Here's our promised completion of last week's installment on the Armor of God,
and what we're supposed to do with it.
First, a little bit of a Quest for Food. Nathan gives a recommendation for
those who live near him, or any who may be passing through Sherwood, Arkansas.
Sounds yummy. A lot better than the breakfast of reheated oatmeal that Keith
had, and recommends a knife and fork to slice up to eat.
Meet the Hosts is a little short, but we cover a few tidbits from the Internet.
What might we learn from suffering, and standards to live by? We feature
listeners who responded to a Facebook poll. How would you answer these two
questions?
What is your favorite book in the bible?
What is your least favorite book in the bible?
A special guest appearance interrupts with a phone call to bring us some late
breaking news headlines. We have to choose between politicians, quarterbacks,
television, and terrorists. The usual stuff it seems. Listen and learn which
one we pick before our guest has to rush away to his chopper.
Transitioning to the topic at hand, Keith first shares a quick Word of the Week
Last Things (eschatology)
God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its
appropriate end.
That's all there is to say about that. At least for now.
Main Topic. Since our connection last week was so horrible, we review by
reading from Ephesians 6:14-20
Nathan shares a little on each piece of the armor as it is listed, and how it's
defenses were used in the arsenal of a Roman soldier. The protection and
strategies made for confident, successful battle. Chris adds that the
strategies were common in ancient armies, and Keith mentions that even in
today's police and military, similar strategies still work.
What does all this battle stuff mean for any modern day Christian? Have no
doubt... We are never called to make war with anybody. We need to keep this
passage in context. It's all about Christians under attack by spiritual forces,
dark forces, evil powers in the world. We aren't necessarily talking about
afflictions related to being sick, or facing financial woes, as much as
difficulties related to real persecution due to the Christian faith.
This is a call for believers to support each other first, especially when one
of us is in need, being oppressed, or in a full on attack by the power that
Satan employs. We are called to stand, to stand firm, and once we receive the
"armor", we use it by praying.
If the characteristics of each piece of armor helps your understanding, great.
At any rate, Look at the labels attached to each. Salvation, righteousness,
truth, faith, gospel of peace. These are all characteristics that are not ours.
They are given to us from God. Doing spiritual battle in anything less, namely
our own understanding of such things as truth, righteousness, faith, etc. will
only get us into trouble.
Once we have this armor... now what? How do we fight? In verse 18, Paul uses
the word pray four times. (Supplication is another word for prayer). Prayer is
the thing that wields the power of the armor. Prayer for fellow believers, as
Paul was, in chains and in danger for his life over his faith.
We should stay alert, and be persistent for as long as the spiritual battle
rages. Here's hope, battles are temporary. They won't last forever. There will
come a time to stand down, and get back to tending to those ongoing needs and
ailments of life.
keith <http://podcast.heltsley.net/?author=2> | October 18, 2016 at 2:42 pm |
URL: http://wp.me/p5uvFj-6W ;<http://wp.me/p5uvFj-6W>
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