Oct.2 – “gird them loins???”
October 2, 2008
As we get into the actual armor of God, you need to think for a second about this stuff individually. God has reasons for saying what He says, and if we soak and meditate in it for a bit; maybe we’ll figure it out! Together.
“Stand firm, therefore, having girded your loins with truth,” (Eph.6:14a)
Clothes were different in biblical times than they were now, of course. They had no American Eagle…they had to go to “Egyptian Camel”. Just kidding!!! More specifically, their clothes were more free flowing, cloth materials that weren’t so form fitting for just normal wear. Think, toga. Which was fine for just kicking it, hanging out. But when it came time for battle, these clothes didn’t cut it for running around and fighting. So, Paul here tells them to ‘gird their loins”, which meant “wrap up your loose flowing robes around your waste in such a way that you can get ready to run around and fight.” They would tie things up and tuck them in. In order to be mobile.
Now, think about what YOU’RE spiritually wearing today. Some of you spend more time than others getting dressed. Some of you may obsess, some may not care at all; both poor extremes. Paul here says that as we get dressed spiritually, we are to gird our loins with truth. Taking all your biblical knowledge to task, what does this bring to your mind? Let the whole truth, loins, gird thing kind of take a walk in your mind and hit me back!
CORAM DEO – rob
Sept.25 – “Eternal Perspective”
September 25, 2008
Today I want us to continue with this idea a bit – that there is a greater spiritual reality being fought over that we cannot see with physical eyes. We are given glimpses of it in the Word; just snapshots really. I’ve always wondered and wished for more, but I’m pretty sure that God in His infinite wisdom knows that most of us probably just can’t handle knowing so much about what we can’t see, so we are better off without it. Yet, the unknown has a mystery that draws us, and in the life of Israel we see that illustrated for just a second. Syria was crushing the Israelites and the king was ready to seize Elisha the prophet of God in the city of Dothan. Hesurrounded the city, and when Elisha’s servants saw they were about to get taken, they panicked and went to Elisha, were he told them this;
“Do not be afraid; for those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (II Kings 6:16)
People being just people were still a bit nervous, and Elisha does something I wish I could see sometimes. He prayed over his panicky servant and said, “Lord, open his eyes that he may see”. When he opened his eyes, he saw the mountainside full of angelic warriors on Elisha’s side; horses and chariots of fire.
We battle not against flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities of great darkness. But we don’t fight alone. How should we live and pray knowing these things are there, beyond our sights?
let me know!
Sept.24 – “Beyond the Boogey Man”
September 24, 2008
As kids, we were always a little scared of what we couldn’t see…that’s what made the dark so darn scary! I find that as an old guy, things don’t change so much. We just find ways to compensate. I don’t think about things I can’t see that much; out of sight, out of mind. Yet, Paul reminds us that spiritually, we can’t really do that.
Eph.6:12 concludes with…
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
We don’t battle against the corrupt politiicians, against the bullies at school, against unfair teachers. Ultimate spiritual reality is being fought over in ways and in places we can’t see and touch, at least with weapons like swords, bombs and bullets. The harsh truth…they boogey man truth is…there are evil spiritual forces at work in this world, in our present darkness, that are only dealt with spiritually and if we don’t, we are the proverbial guy who brings a knife to a gun fight. Totally outgunned and unready.
I’d like some thoughts on this, and maybe we’ll continue this discussion for couple days. Mainly, pray about it. Don’t for one second think the enemy likes God’s people thinking or fighting the real battle the real way.
imOUT4now