The Armor Of God


 Michael Tarsi
As we move closer to an actual default on our debt here in America, unbelievable as it is, we should be very careful to pay attention to The Word of God. In essence, don’t spend money you don’t have! The Word says that if we don’t provide for our family, we are worse than an Infidel (non-believer) and this, at times, might be a motivator to keep borrowing so we can pay our debt. I think it’s time for us ALL to STOP and consider Jesus. He is able to do way beyond all that we can imagine and He will provide all of our needs according to His riches in Glory! Needs vs. wants seems to be the biggest struggle we have as Americans. I will say there are many things I want and would like to have, but I don’t NEED them. Some of those things I get and will get but they are NOT needs. If we can continue (or begin) to understand that, we will be able to make the needed adjustments and come out of this tailspin. In your meditations this week, I suggest you go to The Lord in Prayer and put on the full armor of God and NEVER TAKE IT OFF AGAIN!
Ephesians 6:10-24 with attention to verse 11 “Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” And verse 13 “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”
And finally, verse 24 “Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with a love incorruptible.”
JESUS DIED FOR YOU

Borrowing from the great preacher C.H. Spurgeon:

“My entire theology can be condensed into 4 words: ‘Jesus died for me.’” – C.H. Spurgeon –

I believe this is why he was known as ,”The Prince of Preachers”.

In your meditations this week, contemplate what your Theology is and see if it agrees with Spurgeon. (which agrees with Scripture!)

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  (Galatians 2:20)

Remember, JESUS DIED FOR YOU!

MEDITATE ON THIS!

 

STUFF

I was considering what to write for the meditations column this week and I started thinking about all the “stuff” that comes our way via social media, 24-hour cable news and all the other means of so-called communication and I realized how little is in face to face contact. Many order food talking to a speaker outside of drive-thru fast-food places. Some actually commute to work from their laptop at home. We chat through texting. We converse through e-mail.  ALL of these and so much more (even this meditations column) are reliant on electricity, electronics and computers. What would happen if they all went “off-line”? I recently had a hospital stay and had a heart catheter, which is inserted in a major artery and guided into your heart and EVERYTHING relied on computers. From check-in, to the patient room, to the O.R., all computerized. As I studied all this I became a bit concerned. Not so much about a power failure at the wrong moment, although that would not be good, but more about PERSONAL COMMUNICATION. It is still there, but slowly going away. I think we need to spend some time actually looking at another human and communicating with them. A personal relationship with Jesus Christ is required for salvation. Religion can’t save you. Morality can’t save you. Political solutions can’t save you. Having all the right spiritual information can’t save you. It’s WAY past time to return to a simple understanding of “The Grace of God that brings salvation…” That grace was manifest in Jesus , our blessed hope. You must have a personal encounter with our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purity for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Titus 2:11-14. So in your “meditations” this week, don’t just “think” about things, actually spend time in The Word and then LISTEN as God speaks to you. THEN share what He says to you with another person FACE TO FACE! Go ahead, it might be a bit scary at first, but it is what we are supposed to do.
Pastor Mike Tarsi
Lighthouse Christian Fellowship