Wearing God's Armor

"Finally, be strong in the Lord 

and in the strength of his power. 

Put on the whole armor of God, 

so that you may be able to stand against

 the wiles of the devil." 

(from Ephesians 6:10-20)

In 1944 the inexperienced U.S. Third Army was about to invade France.

To inspire the troops, Gen. George S. Patton gave several motivational speeches urging them to do their duty in spite of personal fear.

Their coming combat required powerful and constant offensive action.

The speeches recalled their heritage and promised honor resulting from their bravery, assuring them that valor, not numbers, will prevail against the mighty army they were battling.

In 63, the small church of Christians in Ephesus endured oppression by Emperor Nero and Jewish leaders

The apostle Paul, in chains, relying on God’s army for prayers and depending on the Lord’s strength composes a motivational letter to the Ephesians urging them to proclaim the gospel no matter what opposition they may face.

The Scriptures clearly state that the final battle has already been won by God.

Paul is telling the Ephesians, that even though God has won the final battle, the forces of evil haven’t just given up.

Therefore, Paul says, “Put on the whole armor of God” as you continue to battle against “the wiles of the devil.”

Using scriptural images from Isaiah, Paul says put on the belt (11:5), breastplate (59:17), footwear (52:7), helmet (59:17), and sword (49:2) underscoring several spiritual points.   

First, Christians are constantly on the defensive against the assaults of evil.

Second, evil forces attempt overthrowing the people of God by systemic powers such as racism.

Third, the needed resources for resistance are given to the church by God, Jesus, and the Spirit.

Finally, Persistence in prayer is a hallmark of trusting in God’s care and relying on the directives of the Spirit.

The forces of evil may seem to overwhelm us, but the whole armor of assures u

Putting on the whole armor of God, is a reminder we have been saved by grace.

Living Wisely

Be careful then how you live,

not as unwise people but as wise,

making the most of the time,

because the days are evil.

(from Ephesians 5:15-20)

A wise person once said to me, "On Sunday, you will find me in church someplace."

I also practice this discipline because I believe that emerging from Sunday worship is a strengthening of one’s spirit through the “Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” we sing to the Lord.

So, as I enter a church, I am eager for the strengthening of my spirit through the music as we sing to the Lord and encourage each other.

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians encourages them (and us) to live a life filled with the Spirit giving thanks at “all times and for everything” in Christ’s name.

This is the beginning of wise living emerging from individual Christians and Christian communities.

My understanding of evil days is the tension created by violence, hatred, and discrimination resulting in a lack of hope for people experiencing these hostilities.

Wise living in the present age is applying our worship time lifting up the name of Jesus and celebrating all that God has done in Christ.

Wise living goes way beyond the door of the church.

Wise living, I believe, is using Jesus’ God-given, Spirit-empowered teachings in our life’s journey so that our Christian living reflects our actions in Jesus’ name.

Since I am confident in God’s faithfulness, I am looking forward to next Sunday’s worship, no matter what the format, simplicity or formality, I will be Spirit-powered to live my Christian discipleship in Jesus’ name.

Elijah's Broom Tree Break

Suddenly an angel touched Elijah and saying,

“Get up and eat.”

He looked, and there at his head was

a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water.

He ate and drank, and lay down again.

(from 1 Kings 19:4-8)

Since retiring from a preaching schedule and special needs school bus driving, I spend more time reading historical novels, biographies, and memoirs.

One memoir I appreciated was “A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier” which is story of war through the eyes of a child soldier.

The author tells how, at twelve years old, he fled attacking rebels in Sierra Leone, wandered a land made unrecognizable by violence, and by age thirteen, been picked up by the government army, and trained as a soldier.

By age 18, he moved to the United States finishing high school at the United Nations International School in New York.

In 2004 he graduated from Oberlin College with a B.A. in political science.

Elijah’s memoirs would include competition with the prophets of Ba‘al on Mount Carmel followed by queen Jezebel’s death threat and his fleeing into the desert.

Fleeing into the desert, he comes to a broom tree and prays to God, “I’ve had enough, take my life because I’m no better than my ancestors,” and falls asleep.

God’s Messenger wakes him up showing him warm bread and water.

He eats the meal and falls asleep again.

God’s Messenger wakes him a second time, giving him bread and water strengthening him for a journey of forty days and nights that lies ahead.

What is striking here is the action of God’s Messenger recognizing Elijah’s exhaustion and offering him rest and recovery.

As Elijah struggles with a personal situation, God’s Messenger consistently offers him care which empowers him to continue on his journey.

Elijah’s story is also our story: God consistently cares for us.

As we undergo personal ordeals, God’s Messenger consistently cares and empowers us to continue on our journey toward healing and wholeness.

The Angels' Abundant Bread

Yet he commanded the skies above, and opened the doors of heaven

he rained down on them manna to eat, and gave them the grain of heaven.

Mortals ate of the bread of angels; he sent them food in abundance.

(from Psalm 78:23-29)

The Sunny Side Diner in Bennington, VT. is about halfway between home and bow, NH, the first stop on our journey to Maine.

We arrive there just about noon, while breakfast is still being swerved allowing us to have their generous sized blueberry pancakes and real maple syrup.

It's also possible to order a 3-egg omelet served with toast and freshly made strawberry-rhubarb jam.

It's the relaxed, friendly spirit of the diner that makes it a refreshing stop on our journey.

We mortals, having driven three hours, enjoy God's gifts of wheat real maple syrup freshly made strawberry-rhubarb jam available in abundance.

Psalm 78 recalls the Israelite’s journey out of Egyptian slavery towards the promised land.

The Psalm reminds the people of their complaining to Moses about the lack of water and God’s response of abundant water flowing from a rock.

The story of the manna, God’s heavenly food, is another reminder that the wandering Israelites thought Moses led them in the wilderness to starve.

Psalm 78 reminds the people that God commanded the skies, opened the doors of heaven and rained down manna to eat, and gave them the grain of heaven.

Mortals ate of the bread of angels; he sent them food in abundance.

Psalm 78 presents the past as a lesson for the present generation stressing God’s grace and faithfulness.

As I look at the events of the present and reflect on events of the past, Psalm 78 is a reminder that God’s grace and faithfulness is present.

The Bible says the same story as we live our life’s journey with its anxieties and tensions.

God is faithfully, abundantly, providing healing, strengthening grace for the journey.