The third piece of armor is the Shield of Faith.
When teaching the armor of God, we teach that the Christian puts on the armor of one specific reason---to be protected from Satan and the tricks (wiles) that he dangles in front of the Christian. The unprotected Christian fall every time for the tricks that satan puts in front of them, but the protected Christian wins the battle because the Lord is first and holding the armor to PROTECT the child of God.
The shield of faith is a piece of armor that is acquired by the Christian exercising the muscle of Faith, or putting our trust in Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit to "guide us into all truth." It is important that we see the true faith that we can exercise in the Trinity to be our protectors.
But according to Proverbs 1:25-32, if we choose not to regard the protection against satan that God affords to us, we are on our own. And we will fall every time, because God is not invited into our lives to protect us from the wiles (tricks) of the devil. However, those who "hearkeneth unto me (God) shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
So, the choice is yours Christian. You can either live your life from calamity to calamity and live in fear, or you can trust in the Lord (Proverbs 3:5-6), put your faith in Him, and put on the "whole armor of God", to be protected from the wiles (tricks) of the devil. The choice is yours and yours alone.
That's why some Christian live defeated lives, and some have total victory in their lives, and are constantly showered with God's blessings.
Choose whom you are going to trust......
---Pastor Fryer
Showing posts with label Christian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian. Show all posts
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
The Whole Armor of God (Continued)
First, are your feet carrying the gospel of peace (the good news) to others?
Second, do you yourself have the good news in your life so you can take it to others?
Third, do you have the peace of the good news in your life? Or, are you hard to get along with, rude in your approaches to others, or have you peace that only Jesus gives to others who put their faith and trust in Him in all circumstances?
See, God's peace is for those who truly desire to honor Him in all aspects of their lives. That's why some can lay their head on their pillows and sleap peacefully. The hymn writer said it best, "O the peace that Jesus gives, never dies, it always lives."
Maybe you don't have that peace, and have never had that peace. Philippians 4:16-17 states. "Be careful (worried or anxious) for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." It's all in how you want to live your life.
Either by worry, worry, worry, and frustration...or giving it all to the Father, God, and His Son, Jesus, and allowing Him to take the problem(s), and "casting all your care on Him" because "He careth for you."
What's it going to be? Do you trust God who never lies, or yourself, who is sinful and deginerate creature?
---Pastor Fryer
The Whole Armor of God
Ephesians 6:10-18
How Does the "Armor of God" apply to the military?
1. To be in the military, one has to sign-on. You have to personally sign-up to be considered a part of the military.
2. To be in the military, a man or woman must have the correct uniform. A uniform distinguishes each branch of the military. Without the uniform, one is not considered a part.
3. When one is in the military, one receives orders to direct you to where you are to serve. If you are not where you have been ordered to be, you are considered AWOL (Absent With Out Leave or Permission).
So, a Christian might ask, "How does this still apply?" Well, here's the answer: To be in God's army, you have to "sign on", which means that you have to have Jesus in your heart---John 14:6 points to Jesus as being the way to heaven. Then, after you ask the Lord Jesus into your heart and life, you are given the uniform of "Christian", which means that you are a little Jesus walking around and as you grow, you are instructed or discipled to learn more about serving the Master and being up-graded in His army. Since we all grow differently, the orders are directed differently and the assignments are different. Some are directed to teach, while others are directed into the choir, the nursery, and the ultimate orders given by the Master Drill Instructor is to be a missionary or a preacher of the glorious gospel of God. But, we are all given orders, it just matters what we do with them. Are you AWOL? Or are you obeying the Great Commission?
---Pastor Fryer
How Does the "Armor of God" apply to the military?
1. To be in the military, one has to sign-on. You have to personally sign-up to be considered a part of the military.
2. To be in the military, a man or woman must have the correct uniform. A uniform distinguishes each branch of the military. Without the uniform, one is not considered a part.
3. When one is in the military, one receives orders to direct you to where you are to serve. If you are not where you have been ordered to be, you are considered AWOL (Absent With Out Leave or Permission).
So, a Christian might ask, "How does this still apply?" Well, here's the answer: To be in God's army, you have to "sign on", which means that you have to have Jesus in your heart---John 14:6 points to Jesus as being the way to heaven. Then, after you ask the Lord Jesus into your heart and life, you are given the uniform of "Christian", which means that you are a little Jesus walking around and as you grow, you are instructed or discipled to learn more about serving the Master and being up-graded in His army. Since we all grow differently, the orders are directed differently and the assignments are different. Some are directed to teach, while others are directed into the choir, the nursery, and the ultimate orders given by the Master Drill Instructor is to be a missionary or a preacher of the glorious gospel of God. But, we are all given orders, it just matters what we do with them. Are you AWOL? Or are you obeying the Great Commission?
---Pastor Fryer
Does "Dare to Be a Daniel" Really Work?
A young man named Elijah had always been bold about his faith in Jesus Christ, but sometimes sharing it with those who were skeptical was a challenge for him. In fact, sometimes he was just as hesitant as adults are. One day he was walking his dog, and God spoke to him to talk to a boy from the neighborhood who was sitting on a park bench. At first Elijah did not want to witness to this young man, because this guy had been known to beat people up for no reason. It was difficult decision.
So, Elijah kept on going. But God was very insistent about talking to the young person. Elijah gave into God that day, and the bully got saved! Elijah not only completed the Dare to be a Daniel program, but he had also decided that missionary work is his calling from God. "It frustrated me that so many people don't think God is real, where there are thousands of facts that prove He is. There are 66 books in the Bible and 40 authors and all their facts line up. That right there is a miracle," says Elijah.
Now I want to challenge you parents. What would you think if your young person felt like God wanted he or she to be a missionary? Would YOU resist and give them the "wet blanket"? How would you respond? See parents want their child to be a better Christian in the home, but they don't want that same child to be something for God on a foreign mission field. And I'm sure that keeping that child close to you is of the utmost importance. But think about this verse, "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." I Corinthians 6:20.
I'm reminded what a Negro preacher said to parents who had lost a small child, "Now He (God) didn't give you that baby, not by a hundred thousand miles; he just knew you needed some sunshine, and He (God) lent it to you for a while." See parents, your children are just on loan from God, He created them, and they are His anyway. I trust that you will not be selfish with your children and allow them to be whatever God wants them to be for His honor and glory.
----Pastor Fryer
So, Elijah kept on going. But God was very insistent about talking to the young person. Elijah gave into God that day, and the bully got saved! Elijah not only completed the Dare to be a Daniel program, but he had also decided that missionary work is his calling from God. "It frustrated me that so many people don't think God is real, where there are thousands of facts that prove He is. There are 66 books in the Bible and 40 authors and all their facts line up. That right there is a miracle," says Elijah.
Now I want to challenge you parents. What would you think if your young person felt like God wanted he or she to be a missionary? Would YOU resist and give them the "wet blanket"? How would you respond? See parents want their child to be a better Christian in the home, but they don't want that same child to be something for God on a foreign mission field. And I'm sure that keeping that child close to you is of the utmost importance. But think about this verse, "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." I Corinthians 6:20.
I'm reminded what a Negro preacher said to parents who had lost a small child, "Now He (God) didn't give you that baby, not by a hundred thousand miles; he just knew you needed some sunshine, and He (God) lent it to you for a while." See parents, your children are just on loan from God, He created them, and they are His anyway. I trust that you will not be selfish with your children and allow them to be whatever God wants them to be for His honor and glory.
----Pastor Fryer
How Are You Investing In Eternity?
We live in a society which is constantly encouraging us to buy insurance and somehow investing in the future so that others are not bogged down with the debt that we leave behind. But, the critical heart of the matter is that we are also called by God, "to sound the warning, to call sinners (the lost) to repentance, to point the way to peace with God and the hope that is in Christ." (Billy Graham)
Just think about what you already own--perhaps a car, a home, clothing, food, ultimate "toys" and a multitude of other gadgets and things to fit our social, and physical "needs". We let our children scream at us, "but, mom, dad, I have to have it." And we give things to ourselves, but what does God get? A local church attender in Michigan stated about giving, "It's my lifestyle. If I couldn't serve God this way, I would feel lost or incomplete." Another lady (remains nameless), stated that when she was a child her father placed his last $3.00 in the offering plate at church. It was the Great Depression. Her father stated, "God gave us that money, and I'm sure He will supply us with more." Phillipians 4:19 states, "But my God will supply your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
See, the Bible states, "need", not "needs" or "wants". Just one need at a time to require faith on our part--"Put Your Hand in the Hand" was a favorite Christian song in the '70's, and was criticized greatly, but are we doing it in a day and time when we worry over the smallest debt we've created? I want to encourage you Christian to ask God to "enlarge your coast" as you approach revival. Remember, every area must be given to God for individual revival. "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus..." Are you allowing the Master Crafter to have His will and His way in your life? Surrender to Him, Christian, You'll never be sorry you did.
---Pastor Fryer
Just think about what you already own--perhaps a car, a home, clothing, food, ultimate "toys" and a multitude of other gadgets and things to fit our social, and physical "needs". We let our children scream at us, "but, mom, dad, I have to have it." And we give things to ourselves, but what does God get? A local church attender in Michigan stated about giving, "It's my lifestyle. If I couldn't serve God this way, I would feel lost or incomplete." Another lady (remains nameless), stated that when she was a child her father placed his last $3.00 in the offering plate at church. It was the Great Depression. Her father stated, "God gave us that money, and I'm sure He will supply us with more." Phillipians 4:19 states, "But my God will supply your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
See, the Bible states, "need", not "needs" or "wants". Just one need at a time to require faith on our part--"Put Your Hand in the Hand" was a favorite Christian song in the '70's, and was criticized greatly, but are we doing it in a day and time when we worry over the smallest debt we've created? I want to encourage you Christian to ask God to "enlarge your coast" as you approach revival. Remember, every area must be given to God for individual revival. "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus..." Are you allowing the Master Crafter to have His will and His way in your life? Surrender to Him, Christian, You'll never be sorry you did.
---Pastor Fryer
Thursday, March 17, 2011
What is the Cost of Being a Committed Christian?
What is the Cost of Being a Committed Christian?
1. You must be born-again. Having Jesus in your heart will be your
first step to being a committed disciple of Jesus Christ. Jesus told
Nicodemus in John 3:3, "ye must be born again."
2. You must be a baptized believer in Jesus. After salvation, being
baptized is the main, first step of obedience.
3. You need to be a tithing member, reading your Bible on a daily
basis, praying on a daily basis, witnessing for Jesus whenever the
situation arises, and attending church (Sunday School and all church
services.) WHY? II Peter 3:18---a slacker of any of these cannot grow
to full maturity in Jesus Christ. You cannot expect a child to grow
with out proper nourishment and so it is with the "child of God".
4. To be a committed disciple after all these things (1-3) are dealt
with, there is one main ingredient---giving your entire life, body,
family, marriage, etc to the complete ownership of Jesus Christ.
Letting Him be the controller of what happens in your life. Going to
the back seat of the car and letting Him have the wheel. Then and
only then does your salvation, your church, your children, your
family, and yes, even your very existence become His completely and
you will notice in your life that you will experience less satanic
dominance, satanic influence, and less satanic resistance concerning
your wanting to serve the Lord. Just tell satan, "You're not going to
defeat me in this move of mine to serve Jesus." Do as Jesus did, "Get
behind me, satan". Start quoting verses (that's why we encourage
scripture memorization). Being faithful to church and to the things of
Christ takes hard work, but there is great reward if we just follow
Him. Let me challenge you, Christian, fight the good fight of
faith---but don't try it on your own---include Jesus---let Him be your
first line of defense against satan. Satan cannot stand against the
Master--it is impossible for 'ole slippery foot to succeed against God,
Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
--Pastor Fryer
1. You must be born-again. Having Jesus in your heart will be your
first step to being a committed disciple of Jesus Christ. Jesus told
Nicodemus in John 3:3, "ye must be born again."
2. You must be a baptized believer in Jesus. After salvation, being
baptized is the main, first step of obedience.
3. You need to be a tithing member, reading your Bible on a daily
basis, praying on a daily basis, witnessing for Jesus whenever the
situation arises, and attending church (Sunday School and all church
services.) WHY? II Peter 3:18---a slacker of any of these cannot grow
to full maturity in Jesus Christ. You cannot expect a child to grow
with out proper nourishment and so it is with the "child of God".
4. To be a committed disciple after all these things (1-3) are dealt
with, there is one main ingredient---giving your entire life, body,
family, marriage, etc to the complete ownership of Jesus Christ.
Letting Him be the controller of what happens in your life. Going to
the back seat of the car and letting Him have the wheel. Then and
only then does your salvation, your church, your children, your
family, and yes, even your very existence become His completely and
you will notice in your life that you will experience less satanic
dominance, satanic influence, and less satanic resistance concerning
your wanting to serve the Lord. Just tell satan, "You're not going to
defeat me in this move of mine to serve Jesus." Do as Jesus did, "Get
behind me, satan". Start quoting verses (that's why we encourage
scripture memorization). Being faithful to church and to the things of
Christ takes hard work, but there is great reward if we just follow
Him. Let me challenge you, Christian, fight the good fight of
faith---but don't try it on your own---include Jesus---let Him be your
first line of defense against satan. Satan cannot stand against the
Master--it is impossible for 'ole slippery foot to succeed against God,
Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
--Pastor Fryer
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