Garden Moments

Ephesians 6:15
With your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace.

SHOES OF THE GOSPEL

Echoes of the Great Commission.

A Roman soldier’s footwear enables movement, stability, and protection. Entering a battle barefoot would put the soldier at significant risk.

As a believer, I must be ready to go wherever the gospel leads and to stand firm during trials. Being unequipped with a ready understanding of the gospel leaves me barefoot and vulnerable against the wiles of the Evil One.

So what is “readiness of the Gospel?

• Not just “go forth”
• It is being anchored
• It is being equipped
• It is Standing Firm (defense) AND Sharing Truth (Offense)

Striving to be…
Stable
Prepared
Confident
Ready to be a tool.

Ephesians 6:14
Stand firm … with the breastplate of righteousness in place.

THE BREATPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

In addition to protecting the soldier’s vital organs, the breastplate also provided identification. On a Roman uniform, the breastplate was decorated with the insignia of the soldier’s unit. It protected the soldier, and it let others know who was beating them.

God similarly decorates us.

Righteousness is something we gain through our faith. Abraham believed, and that is when he was declared righteous.

We are made whole – righteous – by the blood of Christ.

Once decorated, we can stand boldly against the onslaught of the Evil One.

Standing Firm.
Protected by HIM.

Ephesians 6:14a
Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth.

THE BELT OF TRUTH

The Belt holds it all together. The major components of a Roman soldier’s armor strapped to the belt. The belt provided a stable point of attachment to keep everything in its proper place. If the belt failed, the rest of it was not very useful.

It works that way with our faith, also. Without authentic, objective truth, everything unravels.

Jesus said HE was the Way, the TRUTH, and the Life. We NEED truth. We need HIS Truth.

That’s why the world is so bent on promoting the idea of relative truth, which is an oxymoron, if you think about it.

Without objective truth, we cannot be held accountable to anything – or any ONE.

Striving to…

• Seek the Truth
• Live the Truth
• Spread the Truth

Eph 6:10,11
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that You may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

I made the point yesterday that THE BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD. To that point, all but one component of the Armor Paul speaks of are defensive in nature… and the offensive weapon depends on God.

That’s on Purpose.

It was really good to hear from my veteran friends… To wit, let me say:

1. There’s a war on. Know it. Act like it. Go onto a battle ground world with a playground mindset and you will be a casualty.
2. We are strong IN the power of HIS MIGHT. Try to do this alone and you will be a casualty.
3. We are called to be WARRIORS not WIMPS. It’s HIS might… but that includes us!

So:

• Strap up
• Man up
• Stand up

And… Armor up

Psalms 119:14
You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Your word.

As a vet, I’m not sure I like the imagery here, but I think that is the point.

All to often, I like to say “Alons” and “Ventre A’ Tere” – mottos of some of a couple of units I’ve been in.

Here, though, David calls God his “hiding place” and “shield”… and he will hunker down until he hears word from God.

That is a stark contrast to “Victory!” or “With Great Speed!”

That IS the point.

It a not-too-subtle way to remind us, THE BATLE BELONGS TO THE LORD.

We can barely identify the enemy let alone do battle.
(in the first recorded skirmish Adam & Eve ended up having lunch with the enemy, and it didn’t work out well for our side.)

The battle belongs to the Lord
…and so do I.

Striving to rest in the shadow of the almighty.

Psalms 118:1
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

The foundational truth about God… and about life itself.

It’s where EVERYTHING begins and ends – I think that’s why Psalm 118 begins and ends with the same words.

Working at living my life in light of the truth that envelops me.

Of course, now I have Chris Tomlin’s song bouncing in my head… what a great way to start a day!
Give thanks to the Lord
Our God and King
His love endures forever
For he is good
and above all things
His love endures forever
Give praise…

Psalms 118:24
This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

(For some reason, in recent years this verse reminds me of a television-centric preacher out of Houston. It erodes the treasure of the text.)

This is a great verse and a great reminder of an intentional choice:

1. to notice His GOODNESS all around.
2. to see each day as His GIFT.
3. to assume an attitude of GRATITUDE.

Looking to live joyfully.

Psalms 147:5
Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite.

STRENGTH
UNDERSTANDING

Quite the combination!

Whatever the need…

• He knows why.
• He can DO SOMETHING about it.

Quite a combination.
Quite a promise.

Just the sort of person you want to have your back when the chips are down!

I’ll take it!

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

It’s A CLASSIC!

Even though it seems like it sometimes, my life is NOT an accident. I was created ON purpose…. FOR a purpose. I find a lot of comfort in that.

I love God’s promise: “I’ve got this one… and it’s a goody.”

It’s a great lens thru which to see life!
Living in His abundant plan.

Isaiah 54:17
” “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.

Living boldly in a culture of self destruction takes courage.

Simply to “live not by lies” takes guts.

The eternal part of us cannot be harmed by anything crafted by men. PLUS, anything done to us hear on Earth will be rectified on Judgement Day. That bought comfort to the Hebrew Nation, and I have to admit… it brings comfort to me.

He put us here.
He stands behind us.
Good enough for me.