The whole armour Ephesians 6

[BlessedMan]

26 minutes ago, JoeMo said:

Talk about an impenetrable breastplate!

Oh, I don't know about that last part.

"This will be our opportunity to bear witness.  Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer,  for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. (Luke 21:13-15)

This sounds more like the work of the Holy Spirit to me. I totally agree that we need to study and pray constantly. I also believe the Holy Spirit can put truth in our heads any time it feels like it. Moses and other Bible writers didn't know what to write down; and apostles didn't know what to say until they were moved by God's Spirit.  If it was true then, it can be true now.  God doesn't change.

 

Jesus warned that in the coming persecutions his followers would be betrayed by their family members and friends. Christians of every age have had to face this possibility. It is reassuring to know that even when we feel completely abandoned, the Holy Spirit will stay with us. He will comfort us, protect us, and give us the words we need. This assurance can give us the courage and hope to stand firm for Christ no matter how difficult the situation.Jesus warned that in the coming persecutions his followers would be betrayed by their family members and friends. Christians of every age have had to face this possibility. It is reassuring to know that even when we feel completely abandoned, the Holy Spirit will stay with us. He will comfort us, protect us, and give us the words we need. This assurance can give us the courage and hope to stand firm for Christ no matter how difficult the situation. (Life Application Notes: Luke 21:15)

[BlessedMan]

On 12/9/2019 at 12:20 PM, 8thdaypriest said:

I would like to discuss what it means to put on the whole armor of God. 

What does it mean to put on "the helmet of salvation" ? 

I can't say that I've ever clearly understood that armor - and what it means to put it on. 

Can we talk about that?

This is my two bits, sorry its a tad long, but takes 7 minutes to read.  Its really interesting to me that you started this topic and asked these questions, because several days ago I started a topic for my next devotional in a topic here called Friday Nights

Its called The Whole Armour of God.

I hope you enjoy it

 

[8thdaypriest]

14 hours ago, BlessedMan said:

Jesus warned that in the coming persecutions his followers would be betrayed by their family members and friends. Christians of every age have had to face this possibility. It is reassuring to know that even when we feel completely abandoned, the Holy Spirit will stay with us. He will comfort us, protect us, and give us the words we need. This assurance can give us the courage and hope to stand firm for Christ no matter how difficult the situation.Jesus warned that in the coming persecutions his followers would be betrayed by their family members and friends. Christians of every age have had to face this possibility. It is reassuring to know that even when we feel completely abandoned, the Holy Spirit will stay with us. He will comfort us, protect us, and give us the words we need. This assurance can give us the courage and hope to stand firm for Christ no matter how difficult the situation. (Life Application Notes: Luke 21:15)

Matthew 10:19-20 “But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak;  for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.”

parallel Luke 12:12 

Luke 12:11 "Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. 12 "For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."
 

The Holy Spirit IS the Spirit of the Father.   No third divine being indicated here.  Just saying. 

[8thdaypriest]

14 hours ago, JoeMo said:

Talk about an impenetrable breastplate!

Oh, I don't know about that last part.

"This will be our opportunity to bear witness.  Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer,  for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. (Luke 21:13-15)

This sounds more like the work of the Holy Spirit to me. I totally agree that we need to study and pray constantly. I also believe the Holy Spirit can put truth in our heads any time it feels like it. Moses and other Bible writers didn't know what to write down; and apostles didn't know what to say until they were moved by God's Spirit.  If it was true then, it can be true now.  God doesn't change.

 

John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you." 

This is why I said "bring to our memory".  Now of course the LORD can "teach" us new things.  But if those new things are things not found in Scripture, won't folks have good reason to doubt what we've said?  "If they speak not according to this word, there is no light in them."  I was saying that the LORD helps us to link Scriptures, and argue from Scriptures that we have already put into our minds.   

We cannot take this promise as an excuse to neglect study, thinking HE will just give me what is needed at the critical moment. 
 

 

[BlessedMan]

28 minutes ago, 8thdaypriest said:

Now of course the LORD can "teach" us new things.  But if those new things are things not found in Scripture,

This seems pretty convoluted, at best. Why would the Lord teach us "a new thing" that isn't in scripture?

"Bring to your remembrance" simply means that we have studied it before, but forgotten it, and that when the time comes that we need to know/remember something that we have studied; The Holy Spirit will bring that to our remembrance. This is why we are told to "work out our own salvation" because THAT is something God puts in us, and we have to "work it out" as The Spirit leads.

[JoeMo]

2 hours ago, 8thdaypriest said:

We cannot take this promise as an excuse to neglect study, thinking HE will just give me what is needed at the critical moment. 

If we are not in continual prayer, study, and awareness,  There's a good chance we will be swept away in the deception and chaos of the end times.

2 hours ago, BlessedMan said:

This seems pretty convoluted, at best. Why would the Lord teach us "a new thing" that isn't in scripture?

Just because something is "new" to us doesn't mean it's universally "new". The Lord could bring us logic and authority from the scripture that on our own we would have never put together. Many points in the Bible are simply "data" points.  They don't become useful "saving" information until the data points are connected in the right order - like "connecting all the dots" correctly through the guidance of God's Spirit.

[8thdaypriest]

20 hours ago, JoeMo said:

Just because something is "new" to us doesn't mean it's universally "new". The Lord could bring us logic and authority from the scripture that on our own we would have never put together. Many points in the Bible are simply "data" points.  They don't become useful "saving" information until the data points are connected in the right order - like "connecting all the dots" correctly through the guidance of God's Spirit.

AMEN!

[8thdaypriest]

I'm still studying about "the weapons of our warfare."   I feel we need to understand how Satan works, and how we defend ourselves and fight against them .

Looking at the feet "shod with the gospel of peace".  The LORD provides the equipment.  So the shoes are provided to each believer, specifically for that believer.  It's not one size fits all.   This may describe how each of us is "called" or "appointed" to work in specific areas of ministry. 
 

 

 

[8thdaypriest]

Satan is described as "the father of lies", and "the deceiver".  If a person is truly deceived, he doesn't know it.  Many times, the one opposing the LORD (or opposing someone who is teaching truth) is not doing so knowingly or on purpose.  He is simply "blinded" by demons.  He thinks he is on the right side of things.

Paul described the unbelieving Jews as "blinded" by Satan.  They had been presented with the truth, but Satan had "blinded them".  

To break through THAT KIND of "blindness" - we have to do more than simply present the truth.   I think we must pray and pray and pray, for the LORD to "open the eyes" of the those so blinded.   I remember Tyndale's last prayer.  He asked the LORD to "please open the King of England's eyes."  

And of course, we must pray for ourselves too - that we ourselves may not also be "blinded". 

I'm thinking about visiting my brother who had a stroke.  He cannot talk or understand words.  He has improved a little over the last weeks, but is far from the articulate speaker he once was.  He has been brought very low. 

My brother is not a believer in Jesus.  Neither is his wife.  He even had a "spirit guide" at one time years ago, according to my sister.  I've been praying for him for 40 years.  This could be the opening.  But I'm sure any battle for my brother, would not just be about healing his body, or to show him that Jesus can heal him.  It would be a battle for his mind/soul - literally with demons.  This is not a fight I can walk into, without knowledge and preparation, and much prayer.  I will not go until I feel clearly impressed to go. 

[BlessedMan]

5 minutes ago, 8thdaypriest said:

My brother is not a believer in Jesus.  Neither is his wife.  He even had a "spirit guide" at one time years ago, according to my sister.  I've been praying for him for 40 years.  This could be the opening.  But I'm sure any battle for my brother, would not just be about healing his body, or to show him that Jesus can heal him.  It would be a battle for his mind/soul - literally with demons.  This is not a fight I can walk into, without knowledge and preparation, and much prayer.  I will not go until I feel clearly impressed to go. 

He is also in my prayers too.  :)

PS

It is my understanding that the best way to "understand Satan; is to look to the cross. Christ of the Cross, is really all the info we need. part of that "data set" would be Gal 6:14.

18 minutes ago, 8thdaypriest said:

I feel we need to understand how Satan works,

Mat, chapter 4 is another important part of the "data set" here. Stan quotes only portions of verses, and intentionally leaves out parts that would expose him to The Light from Calvary. Calvary is why Jesus is "The Light of The World," and I have no reason to doubt that God cannot/will not "save" your loved one. He will do it in His ways (which are often past finding out), and in His time. (He will make all things beautiful. Doctrines may not be required. Just love him, Jesus will do the rest.

[JoeMo]

2 hours ago, 8thdaypriest said:

If a person is truly deceived, he doesn't know it.  Many times, the one opposing the LORD (or opposing someone who is teaching truth) is not doing so knowingly or on purpose. 

"For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. ... And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done" (Romans 1:21, 28)

"They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God." (John 16:2)

The deception continues to grow.  I saw a poll today that says the percentage those in the U.S. who have no religious belief has increased 9% over the past 7 years.  The percentage of millennials who have no religious beliefs increased by 16%! Sad.

I have a growing concern that as technology grows exponentially over the next few years, we will be in danger of being so "smart" as a species that we will believe we don't need God anymore. (Laodicea on steroids)

[JoeMo]

2 hours ago, 8thdaypriest said:

I'm thinking about visiting my brother who had a stroke.  He cannot talk or understand words.  He has improved a little over the last weeks, but is far from the articulate speaker he once was.  He has been brought very low.

I'm so sorry about your brother, Rachel; especially his slow recovery. My wife and I continue to pray for him daily. We pray that God will plant a mustard seed of faith in his heart; and sufficient recovery that he will understand the Message when God moves you to visit him.  Blessings, my sister!

[8thdaypriest]

I read a lot about prayer yesterday. 

Prayer IS our primary "work".   We must be clear concerning the will of God, in any situation - before we act.    

We pray to understand the will of God - NOT to change God's mind about anything.  

I finally understand why Christ spent whole nights in prayer.  He was seeking to clearly/fully understand His Father's will.

When two or three "agree" about something, it is because they have been impressed the same, concerning the will of God for the situation about which they were praying. 

Knowing that something is the will of God, then gives believers confidence and authority to confront demons holding someone captive (either physically or mentally, or "blinding" someone). 

You see why I feel I must receive confirmation concerning a visit to my brother.  I've not seen him since 2002, when my Mom died.  We've never been close.  He left the SDA church 38 years ago.  Told me once, he thinks all religions are different "paths" to the same "god". 

You see what I'm dealing with...  

Of course it is Christ's desire that Lee be reconciled to God.  But is it His will that I specifically undertake to free him from demonic bondage, at this time?   I could visit my brother - just to visit, but that's not something Lee would like, especially to see him with this disability.  He would be embarrassed and uncomfortable.  No.  The only reason I would go - is for deliverance.   The LORD would have to "prepare the way" by softening Lee's heart.  That is what I'm presently praying for - that God's angels will guard him, and God's Spirit will flood his mind - without words. 

[BlessedMan]

On 12/17/2019 at 5:06 PM, 8thdaypriest said:

But is it His will that I specifically undertake to free him from demonic bondage,

well, not sure how one would do this with a "lost" relative? What would be so wrong to just call him your brother?. I think Christ is the only one that can truly free another person from "demonic" bondage."   Im not trying to tell anyone what to do here, but it seems you are pretty harsh on him. Why does he have to believe in your "minimum requirements"  to be "saved?"

On 12/17/2019 at 5:06 PM, 8thdaypriest said:

and God's Spirit will flood his mind - without words. 

God's Spirit does not usually operate this way. He fills us with the words of scripture; and points us to Jesus.:

Joh 16:13  However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
Joh 16:14  He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.

Joh 15:26  "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.

Pls dont take this as "personal" because its not. I had this said to me some time ago in regards to a situation I was in. Yes, it hurt some, at the time, but I look back now and see that it was well-worth it. A preacher's sermon I listened to today said something that comes to mind now: Pray all you want; but walk there too." IF you make no effort at all to see him and let him know you are thinking of him and that you love him, how will he know? And HOW would it really hurt?