14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
Ephesians 6:14-15
Have your feet fitted for peace. What a powerful thought! Let’s offer 4 thoughts about spiritual peace from the Armor of God.
16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
James 5:16
Two commands and one promise comprise James 5:16. The commands are……..
**Confess your sins
**Pray for each other
The Promise?
**The prayer of the righteous will be powerful. Let us go and follow these commands.
13 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.14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place.
Ephesians 6:13-14
The breastplate of righteousness is the second of God’s armaments for the Christian. Let us consider four truths about righteousness from the Word of God.
**The Lord Is Righteous
9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”
2 Corinthians 9:9
**Human Beings Need To Be Righteous
17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14:17
**Human Beings Are Incapable of Godly Righteousness
“There is no one righteous, not even one.”
Romans 3:10
**We Need Christ’s Righteousness
30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.
James 5:14-15
Praying in faith is a vital aspect of Christian living. Believers ought to pray and should lift up their requests believing that God is able to do miracles.
James instructs the sick to call for the elders of the church, be anointed with oil, and be prayed for by the leaders of the congregation. This practice is consistent with the biblical record. The elders do not have to be called in every situation. Yet, the option remains should the need arise among the flock.
The overarching lesson from verses 14-15 is the need for God’s people to pray in a believing spirit. Too often, the Church prays with little to no faith that God will actually do what they are praying for the Lord to accomplish. Every member of the church (no just the elders) should intercede on behalf of the sick and hurting. And when the Christian does pray for their fellow Believers, let them bring petitions with the full faith and confidence that God will hear them and will move on their behalf.
The Lord will not always answer our prayers exactly as hoped. But, He will hear us and grant us His will in all things. And that is what is best after all!
13 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.14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place.
Ephesians 6:13-14
***Jesus Is Truth
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
***God’s Word Is Truth
17 Sanctify them bythe truth; your word is truth.
John 17:17
***Truth Doesn’t Fail
31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.
James 5:13
Praise and prayer occupy the Apostle’s teaching in Chapter 5, Verse 13. These two spiritual disciplines are vital for Christian growth. Without them, maturity will come slowly if at all to the Believer.
When trouble comes, pray. Pray also when times are good. No matter the circumstance and no matter the situation, pray. God works through the prayers of His people. The Lord will not answer every prayer as we would hope. He will hear us and do what it is best.
Praise the Lord, Child of God. He has blessed you, protected you, and kept you in Christ Jesus. Praise Him when you feel like it and even when you don’t. Honor the King of kings and Lord of lords through praise each and every day.
What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.
1 Corinthians 3:5-9
Let’s think about three things these verses reveal to us.
1)We must plant for the harvest. As believers, we are called to spread the gospel seed far and wide. This happens in many different ways including preaching, teaching, witnessing, sharing our testimony and ministry through the church.
Not everyone is called to the specific preaching or teaching office. However, all Christians should be sharing their faith and inviting people to Jesus in their daily lives. The Great Commission to go and make disciples is given to all.
(Matthew 28:19-20)
2)We must prepare for the harvest. Apollos watered the seed after Paul planted it. We must prepare to receive the overflow in our churches and in our lives as we sow the good news into the lives of others. Preparation is needed when one “waters the seed” as being unprepared for the harvest is shameful and wasteful. Telling others that Christ died and rose again and that there is hope for reconciliation with God through the forgiveness of sin will result in salvations. Not everyone will receive the message, but, some will. Are we prepared to enjoy and accommodate the harvest?
3)We must pray for the harvest. Our task is to plant and prepare for harvest. However, God must bring the harvest. God must cause it to grow and mature. We ought to pray that God will bring the harvest and that He will send laborers into the field. (John 4:35 & Matthew 9:28)
12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.
James 5:12
Keep is simple. That advice, though well-worn, has stood the test of time. James implores us to say to avoid grandiose pronouncements and stick to plain speech.
The faithful gospel requires an understandable explanation. Christ lived for us, died for us, and was raised from the dead for us is what people need to know. Let us allow others to engage in fooling arguments and swearing oaths. Let’s keep it simple.
Let your yes be yes and your no be no, Child of God!
Do you want to be holy? Believer, do you desire that your life would reflect the life of Christ? If so, consider the following.
**Abide in Christ
4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
John 15:4-5
**Glory in Christ
3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,
Philippians 3:3
**Hope in Christ
To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Colossians 1:27
**Dwell in Christ
That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love.
Ephesians 3:17
**Rest in Christ
9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
mrtonyfrench 