Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For 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. 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.  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.  Ephesians 6:10-17 NIV

March onward into battle!

“Then promise me your courage, your protection and your might, and I promise with your Word in hand, I’ll draw my sword and fight!”
“My child, I promise nothing but everything you need So I’m granting you these shoes of peace to calm your trembling feet.
“Your enemy will fight with lies, but do not be deceived. For as you wear this belt of truth, you’ll know what to believe.
“Your heart is very tender, but child, be not dismayed with this breastplate of my righteousness you’ll stand strong and unswayed.
“I’m granting you this shield of faith that your eyes as mine shall see that no matter how this war unfolds In the end I will succeed.
“Take this helmet of salvation for this war is full of strife, but should you die in battle, I have promised you New Life.”
“You may not always see me, but I’m with you, be assured. This armor will protect you from the slash of Satan’s sword.
“It’s getting late, we must march on,” He said. And I said back, “You’ve given me all that I need, I’ll give it all I have.”

…and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appear, then you also will appear with him in glory.  Col 3:3-4

We went to a Kansas City Royals baseball game one day a few years ago when they were giving away a George Brett babushka doll to all who attended the game.  Growing up with a bohemian/czech grandmother I had always heard that a babushka was a scarf; but I found out on this day that a babushka is a doll within a doll within a doll within a doll within a doll.   This particular item is a model of George Brett which you open to find another smaller model, open it find another smaller model and again to open it find another model hidden inside.

Imagine Christ as the first piece. Open Christ to find me inside. Nothing can get to the inside dolls without first going through the outer one, in this case Jesus Christ. Nothing can touch me without first touching Christ.

Another image would be to take a mason jar and put in a handful of coins. Seal the jar. Now place the jar inside a pail of water. The jar gets wet, but the coins inside remain dry. Christ is protecting me, keeping me dry while he is bombarded by the surrounding water.

If all the George Brett dolls are inside each other, when the outer doll appears, all the others are there as well.  When you pull the mason jar out of the water the jar is visible as well as the coins inside. I am hidden in Christ; when he appears in glory I will be with Him.

This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.   Romans 3:22

I am reminded of a recent trip to the dentist. While the dentist was cleaning my teeth he said to me, “I do not believe in God.” Knowing me for a number of years, this dentist knows how important my faith is to me, yet for numerous reasons (one main one being her hands were in my mouth) I uncharacteristically remained silent, allowing her to explain; “How can God exist and still allow all the suffering and pain in the world?” I remained quiet until she was finished (and of course put her drill away) and told her that “I do not believe in dentists.” This confused her greatly so I clarified for her that if there are dentists in the world, how can so many people have broken, infected and missing teeth? She answered me “I cannot help anyone who does not come to me to have their teeth fixed.” That reply is the same for faith. He cannot help people until they come to Him in repentance and faith, accept Him in their lives and ask Him for help.

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void.   Isaiah 55:11a

I think the following artice, taken from Turning Point Ministries, gives us something to think about as we prepare to go to the voting polls next week.  VOTE!!  Let your voice be heard!!  The voice of the opposition is ringing loud.

The first state constitution written in America was the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (1639). It was based on the Bible, and it became a model for other state constitutions as well as the Constitution of the United States. Since the American Revolution (1776), America’s biblically based constitution has remained in place. France, by comparison, has had seven constitutions since the French Revolution (1789) that were based on Voltaire’s anti-biblical, humanist philosophy.

The influence of the Bible is seen throughout America’s government. The founding fathers devised a three branch system of checks and balances because of their acknowledgement of the depravity of man man’s inability to govern himself. It is hard not to connect America’s declining moral state with the removal of the Bible from its original central place in our nation’s government and schools. Christians understand that the Bible is alive and powerful; remove it, and its life changing power is negated (Hebrews 4:12).

Moral and spiritual decline happens to individuals before it happens to nations. Commit to keeping God’s Word at the core of your life.

Apply yourself wholly to the text; apply the text wholly to yourself.
John A. Bengel

Your Word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you.  Psalm 119:11

I found this interesting word find on the internet recently. 

Can you find 13 animals hidden in these words?
Pheasantoadderaturtleechareelionewtiger

Now, in order to find the 13 words you have to know what the words are. You have to know the word tiger, for example.

In the same way you have to know what God’s Words are. Read the Word, study it, talk with other christians about the Word. Listen to the preaching of the Word. This way the Word will enter into your heart and you will know the Word.

NOTE:  to find the answer to the above word riddle click here to go to braingle dot com.