#30 Where The Battle Rages

Tome 30[1]             Prayer is where the battle rages                            March 2011

Part VI in the series Bring Enough Gun[2]                               

A family crisis has our full attention.  Nancy and her siblings have been anxiously perched beside her mom’s bed in the ICU of Ohio State University hospital.  The kids and I hang on her every text message and relay the news to friends and family, far and wide. Commitments to pray are a great encouragement but some responses bother me. “You are in our thoughts”, is an all too common expression of sympathy but I just don’t get what it means. Never in recorded history has a circle of good folks ‘thought’ someone off their death bed like some feel-good séance. Does that sound ungrateful of me?

Another expression, usually uttered in mock exasperation, if not apologetically, rattles me even more; “All we can do now, is pray.” ALL you can do? So you think prayer is less important than emptying a bed pan, a sending Hallmark™ card or bringing a tuna casserole to the house? Are these well wishers aware that inside that dusty bible on the coffee table are accounts of prayer raising the dead, parting the seas, restoring nations, healing the broken and even making the sun stand still? What if prayer is the utmost we can do about anything! Maybe, nothing can happen unless an earnest conversation with the Almighty about a certain wisp of a grandma has taken place.

The older I get, the less sense coincidence makes. We’ve been talking about the preparation steps in Ephesians 6 but we have not yet begun the fight until we pray.  For another example, just go to a motorcycle rally and you’ll see a whole bunch of people all dressed up as hard core bikers but very few even rode motorcycles there. Go to church next Sunday and you’ll see a whole bunch of people dressed up for church but few conducted any warfare this week.  The apostle Paul takes us to the next step:

Ephesians  6 ^10-12 And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

 ^13-18 Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

 ^19-20 And don't forget to pray for me. Pray that I'll know what to say and have the courage to say it at the right time, telling the mystery to one and all, the Message that I, jailbird preacher that I am, am responsible for getting out. Ephesians 6:10-20 The Message translation

Remember last time when the Israelites and the Philistines-and Goliath- were across the valley from each other trash talking for forty days? They had every piece of weaponry we discussed so far but they hadn’t so much as bumped into one another yet.  They were all dressed up, they looked like warriors, practiced, memorized the ‘play-book’, but had not advanced an inch in forty days.  Did David’s famous battle begin in that valley where he faced Goliath or was the real battle fought beforehand?  In 1 Samuel 17:47 David shouts:

⁴⁷ All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

He did not just get that idea right there at that moment. David had relied on God to help him slay the bear and the lion that attacked his flocks. When the prophet Samuel picked him as a young lad, God began investing in him.[3] Somewhere out in the wilds while watching over his flocks, David prayers waged the battle and  set the stage for what played out with his sling.  

Jehoshaphat [great name for your next child!] was the king when a ‘vast army’ of three tribes picked a fight with his folks. He told everyone to skip lunch and meet him at church[4] for a prayer meeting. Is that a strange way to get ready for or fight or what? Actually he had already put on the armor of God and that’s why he knew what to do. At the end of his prayer the local prophet spoke for God and said:

‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. ¹⁶ Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. ¹⁷ You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’”

The story gets weirder. Some general gets the idea that they should put the choir out in front of the army, singing at the top of their lungs[5], as they march to meet their foe.  The story ends with Jehoshaphat arriving at a desert valley to find the three enemy armies had destroyed one another in ambushes set by the echoes of God praise from the choir. It took three days to pick up all the loot from the battle they won on their knees in church!

Need more? Gideon prayed and God allowed him three signs before handing the uncountable[6] Midianites into his hands without so much as an arrow in flight. The battle was won when he secretly talked with God. Jericho fell because Joshua spoke with the Lord and followed his instructions[7]. The horn section of the high school band was all he needed for that fight. Daniel won his season of Survivor- Lion’s Den because of his thrice daily prayers with his windows wide open. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego made it through a barbeque gone bad because they were prayed up and declared their fealty before the king. In all these lives the battle raged when they fell to their knees long before flesh and blood fell before God’s hand.

By now most of you are thinking way ahead of me so let’s get to the best example of a battle won on the knees long before the conflict we can see with our eyes.  The 2004 movie The Passion of the Christ may be the best attempt yet at depicting the real battle for men’s salvation that occurred in the Garden of Gethsemane. Matthew’s account says,

Chapter 26: ³⁶  Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” ³⁷ He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. ³⁸ Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”   ³⁹ Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

The horrible physical ordeal, from the beating in the synagogue, the Roman army torture and the crucifixion, are what we focus on when we describe the passion. For us the cross is the symbol of this eternal battle for our salvation. Christ’s perfect knowledge made him fully aware of what lie ahead as he fell to his knees in prayer in that garden. The words of Matthew and Mark together with the scene portrayed in film evidence his being overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death in his pitched battle of for our souls. His ultimate obedience, even unto his death on the cross[8], resulted from winning that spiritual battle when he pledged, “Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

The preacher, Ravi Zacharias said, “The battle is fought when we commit to a daily communion with the Lord. If we lose this battle, none of the others matter.”  Much of what I consider warfare is nothing more than my flailing about. I have not engaged the enemy of my soul and, therefore, there can be no victory, until I fall upon my knees.

Dear Lord, I pray Nancy’s mom, I submit to your will and pray that everyone who reads this will win today battles by offering today’s prayers. Amen.

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[1] This is part of a numbered series of writings that began with the financial meltdown in October 2008. I call them Tomes [rhymes with comb for you people with hair on your head] or a volume forming a part of a larger work because some day I may pull them together into a collection.  If you wish to receive the entire series or no longer wish to be copied, contact Timothy Bailey @ chiefcredit@tcfbank.com  for the entire collection you can now go to www.adifferentstoryblog.blogspot.com

[2] http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?model=18  this marketing campaign around its SOCOM rifle is the genesis of this series.

[3] 1 Samuel 16: ¹³ So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David.

[4] 2 Chronicles 20:3-4

[5] ²¹ After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his^[c] holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:     “Give thanks to the LORD,   for his love endures forever.”

[6] Judges 7 ¹² The Midianites, the Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples had settled in the valley, thick as locusts. Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore

[7] Joshua chapter 5-6

[8] Phillipians 2 ⁶ Who, being in very nature^[a] God,   did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; ⁷ rather, he made himself nothing  by taking the very nature^[b] of a servant,  being made in human likeness. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,   he humbled himself  by becoming obedient to death—  even death on a cross!  ⁹ Therefore God exalted him to the highest place  and gave him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,  in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,   to the glory of God the Father.

#29 The Sword Part V of Bring Enough Gun Feb 2011

#28[1]                                                                               

Bring Enough Gun[2]                       The Sword which Is the Word

This is fifth in a series that began months ago as Paul’s letter to the folks at Ephesus gave me heartburn about my own stumble[3]. The challenge is taking apart this passage to see how to use it daily.  Work and the dire needs of the people in my life appear so much larger than what I can handle on my own, I am out-gunned, as they say, so Paul seems to be writing to me….   

Ephesians Chapter 6

^10-12 And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

 ^13-18 Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

 ^19-20 And don't forget to pray for me. Pray that I'll know what to say and have the courage to say it at the right time, telling the mystery to one and all, the Message that I, jailbird preacher that I am, am responsible for getting out. Ephesians 6:10-20      The Message translation

These literary exercises are my home-work projects to get my head around the lessons that are immediate and important in my life so they are sent out to this audience in the hopes that one soul will get some help with their ‘home-work’. 

Before we get too far along we should wrap up a couple ideas about Peace and Faith from prior volumes and tie them into this series. So, con su permiso[4], in #14 Peace was presented not as the absence of conflict but the Presence of God just as he promised…  

John 14   ²⁵"All this I have spoken while still with you. ²⁶But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. ²⁷Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Many translations of Ephesians say, “with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace” so let’s chew on that phrase for a minute. The Gospel of Peace would literally mean the Good News of his Presence if we equate Peace with his Presence. That’s Great news when it comes to facing an enemy. We don’t have to do it alone because he was here once before, he is here with us right now and he promises to be here with us in the future.  Having my ‘feet fitted with the readiness’ must mean that because he is here we can be ready and, dare I say, eager to meet the enemy on the battlefield. Whoa, ‘gotta confess not ‘putting on’ this weapon very much. Too many times I felt like I was walking out to face my opponent all alone. Even though I wrote about Peace I failed to make this connection and application as a weapon of readiness.  

Now back to Faith, covered in #19 and #21, is pictured by the translators in this way in Ephesians…

take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one

Perseverance, another word for what faith looks like in the flesh, is depicted as lifting your shield and holding it up to stop the assault of your foe. Whether flaming arrows, slashing swords, thrusting spears or hammer blows the shield absorbs these attacks so you can Stand Firm as Paul exhorts us. That’s a solid segue to the first passages that helps me think about  “the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God” as most translations say. The first companion verse that comes to mind is Hebrews 4:

 V12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

The author amplifies this picture of the word as a living, dangerously adept weapon when wielded in our hands and applied upon our hearts.   

Try this demonstration with me. Picture yourself in front a mirror having strapped on the Belt of Truth, the Breastplate of Righteousness, the Helmet of Salvation, feet fitted with Readiness because The Christ stands right beside you and lifting the shield of Faith you are ready to take up the Sword, which is God’s Word. Until just now you have not signaled the enemy that you intend to fight back. Everything you have done so far is largely defensive, protective, but now you declare your intentions to engage him offensively. That’s a bit fearsome to me because I know what my enemy is capable of and intends to do[5] so when I raise the sword I better be ready.

Let us go to Mark 1, Luke 4, and Matthew 4 for the accounts of the Christ’s first temptation; the first written account of our Savior lifting up the sword when challenged by Satan. Forty days he fasted and in his weakened state Satan tried his last ditch assault by tempting with scriptures. We don’t know how much Satan harassed him before this in those forty days but we know that Jesus did not presume to parry and thrust[6] with his own words but went right to the scripture as well. For those of you seminary graduates in my small audience, the Gospel of John declares that Jesus is that very Word/sword.  

John 1 ¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome^[a] it

I am not smart enough to explain all that but I can see that Jesus showed his humility and his humanity in his response as described in Philippians:

 ⁶ Who, being in very nature^[a] God,  did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; ⁷ rather, he made himself nothing  by taking the very nature^[b] of a servant,  being made in human likeness. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,  he humbled himself  by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!              Phillippians 2

We are told that Christ was tempted just like us:

   ¹⁴ Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16 

Okay, let me try to summarize. Pause for effect…If God, in the flesh of Christ, The Word, did not presume to reply to Satan on his own when he faced dire trials and temptations but thrust back and blocked thrusts with the written word, I better not try anything but The Word when I parry and thrust with the enemy in the trials and struggles of my life.

If we go back in history a bit further another battle comes to mind to teach us a similar lesson. In 1 Samuel 17 the Philistines and a nearly ten foot tall giant named Goliath [and his four brothers[7]] were on one hill and the Israelites were on another with a valley in between. Everyone was in their belts, breastplates, helmet and shields but nobody had raised a sword yet as they were in that timeless stage of male conflict known as trash talking.  Forty days of trash talking[8] later [it doesn’t sound like anyone really wanted to fight-maybe no Readiness was the problem], five-foot-nothing, David comes to visit his brothers and hears the curses of Goliath. David declares to King Saul:

“Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. ³⁷ The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” 1 Sam 17:36

Big, tall, dark and handsome King Saul is only too happy to let someone else fight his battles so he gives David his armor-which doesn’t fit [may be a lesson in there about how each of us has armor that only fits us!]-so David discards Saul’s armor, picks up five smooth stones for his sling, the weapon God had perfected in him, and while running towards his formidable foe, shouts:

⁴⁵ “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. ⁴⁶ This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. ⁴⁷ All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 1 Sam 17:45-47

Indulge me for a moment. David selected five stones and there were five giants. This chapter of Samuel and the one in the footnote below leaves little doubt that David’s Faith and his “feet being fitted with the Readiness”-he ran toward the giant-shows that David was ready to kill all five giants that day and not that he thought he might need five shots at Goliath to bring him down.

As a Baptist minister once said at the end of a very long sermon, “And in conclusion…”, both David and Christ came against, struck back, thrust, in the “Name of the Lord Almighty” and with the Words of the Lord Almighty when faced with the greatest battle they had faced up until that point. In both cases, David and Christ were very familiar, practiced, proficient and adept with their chosen weapons-their ‘swords’. Like soldiers that do well in battle because they have practiced doing well in battle; Even if I have put on the belt, breastplate, helmet and shield and have Christ at my side, I must become a master with “the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God”  because, “This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.”

Well, I still have to work on Prayer, ‘Keeping our Eyes open’ and ‘No one left behind’ before I am through with this portion of this chapter but for now-

On Guard!

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[1] This is part of a numbered series of writings that began with the financial meltdown in October 2008. I call them Tomes [rhymes with comb for you people with hair on your head] or a volume forming a part of a larger work because some day I may pull them together into a collection.  If you wish to receive the entire series or no longer wish to be copied, contact Timothy Bailey @ chiefcredit@tcfbank.com

[2] http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?model=18  this marketing campaign around its SOCOM rifle is the genesis of this series.

[3] Lots of people have a ”walk” with God.  My journey involves face-plants, bruised shins and trips to the emergency room so I call it my stumble.

[4] With your permission.  One of my readers is in Bolivia so I try to through him a bone once in a while.

[5] John 10:10a  The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.

[6] Parry and Thrust are the terms used in fencing.  Thrust with the sword,  deflect with a parry (circular motion of the sword).

[7] 2 Samuel 21:15-22   ¹⁵ Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted. ¹⁶ And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels^[b] and who was armed with a new sword, said he would kill David. ¹⁷ But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David’s rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, saying, “Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished.”   ¹⁸ In the course of time, there was another battle with the Philistines, at Gob. At that time Sibbekai the Hushathite killed Saph, one of the descendants of Rapha.   ¹⁹ In another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Elhanan son of Jair^[c] the Bethlehemite killed the brother of^[d] Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver’s rod.   ²⁰ In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. ²¹ When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimeah, David’s brother, killed him.   ²² These four were descendants of Rapha  in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.

[8] Forty Days of Trash talking appears to be a reoccurring theme!

#28 Helmet Of Salvation part IV of Bring Enough Gun January 2011

 28 [i]                        Bring Enough Gun[ii]                         January 2011

                                      The Helmet of Salvation

For those of you who have been reading along for some time, you know the idea of a series is a little over my pay-grade. There exists no claim that this discourse is anything more than trying to push through struggles, follow the instructions, and pay attention to what is happening.  Ephesians 6 has always encouraged me so these compositions are about putting those words to life.

        Ephesians Chapter 6

^10-12 And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

 ^13-18 Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

 ^19-20 And don't forget to pray for me. Pray that I'll know what to say and have the courage to say it at the right time, telling the mystery to one and all, the Message that I, jailbird preacher that I am, am responsible for getting out. Ephesians 6:10-20      The Message translation

So far Truth [#25], Righteousness [#27], Peace [#14], and Faith [#19 & 21] have been discussed.  Thanks to all of you who have sent me your thoughts along the way. Again, if you’d like a copy of any prior tome [1], just ping an email.  That leaves us with Salvation, God’s Word, Prayer, Open Eyes, and Leave No Man Behind as the remaining weapons to explore. The older translations refer to “the helmet of salvation”[iii], the next one in line, and that is where we will pick up this time.

Permit me to look back to the #27 for a moment to create a segue. Watch the movie Gladiator, or Braveheart or Troy or any similar film and you can see how the breastplate, shield and helmet identify a soldier. The colors, symbols and shapes tell you whose army he belongs to and in the chaos of close quarters, hand-to-hand combat, that identity is life and death. Picking up His armor tells both my fellow soldiers and the enemy whom I obey, and whose back I have. In turn, my comrades should be able to depend on me and the enemy knows who to attack. That analogy alone may be enough for one day’s consideration, we could stop right there and have substance to digest. But there is more…

Tom, one of my faithful contributors, adds:

The helmet for a soldier protects his head from blows that may have killed him or left him unconscious.  The helmet must be strong enough to absorb impact and allow the soldier to continue the fight.  The helmet of Salvation protects, corrects and guards our thoughts.  By placing the helmet of Salvation on our heads it should be our prayer that our thoughts are Gods thoughts.  Though the Evil one may hit us squarely in the head, we can still be effective on the battle field.

That’s really great stuff Tom!  From identity Tom takes us to protection and then on to how salvation guards our mind in God.

Lots of us think of salvation as a transaction that occurred on a certain date and time or a ceremony in our life that ensures an eternity with God. Verses like John 3:16-17 [you know, the poorly made signs held up in the end zones during extra-point attempts] and 1 John 4:10[iv] come mind. The focus seems to be on the end of the game-life and not so much on the right now. As wonderful as an eternity with God must be, can I be honest enough to confess there are times when I would swap a small piece of eternity for the help I desperately need right now. Does that make me an Esau[v] to look for benefits from Salvation before my days come to an end?

Could Salvation be even bigger than an Eternity Insurance policy. Can it be something I can Put-On and use and not just an historical event. Is it possible to “be saved, being saved and will be saved”. When sin seems the answer, can salvation free us; when surrounded by destructive influences, can we be rescued by salvation?  Could we be in battle, struggles, stress, difficulties and have a moment of clarity when the helmet keeps us focused on the fact I will be saved no matter the outcome? Is that moment itself salvation because it plants the seed of hope in my mind and that hope strengthens me enough to push on? How can this all be gotten from wearing the right headgear?

The same writer to the Ephesians wrote to the Philippians and cheered them on with some of the same words. In chapter 4   

 ¹ Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!.............. ⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you  

The writer says that what we have thought, read, meditated, studied is really important as it shapes our thoughts. Garbage in, Garbage out or God stuff in, God stuff out, conversely.

The Roman writer talks about the transformation of the mind as a salvation work:

Romans 12  A Living Sacrifice

 ¹ Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

The renewal is the salvation. We don’t fall into old patterns of thought that likely got us in the mess in the first place.

Dallas Willard in his book Renovation of the Heart writes about thinking, right thinking that saves us.  So when, not if, we are surrounded by the enemy is we have a response-ability. We can choose to have a thought process something like:

A.      This is total confusion

B.       No one cares about me

C.      There is no way I can win

D.      All is lost

Or we have the ability to respond, the response-ability, to order our thoughts as follows;

a)      God Loves me-John 3:16

b)      I am his – 1 John 5:11-12

c)       He knew this would happen – Psalms 139:12-14, Psalms 10:29-30, Jeremiah 12:3

d)      He has a plan for my life –Jeremiah 29:11

e)      I need to wait and watch for his miraculous answer. Psalms 130:5-6

f)        His answer is bigger than my need – Ephesians 3:20[vi]

Willard goes on to write about how our feelings will follow our thinking and our will is bolstered as well. The way we choose to think about our trials tells friends and foes alike whose army we belong to. We pick the flag we raise.

So, God has given us a helmet that protects our heads as Tom wrote so that we can think “on these things”, be “transformed” by a new way of thinking and have the strength to move forward in our battles expecting God to fulfill his promises to his followers.

I don’t know about you but I am encouraged, a little ashamed, and challenged. I had the ability to shape how I thought about lots of my problems in the past but framed the argument apart for Truth-oh, ya, we talked about that didn’t we. I didn’t have the helmet on and the enemies blows keep me reeling so it was hard to get my thoughts together as Willard wrote. That realization of salvation in the middle of the battle, the moment of bright clarity in the fog of war, may depend on my “mind renewal”, a continuous effort and a discipline to be ready to “think right”, to respond right, when the time comes.

Let’s go get ‘em!            Hey…wait a minute…don’t forget your helmet!

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[i] This is part of a numbered series of writings that began with the financial meltdown in October 2008. I call them Tomes [ rhymes with comb for you people with hair on your head] or a volume forming a part of a larger work because some day I may pull them together into a collection.  If you wish to receive the entire series or no longer wish to be copied, contact Timothy Bailey @ chiefcredit@tcfbank.com

[ii] http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?model=18

[iii] Verse 17, King James Version

[iv] 1 John 4:10  This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

[v] Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of stew. Genesis 25:34,  Obadiah-God destroyed  his people.  

[vi] Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

#27 Righteousness part III of the Bring Enough Gun series AND #14 PEACE AUG 2009

27                Bring Enough Gun[i]                  
                    Righteousness

         

 ^10-12 And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

 ^13-18 Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

 ^19-20 And don't forget to pray for me. Pray that I'll know what to say and have the courage to say it at the right time, telling the mystery to one and all, the Message that I, jailbird preacher that I am, am responsible for getting out. Ephesians 6:10-20                   The Message translation

Just a reminder that this series is about the well-made weapons God has designed for us to win the battles we find ourselves in. Ephesians chapter six tells us we have several weapons we are to use in this “life-or-death fight”. We talked about Truth in #25 and have touched on a Peace in #14 and Faith in #19 and #21.  If you’d like a copy of these, just type me a note and I’ll send them individually or send the entire set your way.

Once more, here is the list and this time we’ll work on #2.

1.      Truth

2.     Righteousness

3.      Peace                     [see Tome 14 dated 8/12/2009]

4.      Faith             [see Tome 19 date 2/15/9 and 21 dated3/10/10]

5.      Salvation

6.      God’s word

7.      Prayer

8.      Keep your eyes open

9.      Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

First off, let me admit that even talking about Righteousness intimidates me. I know my life story and I am the last man on earth who should presume to describe, model or write on the subject. Even though Psalms 51:7[ii] says that my black sin has been washed by His red blood and I am now whiter than snow, this topic inspires a devout respect. I suppose that’s okay since Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge:” So let the scary learning begin.

First, es muy verdad,  certain,  that this weapon cannot be manmade.  Isaiah 64 confesses, in his role as a prophet…

V6  ‘All of us have become like one who is unclean,  and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf,  and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”

The Christ joins in the condemnation of the superfluous religious leaders of his day in his most famous sermon…

²⁰ For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:20

Later Jesus was so bold he called them hypocrites…

   ²⁵ “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. ²⁶ Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

   ²⁷ “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. ²⁸ In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. Matthew 23:25-28 

When I read these [and 1 Corinthians 13] there is no question that Righteousness is not manufactured by a well intended, religious, virtuous or appointed persons. Righteousness starts with having the Son within…

11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 1 John 5:11-12

The Roman writer gives a historical perspective and contrasts the rightness of the law to the righteousness in Christ.

 ³ Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. ⁴ Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.  Romans 10

The shipwrecked, jailbird, whipped and harassed preacher named St. Paul put it this way,

²⁰I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Okay, we know the source.  Perhaps John 15 explains the power supply of this practical weapon as good as any passage.

The Vine and the Branches

 ¹ “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ² He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes^[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. ³ You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ⁴ Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

   ⁵ “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. ⁷ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.  John 15:1-8

Perhaps the most telling thing about this agrarian depiction is the declaration of what Righteousness is for, its purpose, its ultimate goal-to bear much fruit. What fruit you say? That would be the peaches, bananas, apples, pears, grapes and melons of souls [how’s that for diversity J ] getting in the Pearly Gates!

 So this spiritual flak jacket is not about me being correct or accurate or in some way morally superior. Sometimes I worry more about whether I am right and it has nothing to do with being properly clothed his righteousness to get his work done for his credit and Glory. Thanks be to God, as the old saints say, that this is all swept away by simply wrapping myself in him so that He is lifted up and letting Him be the one that is right in the end.

So, God’s work gets done but what is in it for me, you ask [come on, admit it, it’s just us girls here]. Well, obeying His rules for battle attire has its other benefits and a reader shares this good news,  

 “God has molded our hearts through the Breastplate of Righteousness, and it is through Gods Righteousness that we are able to hold up against the enemy.  It is important to guard our hearts [as] it affects everything we do.  Our hearts should seek God first, for seeking God gives our lives a purpose and at the same time delivers a blow against the enemy.  In seeking Gods purpose we will find that our lives are satisfying and fit.” Tom T.

Tom’s got some good meat for us to chew on as he points us to Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  Did you pick up on Tom’s point about how we conform to the shape of His breastplate and in so doing our hearts are guarded, protected, supported? That is a powerful word picture. Instead of a prideful man puffing out his chest as an expression of how right he may think he is and expecting God to fit His armor to a ‘puffed up’ man, Tom shows us a humble man fitting, bending, adjusting into the shape God has for him[iii].  It is not about asking God to protect his [my] image but rather being molded, shaped into God’s image as we put on his armor and in so doing we are rightly fitted for the battle ahead. Also tucked inside this powerful paragraph is the reminder that our heart is kept right when enshrouded in his armor, contained in his will, surrounded by his plan. Tom, I really like this insight. You point us to humility, as well, as a powerful character trait for a fierce warrior for the Lord.  

Next is #5, Salvation.  The old translations refer to it as the Helmet of Salvation.  Honestly, these writings come from being challenged by these boot camp lessons and putting them to paper helps me wrap my head around them.  It would be an honor if you’d drop me a line in the next few weeks to share your thoughts about any one of these weapons or specifically about how you use the salvation helmet in your battle. Perhaps if the Breastplate of Righteousness guards the heart then the Salvation helmet may be guarding the….stay tuned!

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[i] http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?model=18

[ii] Psalm 51:7 (New International Version,) ⁷ Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;   wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

[iii] Yet you, LORD, are our Father.    We are the clay, you are the potter;    we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8

#14                                           Peace                              August 12, 2009

When the plaintiff cry, “All I want is a little peace and quiet!” is uttered there is no question that the speaker wants an antagonist to be silenced. The oppressors can be anything from the hustle and bustle of city life to the constant crying of their own darling child. The point is that they only sense peace when something no longer is present.

Wars end when one force overwhelms another and the parties contract or sues for a cessation of conflict under conditional terms if they reach an impasse or unconditional if, like the Allies in WWII, the victor[s] have brought their enemies to their knees. Again, peace in this context is defined by what no longer transpires between the combatants.

Colt made a lawman’s Single Action handgun called the Peacemaker in 1873. Remarkable in that it replaced the cap and ball percussion revolver with a cartridge system that facilitated faster reloading and more accurate shooting.  Peace came to the lawman’s town when he had shot all of the hombres in the black hats. Once again, the term is defined by what no longer exists.

At my lake cabin what is there is as important as what is not there. Chicago, telephones and pompous, posturing executives are notable absent from my days in that haven of rest. The crackling fire, lapping waves and wind whistling through the cedars fills the space. This absence of manmade noise and the presence of the Creator’s handiwork is much closer to what The Christ promised in the Gospel of John:

 John 14   ²⁵"All this I have spoken while still with you. ²⁶But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. ²⁷Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

The world has always defined peace by what is absent at any one time while God has always defined peace by what is present-His presence. The futility mankind pursues in seeking “world peace” is that removing conflict, eliminating oppression, and ceasing hostilities does not bring peace. Peace is only found when a powerful force fills the void. A mother’s love calms a screaming child, a mighty army occupies the land, a lawman walks the street and a Spirit descending from the throne of God fills a heart to usher in peace.

In the Old Testament the Priestly blessing is in Numbers chapter 6:

²² The LORD said to Moses,

²³ "Tell Aaron and his sons, 'This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:

²⁴ " ' "The LORD bless you and keep you;

²⁵ the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;

²⁶ the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." '

²⁷ "So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them."

Obviously, God is not giving his people a nothing, an absence, a hole, when he bestowed this blessing through his priests. He is giving them something to sustain them. Similarly, Christ knew we have days like this and left us his Comforter to overwhelm the trouble and fear in ours lives.