Shields alot

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Shield of

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Reflections on Favourite books of the bible and why.

I don’t know about you, but do you have a favourite book in the bible?
I’m just going to go round and ask people their favourite books, and why is there favourite book.
I suppose that is probably not actually a good question to ask, its like asking who is your favourite child, so the actual answer perhaps should be I love them all, in their own unique ways. And therefore not actually answering what my favourite book is.
Ask around, Favourite books, or stories in the bible.
I have 3 favourite books, Matthew, for its clarity, its being unashamedly gospel, it describes what faith
Esther, because showing the importance of courage and divine providence, and the ability for her to speak to the king.
and Job, for his endurance and maintaining faith through times of adversity.

Book Recommendation

There have been a few of us
read it together,
read it alone
or there is a online course.
God on Mute, Engaging the silence of unanswered prayer.
A 40 day devotional exploring, if you have unanswered prayer, or you are stuck on why God did you allow that to happen, I recommend this book.
This year, has had its challenges, as I reflect, and I am sure Im not alone, this year has been quite challenging.
Today we are going to scratch the surface of a huge topic, Faith.

Bible Passage

Ephesians 6:10–20 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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. 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. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with…”

Demonstration

I thought it would be fun to demonstrate this verse.
OK.
So here I have a bucket of balls, if you could pass the balls around, that would be great, now, i’m going to walk up the path and you are to throw what I gave you at me, and I will try and get as far as I can before getting hit. Once i reach the row in front of you, You may no longer throw your ball. OK I’m going to put on my Belt, my, helmet, my breast plate, and shoes.
Now Light sabre of the sprit
OK let me get a shield out.
Shields are amazing, they do much more than being defensive, it allows you to get further in front.
OK you still got through, but lets try something else.
Big Shield.
This example was a fun way to describe the importance of faith, however we need to be aware that it is not just faith alone that can save us. It says in the passage put on the whole armour of God, so we may be able to withstand in the evil of the day.
this also demonstrates how sometimes we can become trapped in believing that by having more of something whether that is faith, knowledge etc, we will be alright, we wont be in harms way.
Thats wrong, firstly the full armour is needed, because it is going to be an onslaught. although it can protect us there are casualties despite this.
For example.
In the land of Uz, there was a man named Job he was an up right and holy man, who feared God and turned away from evil. Yet his children, his livelihood and health was taken away from him, boils spread throughout his body, but yet he still believed in God. His was in such poor condition, and to the extent of despair that he had wished never been born, his wife seeing him like this told him to not praise God, but curse God and die, but he refused. He then went on questioning the ‘why’ is this happening, reaching out to friends all of them came up with perhaps because of this or perhaps because of that.
Did Job lack faith, no. When bad things happen like Job we go to search for the why. WHY!?
But Job persevered, he continued to worship God for the little left he did have, he had faith. Because he knew that what had happened to him didn’t come from the Lord.
Job had immense faith. We can believe that it is only Faith that can save us. It helps protect us.
God knows us, he knows that when bad things happen, it is faith that struggles.
In Matthew Jesus acknowledges this
The disciples went and woke him saying ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown.’
Matthew “And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.”
Matthew 17:20 “He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.””
God recognises that faith can be difficult, he says that we have little faith…. BUT and here is the big but, he calms the storm, he moves the mountain. The circumstance which the disciples were in took over from. Even as faith as a mustard seed, if you pray, God listens.
When going through times of trouble, we need to hold on, we need to persevere, we may not know the why, but we know the Grace of God.
Even Jesus himself went through immense pain and suffering, so he has been through it. But how do you deal with it?
No matter how much armour you have, pain is pain. Jesus has been through it, he is there with you. Faith is crucial but needs to be combined with the full armor of God—truth, righteousness, readiness, salvation, and the word of God—to withstand life’s hardships
If anyone is struggling, Ultimately God is there, always. We sometimes pray to God to save us, but more often than not, he parachutes in to our situation to be with us.
We can sometimes appear to be stuck, our prayer life may suffer.
Be honest with God…
Be honest of how much it hurts…
Ask God to reveal a purpose, not so much the why…
When going through difficult times, it can be hard to open up in dialogue with God, it may be that your prayer boils down to a sentence. In Matthew 17:20 he recognises this by referring to faith as a mustard seed.
And thats why it is important to have the whole armour of God, At the start I asked about your favourite books of your bible, it is important to know what the bible says so during times of trouble you know whats true.
Remember your testimony, remember other peoples testimonies of how God has saved them.
In the book there is some really useful, practical advice, which we don’t have time for today but I do want to share a couple of prayers with you. I want to read to you, perhaps you want to pray with me.
And here is a little daily prayer.
Faith says Even though i don’t understand you right now. God I love you. I believe your heart for me is good.
——————
Lord Help me stand today
Temptations and trials abound
When life hurts
I get confused, dishonest, suspicious and critcal.
I put on the belt of truth.
When life hurts
My relationships suffer - especially my relationship with you.
I put on the breast plate of righteousness.
When life hurts
I either get really lazy or I make myself really busy
I put on the shoes of the gospel.
When life hurts
I let down my guard and leave myself exposed.
I take up the shield of faith.
When life hurts
My thinking gets negative and I question everything.
I put on the helmet of salvation.
When life hurts
Im a coward
I take hold of the sword of the word
Lord, it hurts,
See me kneeling
Help me stand.
Our muscians are amazing. When coming home after having a really, really bad day, this song came on, and it basically sums up everything.
Every Step I make
Anywhere I go,
You’ll always be there by my side
The Storms will rage
The earth may quake
You’re the solid rock
Beneath my feet
Where can I go,
From your spirit?
Where can I flee,
From your presence?
I know this life
has its troubles.
But this I know
Your light shines through it all
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