Showing posts with label Abiding In Christ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Abiding In Christ. Show all posts

Monday, June 5, 2023

LILACLADY JUNEBUG2 _MISSION STATEMENT - cashjuneestelle@gmail.com_My Mission Statement_Walking By Faith_I Keep Climbing


 LILACLADY JUNEBUG2 _

Mission Statement 

                                                  
My aim is to glorify God in my life
By Abiding in Christ,
Walking in the Spirit,
Knowing my Father in Heaven is
Watching over me
While I go about living, 
loving, . 
John 15.16,17 
Ye have not chosen me, 
but I have chosen you, 
and ordained you 
that you should go 
and bring forth fruit,
and that your fruit 
should remain: that 
whatsoever ye shall
ask the Father in my 
Name, he may give it you.
These things I command you,
that ye love one another.  
MY PURPOSE
is to glorify 
the Triune God 
by worship
by fellowship 
by discipleship
that He, working through me, 
I may by God's grace
impart to others
His love 
and 
His grace. 

;John 13.34. 35
A new commandment 
I give unto you, 
That ye love one another;
As I have loved you, 
that ye also love 
one another.
By this shall
all men
know that ye are my 
disciples, 
if ye have love
one for another. 
   
Announcing that soon I will 
have a website 
bibleladyjunebugcash.com 

I WILL BE AS ALWAYS
WALKING BY FAITH, LOOKING 
UNTO THE SOON AND 
COMING LORD JESUS CHRIST

WALKING BY FAITH - I KEEP CLIMBING
LILACLADY JUNEBUG2 
June Estelle Cash  

My thought for the day
is that 
TIME IS SHORT 

We do not know 
what the day tomorrow
will hold,
much less today.
And we can't do any thing
 at all about 
the 
yesterdays.
We can 
go forward.
People are looking for help,
for strength, 
for satisfaction
but 
all the time 
neglect 
the 
ONE PLACE 
GOD'S HOLY WORD 
which 
is 
the only source
we have 
from
the Living God 
who Alone Stands above 
All, over all, 
and 
in whom
Jesus Christ came 
to declare 
The Father to us 
and gave His Life 
for the ransom of many.

John 3.16 
For God so loved 
the world 
that he gave 
his only begotten Son
that whosoever 
believeth in him
should not 
perish,
but have 
everlasting life.  

Monday, June 24, 2019

DIGGING FOR TRUTH - RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF GOD

                            DIGGING FOR TRUTH
                                            RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF GOD 

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God,
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth."
2 Timothy 2.15



2 Timothy 3.16,17
All scripture is given by inspiration
of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, reproof,
for correction, for instruction
in righteousness, 
that the man of God 
may be perfect, throughly 
furnished unto all good works.

ASKING ? 

SEEKING ?

KNOCKING ? 

MATTHEW 7.7,8 
"Ask, and it shall be given you;
seek, and ye shall find;
knock, and it shall be opened unto you;
For everyone that asketh
receiveth;
and he that seeketh 
findeth; 
and to him
that knocketh,
it shall be opened." 


BOOKS 
BOOKS 
AND 
THE 
BIBLE 

ROMANS 10.17 
TELLS US 
"FAITH COMETH BY HEARING
AND HEARING 
BY THE WORD OF GOD."  

THE FIRST STEP IS TO TAKE THE BIBLE

AND BEGIN TO READ  


           LEARNING FROM THE BIBLE
             BEGINS WITH READING IT.
           
          TO READ IT, CAREFULLY, AND
             MINDFULLY.  

                 
             I would recommend you begin
             with the book of John.
               

   John 20.31 tells us:
      And there are also many other things 
       which Jesus did, the which if they 
      should be written every one, I suppose
      that even the world itself could not
       contain the books that should be 
       written.  Amen.   

Psalm 19.
1. The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament showeth his handiwork.
2. Day unto day uttereth speech,
and night unto night showeth 
knowledge.
3. There is no speech nor language
where their voice is not heard.
4.Their line is gone out through the
earth, and their words to the 
end of the world. in them hath he
set a tabernacle for the sun.
5. Which is as a bridegroom coming
out of his chamber, and rejoiceth
as a strong man to run a race.
6. His going forth is from the end
of the heaven, and his circuit
unto the ends of it;
and there is nothing
hid from the heat thereof.
7. The law of the LORD is perfect,
converting the soul: the testimony 
of the LORD is sure, making wise 
the simple.
8. The statutes of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart: the commandment
of the LORD is pure, enlightening 
the eyes.
9. The fear of the LORD is clean,
enduring forever; 
the judgments of the LORD are true,
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they 
than gold, yea, than much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and the honeycomb.
11. Moreover, by them is thy servant
warned: and in keeping of them
there is great reward.
12. Who can understand his errors?
cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13.Keep back thy servant also
from presumptuous sins; let them
not have dominion over me:
then shall I be 
upright, and I shall be innocent
from the great transgression.
14. Let the words of my mouth,
and the meditation of my heart, 
be acceptable in thy sight,
O LORD, 
my strength, and my redeemer.   



PSALM 119,105 
THY WORD IS A LAMP UNTO MY FEET, 
AND A LIGHT UNTO MY PATH.

PSALM 12.6,7
THE WORDS OF THE LORD ARE PURE WORD;
AS SILVER TRIED IN A FURNACE 
OF EARTH, PURIFIED SEVEN TIMES.
THOU WILT KEEP THEM, O LORD, 
THOU SHALT PRESERVE THEM FROM THIS
GENERATION FOREVER. 

ISAIAH 50.10
WHO IS AMONG YOU THAT FEARETH
THE LORD, THAT OBEYETH THE 
VOICE OF HIS SERVANT, 
THAT WALKETH IN DARKNESS,
AND HATH NO LIGHT? 
LET HIM TRUST IN THE 
NAME OF THE LORD, 
AND STAY
UPON HIS GOD.

JOHN 4.14 
WHOSOEVER DRINKETH OF THE WATER THAT I SHALL
GIVE HIM SHALL NEVER THIRST; BUT THE 
WATER THAT I SHALL GIVE HIM 
SHALL BE IN HIM A WELL OF WATER
SPRINGING UP INTO EVERLASTING LIFE.

JOHN 6.35 
I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE: HE THAT COMETH TO ME
SHALL NEVER HUNGER; AND HE THAT BELIEVETH
ON ME SHALL NEVER THIRST.

JOHN 8.12 
THEN SPAKE JESUS AGAIN TO THEM SAYING,
I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD: HE THAT 
FOLLOWETH ME SHALL NOT WALK IN
DARKNESS, BUT SHALL HAVE 
THE LIGHT OF LIFE.

JOHN 10.9 
I AM THE DOOR: BY ME IF ANY MAN
ENTER IN, HE SHALL BE SAVED, AND SHALL
GO IN AND OUT, AND FIND PASTURE.

JOHN 10.11
I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD: THE GOOD SHEPHERD
GIVETH HIS LIFE FOR THE SHEEP.

JOHN 10.14
I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD. AND KNOW
MY SHEEP, AND AM KNOWN OF MINE.
JOHN 10.15
AS THE FATHER KNOWETH ME, EVEN
SO KNOW I THE FATHER: AND I LAY
DOWN MY LIFE FOR THE SHEEP.

JOHN 10.16
AND OTHER SHEEP I HAVE; WHICH
ARE NOT OF THIS FOLD; THEM ALSO
MUST I BRING, AND THEY SHALL HEAR
MY VOICE, AND THERE SHALL BE 
ONE FOLD, AND ONE SHEPHERD.

JOHN 13.33,34
A NEW COMMANDMENT I GIVE 
UNTO YOU, THAT YE LOVE ONE 
ANOTHER; AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, THAT
YE ALSO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
BY THIS SHALL ALL MEN KNOW 
THAT YE ARE MY DISCIPLES,
IF YE HAVE LOVE ONE TO ANOTHER.

JOHN 14.6
I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH
AND THE LIFE; NO MAN 
COMETH UNTO THE FATHER, BUT BY ME.

JOHN 14.19
BECAUSE I LIVE, YE SHALL LIVE ALSO.

JOHN 14.26
BUT THE COMFORTER, WHICH IS THE 
HOLY GHOST, WHOM THE FATHER
WILL SEND IN MY NAME, HE SHALL TEACH
YOU ALL THINGS, AND BRING TO YOU
REMEMBRANCE, WHATSOEVER I HAVE 
SAID UNTO YOU.

JOHN 14.27
PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU,
MY PEACE I GIVE UNTO YOU
NOT AS THE WORLD GIVETH, GIVE I UNTO YOU;
LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED,
NEITHER LET IT BE AFRAID.

JOHN 15. 1- 7
1. I AM THE TRUE VINE, AND MY FATHER
IS THE HUSBANDMAN.
2.EVERY BRANCH IN ME THAT
BEARETH NOT FRUIT, HE TAKETH AWAY;
AND EVERY BRANCH THAT BEARETH 
FRUIT HE PURGETH IT, THAT IT MAY
BRING FORTH MORE FRUIT.
3. NOW YE ARE CLEAN THROUGH
THE WORD WHICH I HAVE SPOKEN 
UNTO YOU.
4. ABIDE IN ME, AND I IN YOU.
AS THE BRANCH CANNOT BEAR 
FRUIT OF ITSELF, EXCEPT IT ABIDE IN
THE VINE, NO MORE CAN YE, EXCEPT
YE ABIDE IN ME.
5. I AM THE VINE, YE ARE THE BRANCHES:
HE THAT ABIDETH IN ME, AND I IN
HIM, THE SAME BRINGETH 
FORTH MUCH FRUIT, FOR 
WITHOUT ME YE CAN DO NOTHING.
6. IF A MAN ABIDE NOT IN ME, HE IS 
CAST FORTH AS A BRANCH, AND IS WITHERED,
AND MEN GATHER THEM, AND CAST
THEM INTO THE FIRE, AND 
THEY ARE BURNED.
7. IF YE ABIDE IN ME, AND MY WORDS
ABIDE IN YOU,
YE SHALL ASK WHAT YE WILL,
AND IT SHALL BE DONE UNTO YOU.




I CORINTHIANS 15. 1 - 3
THE GOSPEL IN A NUTSHELL

1. MOREOVER, BRETHREN, I DECLARE 
UNTO YOU THE GOSPEL WHICH I PREACHED 
UNTO YOU, WHICH ALSO YE HAVE
RECEIVED, AND WHEREIN YE STAND;
2.BY WHICH YE ARE SAVED, IF YE KEEP 
IN MEMORY WHAT I PREACHED UNTO YOU,
UNLESS YE HAVE BELIEVED IN VAIN.
3. FOR I DELIVERED UNTO YOU FIRST OF ALL 
THAT WHICH I ALSO RECEIVED, HOW 
THAT CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS ACCORDING
TO THE SCRIPTURES; 
4.AND THAT HE WAS BURIED, AND THAT HE 
ROSE AGAIN THE THIRD DAY ACCORDING TO
THE SCRIPTURES;
5.AND THAT HE WAS SEEN OF CEPHAS, THEN
OF THE TWELVE;










Friday, November 2, 2018

SEEK AND YE SHALL FIND - WHAT ARE YOU SEARCHING FOR?


SEEK AND YE SHALL FIND - WHAT ARE YOU SEARCHING FOR?

by LILACLADYJUNEBUG2


IN TRAVELING ON THE ROAD OF LIFE 

WE NEED TO KNOW WHOM TO SEEK


                          MATTHEW 6.33 
                 SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD 
                              AND ALL THESE THINGS
                                               SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU 
                            
                          Psalm 31.15   My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
This is the same Psalm from which David declared in verse 5 "Into thy hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth."    Jesus said this very same thing in Luke 23. verse 45,46 when Scripture tells us "And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.  And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost." 
                      Matthew 7. 7,8    In this passage Jesus was giving to us instructions as to the Way we should go.   Everyone was expecting an EARTHLY KING,  and had no idea of the truth that here was The King, and His Kingdom was surely as THE KING OF THE JEWS, yet He came to give us the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.      
                   Many today are looking for physical safety, and freedom from fear.   We forget that Paul has told us in I Corinthians 15. 3,4 "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."
                  
                        ASKING  
                              SEEKING 
                                  KNOCKING 
         MANY PEOPLE ARE ENTERING THE WRONG DOORS
               FOR THEY ARE NOT SEEKING THE RIGHT PATH.

                      So, the question I ask, is 
HAVE YOU BEEN SEARCHING
 IN THE RIGHT PLACE? 

          

 ONE OF MY PASTIMES IS TAKING PHOTOS 

                               When I see rock formations along the highway, I like to take a photo of it, so that when I am home I can look at the picture with a magnifying glass.   Or, if I choose, I can put it on the computer - and in photos - I can look at the photo rotating it upside down, or sideways, and back again.   Quite often, I do this.    It has helped me appreciate how to draw what I see.    Many times I see in the rocks evidences of the FLOOD that came when God told Noah to build the Ark.    

                   As I search to see things in the rocks, I learn much about 
this old world.  There is much evidence in it that speaks of how God is the Creator, and how, because of sin, He sent the FLOOD.  
I am suggesting that if you have not, do so, read the first 9 chapters of the book of GENESIS in the Bible.  I recommend the King James Version in that I find it is most accurate.   There are many good translations of the Bible, but it is remarkable that we even have it.  
           Psalm 119. 105 says  THY WORD IS A LAMP UNTO MY FEET, AND A LIGHT UNTO MY PATH.
            
               I was in a cabin with other girls as a young lady, and we were camping for a week with the Gospel being taught there.  In the night, if I had to go to the restroom, I had to take a flashlight 
with me, and I think this verse exactly what happens when we use the light to show our feet where to go in the dark, and that the path becomes accessible as the light shines ahead of me.   

             

When the lightbulb was discovered 
it made a big difference in people's lives.
Today there are people searching 
but the lightbulb of their soul is not plugged into the socket.

Unless the light is put into the socket 
it will not work.

In Psalms 18.25 - 36 it tells us: 
18.25    With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man, thou wilt shew thyself upright.   26.  With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward. 27. For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but will bring down high looks. 28. FOR THOU WILT LIGHT MY CANDLE, THE LORD MY GOD WILL ENLIGHTEN MY DARKNESS.   29. For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.  30. As for God, his way is perfect, the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. 31. For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?  32. It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.  32. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places. 34. He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.  35. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy SALVATION (Y'SHUA)   and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. 36.  Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.

                 

When I realize you may not understand, so let me explain why this passage is so meaningful to me.
I fell in 2007 and broke my right wrist, and it was operated on, and I began to use it again.  Then in 2009, I fell while feeding birds in my yard.  I had not listened to my dear husband who had said kindly, "June, don't go out and feed the birds, I will do it.  It is too icy."   Think of it.   I like to do things for myself.   We all do.  That is just how SIN occurs.  When we want what we want to do, and to do it as we wish, not what God wants.

Romans 3.23  For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

John 3.3 Jesus told Nicodemus, Verily, Verily, (Amen, Amen) I say to thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.  

John 3.5 Jesus answered again and said, Verily, Verily (Amen, Amen) I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

We are born with water when we are PHYSICALLY BORN. As the mother's water breaks, the baby is sure to come.
 So the first BIRTHDAY IS A REALITY WE ALL HAVE.

The second BIRTHDAY is to be born of the Spirit.
JESUS TOLD NICODEMUS (John 3.16)
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have 
everlasting life.

He continues, and says 
(John 3.17,18) 
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.  He that believeth on him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son.  

REMEMBER PSALM 119.105
THY WORD IS A  LAMP UNTO MY FEET,
AND A LIGHT UNTO MY PATH.

Again Psalm 18.28 tells us, 
FOR THOU WILT LIGHT MY CANDLE,
THE LORD MY GOD WILL ENLIGHTEN MY DARKNESS.

Jesus further said to Nicodemus, "And this is the condemnation that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil;  for everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."  
John 3. 19 - 21

ARE YOU SEARCHING IN THE DARKNESS ?
JESUS SAID 
John 8.12  I am the light of the world.  He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 

Psalm 27.1 
The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?

Matthew 1.21 
The angel told Joseph "Thou shalt call his name JESUS, for he shall save his people from their sins.

Y'SHUA
THE ONE WHO SAVES
THE SAVIOR
THE DELIVERER

THE LORD GOD sent his Son the Lord Jesus Christ to be born, to live, to minister Light in the Darkness, to be rejected, to suffer and die as MY PASSOVER LAMB, and now in Him I can
truly ASK, SEEK, AND KNOCK for I have 
access by faith to the Lord God Himself.

Matthew 7.13,14
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be that go in thereat; because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 

Jesus told his disciples several times what He had come to do.
It is recorded in Scripture that Jesus Himself declared his purpose in coming into the world, and foretold about his death, burial and resurrection.   

When He sat at table with the disciples, he declared again the same.
How? By his words in the taking of the Bread and the Cup.
Matthew 26.26  - 28    And as they were eating,  Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body; And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it. For this isis my blood of the NEW TESTAMENT, which is shed for many for the remission (forgiveness) of sins.


A TESTAMENT IS A WILL THAT ONLY GOES INTO 

EFFECT WHEN THE PERSON 

WHO DIRECTS IT DIES. 
WHEN JESUS DIED - 

THIS WAS THE TESTAMENT HE LEFT FOR US.


HIS BLOOD, HIS BODY TOOK 
MY SIN
AND YOURS
AND 
PAID 
IN
FULL 
THE GUILT
THE PENALTY
THE CONDEMNATION
AND
HE WAS CUT OFF
FOR YOU AND ME

HIS RESURRECTION 
PROVES THE TESTAMENT IS INDEED IN EFFECT.

2 CORINTHIANS 5.21
He hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Matthew 16.21, 22
From this time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how he must go unto Jerusalem; and suffer many things of the elders, 
and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.  But he turned and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan, thou art an offence unto me: for thou savorest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

He further declared 
Matthew 16.23,24 
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, 
If any man will come after me, let him deny himself,
and take up his cross, and follow me.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; 
and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake 
shall find it. 

Matthew 17. 22- 23 
The second time He warns them.
And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them,
The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men, and they shall kill him, and the third day, he shall be raised again.
And they were exceeding sorry.

I think of when my dear Mother was ill, and nearing death. She was trying to tell me FACTS about things SHE WANTED ME TO DO. But because I was so sad about her coming death, I did not pay too much attention TO HER REQUESTS.  So I had to really search my heart after she died, for I COULD NOT REMEMBER what she told me to do.
It did work out.  I did remember.  
Here the Disciples were focused on the Coming Death.
They were sad.
Their focus was not on HIS PROMISE OF THE RESURRECTION.

Again, in Matthew 20.17 - 19
Jesus again tells his Disciples this.
And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,  
Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man shall be betrayed into the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death; and shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge; and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
In my next post I will look at Jesus' words 
when he arose from the dead.   

HOPE IS FOUND ONLY IN JESUS
HE IS THE ONE WHO CAN SAVE 
WHO CAN LIGHT UP OUR LIFE
WHO CAN FORGIVE OUR SIN
WHO CAN CLEANSE OUR HEARTS 
AND PURIFY OUR LIVES
TO SERVE HIM.

ONE DOOR AND ONLY ONE
AND YET ITS SIDES ARE TWO
I'M ON THE INSIDE 
ON WHICH SIDE ARE YOU? 

ONE GATE AND ONLY ONE
AND YET ITS WAY IS CLEAR
I MUST CHOOSE THE STRAIT AND NARROW GATE 
AND LEAVE THE WIDE AND BROAD WAY
IF I AM TO FIND 
THE ANSWER TO MY GREATEST NEED

Down at the cross where the Savior died,
there where for cleansing from sin I cried,
There to my heart was the Blood applied,
Glory to His Name.

Glory to His Name 
Glory to His Name
There to my heart was the blood applied,
Glory to His Name.

MATTHEW 28.18 - 20
And Jesus came and spoke unto them saying,
All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST, 
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you alway,  even unto the end of the world. 



The Yakima River flowing here keeps the farmers happy
Is there a river of LIFE flowing in you?
If so, then you will be fruitful and abiding in Christ. 

Galatians 2.20
I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
John 15.5
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you,
ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 

just plug yourself into the light source ! 
John 6.37 - 40
All that the Father hath given me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.  And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 


Acts 4.12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.



Tuesday, August 21, 2018

THE ARMOR OF GOD AND THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE

THE ARMOR OF GOD AND THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE

                           ON MY PILGRIM JOURNEY - WHAT I MUST WEAR


                         

Here I am with my dear husband Henry and our three daughters

                      Dressed for a cool fall day in 1967.    

We need to consider how we look and what to wear on our spiritual JOURNEY.

EPHESIANS CHAPTER 6 lays it out for us as the Apostle Paul writes to the Church at Ephesus.

EPHESIANS CHAPTER 6. 10 - 20

      Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord,
 and in the power of his might. 
 Put on the whole armour 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 armour 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 (girded) 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: 
and for me, 
that utterance may be given unto me, 
that I may open my mouth boldly,
 to make known the mystery of the gospels, 
for which I am an ambassador in bonds 
 that therein I may speak boldly, 
as I ought to speak."  
                      

FIRST, LET US THINK 

ABOUT HOW IT IS 

                                                 THAT I AM DRESSED

 IN THE RIGHTEOUSNESS 

OF JESUS CHRIST

 HIMSELF.


       NOW THAT I AM A BELIEVER WITH FAITH THAT GOD PAID 
THE PRICE OF MY SIN NATURE UPON THE CROSS, AND THAT 
IN POSITION I HAVE ALL THE RIGHTS OF A SON GIVEN TO ME, I
NOW CAN THINK IN TERMS OF WHAT I NEED TO WEAR THAT ADORNS
AND AFFIRMS THE LIFE WHICH I NOW HAVE IN JESUS CHRIST.     
    
                    FOR TO ME TO LIVE IS CHRIST, AND TO DIE IS GAIN. 
                                  Philippians 1.21     

                    AND YOU HATH HE QUICKENED , WHO WERE DEAD IN 
                     TRESPASSES AND SINS, WHEREIN IN TIME PAST YE 
                      WALKED, ACCORDING TO THE COURSE OF THIS WORLD,
                       ACCORDING TO THE PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR,
                     THE SPIRIT THAT NOW WORKS IN THE CHILDREN OF
                     DISOBEDIENCE; AMONG WHOM ALSO WE ALL HAD OUR
                   CONVERSATION  IN TIME PAST..."    
                               Ephesians  2.1 - 3    
                                                     

FIRST OF ALL WE ARE 

TO BE STRONG IN THE LORD

                      AND IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT.

THE ARMOR IS GIVEN US BY GOD.

WE ARE HIS PEOPLE NOW.

                                        AS SURE AS ASTERS BLUE GREW WHEN I
                                       PUT THEM IN THE GROUND, SO TOO WE ARE
                                      PLANTED BY THE LORD TO GROW UP.

 YE ARE ALL 

                                     THE CHILDREN OF GOD 

                                                          BY FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS.    

                          Galatians 3.26 

JUST AS THESE LITTLE FLOWERS BLOOM SO TOO,
WE ARE TO BE DRESSED IN THE GLORY GOD GIVES
US.   HE HAS GIVEN US  'OUR SPIRITUAL ARMOR' 

   HERE THEY ARE :   LET US LOOK AT EACH PIECE.

        1.      THE BELT OF TRUTH.

         THIS  HAS TO BE PLACE AROUND OUR LOINS,

          IT IS THE PIECE THAT HOLDS EVERYTHING IN PLACE.   

          THE TRUTH AS WE KNOW IT IN GOD'S WORD IS 

          THE ESSENTIAL PIECE OF OUR CLOTHING. 

                           Psalm 119.105     THY WORD IS A LAMP

                        UNTO MY FEET AND A LIGHT UNTO MY PATH.

        2.        THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
              THIS HAS TO BE PLACED OVER THE HEART.  

               WE MUST PLACE THIS OVER OUR HEART, AND KEEP 
               IT SECURELY HELD CLOSE TO MYSELF THAT EVEN
             AS I RECEIVED CHRIST JESUS THE LORD, EVEN SO WILL
              I WALK IN HIM   (Ephesians 2.8 - 10)  "For by grace are ye
                  saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift
               of God, not of works, lest any man should boast; for we are his
              workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which
            God hath ordained that we should walk in them." 




I JOHN 1.9 
IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS,
HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST 
TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS, AND
TO CLEANSE US 
FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.

I  JOHN 2.6 
HE THAT SAITH HE ABIDETH
IN HIM
OUGHT HIMSELF
ALSO SO TO WALK,
EVEN AS HE WALKED.


THE PAINTING ABOVE IS WHAT I DREW TO SHOW HOW PATHS ARE 
EVERYWHERE AND ONLY GOD KNOWS THE HEART AND CAN SHOW US 
THE WAY TO GO.    IT IS IMPORTANT TO HIDE GOD'S WORD IN OUR 
HEART, TO KEEP OUR HEART CLEAN OF ANY KNOWN SIN, AND TO WALK
FULLY DRESSED IN HIS CLEANNESS AND PURITY.    AS WE WALK CLOSE 
TO JESUS, AND ABIDE IN HIM, HE SHOWS US AND CORRECTS AS WE GO, 
AND KEEPS US ON THE RIGHT PATH.
              
                   THE PAINTING ABOVE ALSO SHOWS US HOW DISTRACTED WE
                   CAN GET WITHOUT STAYING CLOSE TO HIM WHO IS THE ONE 
                     TO WHOM WE BELONG.   

                                 3.   FEET SHOD WITH THE 
PREPARATION
 OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE.    



                       MY SHOE ARE THE PREPARATION I MAKE TO PRESENT 
                      THE GOSPEL OF PEACE.     JESUS SAID,   "I AM THE WAY,
                      THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE, NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE
                      FATHER, BUT BY ME."  JOHN 14.6    
                      MY SHOES ARE WHAT GOD GIVES TO KNOW I AM A BEARER
                     OF HIS LOVE, HIS LIGHT, AND THAT NO MATTER WHAT ELSE,
                       I AM PURPOSED TO BE HIS VESSEL - THE CANDLELIGHT IN 
                      THE DARKNESS THAT JUST AS GOD IS MY LIGHT IN THE 
                     DARKNESS SO TOO I CAN SHINE FOR HIM AND BEAR LIGHT
                     IT IS THE WHOLE BEING OF A PERSON THAT GUIDES THE FEET.
            
                                        JOHN 8.12    THEN SPAKE JESUS AGAIN 
                                          SAYING, I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD,
                                           HE THAT FOLLOWETH ME SHALL NOT WALK
                                         IN DARKNESS, BUT SHALL HAVE THE LIGHT
                                                OF LIFE. 

       

AS JOSEPH AND MARY TRAVELED TO BETHLEHEM,

                SO TOO, WE TRAVEL TODAY BY FAITH

                       WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE, OR GOVERNMENTS TOPPLE,
                     OR LIFE SEEMS FRUSTRATING, THE TRUTH OF GOD'S WORD 
                        REMAINS.     WE ARE, AS JOSEPH AND MARY, RECEIVERS
                         OF THE LIGHT.     JESUS WAS THE LIGHT OF LIFE.   WHEN
                         HE CAME, HE CAME THE  FIRST TIME TO BE OUR KINSMAN
                          REDEEMER.

                         SAVIOR    REDEEMER    DELIVERER  LIGHT 
                                  HIS MESSAGE OF PEACE IS THE ONLY ONE WE BRING. 


           4   THE SHIELD  -  OUR DEFENSE IS FAITH.

                         

                          ROMANS 10.17  NOW FAITH COMETH

                                                             BY HEARING,

                           AND HEARING 

                                                            BY THE WORD OF GOD.




AT AGE FIVE I ENJOYED A FEW DAYS IN
MARTHA'S VINEYARD, MASS.
IT WAS PART OF CAPE COD
AND THE BEACH AREA.

GOD GAVE ME HOPE AS A CHILD
BUT 
EVEN MORE
HE GAVE ME 
PROTECTION
UNTIL I CAME TO KNOW HIM
AS MY LORD 
AND SAVIOR.

NOW I ASK YOU 
WHAT PROTECTION WILL YOU WEAR?
FOR THE JOURNEY OF LIFE
AND AS YOU ARRIVE AT THE PORT
OF ETERNITY ? 
ARE YOU READY ?
ARE YOU PROTECTED
WITH THE SHIELD OF FAITH ?

THE PATH WE TAKE
MAY BE HARD.
THE WAY
MAY BE ROUGH.
BUT WITH THE SHIELD OF FAITH
OUR HEART WILL BE
EVEN MORE PROTECTED.


                  5.    THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT - 
                        OUR OFFENSIVE WEAPON TO FIGHT 
              THE UNSEEN REALITIES OF EVIL,
               THE UNSEEN INNER BATTLES OF OUR SPIRIT
           CAN ONLY BE WON BY THE WORD OF GOD 

                                       MATTHEW 4.4  [JESUS, SPEAKING TO SATAN] HE 
                      ANSWERED AND SAID, IT IS WRITTEN, MAN SHALL NOT LIVE
                       BY BREAD ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDETH
                       OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD."   

                                       ROMANS 12.2 AND BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS 
                     WORLD, BUT BE YE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF
                    YOUR MIND, THAT YE MAY PROVE WHAT IS THAT GOOD 
                    AND ACCEPTABLE, AND PERFECT WILL OF GOD.   
                                        



TEN YEARS OLD, IN NORTH ADAMS MASSACHUSETTS,
HERE I AM, WHEN MY GRANDFATHER TOOK A 
PHOTO OF ME IN FRONT OF MY HOME AFTER
HE HAD VISITED US.   I RECEIVED CHRIST
AS MY SAVIOR THAT FALL, BEFORE THIS SNOW
CAME ON THE GROUND.  PEOPLE AND PEOPLE
AND MORE PEOPLE LIVED ALL AROUND
ME.   IN THE SECTION YOU SEE JUST
BACK OF ME, 17 PEOPLE LIVED IN FOUR ROOMS
AND SURVIVED SOMEHOW.   I HAD NO 
IDEA WHO I WOULD BE,
NOR WHERE I WOULD GO
BUT GOD KNEW.
AND HE KNOWS JUST 
WHAT YOU NEED RIGHT NOW.
WHY ? NOT TRUST HIM
TO LET HIS SPIRIT 
BEAR WITNESS TO YOUR 
SPIRIT 
THAT YOU 
INDEED
CAN 
BE 
HIS 
CHILD.

I NEVER HAVE REGRETED THIS.
GOD HAS BROUGHT ME ALL THE WAY.
IN SPITE OF ME
HIS UNDESERVED FAVOR - HIS GRACE - 
HAS SHOWN 
ME AND KEPT ME AND HELD
ME 
IN THE HOLLOW OF HIS HANDS.

HE IS INDEED THE SHEPHERD OF THE SHEEP.
I WAS JUST A LOST LAMB WHO NEEDED 
SOMEONE TO LOVE ME,
TO CARE FOR ME,
AND TO LEAD ME
AND HE DID JUST THAT ! 

JOHN 3.16 
IS STILL TRUE TODAY.
HE IS WAITING
FOR YOU
TO CALL ON HIS NAME.

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD
THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON
THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN 
HIM
SHOULD NOT PERISH,
BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.

JESUS SAID THIS OF HIMSELF.

START YOUR JOURNEY TODAY.
BECOME A CHILD OF GOD BY FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS,
AND 
PLACE YOURSELF IN HIS CARE,
AND WALK WITH THE ARMOUR OF HIS PROVISION
ONLY WITH THESE CAN YOU FIND
VICTORY 
OVER
SIN, DEATH, TEMPTATION AND HELL.
ONLY WITH
THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT
CAN YOUR FAITH GROW.
WE MUST EXCERCISE
THE 
MUSTARD SEED OF 
FAITH
THAT GOD HAS GIVEN US.
FOR YOU SEE,
EVEN THE FAITH I HAVE
IS NOT 
SOMETHING I EARNED
IT IS A GIFT.

EVEN THE FAITH I HAVE
CAME FROM HIM,
NOT ME

SO 
DO NOT GET
ANY CREDIT.

IT ALL IS THE GLORY TO GOD.
HE IS THE SAVIOR. 
IT IS HE WHO ALONE CAN SAVE.


Just as this Mountain looms beyond, 
and the meadows invite one to climb,
so too LIFE HAS ITS UPS 
AND DOWNS
FACE HIM WITH THIS ARMOR
AND HE WILL NOT FAIL YOU.

THE FINAL PIECE OF EQUIPMENT
TO REMEMBER
IS 
THE HELMET
OF 
SALVATION.

BE SURE THAT 
YOU KNOW
YOU 
NEVER 
CAN 
BE UNBORN
ONCE YOU BECOME HIS CHILD.


THIS WAS ME AS A BABY.
I WAS BORN.

WHEN WE COME TO JESUS
AND ASK HIM 
TO BE OUR 
SAVIOR
HE NEVER 
EVER
WILL LET YOU GO.
YOU WILL BELONG TO HIM.
YOU  ARE PART OF HIM NOW.
SO WALK EVEN AS HE DID.

ENJOY.
SEE YOU IN MY NEXT POST.

BIBLELADY99
LILACLADY JUNEBUG2