"Year in Review" - October

I really liked the simple message of the “Love God. Love People.” series in October; but my favorite part was getting to know some new people in a Community Group. My favorite entry came from October 16th...

Wealth

I am currently reading through 1 Timothy 6. I invite you to open your Bible and read along with me or find it online here. Today, Paul offers a helpful equation.

1 Timothy 6

6 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.

7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.

8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.

Wealth. As a former math student and teacher, I love equations. Paul, in these verses, offers a great one ... true godliness + contentment = great wealth. Part of God’s goal, for our journey as Jesus followers, is changing the way we evaluate life. If we view life the way the world does, wealth is a physical issue ... money, homes, cars, clothes. According to God, wealth is actually a combination of spiritual and emotional issues ... living a life that honors God and experiencing an attitude of contentment. Are there any other areas of your life in which you are using the wrong equation to evaluate success?

"Year in Review" - September

This week, we are going to finish our 2009 Year in Review by looking back at the month of September. My favorite part of September was the Back To School Bash. My daughter had a blast playing games, getting her face painted and jumping up and down at the concert ... and I got to sit in a dunking booth (the water was actually warmer than you would think). My favorite entry came from September 25th...

ARMOR

Paul finishes up this letter with some final advice that seemingly comes out of nowhere.

Ephesians 6

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.

14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.

15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.

16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.

17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Armor. As Paul explains, we are surrounded by a spiritual world. I don’t think his intention, in mentioning this world, was to induce panic. I believe he was simply wanting to make us aware of its reality. The thing I found interesting is that God does not intend to remove us of the evil. Instead, He wants to arm us so that we can live truthfully and righteously and peacefully and faithfully in the midst of it.