Daily Devotional – November 30

PARTIAL ARMOR (Part 2 of 8 )

Ephesians 6:13-17 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. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

I blush to mention it, but the quickest way to take a man out of the fight is, well…we will use the biblical term…a strike to the “loins.” The battle is over before its begun if such blow is landed. So deadly is this tactic that the first casualty in the battle for the soul was to the loin of mankind unprotected by truth. (Genesis 3)

God is true so it makes sense that the best weapon in the enemy’s arsonal is falsehood.

Since our salvation is based on faith (Stick around for part 5 of 8 )–BELIEVING in what God says, failure to “girt” one’s “loins” with truth is certain death.

[odeo=http://odeo.com/audio/3457873/view]

Daily Devotional – November 29

PARTIAL ARMOUR (Part 1 of 8 )

EPHESIANS 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil

On the battlefield, knights of old were threatened by death from many directions.  A stray arrow, thrown spear or sword thrust finding exposed vitals could be death to one who rode into battle with incomplete armour.   Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians admonishes that they put on the WHOLE armour of God, not just pieces, because one’s pitched battle could come to an abrupt end if complete protection was lacking.

Ephesians 6:14-17 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Let’s look into why the WHOLE armour is required and why just a piece here and there isn’t enough.

Daily Devotional – November 28

HANGING WITH “DAD”

My daughter is a daddy’s girl. She was about four years old when she wrote on the wall for the second time–behind the chest of drawers where Dad couldn’t see it. For about a day she remained aloof–not interested in crawling into my lap for a story, not wanting to play games–generally avoiding. A day later, with big tears in her eyes she confessed her small crime.

With her simple confession hanging out with Dad was fun again.

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

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Ask your fellow Christian to explain this verse and you will get an explanation like: “Well, any time you do something wrong you have to get forgiveness, and…in order for you to get forgiveness you need to be really really sorry for your sins.”

First thing wrong with this is when Christ died on the cross for the sins of those who accept him he forgave our sins, past, present and future. Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14

Second thing is the verse says NOTHING about being sorry or apologetic, that we simply must CONFESS (admit) that we did wrong. Confess a fault and remorse is likely to come–but not always.

Why do we confess our sins? Because if we don’t admit our faults we don’t exactly want hang out with our righteous “Dad.” I John 1:6-7

[odeo=http://odeo.com/audio/3209943/view]

Daily Devotional – November 27

TO LET GO

(Author Unknown)

To let go does not mean to stop caring,
it means I can’t do it for someone else.

To let go is not to cut myself off,
it’s the realization that I can’t control another.

To let go is not to enable,
but to allow learning from natural consequences.

To let go is to admit powerlessness,
which means the outcome is not in my hands.

To let go is not to try to change or blame another,
it’s to make the most of myself.

To let go is not to fix,
but to be supportive.

To let go is not to judge,
but to allow another to be a human being.

To let go is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes,
but to allow others to affect their own destinies.

To let go is not to be protective,
it’s to permit another to face reality.

To let go is not to criticize, or regulate anyone,
but to try them to become what they dream.

To let go is to fear less, and to love more.

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

[odeo=http://odeo.com/audio/3209593/view]

Daily Devotional – November 24

ABOMINATIONS.  (Wrap up)

It is interesting that every abomination mentioned by God is ego-centric.  In other words, every one of these sins largely come about as a result of self-centeredness/self-love.  It was our self-centeredness that brought about Christ’s destruction.  Consider the abominations during the passion of our Christ:

• Pride – Mark 14:29-31, 66-72
• Lies – Luke 22:31-33
• Murder – Matt 27:24
• Evil thought – John 19:2-5
• Quick to sin – Matt 26:21, 47-49
• False testimony – Matt 26:60
• Sowing discord and confusion – Matt 27:20

Daily Devotional – November 22

ABOMINATION (Part 8 of 8 )

Proverbs 6:16-19 These six [things] doth the LORD hate: yea, seven [are] an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness [that] speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

My daughter has entered the “whiny” phase.  A discontent person is often a whiny person, and someone who goes about creating an environment for others that is just as uncomfortable as the one they have created for themselves.  When someone is dissatisfied with their own circumstances, or with what other people are doing or not doing, they will begin to sow the seeds of discontent and disunity:

• Gossiper.  I Tim 5:13
• Talebearer. Proverbs 18:8
• Busybody. I Peter 4:15
• Slanderer. Psalms 101:5

1Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Tomorrow:  Summary of ABOMINATIONS and how to avoid them.

Daily Devotional – November 21

ABOMINATION (Part 7 of 8 )

Proverbs 6:16-19 (a) These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies

Read ABOMINATION Part 2 of 8 below- if you have time.

Why do you suppose the issue of lying is essentially mentioned twice?

Today’s assignment: Write the Berean Devotional for “ABOMINATION (Part 7 of 8 ) – A false witness that speaketh lies” comparing and contrasting this to “a lying tongue” and we will post!

Note

Sincerest apologies for missing the DD for Thurs & Fri.

-j

Daily Devotional – November 20

ABOMINATION (Part 6 of 8 )

Proverbs 6:16-18 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief

Jesus mentioned that if your eye or hand offends you that it would be best plucked out or cut off.  It would seem that the same would go for two feet that are quick to get one into trouble. 

Of course if this was taken literally we would be a generation of peglegs.

Daily Devotional – November 15

ABOMINATION (Part 5 of 8 ) 

Proverbs 6:16-18(a) These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations

Now, THIS is one that I can truly identify with!  I can’t count the times that I plot revenge in my heart, have secret joy at the downfall of others, or wish ill upon others.   But I can’t stop there…

Mark 7:21-23(a) For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.

…all this before I even get out of bed in the morning.