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.

What To Do With Lemons

I have a friend who made me think about what to do with lemons.  You see, when we are given hard situations, we usually say, "Make Lemonade out of those lemons".  But really, what do you do with lemons?

You can eat them, you can squeeze the juice onto fruits and vegetables, and that helps keep them fresher.  You can squeeze them over cooked food to give it more flavor.  You can squeeze it into juice, and you can make that juice into lemonade, or just use it for cooking, cleaning, or many other uses, like putting it onto your hair to give it highlights, put it on your arms and face to get rid of freckles (does it work?), and you can put it into your water to give it more zip.

Sailors use to keep lemons on the ship to get rid of scurvy, which was a horrible disease to get.  It is used to help get rid of colds, flus, and I use it to help me keep kidney stones at bay.  I take a tablespoon of honey and chase it with a tablespoon of lemon juice, when I have a sore throat, and it seems to soothe my throat and I feel it helps kill those germs.  I also put it into the tea I drink when feeling a cold or flu coming on, and it makes me feel better.  I think it helps with coughing.

I guess the point I am trying to make, is that there really are a lot of uses for lemons.  They are a very versatile and important fruit.  The citrus in them is so healthy and beneficial, and I am sure there are many things I didn't even touch on, of how good they are for you.  So, are the situations we find ourselves in, somehow more than we see?  If we really look at those situations, are there any lessons or benefits we can get from them?

I remember reading about a minister in Russia, who was put in the Siberian prison.  He was there for many many years.  Finally, the Russians were going to release him, but when he found out, he sent word to his wife that he really had to stay there, because he was doing so much for Christ, that to leave, would do more harm than good.  She told him to continue doing God's work.  How many of us would do that?  Here this minister found lemons to be good for him.  He was put into prison, but prison wasn't able to keep his spirit from finding ways to serve Jesus, and as he did, he was more free, than anyone could believe, except his wife, who knew Jesus ruled in this situation.

For quite a few years, Jesus has really been after me to have my first reaction be praise to His Name.  I am still learning that process, each day.  I admit, it is not easy for me.  I get to grumping and griping about things, and then I realize, I need to just praise Jesus.  I just need to remember to lift His Name on high and to fill my mouth with the wonders of Who He Is.  Paul's message to us in Philippians always hits my heart about this point.  "Rejoice in the Lord, always, again I say, Rejoice!"  So, if you, too, struggle to rejoice at first.  Try to make lemonade.  Make the situation sweet with praises to our King.  Let Him come into your problems, with your praise drawing Him close to you, so that He inhabits the atmosphere around you.  When He comes in, the problems go out.

I have a friend who gave me a sentence for my life.  It is "If you worry, why pray, and if you pray, why worry."  This is so true.  If we are praying to Jesus, then we must trust that He has heard and answered.  So, therefore, we shouldn't be worrying.  So, lets make some uses out of the lemons we are given, and lets encourage one another, not to let these situations get us down, but to wrap our arms together, and make a strong wall against the schemes of the enemy.  We hold strong together, so even the weakest link, is stronger because of the care and encouragement given.  Let us pray in faith.  Let us be thrilled with the light that comes with the knowledge of Christ.  Let us embrace our struggles with the attitude of gratitude and say, "Even in this, I will praise the Lord".  Be strong and courageous my dear brothers and sisters in Christ.  The Lord is with you.

Psalm 2:6-12

Psalm 2:6-12

Yet have I anointed (installed and placed) My King [firmly] on My holy hill of Zion.

I will declare the decree of the Lord:  He said to Me, You are My Son; this day [I declare] I have begotten You.

Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations as Your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth as Your possession.

You shall break them with a rod of iron:   You shall dash them in pieces like potters ware.

Now, therefore, O you kings, act wisely; be instructed and warned, O you rulers of the earth.

Serve the Lord with reverent awe and worshipful fear; rejoice and be in high spirits with trembling [lest you displease Him].

Kiss the Son [pay homage to Him in purity], lest He be angry and you perish in the way, for soon shall His wrath be kindled.  O blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) are all those who seek refuge and put their trust in Him!

May you be blessed tonight and tomorrow and the rest of this week.  God loves you.  Trusting Him, not just because we'll be blessed, but trusting Him, because He is everything, knows everything, holds everything together with His mighty arm of righteousness.

As you soak in the beauty of His Face, may you be treated to a special touch from His Presence.  May you feel the Son kiss you, and hold you close, as you share your hopes, your fears, your worries, and your pain, with Him.  Be comforted by His Love.