Wisdom from a Fifth Grade Goalie
John Fischer
Our devotional thought for today comes by way of one of our readers who, inspired by my “soccer devotionals,” wrote me about her own soccer experience as a parent. I thought her insights were worth sharing with everyone.
I have really enjoyed your devotionals about soccer. I, too, remember when my daughter started in first grade. Usually, she was the goalie. Mostly she was a ballerina. She couldn’t prevent the other team from scoring unless she was in the middle of a very intense dance routine like pirouetting, doing the arabesque or practicing her positions. To all of this, her coach would just laugh. We had that coach for four years and I think patience is probably his best virtue.
This year, our coach was different. He is a former military man. He is fierce, disciplined, unforgiving and unfortunately, extremely sarcastic and belittling. Great for marines, I suppose. Not so great for fifth grade girls. But, we stuck it out, kept our mouths shut, and counted down the weeks until the season was over. After our final game, I stared in amazement as my daughter, who really disliked this man, went to him and thanked him for taking the time to coach her. I couldn't believe it. She had endured his insults, ridicule and snide remarks. I asked her why she had done that, and she said that maybe he was not nice because no one had been nice to him.
From the mouth of a fifth grader comes incredibly simple wisdom. Almost always this is the case. Abusers have been abused. Oppressors have been oppressed. The neglected become neglectful. How else do we know what to do? We have been trained in our vices.
Two lessons here: 1) Realize how important it is to treat people well. 2) Realize that those who err in their own handling of relationships have most likely had poor examples from which to learn. This is not an excuse for bad behavior, but it does help to understand and break the cycle. When possible, it helps to give a different response than what a poor attitude typically engenders.
“You have heard that the Law of Moses says, `Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy,” Jesus said. “But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and on the unjust, too. If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else” (Matthew 5:43-47)?
PDL
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Friday, November 25, 2005
Evildoers
9 You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2:9-12
Strange, isn't it, that those who do evil prosper—and the righteous end up being the “bad guys” of society? Just raising objections to abortion, homosexual behavior, or sexual promiscuity makes us look like close relatives of Attila the Hun.
It's important to note that Peter reminded us that we would be slandered as “evildoers” (1 Peter 2:12). Because early Christians called their celebrations of the Lord's Table “love feasts,” rumors abounded that they were involved in sexual orgies. And because those feasts involved celebrating communion (remembering the broken body and shed blood of Jesus), the Christians were said to have cannibalistic tendencies.
The early Christians were also known as destroyers of families, since those who struck an allegiance with Jesus often broke with the pagan traditions of their kin. Most seriously, they were a threat to the cohesiveness and continuity of the Roman Empire, as they expressed allegiance to the God of the universe rather than to Caesar. For all of this and more, Christians were often portrayed as the evil element of society.
There is a sense in which we can identify with being labeled as evildoers in our culture. When we hold society accountable for righteousness and articulate what is right and wrong from God's point of view, we are increasingly seen as a threat to actual agendas. Agendas like abortion and gay rights are viewed as part of a progressive society that has finally unshackled itself from the chains of a restricted, puritanical past.
Yet no matter what people say about us or how they portray us, Peter instructed us to live in such a way that they can't avoid noticing the outcome of righteousness in our lives—our good deeds. When the consequences of their sin leaves them broken and without hope, they will notice the stability and peace in our lives, which just may give us the opportunity to tell them that it is Jesus who has made the difference. —Joe Stowell www.rbc.org
seeking: Father, how have I been encouraged as I have considered your goodness to me today? What have you revealed about the work of Jesus in my life?
responding: Is my life full of “good deeds"? Do unbelievers notice? Why or why not? • How is God's goodness reflected in my relationships?
Father, allow me to see people through your eyes. Teach me to reach out in love and show your peaceful, holy heart to everyone I meet. May you be glorified in all I do.
following: Jesus is revealed in our loving, righteous acts.
our journey
9 You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2:9-12
Strange, isn't it, that those who do evil prosper—and the righteous end up being the “bad guys” of society? Just raising objections to abortion, homosexual behavior, or sexual promiscuity makes us look like close relatives of Attila the Hun.
It's important to note that Peter reminded us that we would be slandered as “evildoers” (1 Peter 2:12). Because early Christians called their celebrations of the Lord's Table “love feasts,” rumors abounded that they were involved in sexual orgies. And because those feasts involved celebrating communion (remembering the broken body and shed blood of Jesus), the Christians were said to have cannibalistic tendencies.
The early Christians were also known as destroyers of families, since those who struck an allegiance with Jesus often broke with the pagan traditions of their kin. Most seriously, they were a threat to the cohesiveness and continuity of the Roman Empire, as they expressed allegiance to the God of the universe rather than to Caesar. For all of this and more, Christians were often portrayed as the evil element of society.
There is a sense in which we can identify with being labeled as evildoers in our culture. When we hold society accountable for righteousness and articulate what is right and wrong from God's point of view, we are increasingly seen as a threat to actual agendas. Agendas like abortion and gay rights are viewed as part of a progressive society that has finally unshackled itself from the chains of a restricted, puritanical past.
Yet no matter what people say about us or how they portray us, Peter instructed us to live in such a way that they can't avoid noticing the outcome of righteousness in our lives—our good deeds. When the consequences of their sin leaves them broken and without hope, they will notice the stability and peace in our lives, which just may give us the opportunity to tell them that it is Jesus who has made the difference. —Joe Stowell www.rbc.org
seeking: Father, how have I been encouraged as I have considered your goodness to me today? What have you revealed about the work of Jesus in my life?
responding: Is my life full of “good deeds"? Do unbelievers notice? Why or why not? • How is God's goodness reflected in my relationships?
Father, allow me to see people through your eyes. Teach me to reach out in love and show your peaceful, holy heart to everyone I meet. May you be glorified in all I do.
following: Jesus is revealed in our loving, righteous acts.
our journey
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
miracle of no miracle
41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, 42 “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, 'I am the Son of God.'” 44 And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way. 45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:41-46
If ever a moment demanded a miracle, it is this moment. The crowds are clamoring and calling out for it. Amid their screams and curses, the two thieves on either side of Jesus are demanding it as well. Above all, it would seem common sense demands it.
"Now is the moment! Now is the time to show them your miraculous power!"
As Jesus endures the horrific crucifixion experience, as he pushes himself up on the nail that has been driven through his ankles to catch a gasping breath, only to fall back on the nails in his wrists, the people mock him and ask for a miracle they would not believe even if Jesus were willing to do it. They don't realize, and perhaps neither do we, that—as Frederick Buechner said—the miracle of the cross was that there was no miracle!
"He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8).
Behind that cross is the greatest of all miracles, and at this moment it is completely hidden. Hanging there, it seems that Jesus has been emptied of every drop of his miraculous power. He does just one more un-miraculous miracle; when the cup of suffering is completely drained, he will dismiss his spirit.
In the course of his misunderstood life, this moment he is most misunderstood. The crowd is still clamoring for miracles. But he did not come to give them miracles—he came to give them himself. And on the cross he is doing precisely that.
Jesus of Nazareth was one of hundreds of thousands of men who died on a Roman cross. To have stood before that cross as one of his disciples and witnessed his death would have been to know with absolute certainty that it had not all been for nothing. That is the meaning of the Friday we call “good.”
The cross reveals to us that Jesus' greatest miracle was his refusal at that moment to perform any miracle at all. —Michael Card michaelcard.com
seeking: Jesus, how has reflecting on your death challenged me today? What praise will I offer you?
responding: What is fundamental about the character of Jesus and his miracles? • What do I see is the difference between Jesus' way and the world's way of doing anything and everything?
O miraculous Savior, I praise you for the gift of yourself. I honor you for the humility you revealed here on earth. You could have grasped equality with God, but instead you won praise for him in everything you did! Crucified Lamb, risen Lord, who is like you?
following: Jesus' greatest miracle was his embracing the cross.
our journey
41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, 42 “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, 'I am the Son of God.'” 44 And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way. 45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:41-46
If ever a moment demanded a miracle, it is this moment. The crowds are clamoring and calling out for it. Amid their screams and curses, the two thieves on either side of Jesus are demanding it as well. Above all, it would seem common sense demands it.
"Now is the moment! Now is the time to show them your miraculous power!"
As Jesus endures the horrific crucifixion experience, as he pushes himself up on the nail that has been driven through his ankles to catch a gasping breath, only to fall back on the nails in his wrists, the people mock him and ask for a miracle they would not believe even if Jesus were willing to do it. They don't realize, and perhaps neither do we, that—as Frederick Buechner said—the miracle of the cross was that there was no miracle!
"He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8).
Behind that cross is the greatest of all miracles, and at this moment it is completely hidden. Hanging there, it seems that Jesus has been emptied of every drop of his miraculous power. He does just one more un-miraculous miracle; when the cup of suffering is completely drained, he will dismiss his spirit.
In the course of his misunderstood life, this moment he is most misunderstood. The crowd is still clamoring for miracles. But he did not come to give them miracles—he came to give them himself. And on the cross he is doing precisely that.
Jesus of Nazareth was one of hundreds of thousands of men who died on a Roman cross. To have stood before that cross as one of his disciples and witnessed his death would have been to know with absolute certainty that it had not all been for nothing. That is the meaning of the Friday we call “good.”
The cross reveals to us that Jesus' greatest miracle was his refusal at that moment to perform any miracle at all. —Michael Card michaelcard.com
seeking: Jesus, how has reflecting on your death challenged me today? What praise will I offer you?
responding: What is fundamental about the character of Jesus and his miracles? • What do I see is the difference between Jesus' way and the world's way of doing anything and everything?
O miraculous Savior, I praise you for the gift of yourself. I honor you for the humility you revealed here on earth. You could have grasped equality with God, but instead you won praise for him in everything you did! Crucified Lamb, risen Lord, who is like you?
following: Jesus' greatest miracle was his embracing the cross.
our journey
Monday, November 21, 2005
Today's scripture is 2 Peter 1:2
"Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord."
If you were to look up the Greek word that's translated "knowledge" in that scripture, you'd find out that it means more than just a mental understanding of something, more than the kind of knowledge that can be gained through your senses. It means exact knowledge. Knowledge that's been revealed directly to your heart by the Spirit of God. I call it revelation knowledge.
The lack of that kind of knowledge has caused more faith failures than anything else I know. That's because most Christians believe the Word with their minds, but they haven't meditated on it enough for it to "light up" in their hearts. If they had, that Word would absolutely revolutionize their lives. Nothing in heaven or earth would be able to shake them loose from it.
I know a widow who got hold of that kind of revelation one afternoon. She'd been meditating in the scriptures that say if you're a widow, God Almighty has taken His place as your provider and leader of your household.
She'd been feeling a little sorry for herself up until then. But when she received the revelation that God was actually head of her household now, she started talking to Him like she would a husband.
"I'm telling You, Lord, the plumbing in this house is pitiful. Will You please get it fixed?" she said. From that moment on, she never had any more trouble with her plumbing.
If you need something from God, determine right now that you're going to do what that widow did. Determine that you're going to meditate the Word until you get a revelation like that. Keep that Word before you until you receive a revelation of Jesus as your healer or your deliverer or
your financier--whatever you need Him to be. Don't settle for a shallow mental understanding of Him. Get a deep revelation and His grace will be multiplied to you!
bible shack
"Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord."
If you were to look up the Greek word that's translated "knowledge" in that scripture, you'd find out that it means more than just a mental understanding of something, more than the kind of knowledge that can be gained through your senses. It means exact knowledge. Knowledge that's been revealed directly to your heart by the Spirit of God. I call it revelation knowledge.
The lack of that kind of knowledge has caused more faith failures than anything else I know. That's because most Christians believe the Word with their minds, but they haven't meditated on it enough for it to "light up" in their hearts. If they had, that Word would absolutely revolutionize their lives. Nothing in heaven or earth would be able to shake them loose from it.
I know a widow who got hold of that kind of revelation one afternoon. She'd been meditating in the scriptures that say if you're a widow, God Almighty has taken His place as your provider and leader of your household.
She'd been feeling a little sorry for herself up until then. But when she received the revelation that God was actually head of her household now, she started talking to Him like she would a husband.
"I'm telling You, Lord, the plumbing in this house is pitiful. Will You please get it fixed?" she said. From that moment on, she never had any more trouble with her plumbing.
If you need something from God, determine right now that you're going to do what that widow did. Determine that you're going to meditate the Word until you get a revelation like that. Keep that Word before you until you receive a revelation of Jesus as your healer or your deliverer or
your financier--whatever you need Him to be. Don't settle for a shallow mental understanding of Him. Get a deep revelation and His grace will be multiplied to you!
bible shack
Sunday, November 20, 2005
The Supreme Court: Harvest of Prayer
Missey Butler
An interesting story is told to us in the book of Luke about gratitude. On his way to Jerusalem, as Jesus was going into a small village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “ Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed.
One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God, I’m healed!” He fell down on the ground at Jesus feet, thanking him for what he had done. Then Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Does only this foreigner return to give glory to God?” (Luke 17: 15-18).
This past August a call went out across our nation for prayer and intercession on behalf of the establishment of righteousness to once again be upheld in the Highest court in our land. As I recently sat and watched Judge John Roberts being sworn in as our newest Chief Justice of the United States I couldn’t help but think about the faithfulness of God and how importance it was for us to make sure we run back and thank Him!
Our God has been faithful to appoint the person He would have to preside on the bench as Chief Justice over the Supreme Court. We give him all the glory and the praise for His sovereign move!
We now begin to regroup our prayer efforts and turn our attention once again to the newest round of nominations and we trust that God will again set in place “His choice” within the High Court.
The scriptures bear out that there is power in agreement. Jesus said in Matthew 18:19,20,
I also tell you this: If two of you agree down here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together because they are mine, I am there among them. (NLV The Book)
We can take comfort in the fact that as we lift up our prayer request in His name, He is there promising a response from His Father.
All Glory to the Father!
cbn
Missey Butler
An interesting story is told to us in the book of Luke about gratitude. On his way to Jerusalem, as Jesus was going into a small village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “ Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed.
One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God, I’m healed!” He fell down on the ground at Jesus feet, thanking him for what he had done. Then Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Does only this foreigner return to give glory to God?” (Luke 17: 15-18).
This past August a call went out across our nation for prayer and intercession on behalf of the establishment of righteousness to once again be upheld in the Highest court in our land. As I recently sat and watched Judge John Roberts being sworn in as our newest Chief Justice of the United States I couldn’t help but think about the faithfulness of God and how importance it was for us to make sure we run back and thank Him!
Our God has been faithful to appoint the person He would have to preside on the bench as Chief Justice over the Supreme Court. We give him all the glory and the praise for His sovereign move!
We now begin to regroup our prayer efforts and turn our attention once again to the newest round of nominations and we trust that God will again set in place “His choice” within the High Court.
The scriptures bear out that there is power in agreement. Jesus said in Matthew 18:19,20,
I also tell you this: If two of you agree down here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together because they are mine, I am there among them. (NLV The Book)
We can take comfort in the fact that as we lift up our prayer request in His name, He is there promising a response from His Father.
All Glory to the Father!
cbn
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Won Without a Word
Missey Butler
The Information age! That’s how many people describe our modern world as we know it today.
We are surrounded by avenues of communication at every turn. With palm pilots ready at hand, we can instantaneously message text to a friend and receive back their response within seconds. These modern marvels can be transformed into miniature cameras, turning any average “Joe” into agent Maxwell Smart, with surveillance capabilities at any given moment (scary thought I know).
Oh Man and his Magnificent Machines!
I often think about just how far we have come with our sophisticated technology and our wandering sky angel satellites. I sometimes reminisce about a simpler place and a simpler time. A place where a person can actually survive without a 10-day weather forecast, or the flash of a news update every 15 minutes.
Let’s face it, talk is cheap! We hear multitudes of mindless chatter whirling around our heads, most of our waking hours. The onslaught of thousands and thousands of words, and just what are we doing with all this information? We filter most of it within record speeds and whatever is left, as the old adage says, “goes in one ear and out the other.”
I have the misfortune of often experiencing this very dilemma whenever I try to preach, (I mean convince) my husband Art, that “he” needs to read his Bible more, or “he” needs to turn the other cheek, or of course “he” should always be more patient, loving, considerate ( you get the picture). And, what usually is the result of all this sage advice? I am inevitably met with that, “What were you saying babe?” look on his face.
The Holy Spirit gently led me to a verse that would help deliver me from the need to always be the bible thump’n preacher woman! It’s found in 1 Peter: 3:1
In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives.
Well, you could have knocked me over with a feather. There it was in black and white -- “won without a word.” “But come on, I thought to myself, that’s just plain old impossible! At that very moment the little resident angel that always sits on my shoulder leaned over and whispered: “You know God’s always right don’t you?”
Yes, I do. And once again I had discovered another invaluable nugget of truth that deep down inside I recognized that it isn’t always what you say, but rather what you do!
Once again my rubber was meeting the road, and I determined with a holy resolve that next time… I would do more walking the walk and less talking the talk.
cbn
Missey Butler
The Information age! That’s how many people describe our modern world as we know it today.
We are surrounded by avenues of communication at every turn. With palm pilots ready at hand, we can instantaneously message text to a friend and receive back their response within seconds. These modern marvels can be transformed into miniature cameras, turning any average “Joe” into agent Maxwell Smart, with surveillance capabilities at any given moment (scary thought I know).
Oh Man and his Magnificent Machines!
I often think about just how far we have come with our sophisticated technology and our wandering sky angel satellites. I sometimes reminisce about a simpler place and a simpler time. A place where a person can actually survive without a 10-day weather forecast, or the flash of a news update every 15 minutes.
Let’s face it, talk is cheap! We hear multitudes of mindless chatter whirling around our heads, most of our waking hours. The onslaught of thousands and thousands of words, and just what are we doing with all this information? We filter most of it within record speeds and whatever is left, as the old adage says, “goes in one ear and out the other.”
I have the misfortune of often experiencing this very dilemma whenever I try to preach, (I mean convince) my husband Art, that “he” needs to read his Bible more, or “he” needs to turn the other cheek, or of course “he” should always be more patient, loving, considerate ( you get the picture). And, what usually is the result of all this sage advice? I am inevitably met with that, “What were you saying babe?” look on his face.
The Holy Spirit gently led me to a verse that would help deliver me from the need to always be the bible thump’n preacher woman! It’s found in 1 Peter: 3:1
In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives.
Well, you could have knocked me over with a feather. There it was in black and white -- “won without a word.” “But come on, I thought to myself, that’s just plain old impossible! At that very moment the little resident angel that always sits on my shoulder leaned over and whispered: “You know God’s always right don’t you?”
Yes, I do. And once again I had discovered another invaluable nugget of truth that deep down inside I recognized that it isn’t always what you say, but rather what you do!
Once again my rubber was meeting the road, and I determined with a holy resolve that next time… I would do more walking the walk and less talking the talk.
cbn
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Kick it!
John Fischer
“You've always wanted to be a sportswriter. Now's your chance.”
John Fischer
“You've always wanted to be a sportswriter. Now's your chance.”
That was my wife's comment to me over the weekend as we were realizing this is our last week of AYSO soccer for
For most of these kids, it is their first experience at an organized sport, and the first time they have been asked to concentrate on one thing for longer than ten minutes. Of course, at this age, this is humanly impossible, which is what makes this experience so endearing.
A perfect illustration of what I mean would be Claire, the only girl on the team. She is the tallest and thus most obvious. She can usually be found in the center of the field staring off in some direction twirling a few strands of her fine blond hair around a finger as a small moving mass of thirteen shorter kids maneuver around her with a soccer ball somewhere in the middle of it.
Once in a while, the ball will somehow roll in front of her. That's when White Tiger parents will be found cheering her on from the sidelines, “Claire! Kick it!” And in a moment of sudden clarity, her long leg will swing mightily through the ball sending it off in a direction, which may be towards our goal, then again, may not. Thirteen other kids will race over to engulf the rolling sphere while Claire maintains her position solidly in the middle of the field, playing with her hair and watching the dandelions grow.
What happens for her in that moment is what will happen for all of us today. God will put the ball in front of us. Clouds of silent witnesses will be shouting, “(Your name here)! Kick it!” And it will be our turn. Our time to realize God is entrusting us with His more serious game (what we call "life"). It could be any number of things that happen today, but it will be up to us. So just kick the ball, preferably towards the goal, but God can use just about any direction for His purposes as long as we stay in the game.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us” (Hebrews 12:1 NLT).
Look for more from Assistant Coach John this week. Tell your friends!
Thursday, November 10, 2005
shield of faith
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 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. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. Ephesians 6:11-17
Among the strategically prescribed pieces of the armor of God, Ephesians tells us, “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one” (v.16).
Why do we need “in all circumstances” to learn to use our “shield of faith"? Because the shield is the armor's armor. The warrior's goal was to extinguish any oncoming dart with his shield to stop all potential damage such as stunning, bruising, or wounding. When the warrior's shield was down, the other pieces of armor were vulnerable.
The same is true in our spiritual warfare. Our toughest battles will invariably concern matters of faith—times when we're tempted to think God's Word and his ways won't work for us or that he has let us down. If Satan can get us to drop our shield of faith, he knows we can't remain standing very long.
The first recorded words that ever came from the serpent's mouth were: “Did God actually say . . . ?” (Genesis 3:1). He used the spade of deceit to sow doubt. Satan, posing as the serpent, knew he couldn't keep Eve from believing in God, so he tempted her not to believe God or trust his motives. Her walk was crippled, her doubt was contagious, and the couple lost the land God had placed under their feet. When Eve dropped her shield of faith, every other piece of spiritual armor became vulnerable. Satan knew she wouldn't remain standing for long. When she fell, she fell hard. I know the feeling.
"In all circumstances,” you and I need to learn to take up our shield of faith. We also desperately need to know the Word of God and wield the “sword of the Spirit” so that when the enemy slyly suggests, “Did God actually say . . . ?” we can know the answer emphatically.
When we respond to attacks of doubt, distortion, and deceit with the shield of faith, the fiery dart is extinguished and the enemy takes another hit. I owe him a few. Do you? —Beth Moore bethmoore.org
seeking: Father, how have I seen your power in a new way? How have you encouraged my heart?
responding: Where do I sense the enemy targeting his fiery darts? • What lies am I believing about God? •What Scriptures could help me combat attacks of doubt, distortion, and deceit?
Father, thank you for providing armor for my protection. I desire to wear and use every piece. Give me strong arms to wield the sword of the Spirit and take up the shield of faith. Be mighty through me, to the praise of your glorious name. In Jesus' name, amen.
following: In all circumstances, take up the shield of faith.
our journey
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 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. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. Ephesians 6:11-17
Among the strategically prescribed pieces of the armor of God, Ephesians tells us, “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one” (v.16).
Why do we need “in all circumstances” to learn to use our “shield of faith"? Because the shield is the armor's armor. The warrior's goal was to extinguish any oncoming dart with his shield to stop all potential damage such as stunning, bruising, or wounding. When the warrior's shield was down, the other pieces of armor were vulnerable.
The same is true in our spiritual warfare. Our toughest battles will invariably concern matters of faith—times when we're tempted to think God's Word and his ways won't work for us or that he has let us down. If Satan can get us to drop our shield of faith, he knows we can't remain standing very long.
The first recorded words that ever came from the serpent's mouth were: “Did God actually say . . . ?” (Genesis 3:1). He used the spade of deceit to sow doubt. Satan, posing as the serpent, knew he couldn't keep Eve from believing in God, so he tempted her not to believe God or trust his motives. Her walk was crippled, her doubt was contagious, and the couple lost the land God had placed under their feet. When Eve dropped her shield of faith, every other piece of spiritual armor became vulnerable. Satan knew she wouldn't remain standing for long. When she fell, she fell hard. I know the feeling.
"In all circumstances,” you and I need to learn to take up our shield of faith. We also desperately need to know the Word of God and wield the “sword of the Spirit” so that when the enemy slyly suggests, “Did God actually say . . . ?” we can know the answer emphatically.
When we respond to attacks of doubt, distortion, and deceit with the shield of faith, the fiery dart is extinguished and the enemy takes another hit. I owe him a few. Do you? —Beth Moore bethmoore.org
seeking: Father, how have I seen your power in a new way? How have you encouraged my heart?
responding: Where do I sense the enemy targeting his fiery darts? • What lies am I believing about God? •What Scriptures could help me combat attacks of doubt, distortion, and deceit?
Father, thank you for providing armor for my protection. I desire to wear and use every piece. Give me strong arms to wield the sword of the Spirit and take up the shield of faith. Be mighty through me, to the praise of your glorious name. In Jesus' name, amen.
following: In all circumstances, take up the shield of faith.
our journey
Monday, November 07, 2005
peace in the storm
35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?” Mark 4:35-41
Jesus got into the boat with his disciples to cross the Sea of Galilee. The water was calm and still and soon he was asleep. A storm started to brew, however, and it must have felt like the mother of all storms. For the disciples weren't sure they were going to make it. They were overcome with feelings of anxiety and fear and rushed to the Lord, waking him out of his sleep: “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
Have you ever had that kind of experience? Perhaps you've been in peaceful circumstances and then one unexpected phone call brings a raging storm into your life. It threatens to overwhelm and engulf you. And as you pray, it seems as if the Lord is asleep. Then, as the storm worsens, you begin to panic.
That's how the disciples felt. But when Jesus got up, he spoke to the wind and waves. With a simple word he stilled the waters.
The children of Israel panicked when they faced the Red Sea. The disciples panicked when they faced the Sea of Galilee. What is the raging water in your life? What is causing you to panic? Have you forgotten that you have a Savior who really does care? You may be thinking, Why doesn't he still my waters? Here's some really good news: He will still your waters. But only at the right moment. You may get wet. You may even get soaked, but God will help you.
Years ago, Martyn Lloyd-Jones commented that in many circumstances of life, faith is a refusal to panic. When feelings of anxiety have us in their grip, we can remember this truth—believing that Jesus has everything under his control.
After Jesus calmed the storm, he looked at the disciples and asked, “Where is your faith?” You may feel that you don't have a lot of faith. That's okay. God knows and he hasn't forgotten you. He will quiet your storm when the time is right. —Steve Farrar
seeking: Father, what storm have you started to quiet in my heart this day? What has peace meant to me this moment?
responding: How have I been reacting to the storms of life? • What does my faith mean to me in times of crisis? • What will be required for me to grow in my faith?
Father, you are the only one who can calm the storms of life. I cry out to you, acknowledging my need for you and your peace. I praise you for the faith you have allowed me to know. In Jesus' name, amen.
following: No storm is greater than God's peace.
our journey
35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?” Mark 4:35-41
Jesus got into the boat with his disciples to cross the Sea of Galilee. The water was calm and still and soon he was asleep. A storm started to brew, however, and it must have felt like the mother of all storms. For the disciples weren't sure they were going to make it. They were overcome with feelings of anxiety and fear and rushed to the Lord, waking him out of his sleep: “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
Have you ever had that kind of experience? Perhaps you've been in peaceful circumstances and then one unexpected phone call brings a raging storm into your life. It threatens to overwhelm and engulf you. And as you pray, it seems as if the Lord is asleep. Then, as the storm worsens, you begin to panic.
That's how the disciples felt. But when Jesus got up, he spoke to the wind and waves. With a simple word he stilled the waters.
The children of Israel panicked when they faced the Red Sea. The disciples panicked when they faced the Sea of Galilee. What is the raging water in your life? What is causing you to panic? Have you forgotten that you have a Savior who really does care? You may be thinking, Why doesn't he still my waters? Here's some really good news: He will still your waters. But only at the right moment. You may get wet. You may even get soaked, but God will help you.
Years ago, Martyn Lloyd-Jones commented that in many circumstances of life, faith is a refusal to panic. When feelings of anxiety have us in their grip, we can remember this truth—believing that Jesus has everything under his control.
After Jesus calmed the storm, he looked at the disciples and asked, “Where is your faith?” You may feel that you don't have a lot of faith. That's okay. God knows and he hasn't forgotten you. He will quiet your storm when the time is right. —Steve Farrar
seeking: Father, what storm have you started to quiet in my heart this day? What has peace meant to me this moment?
responding: How have I been reacting to the storms of life? • What does my faith mean to me in times of crisis? • What will be required for me to grow in my faith?
Father, you are the only one who can calm the storms of life. I cry out to you, acknowledging my need for you and your peace. I praise you for the faith you have allowed me to know. In Jesus' name, amen.
following: No storm is greater than God's peace.
our journey