​Understanding What We Are Up Against (Read time ≈ 5 minutes)
Ephesians 6:10–13 (ESV)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 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. 13 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.
 
                The Christian walk is not for the faint of heart. This isn’t a fluffy, happy go lucky, frolic through a field of flowers where there is only laughing, cheer and fun. It does come with plenty of laughs, joy and cheer… not sure about the frolicking through fields of flowers, but the Christian walk is full of great things. In fact, it would probably be quite difficult to frolic with armor on. However, just as much, if not more, the Christian walk is a war. It’s a fight and we on our own are very outgunned. It is crucial that we remember this, because as soon as we forget, we then begin to neglect the power available to us through our Lord. “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of HIS might”! Where does our strength come from? It comes from the Lord who created the heavens and the earth (Psalm 121:1-2)!
 
                But what do we need this strength for? Why do we need to put on the whole armor of God? To answer this, we have to properly identify our enemy. This is a common Christian topic, and I think it’s because it’s common that Christians need reminded of this. Your enemy is not the person who makes you mad. It’s not the person who is attacking you at work. It’s not the person who is withholding things from you. In extreme scenarios, it’s not even the person who wants to kill you simply because you are a follower of Jesus Christ. No, you actually share a common enemy with those very people. The biggest difference is that they are captive to that enemy, and you are not. This is why we must armor up so we can stand against the schemes of the devil. Part of that scheme is him convincing you that people are the enemy and get the target off his back and onto souls that the Lord desires to see saved (1 Timothy 2:3-4). The devil delights in Christians fighting against people. But rather, we need to direct our focus in this warfare to “(spiritual) rulers”, “(spiritual) authorities”, “cosmic powers over this present darkness” and “spiritual forces of evil”. We need to direct our attacks, our spiritual wargame towards these things. Your enemy is not flesh and blood but rather the one who wants to drag both of you to hell for eternity. It is crucial that this Christian principal is not forgotten.
 
                It seems easy to defeat people. And sometimes, it is! But this should never be our goal. Rather, set your sights on the slave driver who has them in chains, and pull the metaphorical trigger! The word of God does not command us to put on the whole Armor of God so that we can slay people whom He desires to call His children. This is a rescue mission for those very people. It is not an assault on mankind, but an all-out attack on the Gates of Hell so we can see captives set free just like you and I have been. But this mission is futile and will result in failure if we do not put on the whole Armor of God (more on that next week) and find our strength in the Lord and rely on HIS might and not our own. Once we do this, this goes from us being weak and feeble, out-gunned and out-witted, to us routing the enemy and waving the flags of victory in the name of our Lord!
 

​IDK (Read time ≈ 5 minutes)
Proverbs 3:7
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
 
There is a common phrase in the English language. It is one that many people are afraid to use. They are afraid that they will let someone down… Afraid that they will look bad if they use it... Afraid they will be mocked if they use it… the list could go on. This phase however, is also one of the most powerful phrases in the English language, one of the most freeing phrases in the English language. One that if you use it, will bring peace, knowledge and wisdom and even healing to those who use it correctly. That phrase is… “I don’t know”. Scary, huh? Our pride and our ego make us resist those three words more than nearly any other word combination we could dream up. Let me tell you… Any hesitance to using the phrase “I don’t know” is unhealthy. Its damaging you, and it’s hurting others. Why? I thought you’d ask that. That’s because if we refuse to say, “I don’t know” then we are lying to ourselves and people around us. Often times, we try to mix up some word salad to sound like we do know. We try to blend enough information together to sound intelligent (it usually doesn’t work as well as you think). Ultimately, it is lying. Lying is a massive issue to God (Proverbs 12:22). Neglecting to be honest and professing “I don’t know”, will also cause further damage. If we act as if we know, when we clearly do not, it restricts yourself and those around you from further knowledge and growth. In a hunt for truth, the pursuit is put to a premature ending with a dishonest answer that falls on believing ears. Beyond that, when people hear you speak as if you know but it is evident that you do not, it damages trust and relationships and stunts your own growth in a situation where you could have learned, but instead you made yourself wise in your own eyes.
 
It's time that we embrace this powerful phrase, “I don’t know”. It is possible that using this phrase can let people down, but that’s okay. It’s time the world found out that you don’t know everything! However, we should also be careful not to use this phrase to dismiss things we don’t want to deal with (parents I’m talking to you! But…not only you). When it comes to things that are worthy, righteous and godly; as much as it is within our ability, the phrase, “I don’t know” should be followed up with the pursuit of that knowledge. This is how we grow and mature. We turn to Scripture, prayer, pastoral headship, good ol’ fashion research, to find the truth and grow in knowledge. You will be better off for this and so will the people around you. The phrase, “I don’t know” should be a launching pad into greater knowledge. At this time, I feel the disclaimer should be clearly stated, this only applies to things that are actually worth knowing. So, no, I am not telling you to find the knowledge when someone asks you about the latest celebrity gossip. We are talking about Kingdom business and honesty.
 
Something powerful in our lives happens when we let go of this false expectation of knowing everything. You feel better! Not only mentally, but physically. Yup, God said it! Take a look at the next verse, Proverbs 3:8, “It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.”. No longer making yourself wise in you own eyes is like Holy Spirit stress relief! So, go ahead, say it with me, “I don’t know”. Didn’t that feel great? The first step to the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom is to admit that there is always more to learn. The next step is to search it out and learn it. “I don’t know, but I want to learn” Now, that is powerful! Let that free you to be able to advance in your walk closer to God.

​Holding it Together (Read time ≈ 6 minutes)
Colossians 1:16–17
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
 
“I’m just trying to keep it together”. The phrase we say to mask our desperation when we lack the control that we wish we had over our lives. This can apply to so many things. Small, day to day tasks all the way up to life altering situations. We just try to hold everything in place the way we like it, the way we want it. Keep our face in place and life in check. We all have in our lives, various different domains, or kingdoms, if you will, that we operate in. Many times, several different ones over the course of one day. We live in a country with government and laws, etc. that is a kingdom. You go to work, that is your boss’s kingdom. Your home, should be your own kingdom, your fortress. Even within your home, you have a bedroom with which is your space even further… We each have very different kingdoms going on just within our own mind. Each of these kingdoms come with different structures, different authorities, different rules and so on. And we try very hard to hold our kingdoms together while also holding ourselves together within other people’s kingdoms, and even our own.
But, have you ever considered, not trying to hold it together? No, I’m not talking about just flipping out and going crazy. Although, maybe you hoped I was. Actually, have you ever considered, maybe it’s not your job to hold it together? Yes, we should have structure. Yes, we should act and behave a certain way. Yes, we need to be orderly and conduct ourselves as mature believers. But what if your job wasn’t to hold everything together but to operate within a kingdom that was already held together and will stay together, as long as you just stay within that very kingdom and its constructs? For some this type of news can bring great relief. For others, it just adds to the stress.
Colossians 1:16-17
“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
                What a statement. All the kingdoms we operate in? Yeah, they were created by the voice of God. All the people in your lives? He created them. All the kingdoms in your life? He oversees them all. Why are you trying to hold together things that God wants to hold together for you? Why are you saying, “God, get your hands off that area of my life. I got this.” to the one who created your life and all things around you?
So, how? Well, the answer is simple but the application is difficult. The answer is, do things His way. Prioritize your life according to God’s Will and Word. Live your life according to His Will and Word. Change your life, according to His Will and Word. The difficult part about that… the laying down of your pride part. The letting go of things you think or wish you had under control and letting God take control. The submitting your kingdom(s) to His ultimate, eternal, all powerful Kingdom. Yes, that entails a lot of details not found in this blog. Need those details? The first step is acknowledging that you need to let God hold it together, not you. Then, check your Bible (daily). Pray(constantly). Make sure you’re at church(whenever the doors are open). Text/Call your pastor(regularly). It’s time to stop “holding it together” when you’re actually not. It’s time to stop playing god and let God do His part. The God who created it all with the power of His voice. Is the same God who holds it together.
 

​What to put on today? (Read time ≈ 4 minutes)
Romans 13:14
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
 
Every single day you choose what to wear. Yes, even the days you stay home and don’t even change out of your PJ’s… you still chose to wear that. Every day we put, at least some thought into our outfit. Some days more than others. Some days matter to us and we want to dress as if it matters to us. Other days we didn’t want to wake up and everyone can tell by the way we dressed ourselves. But each day, it is a choice. You might not look around and agree with the choice everyone makes that they put on, but they also might not like your fit either.
 
Every single day you choose what to wear. Now spiritually speaking, the question is, will you put on Christ? Or will you put on yourself and leave room for the flesh? Some days you might not feel like getting out of bed and other days you are excited and eager to get to the day. But every day, as disciples of Christ, we must choose each day to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” as our chosen spiritual attire. To put on Jesus would equate to wearing the correct clothing for the season. You don’t throw on your shorts, tank top and flip flops when you have a blizzard outside. Nor do you bundle up in as many layers as you possible can when its 108° outside either! What is this? This is wisdom and discernment in action. Although, to choose the right clothes for the weather does not require much wisdom and discernment. Each day, we must choose to put on Christ in order to stand the spiritual climate we are in. The main difference is, to put on Christ is appropriate… scratch that, it is necessary, all year round.
 
But what does that even mean? To put on Christ means to put off the flesh. To put on Christ is like wearing clean clothes instead of dirty ones out of the dirty laundry hamper. To put on Christ is to follow and to walk like Christ. Just as choosing what to wear every day, this is a choice we make with each day God allows us to open our eyes. This is a choice to pick up our cross and follow Him. This is a choice that we must make daily (Luke 9:23). This is choosing to love your co-worker *cough cough* I mean enemy (Matthew 5:44). This is choosing to serve your brother or sister (Galatians 5:13-14). This is choosing your words carefully (Ephesians 4:29). This is proclaiming the Gospel (Mark 16:15). This is contending and believing for miracles (James 5:14-15). This is looking for hurting people and offering them hope (Romans 15:13). This is forgiving people who don’t deserve it (Colossians 3:13). This is pressing on each and every day to be more and more like Christ (Philippians 3:14). We think our circumstances dictate our behavior but they do not (Philippians 2:14-15). We must choose to put on Christ despite these things. This is a daily choice. What will you choose today? What will you choose tomorrow? What will you choose thereafter? Put on Christ today… and every day.
 
 

​Proverbs 19:20 (ESV)
Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.
 
                “Man, that was awesome!” This is what we say, or some variety of that is what we say after impactful experience such as Pioneer Rally, Conference, revivals, or even just a Sunday morning service that hit a little more than usual. We say this because God spoke directly to our hearts because of the wise council of a man of God preaching the word of God. We say this because God dealt with us, convicted us, showed us things, and instructed us, in one way or another but simultaneously, God showed us His grace, His mercy and His power to intervene in our foolishness and show us a way out. There are few things as exciting and fulfilling as feeling like a sermon, or several sermons were handwritten by God directly to your heart.
 
                Great! Now do it! These experiences are crucial to our walks with God. However, they are ultimately pointless and wasted if they are not followed up by us with action! It will never be enough to hear the wisdom… to hear the word preached… to hear the wise council and simply just say, “Amen! Hallelujah!” and then proceed to not act. To not act on wise council from the word of God is to reject the validity of that council. To say with our mouths that it is good is worthless if we do not then change our lives according to the life-giving wisdom that was imparted. In Matthew 21:28-32 Jesus tells the parable of the two brothers… Simply, the father tells both his sons to do their chores. The first one says, “Nah” and the second one says, “Yessir!”. However, the first son who said, “Nah” realized he was wrong and went to do his fathers will. The second one, for some reason or another, did not go. Jesus then asks, “Which one did as their father asked?” Clearly, it was the second one. This tells us something, if we’re being honest, we already know. Words only mean so much. Words not followed by action is only lip service and does not accomplish a single thing. This enforces the saying, “actions speak louder than words”.
 
                The word we so often use as Christians, “amen” simply means, ‘so be it’ or ‘let it be done’. In other words, it means, I agree! I will do it! God doesn’t want your verbal “amen”. He wants your physical “amen”. He wants an amen in action! He wants you to “Listen to advice and accept instruction”. Pioneer rally, conference, revival services, Sunday morning services… Council sessions, phone calls… even blogs… the purpose of these is to provide seed to be sowed. Seed that cannot be sowed by anyone but YOU! Wise council does not change your life… putting wise council into practice does! Review your notes, pray, seek more council and then DO IT! No fruit will come from these things we do without action by you. There is a certain spiritual harvest field within you that will remain baron if you yourself do not sow into it because no one else can. No amount of preaching and teaching can sow into that field. It is a field of action. A field of change. A field of repentance. A field that you need to tend. So, let us say “amen” and then put that amen into action and we will see God move! Amen!