Post by Micheal on Jul 18, 2007 15:26:29 GMT -6
I know that I haven't put up any verses in the last week but I have been going through some stuff. Now I'm back on track.
15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.
So here we are again. Let's dive right in shall we?
First topic, the shoes of peace. Okay, picture in your mind yourself. You've got your thighs, pelvis, abdomen, chest, arms, hands, and back covered. Now come the shoes. And these shoes go all the way up to connect with the belt piece. So your legs are completely covered here. So what does the Bible say about the shoes?
They are the peace that comes from the Good News. What kind of peace comes from the Good News? Well, if we can jump over to phillipians for just a minute, keep a finger in ephesians for anyone following along in their Bible. Chapter 4, verses 6 and 7 say this: "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."
The peace starts with not worrying about things. I know that sounds difficult, maybe even impossible, in todays world. However you can rest assured that it's not. Even Jesus said, in Luke 12:25-26, "Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?" Jesus was fully human when he said that. He went through everything we went through, not just the big things. Being a carpenter's son, he probably had to put up with hectic orders, insane deadlines and the like. He know's how to deal with stress.
It's in the second half of Phillipians 4:6, "But pray about everything. Thank God for all He has done." Right there. We are supposed to talk to God about EVERYTHING. Not just if we need something. He wants to know about your day, how you're doin, what's going on in your life. So tell him. I know He know's everything, but He want's to hear it from your point of view, I personally guarantee it. And he will never hate you for letting Him know how you really feel.
If you're depressed, tell Him. If you think life sucks, tell Him. If you're mad at Him, tell Him. He appreciates honesty. And He can help you overcome any emotion that isn't helping you to grow in Him.*
So, now we know how to get peace, but what is it supposed to prepare us for? If you jump over to 1 Peter 3:15 (thru 16 in some translations, not all tho), you'll see what we're preparing for.
"And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way." If you're living for Christ, it's going to be a different way then most of the world. And someone's going to notice, I know from experience. And that someone might be curious, searching for answers of their own. So we are supposed to know the Word and know God so that we can help provide those answers, or at least know where to look. If you're the latter case, can't quote lots of verses yet, I would advise carrying a Bible with you everywhere.**
Due to my quest for knowledge and the length this post already is, I'm just going to mention one piece of armor today. However if you are as curious as I am and want to, nay, need to know right away about the rest of the armor, send me a message. I love to talk about the Bible.
*Sorry about this one being so long, I just like to dive in deep into the scripture.
**First, you don't have to carry around a huge, five pounder around. Just get yourself a pocket Bible or something. Second, I don't want to condemn anyone, but we, as christian warriors should already have our Bibles with us everywhere. They are the sheaths that hold the most powerful sword in the universe.
May God bless and keep you always, AMEN.
15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.
So here we are again. Let's dive right in shall we?
First topic, the shoes of peace. Okay, picture in your mind yourself. You've got your thighs, pelvis, abdomen, chest, arms, hands, and back covered. Now come the shoes. And these shoes go all the way up to connect with the belt piece. So your legs are completely covered here. So what does the Bible say about the shoes?
They are the peace that comes from the Good News. What kind of peace comes from the Good News? Well, if we can jump over to phillipians for just a minute, keep a finger in ephesians for anyone following along in their Bible. Chapter 4, verses 6 and 7 say this: "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."
The peace starts with not worrying about things. I know that sounds difficult, maybe even impossible, in todays world. However you can rest assured that it's not. Even Jesus said, in Luke 12:25-26, "Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?" Jesus was fully human when he said that. He went through everything we went through, not just the big things. Being a carpenter's son, he probably had to put up with hectic orders, insane deadlines and the like. He know's how to deal with stress.
It's in the second half of Phillipians 4:6, "But pray about everything. Thank God for all He has done." Right there. We are supposed to talk to God about EVERYTHING. Not just if we need something. He wants to know about your day, how you're doin, what's going on in your life. So tell him. I know He know's everything, but He want's to hear it from your point of view, I personally guarantee it. And he will never hate you for letting Him know how you really feel.
If you're depressed, tell Him. If you think life sucks, tell Him. If you're mad at Him, tell Him. He appreciates honesty. And He can help you overcome any emotion that isn't helping you to grow in Him.*
So, now we know how to get peace, but what is it supposed to prepare us for? If you jump over to 1 Peter 3:15 (thru 16 in some translations, not all tho), you'll see what we're preparing for.
"And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way." If you're living for Christ, it's going to be a different way then most of the world. And someone's going to notice, I know from experience. And that someone might be curious, searching for answers of their own. So we are supposed to know the Word and know God so that we can help provide those answers, or at least know where to look. If you're the latter case, can't quote lots of verses yet, I would advise carrying a Bible with you everywhere.**
Due to my quest for knowledge and the length this post already is, I'm just going to mention one piece of armor today. However if you are as curious as I am and want to, nay, need to know right away about the rest of the armor, send me a message. I love to talk about the Bible.
*Sorry about this one being so long, I just like to dive in deep into the scripture.
**First, you don't have to carry around a huge, five pounder around. Just get yourself a pocket Bible or something. Second, I don't want to condemn anyone, but we, as christian warriors should already have our Bibles with us everywhere. They are the sheaths that hold the most powerful sword in the universe.
May God bless and keep you always, AMEN.