Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Ready for Battle..er..Work!


Women love fashion. Well, at least this woman does! I'm embarrassed to let on just how much satisfaction I receive from putting a cute outfit together in the morning; as if I've restored peace to the middle east by paring the right skirt with the right shoes. As part of my morning ritual, I would be completely thrown off if I went to work with out getting appropriately dressed.

My study of Ephesians has reminded me of a passage that was frequently taught in Sunday school growing up. Ephesians 6 teaches that our "struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12) I must admit that I don't often consider the spiritual warfare that continues daily. 1 peter 5:8 says "your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour". In order to combat the schemes of the evil one, Ephesians instructs us to put on the armor of God. "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God".

I must ask: When was the last time I put my armor on? According to Ephesians, our struggles are not just of our own accord. There is a great battle taking place, and we are called to be dressed and ready. We must do all that we can to be "alert and of sober mind" (1 Peter 5:8), ready to defend and honor God. If we together put on the armor of God daily, we can combat the evil one. Let's not forget this step in our morning ritual-it should be as seamless as putting on our favorite pair of espadrilles.

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand"
Ephesians 6:13

Wednesday, April 20, 2011


Midday Connection has been an encouragement to me. It is a woman's christian talk show that is great to download while doing boring busy work like laundry! Check it out!!!

http://www.moodyradio.org/middayconnection.aspx

A Phillipians 4:8 Mind


Philippians 4:8 tells us to focus our thoughts on whatever is true, right, noble, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. The father knows that how we spend our time in thought will be reflected in our words and our actions. So I ask myself. What are you thinking about? Many will say that thoughts cannot be controlled, only actions. Is this true? Would the father have commanded that we think only Philippians 4:8 thoughts if it were impossible? Jude 1:24 tells us that HE is able to "keep you from falling and present you without fault into his glorious presence". Anything that we are commanded to do can be done with the Lord's help.

Are we making it hard for ourselves? I found myself recently sitting down for a favorite television show. I remember the spirit gently whispering "is this pure?". If I'm really being honest, television and movies are one area in my spiritual life that I often leave untouched. I excuse much of what I watch saying, "I wouldn't be able to watch anything if I didn't watch TV with sin!". How harmful can this justification be to our thoughts? These shows and movies certainly do not encourage Philippians 4:8 thinking. Psalm 101:3 says "I will set before my eye no vile thing". What we set before our eyes and put into our ears and minds can greatly impact our thoughts and ultimately our actions.

Romans 12:22 tells us that only when our minds are renewed can we test and approve God's will for our lives. When we set our mind on earthly things and not things above (Colossians 3:2) we may miss out on God's perfect plan. I never realized that all of this started with the mind!

I wish God would give me a list of shows and movies I should watch. Instead he has given me his word-the ultimate compass and guide. I am challenging myself to look at music, books, shows and movies with a Philippians 4:8 mindset. It might be one of the hardest things I've ever done. Will you take this challenge with me?

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2