Shield of Faith

Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].  The shield of faith.  Jesus is our Savior.  It is by faith in Him, that we have salvation and the hope of eternal life.  He covers us with His Presence.  We are shielded from the wiles and dangers of the enemy, because of His saving blood.  Our faith in Him, gives us strength to lift up our shields, and fight the enemy with the Word of God.
     I think I shared this already in another blog, but it fits here, too.  I was being hit pretty hard by the enemy, getting beat up left and right.  I was at a point when I was just hanging on to Jesus with my fingertips.  I was standing as hard as I could in faith, knowing this battle was a heavy spiritual one, but one I had to win.  I knew I needed to get to the tape player and get some worship music on, but all I could do was sit there and pray.  I couldn't move.  Kristine came home from school, and she saw where I was at, and she went immediately to the tape player and put on the praise and worship music.  Within minutes of her putting on the music, I could move and I began to claim the promises of God.  That was my shield of faith at the time, worship music.  Believe me, the enemy ran.  He had put all his energy into putting me down, but with just one act of faith, he was defeated.  The flaming arrows he had been shooting my way, were deflected by my praising God.  I stood up and declared that this was the day that the Lord had made, and I WOULD rejoice in it.
     I was helped by Kristine.  She lived up to her name and planted faith into that situation.  I was freed from the chains the enemy had bound me up with, and folks, these were real spiritual chains.  The enemy knew I had recognized his plans in some area, and I was doing spiritual warfare.  This was his hardest hit, to keep me from going any further, but I was determined I wasn't going to give in, so I sat and prayed and stood my ground, until Jesus sent reinforcements.  Sometimes, that is all we can do, is wait until He sends help our way.  Just hold onto Him, and have faith to believe He will help you out of your distress.
     A shield covers you from head to toe.  Every part of you is covered from the enemy's weapons.  They are vital in warfare.  Today, shields are a bit different, but no less important.  Spiritual shields are mighty to bring protection.  Jesus covers you.  He protects you.  He gives you strength and power to go forward.  Shields in real life could help that soldier move forward against the enemy, by using the shield as a thrust.  It could be used as a weapon, and it could be used to blind the enemy.  Jesus blinds the enemy for us.  He covers us with His Power, so we are shielded and safe.  I have heard of many missionary stories, where they were protected by angels, as the enemy surrounded them, and it was only later that they knew there had been angels there, because the people would ask them, "Who were those mighty men protecting you?"  They knew they had been alone, except for God being there.  They knew that God had protected them.  This spiritual protection is real.
     Allow Jesus to be your shield.  Let Him cover and protect you.  Let Him deflect those fiery darts.  Let Him be a thrust to get you out of dangerous situations.  He will guard and surround you with His army.  Hallelujah, He is truly able to keep you.  As our pastor said on Sunday, "He reigns".  He truly does!  God bless you with His awesome Presence.

Life On The Vine

I will be gone until Tuesday.  I pray that you will all be blessed in the next few days, with the Life of Christ flowing freely towards you.  May you feel His Love and Care in your situations.  May you be encouraged by His Power making a way where there seems to be no way.

He says, "I Am the Vine, you are the branches"  We are supported by His Life.  We are given nourishment and help in our times of need.  We are healthy in Him, but apart from Him, our lives are damaged goods.  With Him, our lives have purpose and meaning.  He brings vitality to our weak parts and strength to our cracked places.  None of us is worthy, but because of His Love, we have new hope, new beginning, and new life.

When our roots are deep into the vine, we are given of the Living Water.  The Holy Spirit brings to our hearts and minds what Jesus has said, what He has done, and what He is going to do.  The Holy Spirit brings us joy, comfort, and hope.  The Holy Spirit brings us to the knowledge of God, and opens up revelatory knowledge, to bring Truth into our blinded eyes.  As we wield the sword of Truth, the Word of God, we break bondages around us.

"Whoever lives in Me, and I in him bears much [abundant] fruit.  However apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing."  John 15:5  I want to be an abundant branch.  I want my boughs to be bowed down with abundance of fruit that glorifies God.  I want to bring joy to my Father's heart.  I want Him to say, "Well done, My good and faithful servant".  I want to let my heavenly Father be blessed by seeing my life given wholly to Him.   What about you?  Do you want your life to be abundant with fruit?  Do you know you are a bearer of fruit?  When I first asked God about my gifts, I thought I only had one.  He showed me that I had the gift of encouragement.  I began to use that gift as He led me to use it.  It was often a great step of faith to do what He asked of me, but I stepped out in faith, doing my best to use what He gave me, to my utmost, for His highest glory.  As I used this gift, I began to realize that I had other gifts, and then more showed up.  That story about the talents, is so true.  As you use what He gives you, He will give you more, as long as you use those gifts for His glory.  So, begin to find out what gifts you have.  It may be a natural gift, it may be a spiritual gift, but whatever He has given you, use it for Him.  Glorify Him with your talent, your gift, your life.

I look forward to hearing about what you find out from God about yourself.  I look forward to hearing about your steps of faith.  I look forward to seeing that abundance come into your life.  Oh, dear ones, may you be set free to soar!