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Ready or Not...

Startled in the darkness of night, he jumps out of bed only to hear the rustling sound of feet downstairs. Fear grips his heart like a vice but he manages to retrieve his firearm and make his way toward the noisy intruder. Once at the bottom of the stairs the young man sets his eyes on the intruder and raises his weapon with the intention to kill. He pulls the trigger and the haunting sound of a "click" permeates the space all around him. The intruder now realizes that he has the young man right where he wants him, vunerable and unable to fight back. 

This scenario, although fictional, parallels the idea of entering into the dangerous world around us unprepared for battle. How foolish was the young man to not examine his weapon and prepare himself for battle before descending the stairs. In the same regard, how foolish is it that we leave our doorsteps not having prepared our hearts and minds for the battles ahead each day. Paul reminds us that we are not wrestling against physical opponents but against satan, his cohorts and supernatural wickedness. It is therefore imperative that we gird ourselves with the armor of God so that we remain strong and mighty. Our Heavenly Father loves us so much that he has given us tools to enter each day fully clothed with the authority to take a stand against the devil's schemes. 

The belt of truth helps you when you are confronted with the lies of the enemy that taunt you. With the truth of God's word gird around you, you can oppose the opposition. The sandals of peace allow you to continue to the run the race set before you and finish strong. The sheild of faith helps you to repel the firey darts of the enemy. With this impenetrable faith, you will be able to trust the promises of God and his plan for your life despite what the circumstances are. 

The helmet of salvation clothes your thoughts with reminders that you are saved by God's grace. 

The breastplate of righteousness guards your heart and allows you to stand as the righteousness of God while helping you to act in accordance with his will. 

The Sword of the Spirit, the very word of God, is an indespensable weapon. Prayer is also an essential piece in our daily warfare. The bible commands us to pray continually without ceasing. Not only do we pray for ourselves but we pray for others and to build a relationship with the God of angel armies. If you were going to enter into battle everyday wouldn't you want to know the general's plans? Stay connected in order to remain prepared and protected by the armor of God.

Power Verses

Ephesians 6: 10-19

1st Thessalonians 5:17

Who Are You?

Pete Townshend of The Who penned the theme song for the hit TV Show CSI : Las Vegas. The song's chorus asks the question, "Who are you?" The song seems to tell the story of man in search of something that will satisfy and the closing verses read as follows:

I know there's a place you walked

Where love falls from the trees

My heart is like a broken cup

I only feel right on my knees

I spit out like a sewer hole

Yet still receive your kiss

How can I measure up to anyone now

After such a love as this?

In desperation he understands his brokenness and recognizes his need for a Savior while drowning in his unworthy state. I think it's safe to say that we have each found ourselves searching for answers at some point in our lives. Even in this position God is whispering to our hearts who we are in Him. 

We fail ourselves when we look to the world or people to tell us who we are. The only one who knows the purpose and operating potential of an invention is the creator. The same is true of our relationship with God. If we want to know who we are, what our purpose is and how we can impact the world around us for his glory, we should look to His truth about us. When you are at your lowest and when all your efforts on your job, home and every other arena of life seem fruitless, you have to remind your spirit of the truth.

So who are you?

Here are 10 truths or I AM statements about who you are in Christ.

1 - I am loved by God. Ephesians 2:4

2 - I am a child of God. Romans 8:16

3 - I am chosen in Him. Ephesians 1:4

4 - I am part of the family of God. 1 Peter 2:10

5 - I am no longer a slave to sin. Romans 6:6

6 - I am a slave to righteousness. Romans 6:18

7 - I am not under law but under grace. Romans 6:14

8 - I am an ambassador for Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:20

9 - I am a breath of fresh air in this polluted world. Philippians 2:15

10 - I am more than a conqueror through Him who loved me. Rom 8:37 

Let these few truths encourage you to study God's word to find out what else He thinks about you. Bask in the truth of who God says you are in Him. Let the rays of love warm your soul.               

                       

Kinetic and Potential Energy

Kinetic and potential energies are found in all objects. If an object is in motion it is said to have kinetic energy. If an object is at rest it is said to have potential or stored energy. A basketball resting on the court has a certain amount of energy called potential energy and if I pick up that basketball and hold it in my hands it still has potential energy but my work has increased the potential energy of that basketball. Because I did work to move the basketball from the court to my hands it now has a greater potential than it had before. If the basketball had remained where it was, it would not have obtained the added energy. If I then take the same basketball and shoot it towards the basketball net it has now gained kinetic energy because it was forced into motion. 

We all have the potential to do great things for the kingdom of God. His word says that He knows the plans he has for us and these plans are to prosper us and not to harm us but they will give us a future filled with hope or potential. So how to do we move from a place of potential into kinetic movement in God's plan for our lives. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to guide our every course of action. So every decision we make should be led  by the Holy Spirit. It is through his prompting and reassurance that we move from our potential into bold action. 

Our Heavenly Father loves us so much that He chooses not to leave us where we are but to move us to greater heights of potential so that with action we can make a greater impact. Our God given potential partnered with the Holy Spirit moves us toward fulfilling the plans that God has purposed in our hearts and on our lives. 

Power Verses

Jeremiah 29:11

2 Timothy 1:14