Jesus says in John 14:12-14 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." What powerful words Jesus spoke to His Disciples immediately following communion. This is when Jesus was having His last moments together with His desciples before He was taken away. He was comforting them in a time of what seemed great sorrowful for them. But Jesus knew otherwise.
What I see here is an example of what we as Christians face every day. We come to a fork in the road with 2 decisioons upon us.
first, the path that comforts us with what we can physically touch and see. Because we are human, We rely on what is real to us.
second, the path with nothing other than God saying "If you will follow me I will take care of you."
Hard decision isn't it? This is how the desciples felt when they are physically seeing the what they were told for so long coming to life before their eyes. They heard what Jesus told them But were still hanging on to the fact that He was right there in front of them every day leading, teaching and doing miracles. What Jesus is telling them is that the things you see me doing, you can do but greater than I did. All you have to do is believe that it can be done and claim it in my name. I have been sitting here pondering on all the junk going on in my life forgetting the fact that I have access to the greatest power of all. Our minds work in a way that if we don't see it, we don't belive it. We are made to have the free will to choose are paths. But we have to suffer the consiquences of those choices. Which is what should teach us to lean on God more. The problem is, We like having the power to make those decisions. We can however make a decision to turn toward Him.
Jesus could heal people of leprocy, make blind people see, the mute speak, deaf to hear and brought the dead back to life. He even took 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish and multyplied it to feed 5,000 people. This is only a small portion of what he did. He is telling the desciples that they will be able to do the same things only greater. But only if you do it in my name and for my names sake. Sounds pretty dog on simple to me. But the problem is we don't BELIEVE we can do it. Jesus had to remind them several times on how to do these things. In Matthew 17 the desciples were trying to cast out a demon and couldn't. Jesus had to come along and do it. He told them in verse 20. "And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."
We have this power here and now. Times are so jacked up right now that the physical is weighing out the spiritual. We've made the choice too many times not to allow God to work through us that things have gotten way out of hand. You cannot just run around and try to fix things by claiming this and that on everything you see. We get disappointed when we try to use it and it doesn't work that we just give up and try to figure it out out on our terms. You have got to get yourself out of the way and allow God to take control and let the perfect Diety do what it's meant to do.
YES, We can heal the sick, raise the dead and all the other miracles Jesus performed in the Bible and much much more. But it has to fall under the perfect will of God. This is our mission, to change this world through the Power of the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ the perfect Son of God the Father in Heaven.
Matthew 28:19-20
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Our next life adventure…
Dave and I would like to take a moment and let you in on what we feel is the next adventure of our lives.... becoming foster/adoptive parents. We have talked for years about adopting a child. For a long time we thought it would be from another country. Over the last couple of years we have looked into several different options, but still were not sure the time was right.
We have a close friend that told us of a really sad situation that ended with a child having to be placed in DCS custody. Our hearts immediately broke for this child and our decision was made.... our time is now.
We have some training classes and a home study to go through before we are actually approved as Resource Parents. It’s going to be a big but very rewarding process. Please keep our family in your prayers as we move forward on this journey.
We have a close friend that told us of a really sad situation that ended with a child having to be placed in DCS custody. Our hearts immediately broke for this child and our decision was made.... our time is now.
We have some training classes and a home study to go through before we are actually approved as Resource Parents. It’s going to be a big but very rewarding process. Please keep our family in your prayers as we move forward on this journey.
Monday, October 26, 2009
"Love them to death"
Just been thinking a lot lately about the mission field out there. I am a Pastor over the College and Career Group at Freedom Fellowship Church and they are a wonderful bunch. What I want to say is, after talking with many many young adults in the area and with the input I get from my group, I've noticed alot of gung ho attitudes for missions. I am tore up from the floor up that this generation is excited to do things for the cause of Christ. I only have one problem with this situation. Too many of the older generation out there are keeping these young people down when they are at a prime place in life to do these things and it is slowly desintegrating them. It's bad enough we have colleges telling them they've got to have their future planned out, parents kicking them out, that now we've got stone throwers bashing when one of them wants to do something that might be a little out of the ordinary or too uncomfortable for us to deal with. My Bible tells me that God wants to approach each and every day with us as a new day. Bible thumping with the idea that a seed was planted and let God work it out, is not what works. It might have had a small affect back in the day, But now times are different just like the Bible said they would be. You have to do what it says and let the Holy Spirit be your guide to making a difference in peoples lives along with the passion for sharing the love of Jesus Christ. The messege never changes, people and time change. And I have never seen anything in the Bible about badgering someone until they give in.
I'm so sick and tired of seeing these young ones thrown to the wolves and left high and dry without any mentoring at all. I have prayed my share through many issues of abondonement and no self esteem. We need to TEACH them how to recognize the Holy Spirits guidance and let that be what speaks to the lost and hurting. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5: 11-21 that we are to be so much out of our minds for Christ because He came to be reconciliation (to reconcile is to bring together) for us to God, that when we see others, We need to see them how God sees them and not how the world sees them anymore. We should be so shaken by the love of God that we can't hold it in anymore. That we HAVE to let it out. He gave us the mission to reconcile others to him after Jesus was died. It was Jesus' mission before he died then ours afterwards. Also, God created each and every one of us with a distinctive personality and it's with that personality under the leadership of the Holy Spirit that we talk to others with the compassionate love of Jesus Christ, Not by yelling and force them in. We are not robots. That's what Satan wants, people that are controlable . Sounds a little like a government plan huh? Satan will do what ever he can to keep you away from having a stable relationship with Christ.
For those of you out there that have big dreams and goals of being difference makers, martyrs or world changers, You have got to submit to authority and let God use you how he sees fit. Learn how to hear from God and interact with Him. He has enough for you to do without your plans getting in the way. I promise you whatever He decides to do with you, you will be a huge part in reconciling people to Him. Share your heart with Him in prayer and He will respond to you. He will magnify that in your life or change your heart to a new mission. We are ALL called to the Jesus mission whether we like it or not. Read 2 Corinthians 5. Accept the mission for yourself and enjoy the blessings of God. Listen, God created this world for you and me to enjoy living life to the max. But our sole prupose here is to express His Love so much that people can't turn it away. We have a saying in my family, "Love them to death". No matter what, how, when or where "Love them to death".
May God Bless You This Day.
Love, David
I'm so sick and tired of seeing these young ones thrown to the wolves and left high and dry without any mentoring at all. I have prayed my share through many issues of abondonement and no self esteem. We need to TEACH them how to recognize the Holy Spirits guidance and let that be what speaks to the lost and hurting. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5: 11-21 that we are to be so much out of our minds for Christ because He came to be reconciliation (to reconcile is to bring together) for us to God, that when we see others, We need to see them how God sees them and not how the world sees them anymore. We should be so shaken by the love of God that we can't hold it in anymore. That we HAVE to let it out. He gave us the mission to reconcile others to him after Jesus was died. It was Jesus' mission before he died then ours afterwards. Also, God created each and every one of us with a distinctive personality and it's with that personality under the leadership of the Holy Spirit that we talk to others with the compassionate love of Jesus Christ, Not by yelling and force them in. We are not robots. That's what Satan wants, people that are controlable . Sounds a little like a government plan huh? Satan will do what ever he can to keep you away from having a stable relationship with Christ.
For those of you out there that have big dreams and goals of being difference makers, martyrs or world changers, You have got to submit to authority and let God use you how he sees fit. Learn how to hear from God and interact with Him. He has enough for you to do without your plans getting in the way. I promise you whatever He decides to do with you, you will be a huge part in reconciling people to Him. Share your heart with Him in prayer and He will respond to you. He will magnify that in your life or change your heart to a new mission. We are ALL called to the Jesus mission whether we like it or not. Read 2 Corinthians 5. Accept the mission for yourself and enjoy the blessings of God. Listen, God created this world for you and me to enjoy living life to the max. But our sole prupose here is to express His Love so much that people can't turn it away. We have a saying in my family, "Love them to death". No matter what, how, when or where "Love them to death".
May God Bless You This Day.
Love, David
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Should We Really Listen to the Unchurched? by Ed Stetzer
The most recent issue of Outreach Magazine is out. If you are a subscriber, you have already seen it... but if not, let's get that going!
In this issue, my column asks a simple question, "Should We Really Listen to the Unchurched?"
I am always fascinated by the blog comments I receive from people who say, "We don't need to do research, just read the Bible." Now, I am one who wants people to read the Bible a lot more, but it seems that when you read that Bible you find examples of people like Paul: seeking to understand the culture as they reach it.
I do think that sometimes people listen too much to the culture and have written about that on many occasions. Sometimes people over-contextualize. But, usually the ones who object to listening to the culture and contextualization are, well, the ones who often need to do both.
So, here is my column in the most recent issue.
Should We Really Listen to the Unchurched?
Everybody listens to someone. As parents, we teach our children to listen and comply with what we tell them. As employees, we follow the guidance of those in authority over us.
However, as ministry leaders, we may wonder from whom we should take our instruction. Our theology tells us to look to God, but can we also find any insight listening to people outside the Church?
In our latest LifeWay Research book, Lost and Found: The Younger Unchurched and the Churches That Reach Them (B&H), we studied young adults' views of religion, spirituality and the Church. We used those findings to provide instruction and examples of how best to connect this generation to God and church.As good as research can be, some question the idea of doing this type of analysis, saying we're surveying the wrong crowd. Let's agree on this: God, through His Word and the work of the Holy Spirit, is the unequivocal authority on ministry and church. But the next questions are: "Do the beliefs of the unchurched really have value? Should their ideas and perspectives inform our evangelistic strategy?" Here is my answer to both: YES.
A Hopeful Response
I believe that God is honored when we listen to the longings of the unchurched because it is mercy and mission that compel us to listen. We pay attention to the longings of the lost because we care for them (mercy) and desire to make the Gospel known to them as clearly as possible (mission). Knowing the people we hope to reach allows us to better address their concerns, articulate the truth and apply the Gospel.
Some believe this generation is disinterested in the things of God and thus, demand the Church alter its beliefs and mission. Our research indicates quite the opposite.
A Spiritual Generation
Spiritual interest is high among the younger generation. Although being spiritual does not always equate with being religious, only 18 percent said they were neither spiritual nor religious.
A majority (81 percent) of younger unchurched adults in America believe that God or a higher supreme being exists. Research also shows, that the theological beliefs of unchurched people in their 20s are closer to historic Christianity than the beliefs of older unchurched generations.
Young adults certainly are more interested in Christianity than many think. Almost 90 per- cent of the unchurched in their 20s would be willing to listen if someone wanted to tell them about Christianity. Three out of 5 would be willing to study the Bible if a friend asked them.
Asking the Church to Be the Church
Our data showed that the younger unchurched see Christianity as relevant and viable, but more about organized religion than loving God and people. They believe the Church is full of hypocrites and is unnecessary for spiritual development.
However, much of what they are looking for can be found in God and His Church. Our churches should be embodying authentic community, a life of depth, a responsibility to serve others and the desire to connect with other generations. Our research revealed these are the very things that the younger unchurched deemed important.
The younger unchurched don't need us to re-create our message to accommodate their needs. Rather, what they are often seeking is what we need to be doing for the Church to actually be the Church.
Ed Stetzer is president of LifeWay Research (LifeWayResearch.com) and co-author (with Richie Stanley and Jason Hayes) of Lost and Found: The Younger Unchurched and the Churches That Reach Them (B&H). You'll find Ed's research blog at OutreachMagazine.com.
In this issue, my column asks a simple question, "Should We Really Listen to the Unchurched?"
I am always fascinated by the blog comments I receive from people who say, "We don't need to do research, just read the Bible." Now, I am one who wants people to read the Bible a lot more, but it seems that when you read that Bible you find examples of people like Paul: seeking to understand the culture as they reach it.
I do think that sometimes people listen too much to the culture and have written about that on many occasions. Sometimes people over-contextualize. But, usually the ones who object to listening to the culture and contextualization are, well, the ones who often need to do both.
So, here is my column in the most recent issue.
Should We Really Listen to the Unchurched?
Everybody listens to someone. As parents, we teach our children to listen and comply with what we tell them. As employees, we follow the guidance of those in authority over us.
However, as ministry leaders, we may wonder from whom we should take our instruction. Our theology tells us to look to God, but can we also find any insight listening to people outside the Church?
In our latest LifeWay Research book, Lost and Found: The Younger Unchurched and the Churches That Reach Them (B&H), we studied young adults' views of religion, spirituality and the Church. We used those findings to provide instruction and examples of how best to connect this generation to God and church.As good as research can be, some question the idea of doing this type of analysis, saying we're surveying the wrong crowd. Let's agree on this: God, through His Word and the work of the Holy Spirit, is the unequivocal authority on ministry and church. But the next questions are: "Do the beliefs of the unchurched really have value? Should their ideas and perspectives inform our evangelistic strategy?" Here is my answer to both: YES.
A Hopeful Response
I believe that God is honored when we listen to the longings of the unchurched because it is mercy and mission that compel us to listen. We pay attention to the longings of the lost because we care for them (mercy) and desire to make the Gospel known to them as clearly as possible (mission). Knowing the people we hope to reach allows us to better address their concerns, articulate the truth and apply the Gospel.
Some believe this generation is disinterested in the things of God and thus, demand the Church alter its beliefs and mission. Our research indicates quite the opposite.
A Spiritual Generation
Spiritual interest is high among the younger generation. Although being spiritual does not always equate with being religious, only 18 percent said they were neither spiritual nor religious.
A majority (81 percent) of younger unchurched adults in America believe that God or a higher supreme being exists. Research also shows, that the theological beliefs of unchurched people in their 20s are closer to historic Christianity than the beliefs of older unchurched generations.
Young adults certainly are more interested in Christianity than many think. Almost 90 per- cent of the unchurched in their 20s would be willing to listen if someone wanted to tell them about Christianity. Three out of 5 would be willing to study the Bible if a friend asked them.
Asking the Church to Be the Church
Our data showed that the younger unchurched see Christianity as relevant and viable, but more about organized religion than loving God and people. They believe the Church is full of hypocrites and is unnecessary for spiritual development.
However, much of what they are looking for can be found in God and His Church. Our churches should be embodying authentic community, a life of depth, a responsibility to serve others and the desire to connect with other generations. Our research revealed these are the very things that the younger unchurched deemed important.
The younger unchurched don't need us to re-create our message to accommodate their needs. Rather, what they are often seeking is what we need to be doing for the Church to actually be the Church.
Ed Stetzer is president of LifeWay Research (LifeWayResearch.com) and co-author (with Richie Stanley and Jason Hayes) of Lost and Found: The Younger Unchurched and the Churches That Reach Them (B&H). You'll find Ed's research blog at OutreachMagazine.com.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
God's design for man and woman, and how they are meant to be together
Genesis 1:26-27
26. Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
27. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
To be made in his image means to be made in the reflection of God’s glory. God is sinless, eternal and unlimited. We are given the potential to be sinless, eternal and unlimited. But we also were given the choice to fall short. We will never be like God because He is our supreme creator. Our best hope is to reflect his character in our love, patience, forgiveness, kindness and faithfulness. This alone should give you self worth and to know that we are not defined by our possessions, achievements, physical attractiveness or by public acclaim. God made man and woman in his own image. Neither one is more dominant than the other.
Genesis 2:15-17
15. The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
16. And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden;
17. but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."
God has given us responsibility to take care of his creation. He has also given us freedom. Freedom to choose how we may live. These choices come with the result of consequences if chosen wrongly. Choosing wrongly causes us pain and suffering. But these choices help us to realize what is wrong and cause us to make better choices for the future.
Genesis 2:18, 21-24
18. The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
21. So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh.
22. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
23. The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman, for she was taken out of man.“
24. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
Here we see 3 basic aspects in verse 24:
1. The man leaves his parents and, In a public act, promises himself to his wife.
2. The man and woman are joined together by taking responsibility for each other’s welfare and by loving the mate above all others.
3. The two become one flesh in intimacy and commitment of sexual union, which is reserved for marriage.
Look at the diagram of God’s Design of marriage:
1. We are to be spiritual individuals with one another and God
2. We are to be social with one another and with God (Communication and Prayer)
3. We are to be emotional with one another and with God (Humble, Love)
4. We are to be physical with one another (intimacy) and with God (Spirit)
Parents, final question for thought:
1. Are you talking to your pre-teens and teens about God’s Design for a marriage.
26. Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
27. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
To be made in his image means to be made in the reflection of God’s glory. God is sinless, eternal and unlimited. We are given the potential to be sinless, eternal and unlimited. But we also were given the choice to fall short. We will never be like God because He is our supreme creator. Our best hope is to reflect his character in our love, patience, forgiveness, kindness and faithfulness. This alone should give you self worth and to know that we are not defined by our possessions, achievements, physical attractiveness or by public acclaim. God made man and woman in his own image. Neither one is more dominant than the other.
Genesis 2:15-17
15. The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
16. And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden;
17. but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."
God has given us responsibility to take care of his creation. He has also given us freedom. Freedom to choose how we may live. These choices come with the result of consequences if chosen wrongly. Choosing wrongly causes us pain and suffering. But these choices help us to realize what is wrong and cause us to make better choices for the future.
Genesis 2:18, 21-24
18. The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
21. So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh.
22. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
23. The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman, for she was taken out of man.“
24. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
Here we see 3 basic aspects in verse 24:
1. The man leaves his parents and, In a public act, promises himself to his wife.
2. The man and woman are joined together by taking responsibility for each other’s welfare and by loving the mate above all others.
3. The two become one flesh in intimacy and commitment of sexual union, which is reserved for marriage.
Ephesians 5:21-22, 28-29
21. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
22. Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.
28. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
29. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church
21. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
22. Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.
28. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
29. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church
We as individuals still have to make our choice to follow God. As long as we do this we will have a very strong marriage.
Look at the diagram of God’s Design of marriage:
1. We are to be spiritual individuals with one another and God
2. We are to be social with one another and with God (Communication and Prayer)
3. We are to be emotional with one another and with God (Humble, Love)
4. We are to be physical with one another (intimacy) and with God (Spirit)
The more we implement these things own lives along with our marriage, the closer we get to God.
How would you rate your marriage from 1 to 10?
1. What are your strengths?
2. Which areas could use some attention?
4 keys to an intimate marriage:
2. Which areas could use some attention?
4 keys to an intimate marriage:
1. Having a lifelong choice of unconditional love.
2. Having a lifelong skill of learning to understand each other.
3. Having an adventure of lifelong friendship, fun and mutual fulfillment.
4. Having a vision to impact the lives of others with your experience of having a life of unconditional love with your spouse and God.
For those of you who are not married:
1. How would you rate your dating relationship and your approach to building relationships using God’s Design?
2. Having a lifelong skill of learning to understand each other.
3. Having an adventure of lifelong friendship, fun and mutual fulfillment.
4. Having a vision to impact the lives of others with your experience of having a life of unconditional love with your spouse and God.
For those of you who are not married:
1. How would you rate your dating relationship and your approach to building relationships using God’s Design?
My wife and I have chosen not to allow our daughter to date until she moves away to college or until she reaches the age of 18. We will however allow her to go out with friends but will not be alone with a boy. Satan will use any vulnerable child he can to get them to do wickedness and corrupt there minds with filth.
Parents, final question for thought:
1. Are you talking to your pre-teens and teens about God’s Design for a marriage.
I hope this has been a good kick start for a WONDERFUL marriage for you and for God.
I love you and God Bless.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Ephesians 6: Putting on the Armor of God.
The Bible warns us that we are in a battle:
"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings (1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV)."
Any good thing we have the devil wants to destroy. And this includes our mental health.
To be successful in Spiritual Warfare, we must keep both our thinking and our behavior under control and in conformity with scripture.
Controlling our thinking is of fundamental importance. It makes peace and self-control possible. Controlling our thinking will prevent spiritual footholds from developing. And it will weaken and make possible the destruction of those that already exist.
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NKJV)."
Thoughts contrary to the expressed will of God are inevitable. The objective is not to entertain them; not to dwell on them.Every time you entertain a thought contrary to the will of God, you are giving an advantage to the devil in some way--even if you don't experience any immediate negative consequences. Dwelling on such thoughts results in "strongholds" or footholds. Anytime Satan gets a Spiritual Foothold, he gains the power to harm you in some way. And he can, within the permissive will of God, use that power to harm you whenever he wants.
The Bible tells us how to be successful in our battle with Satan: The basic biblical instructions are found in Ephesians 6:
"Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:10-12 New Living Translation)."
Without God's armor believers will be defeated by the schemes of the devil which have been effective for thousands of years1. The Bible provides detailed instructions on how to use God's armor. These instructions use the then familiar analogy of a Roman soldier getting ready to go into battle:
"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit,which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints (Ephesians 6:13-18 NIV)."
Christians have different views in terms on how to apply this passage. I'll tell you what I think.
I believe the passage means to be sure to use all your spiritual weapons. Imagining yourself putting on the armor is a great way of reminding yourself of what you need to do each day to avoid being defeated by the devil.
Putting on the armor doesn't magically protect you. I know this from experience! Armor has to be both put on and used.
Here's what I suggest: Every morning, imagine yourself putting on each piece of the armor. You don't have to move your body. Then recite at least one scripture or one biblical principle--relevant to what you're struggling with--that goes with that piece of armor. Don't say the same thing every day. I'll provide an example.
First, I put on the belt of truth.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13 NKJV)."
Second, I put on the breastplate of righteousness:
"It is written 'love your enemies' (Matthew 5:44)." "By faith and love I can protect my heart (1 Thessalonians 5:8)." Today, I'm choosing forgiveness as an attitude.
Third, my feet are fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. This scripture refers to a believer's stability or sure footedness from the gospel which gives him peace so he can stand in the battle.
"I will fear no evil for you (God) are with me (Psalm 23:4 NIV)."
Fourth, I take up the shield of faith. with which I can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
"It is written: 'Therefore I (God) tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours' (Mark 11:24 NIV)."
"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped (Psalm 28:7 NIV)."
Fifth, I put on the helmet of salvation.
Sixth, I take up the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.
"It is written: 'Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus' (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV)."
Finally, prayer. You don't put on prayer. But prayer is essential. You can't defeat the devil without it. You can remind yourself of its importance by reciting a scripture dealing with prayer as in the foregoing example.
So that's it. The battleground is primarily in our minds. The idea is to base our thoughts and behaviors on scripture--not on how we're feeling. If we go by our feelings, we will be defeated.
Ephesians 6 makes it possible for us to understand the spiritual battle we are in--and win. It makes it possible for us to experience the blessings of God--rather than the torment of the devil.
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