Volume 2021: Edition 4
Food for thought: The Armor of God.
Hello everyone, and welcome back. Thank you for continuing to read our updates as we continue to grow and dive into his word.
This week we are looking into the Armor of God. The Armor of God is referenced many times through out the bible as seen in Exodus 28:30; Psalms 84:11; Psalms 115:11; Isaiah 11:5; and Romans 13:12-14. The full description of the Armor of God is found in Ephesians 6:10-18:
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints" (KJV)
This description was taken literally among the priests who did dress accordingly to the
priestly garments described in Exodus 28, which is a similar description to the Armor of God in Ephesians. It is also often debated on whether the armor of a Roman soldier is a better description of the Armor of God than the garments of a priest. However, the Armor of God refers to spiritual warfare rather than just the physical garments that priests wear into the temple of God or armor that protects us from physical harm. Yes, the priestly garments were specifically described and required of those in the presence of God in Exodus, but the garments hold symbolic and metaphoric meaning.
We, as followers of Christ, are attacked constantly by the evils of this world, caused ultimately by Satan, and it is Jesus's gift of salvation that clothes us, it is the holy spirit that ropes us in with wisdom and truth, and it is our faith in God that shields us from the temptations and evils of the world. Without Him our lives fall apart and we fall into sin. We must pray for Him to be in our lives, our relationships, our careers, our goals and to clothe us in righteousness as He is our living armor. This is what the true Armor of God is.
Just some food for thought....
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Upcoming Events
Special Prayers
Aliyah and Gloria's Family
Brent and his family
Devin's Birthday on Sunday, August 1st
Special Moments
Happy Birthday Devin! May God bless you and watch over you always and may you have a wonderful week!
Congratulations to the newlyweds Vincent and Nichola! They were married this past Saturday, July 30th. May God continue to bless them both in their marriage and their lives together!
Weekly Devotional:
By His Hand
By God we are blessed and deemed righteous. It is Jesus' salvation that encompasses us and surrounds us with His favor like a warm blanket. He is before you and behind you, above you and below you, around you and in you. He hems you in with His reassuring presence, whether you're coming or going. Everything you are and everything you have is the result of His excessive kindness and Grace. He layers blessing upon blessing into your life. And it is by his authority and power that we are healed. Even the Leper knew He had the authority and power to heal him. He knew He wouldn't cast him aside like other people did. So this defiled and unclean man-an untouchable-came and knelt before Jesus with his request. And, being an amazing, tender, and compassionate God He is, He could have healed him by just saying, "Be healed." but He reached out and touched him. Jesus knew how he longed to be touched. He knew how he longed to be seen and heard and welcomed. He understood his physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, and He met every one of them. In the story of the Leper Jesus gives us a beautiful picture of how He cares for all those who come to Him in faith. He blesses us in ways we can never understand, and it is His love for each of us that sustains, heals, and envelopes all of us.
How does Jesus' healing of the leper touch you?
How has God blessed you?
"You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain it."
(Psalm 139:5-6)
"Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield."
(Psalm 5:12)
"A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, 'Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.' Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. 'I am willing,' he said. 'Be clean!' immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy."
(Matthew 8:2-3)
Verse of the Week:
"I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."
(Psalms 27:13)
Questions?
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