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even unto death. Psalm 48:14

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Psalm 91:4

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. Isaiah 54:17

15 …Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. 17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you. 2 Chronicles 20:15, 17

21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth forever. 22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.                                    2 Chronicles 20:21-22

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6

I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.    Hebrews 13:5

AM I A SOLDIER OF THE CROSS?

AM I A SOLDIER OF THE CROSS,

A FOLLOWER OF THE LAMB?

AND SHALL I FEAR TO OWN HIS CAUSE,

OR BLUSH TO SPEAK HIS NAME?

MUST I BE CARRIED TO THE SKIES,

ON FLOWERY BEDS OF EASE?

WHILE OTHERS FOUGHT TO WIN THE PRIZE,

AND SAILED THROUGH BLOODY SEAS?

ARE THERE NO FOES FOR ME TO FACE?

MUST I NOT STEM THE FLOOD?

IS THIS VILE WORLD A FRIEND TO GRACE,

TO HELP ME ON TO GOD?

SURE I MUST FIGHT, IF I WOULD REIGN,

INCREASE MY COURAGE, LORD!

I’LL BEAR THE TOIL, ENDURE THE PAIN,

SUPPORTED BY THY WORD.

THY SAINTS, IN ALL THIS GLORIOUS WAR,

SHALL CONQUER, THOUGH THEY DIE;

THEY VIEW THE TRIUMPH FROM AFAR,

AND SEIZE IT WITH THEIR EYE.

WHEN THAT ILLUSTRIOUS DAY SHALL RISE,

AND ALL THY ARMIES SHINE

IN ROBES OF VICTORY THROUGH THE SKIES,

THE GLORY SHALL BE THINE.

ISSAC WATTS

PUBLIC DOMAIN

CHAPTER 10

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:18

Sometimes when I go to the Lord in prayer, thanking Him by Faith and repeating the same Scriptures, day in and day out, waiting in Faith and Hope for the visual answer to His promises, I get discouraged. The efforts of such feel more like a drudge than a saint approaching the throne of the King of Kings with the jubilee, and the gladness and joy associated with the honor of being in the presence of our Majesty and Lord. Recently through this toil, I have faltered to some degree in my prayer life. What, you may think, after everything I have written in this book. What is the worth of it all, then?

Relax! Like everything else, it is a ploy of the enemy, a discouragement to keep us from fulfilling our divine purpose. That purpose among other things is to PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. Oh, I do not have trouble praising the Lord and expressing gratitude for the myriads upon myriads of blessings I receive daily, especially living in this country. What bounty of blessings God has provided me. From clean water to drink and washing facilities for clean clothes, to food and clothing, not to mention, a bed to sleep in with clean sheets; and oh, I would be remise in not mentioning here, what would my condition be without the blessing of air conditioning in Florida. I could go on and on.

Often when I think of the rest of the world, the places I have travelled, observed on TV or read about, I am brought to tears in the overflow of my abundance that many who are reading this book also experience and enjoy. Even in my modest lifestyle, I live better than the kings of old. At least I have indoor plumbing, flush toilets and a hot indoor shower. With such blessings and more, praising and thanking my heavenly Father is not the burden. But again, God, in His ever present provision, provided me a bit of guidance, an encouraging word as related to my endless prayers of His Word, His promises by my faith in Him.

I may have been skimming through the channels or read something I was perusing but from whichever source God chose to communicate this message of inspiration through to me, I was elated. His message to me that day: “PRAYER IS WORK”! It was as if the scales, like in Paul’s case, fell right off my eyes. Of course prayer is work. Satan doesn’t want us to pray; Satan doesn’t want us to work. Think about that next time you are having trouble rolling out of bed to get to your job on time.

In addition, prayer builds faithfulness. Wouldn’t we be shocked one morning if we got up and found that the sun did not? I look at the sun rising every morning as a demonstration of God’s faithfulness to me. But what if one day, work with me here, God did not feel like causing the sun to rise. Where would be His faithfulness?

And so the lesson to me, in God’s breaking, melting and molding process, when I do not feel like praying, I think of the following things. One, prayer is like a job. It is work. We all have our jobs to do and if people do not do their respective jobs, this world would be in quite the calamity tail spin. Two, by being obedient to the job or duty of prayer, God’s is building faithfulness in me. Faithfulness is one of the Fruit of the Spirit, you know. Three, prayer is essential no matter how we feel. It is not about feelings. We have not because we ask not:

23 …Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:23-24

Finally, praying God’s Word, His will, in gratitude back to Him, refreshes, restores, and renews our minds. And with that, God promises to answer in His perfect will and time, over and above any answer we could ever imagined because, HE IS GOD.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Ephesians 3:20

Hence, God gives us ALL the protection we need, if we ask; if we pray; if we believe by Faith; if we have Hope; if we are equipped in His armor; and if we STAND. Putting on our helmet of Salvation protects our minds from fears and anxieties because we have the mind of Christ found in the Word of God. And with Righteous as our breastplates, we are as white as snow, washed in the Blood of the Lamb, the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us.

The belt of Truth, the Word, will keep our minds anchored through the storm. With the sandals of Peace, God through His Word, hidden in our hearts, will continue to guard our hearts and minds. Lifting up our shield of Faith together through the Word and in prayer, we can quench the flaming darts of the enemy. And practicing the maneuvers of our sword, the Word, will establish memorable patterns in our minds and spirit, breaking the bonds of sin and tearing down the strongholds formed against us in our minds.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.                 2 Timothy 1:7

We stand against, equipped in the armor of God, grounded to withstand to stand, we stand therefore, praying without ceasing, knowing that our Redeemer lives. And because He lives, we can stand the battle line tomorrow, should it come; always knowing that the battle is not ours but the Lord’s. We, in obedience, will stand therefore:

STILL STANDING

EQUIPPED     GROUNDED     PRAYING

PSALM 91

1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

CHAPTER 11

ARMOR DRESSING

STAND AGAINST

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to STAND AGAINST the wiles of the devil.     12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to WITHSTAND IN THE EVIL DAY, Ephesians 6:11-13

HELMET OF SALVATION

And take the helmet of salvation, …          Ephesians 6:17a

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16

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

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, Ephesians 5:26

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

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. Philippians 4:8-9

BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

and having on the breastplate of righteousness; Ephesians 6: 14b

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7

Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. Revelation 1:5

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; Colossians 2:14

As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12

BELT OF TRUTH

…having your loins girt about with truth, … Ephesians 6:14a

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

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth; John 17:17

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, John 1:14

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Hebrew 6:19a

SANDALS OF PEACE

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Ephesians 6:15

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things: Romans 10:15

And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven; Colossians 1:20

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:2-4

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus; Philippians 4:7

SHIELD OF FAITH

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Ephesians 6:16

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. Psalm 33:20

Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces. Psalm 58:7

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT

and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Ephesians 6:17b

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.             Isaiah 55:11

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalm 1:2-3

HAVING DONE ALL THAT LORD, I STAND

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, … Ephesians 6:13-14

The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. Psalm 138:8

For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even unto death. Psalm 48:14

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. Isaiah 54:17

15 …Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's… 17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you. 2 Chronicles 20:15, 17

21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth forever. 22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.                                    2 Chronicles 20:21-22

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6

I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.    Hebrews 13:5

CHAPTER 12

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A CHILD OF GOD?

Would you like to be forgiven of ALL your sins and start over with a clean slate?

Would you like to receive this free gift of Salvation and forgiveness of sins, paid for by Jesus Christ with His blood shed on the cross?

If you have not, as of yet, received this free gift of Salvation, the principally most liberating free gift you will ever receive in your entire life, let me tell you a little more about it.

You see, SALVATION as translated from the Greek means Savior, one bringing salvation, one who delivers, one who rescues from great danger or peril, one who provides healing, protection and preserves. This is a description of what the Gift of God is, and found only in Jesus. God’s grace through Christ death provides you and me with this free gift that is both beneficent and redemptive to our personal welfare now, and for eternity.

So you have a choice, my friend. Would you like to be forgiven of ALL your sins and start over with a clean slate? Would you like to receive this free gift of Salvation and forgiveness of sins, paid for by Jesus Christ with His blood shed on the cross? Read the following verses and hear what God says to you:

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:9

If you would you like to ask Jesus to forgive you for ALL of your sins? Pray with me now:

Lord, I am a sinner. I have done things my way and have made a bit of a mess of things. I want to receive your free gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ. I want Your everlasting life. I confess All of my sins to You. I am truly sorry. I can no longer do this on my own. Please forgive me for ALL of my sins. Please come into my life and take over. Please lead and guide me.

Thank you Lord that Your Word says, if I confess my sins, You are faithful to forgive me my sins and cleanse me from All my unrighteousness. Thank You Lord, for Your mercy. Thank You that I am now Your child.

And now, as a child of God and through His power, and your obedience, His love may be expressed through you who have received Christ as your Savior.

It is that expression of His love through us, His children that can reach out and touch all those around us. Will you be His eyes, His ears, His hands, His arms, His heart, for those who are seeking a sound mind; for those who are lacking the armor of victory today?  Never forget His promises that you can STAND on:

I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE, NOR FORSAKE THEE.   Hebrews 13:5;

I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, EVEN UNTO THE END OF THE WORLD. Matthew 28: 20

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ALEDA J MARSHALL committed her life to Jesus Christ making Him her LORD and SAVIOR in 1976. It has been a bumpy road, but God promised to never leave her and never to forsake her. HE also promised that HE started a good work in her, and HE will complete it. She began compiling Bibles tracts in 2008 with distribution to various ministries including the local jail, and troops posted in Iraq and Afghanistan. No longer able to physically visit her neighborhood nursing home or work with the homeless and street ministry due to her vocal limitations, Aleda, as empowered through prayer and the Word of God, may now be found compiling God's Messages through the writing of inspirational books, or assisting and visiting her less able neighbors. She is a prayer warrior on various prayer chains and her heart's burden and prayer is for the hurting US military families. She has also authored the books:

NO, NEVER ALONE “I PROMISHED”

Copyright © 2012 ALEDA J. MARSHALL, All rights reserved.

ISBN-13:978-1475111101 ISBN-10: 14751111101

LAND of the HOMELESS BRAVE

Copyright © 2012 ALEDA J. MARSHALL, SECOND EDITION. All rights reserved. ISBN-13: 978-1475196115 ISBN-10: 1475196113

HUSBAND “forgive me”

Copyright © 2012 ALEDA J. MARSHALL, All rights reserved.

ISBN-13:978-1481115216              ISBN-10:1481115219

ARE YOU SPEAKING “LIFE” or “DEATH”

Copyright © 2013 ALEDA J. MARSHALL, All rights reserved.

ISBN-13:978-1481201582 ISBN-10: 1481201581

TRACTS/BOOKLETS

HE AND ME FROM A TO Z

IS ANYONE OUT THERE?

ARE YOU READY FOR THE BATTLE?

WHAT DID YOU SAY?

Table of Contents

COPYRIGHTS

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARMOR OF GOD

CHAPTER 1 STAND AGAINST

CHAPTER 2 EQUIPPED WITH THE HELMET OF SALVATION

CHAPTER 3 EQUIPPED WITH THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

CHAPTER 4 EQUIPPED WITH THE BELT OF TRUTH

CHAPTER 5 EQUIPPED WITH THE SANDALS OF PEACE

CHAPTER 6 EQUIPPED WITH THE SHIELD OF FAITH

CHAPTER 7 EQUIPPED WITH THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT

CHAPTER 8 GROUNDED TO WITHSTAND TO STAND

CHAPTER 9 STAND THEREFORE

CHAPTER 10 PRAY WITHOUT CEASING

PSALM 91

CHAPTER 11 ARMOR DRESSING

CHAPTER 12 WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A CHILD OF GOD?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR