Gird Your Waist With Truth

Ephesians 6:14-17 - Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God...

It is so important to have the truth as a foundation. A friend and I were talking yesterday about knowing the truth. The truth keeps one sane in this tumultuous world.

There IS an absolute truth contrary to what some might say. His name is Jesus. He is the Word of God. Knowledge of Him brings greater wisdom and understanding and insight because He imparts it.

So I was reading Ephesians 6 about putting on the whole armor of God to stand against the wiles of the devil. The first thing mentioned is girding our waists with truth. Go figure! So important. Here the Word is telling us we must first know truth. (By the way, the first thing God created was light. Jesus says He’s the light of the world; light shines in darkness and everything is exposed. Those who don’t know the truth live in darkness. Not my words; don’t get frustrated with me.)

So a commentary on this verse about the belt of truth says this...The ancient soldier’s loins were girt about with a leather belt which held most of the other pieces of his armor in place.” Imagine that! Truth is what holds it all together.

The truth is what sets us free from the things of the world. There’s the old hymn called There’s Power in the Blood. The first line says...would you be free from your passion and pride...there’s power in the blood. Freedom comes from the knowledge of Christ and it is Christ’s blood poured out for us that brings this freedom. Not our works, just a true belief in Christ’s work on the cross. He’s no longer on that cross but alive today and still in the redemption business. This can be understood if we have the foundation of truth, which is Jesus.

I’ll say this again...it’s all about Jesus. Politics, social justice, causes, good works apart from Christ, are all man-made plans unless Jesus is first behind them. And believe me, He would not approve of too much going on in today’s world. There will come a time when God will have had enough and will send His Son back one more time to gather those who love Him and His truth and reign on earth for 1,000 years...all in true peace, not as the world gives, but only as Jesus can give. This is truth too! It’s in the truth of God’s Word.

You can know the truth and the truth will set you free. It will bring assurance of eternal hope. Not everyone goes to heaven but those who know in their hearts and spirits that Jesus is the truth and that His ways are right and true, that eternal life comes only through Him.

About the armor...all the parts are important. All that are listed refer to Jesus. He is our righteousness, our peace. We have faith in Him alone. He is our salvation and our sword of the spirit, our Word, our truth.

John 14:6 - Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Am I Pure From My Sin?

Proverbs 20:9 - Who can say, “I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin”?

Other scriptures tell us our deeds are as filthy rags, that no one is good, not one. For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin. (Ecclesiastes 7:20) 

It's why Jesus chose to go to the cross. God so loved us and He wishes none to perish. But we have our own choice. Go to the cross as Jesus did and die to sins and ourselves...or not. One leads to life, one to death. (Deuteronomy 30:19)

Jesus made the way. He is the Way. This is the truth, and He is that Truth. He alone brings life. He is the Life. There is no other way to eternal life but through Him, through believing in His death, and knowing that death alone paid the debt. Not by our good works. Again...For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin.

Some churches encourage works, drum it into a person so they feel obligated to give. Money or offering up sacrifices of time will not work. Jesus comes first, not the church, not the pastor or priest. We should do good, for God first, out of love for Him and others...not to grant us access to heaven. Jesus comes first. He's always first. Not self. ...not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:9) ...for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)

This is all scriptural and because the Bible is the truth, how can we deny it? 2Timothy 3:16, 2Peter 1:20, John 17:17. When we deny these words, we deny God. The Bible tells is this too! Mark 8:38. 

Peter denied Jesus three times in a very short period, but he grieved so deeply that he had and repented. I denied God for most of my life by immaturity, believing in God, and that Jesus was His Son who died for us and thinking that was all I needed. And not attending church. Huh, I’d even been baptized as a child. I thought I was good to go. I considered myself a good person compared to others. This could be all of us until a day comes when the right words are read or heard that touch a person's heart or conscience...and like Peter, repentance takes place. Praise God!

These words might bite: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1John 1:8-9) No one wants to believe they are sinners. But the truth is, we are and we must humble ourselves before an Almighty God, either now while we have a chance, or some day soon when He returns. Now leads to life; later leads to death. Choose Jesus now or the enemy, heaven or hell, life or death. Only He can cleanse of unrighteousness. 

By the way, why all the scriptures, you might ask. Because they point to the truth. They are direct from God, every one of them. The Bible was written so that we might know God and come into relationship with Him. If you are not ready now, will you be soon? 

2Timothy 1:9 - …who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began…

What Does Christianity Say?

Psalm 115:1 - Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but to Your name give glory, because of Your mercy, because of Your truth.

I listened to excerpts from a compilation of old-time preaching! Stern warnings to any who would listen. We don't often hear stern warnings from the pulpits anymore.

Some of the men chosen for this compilation of scratchy preaching were Leonard Ravenhill, A. G. Tozer, T. Austin-Sparks, Duncan Campbell, Ian Pauley and Paris Reidhead. Not all well known? But their words, like the true words of God, pierce the heart and soul, mind and spirit.

Some wouldn't want to hear this type of preaching because of the convicting nature of it. We hear that Jesus loves us, His grace is sufficient, and these are true. Somehow the Church has changed to softer words that might better keep people in church rather than having them scatter.

One of the truths that was preached stuck with me for three days, though I have known it for some time, was this from Paris Reidhead. It was the theme of the entire compilation: Humanism says "The end of all being is the happiness of man." Christianity says, "The end of all being is the glory of God." 

Jesus did not come into this world just to make us happy, content, peaceful, nor just to bless us, though He does. These come with knowing, acknowledging, praising and obeying Him.

It's not about what God can give to us. It's about giving of ourselves. Not taking from Him. It starts out that way when He gives us the gift of salvation. For that we are to be truly thankful. (Ahhh, this was brought up in our sermon this morning!) We generally come to Christ in a time of need. When a child is born it needs its mother and her milk. It needs nourishment in order to grow and learn. As Christians we start out needy until we begin to understand who God is, what His Word says and what His will is.

I read yesterday, surprisingly enough, Oswald Chambers' words: At the beginning of our Christian life we are full of requests to God, then we find that God wants to get us into relationship with Himself, to get us in touch with His purposes. His purposes. We begin to know this God and realize the greatness of who He is. We begin to see His work in our lives.

This is where we need to begin to change. We need to know His purpose in our lives. That purpose? To glorify God. Who wouldn't want to share Him? What has He done for us? How has He changed us? How has He removed sin and bad habits? People, this is how we are to live our lives. Not to glory in the things we have but to glory in He who created these things; not to glory in the new person we are, but who created that new person. Only God does that. We can't claim turning over a new leaf. Our affections are now on Him and the things of heaven rather than the world.

When I say it's all about God, this is exactly what that means. Everything revolves around Him. What He has created, what He has done both in our lives and in the world. How He is using us, even when we don't realize it! All things happen in this world to turn people to Him to acknowledge Him.

When we have tasted and seen this God, it's hard to go back to that old life. Slipping away from Him creates emptiness and unsettledness. We might even begin to glorify ourselves again.

I have watched a friend who recently lost her husband. She has very little. She doesn't know where the money will come from. While she stresses some, which will happen under the circumstances of losing someone, she always goes back to the Lord will provide and she praises Him in all things. She is learning to lean not on her own understanding in this while she looks back at each day and sees His hand in something that only He could have done.

It's not about us. It's all about Him. Christianity says, "The end of all being is the glory of God." He created, He calls, He saves, He sanctifies. He is coming back soon for a remnant who has taken His Word to heart, lived for Him and continues to glorify His name. The road grows more narrow as even the Church softens their stance on this God. The Church in general does not operate by God's will anymore but by the plans of man. It is ever so subtle. Looks good, but did God plant the idea or did man think it was good? (Again, discussed in church this morning!) It's not about the entertainment and the coffee shops and bringing the world view into the church. Remember, in anger Jesus overturned the tables in the temple. How would Christ respond in some churches today if He suddenly showed up? Is He being glorified or would man be glorifying his own achievements in the form of ministries?

Lord, forgive me when I fail to give You glory for something. Help me to lean not on my own understanding but to trust in You above all things. You are to be glorified in and through us, not us. It's all about You. Any change necessary in me, reveal it and help me overcome it.

Psalm 96:4-7 - For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. Give to the LORD, O families of the peoples, give to the LORD glory and strength. 

He Changeth Not

Psalm 100:1-5 - Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations. 

Praise Your name! Praise You for Your grace and mercy upon us, that Your arms are ever extended to all to come to You for that grace and mercy. How is it You put up with us day to day?? You changeth not! Your loves remains the same for all...and so does Your judgment to those who do not choose You. You are about goodness and mercy...and judgment. We will never be good enough, but You have made a way for that through Your Son, Jesus. Praise You. It's all about You, always.

All the things going through my head Sunday morning. I didn't really feel like going to church but didn't know why. The devil's ploy, no doubt. I couldn't concentrate on wanting to ready myself to meet with God at church. Mind was aflutter. Hard to shake it off. Sunday school seemed flat. Should I just go home? No, people will think I'm sick and I'll have to explain myself!! It feels like a full moon... Ach!

Then came worship and the tears flowed. I still don't know where that all came from. I knew it was all about You. I just knew. And then the sermon...it IS all about You! You as much as shouted it in my ear...even before I knew what the sermon would be about..."It's about ME, Laurie. It's about ME. No matter what happens, no matter what is going on, it's about ME. Stay focused on ME. Friends will come and go, or those you trust or admire you will find are not perfect and can hurt, too. It doesn't matter. It's about ME."

The sermon! Our worship is not just in the music but in all we do in our lives that pleases Him. What we do to honor Him. When we are in His will. When we lay aside our feelings (like I struggled with earlier) and begin and stay focused on Him.

How I desire one heart within our church, that we worship in one accord. How I desire we all act as though we are lesser than the next person. All parts of the body are necessary and play important roles. Can we all show humbleness to one another? It's not about us; it's about Him. It's about what He desires we do. If we enter into worship, in spirit and in truth, He will be there. Are we still a disjointed people in our church? Are we getting any closer to being something other than what we've been and becoming closer to what He desires? 

Where was all this coming from?? Father God, You watch from Your heavenly throne. What must You think? Sheep straying, needing that Shepherd to guide us. Lips flapping, tongues clacking, each of us  making disagreeable noises... Forgive us all Lord. And keep our eyes focused on You. Let us try harder not to judge others. Let us love instead. Let us take the scowls off our faces when we don't like something we see or hear or when something doesn't go our way. Let us see through Your eyes. Help us Lord.

In the days ahead it will be even so much more necessary to praise Him. The more we praise the more He gives. I'm not just praising here to say I've done my share of praising for the day because it's my responsibility. I'm praising because it's what I feel in my spirit. All He has done for me; all He is doing; all He will do. Lamentations 3:22 says Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. His compassions never fail...He changeth not! His love covers us.

Sorry if this all sounds so disjointed! I know He knows what I mean... It's all about Him.

Again, praise Your name, for Your mercy endures forever. Thank You for that mercy. And thank You for the undeserved grace Jesus brought/bought for us. You bore all the sins of the world past, present and future, for me. And You did it for all who choose to follow You. And You search the hearts and minds looking for those who WILL worship You in Spirit and in truth. All the praise, honor and glory belong to You, Lord God.

Psalm 113:3 - From the rising of the sun to its going down, the Lord’s name is to be praised.

He is Calling Attention to Himself

Matthew 5:45b - He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Do you see that? He causes...He sends...  He blesses, He curses. More about Him. More about Jesus. More about what He does.

We cannot go on thinking that God does not have a hand in what is happening in this world. He just does. It is His creation. The clouds are His. The rain, the wind, the direction of the waves, the force of all of them are His. He is calling attention to Himself. Will anyone listen? Will anyone hear? Will anyone receive Jesus?

He's is an equal "opportunity" God. He can do what He desires. He will do what is necessary to try to save. He brings one down and exalts another. Some live an eternal life, some do not. He brings us naked into the world and we leave the same way. Even among believers He gives and He takes away. 

He creates the seasons. He makes the sun and moon to rise at just the right time. All things were created with no more than the word of His mouth. It's all about Him. He's calling attention to Himself. Will anyone listen? Will anyone hear?

He confounds man by choosing the poor and lowly to have the most abundant faith. While Jesus loves the little sparrow yet cares much more for man, He will bring man down for his own sake that He might raise him up to be what He knows he is capable of being. 

Moses was taken out of the bulrushes and spent 120 years being molded into a man, who was not perfect, to free His people from Egypt's captivity. He made David, a lowly shepherd and again not perfect, to become a king, a man after God's own heart. Gideon who admitted to not being a strong warrior was chosen to lead 300 into battle against many thousands with a torch, a jar and a trumpet but no shields or swords. He was told he would be made strong. He takes the weak to prove His strength. 

Our God gives to whom He pleases. He changes times and seasons and gives wisdom and understanding. The Most High God is sovereign over the kingdoms of men. He lifts up the humble and takes down the proud. He keeps His eyes on those who worship Him and do His will and He hears the cries of those with humble and contrite hearts. He does not listen to sinners...but He will hear when those with a broken spirit cry out in repentance for His grace and mercy. 

Who can understand all the things of God? The real message is, will we bow to Jesus and trust Him in all things? Receive Him that and know what Truth is. He IS faithful in the end to those who seek Him and allow Him to humble us when we need it, allow Him to take away when something has become a hindrance in our walk with Him, allow Him to strengthen us through the power of His Holy Spirit when we try to do in our own strength. 

He, after all, is the wise One, we are not. Our Father in Heaven knows what He needs to do in order to save us from our own destruction...so He calls attention to Himself through both good times and bad. He listens for the cries of those who will submit (in a very good sense) to His will. And, more importantly, He sent His Son, Jesus, to save us and His Holy Spirit to help us. Who will listen? Who will hear?

Listen to this: The cripple at the Beautiful Gate was asking for money in his cup. That was what he thought he needed. Peter and John didn't have what he wanted, but what he needed. He wanted alms. He needed legs. They said, "What we have we give to you" (Acts 3:6). What they had was the transferred authority of Jesus to supply legs. We ask for what we think we need, and the Lord graciously gives us what we really need. - Jim Hylton

What do you think you need? Call on the name of Jesus and He will give you what He knows you need. We all need Him. He will hear your heart but He will heal your spirit. He will bring life to the lost and weary soul. He will not give you a stone when you are in need of bread. If you ask you will receive; if you seek you will find. If you knock, Jesus will open the door for you. He is calling attention to Himself today. Who will listen? Who will hear?

Lamentations 3:55-58 - I called on Your name, O LORD, from the lowest pit. You have heard my voice: "Do not hide Your ear from my sighing, from my cry for help." You drew near on the day I called on You, and said, "Do not fear!" O Lord, You have pleaded the case for my soul; You have redeemed my life.