02/16/2022
I spent a lot of today pondering the full armor of God. Notice in the book of Ephesians, verses 10-17, we are told to put on the full armor of God, because we are not battling against flesh and blood. So often we blame the people and "actors" around us for our circumstances. And they may be a part of the problem yet ultimately we are all in this battle together... Is your marriage in trouble? Remember we are in a battle--a war against the devil's schemes, and he wants nothing more than for you to blame your spouse for what is going on... But we are called to stand, with the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness (That is Christ's righteousness that he imparts to us as we yield to and follow him) and with our feet shod with readiness (to go forward into battle,) from the gospel of peace, which is the good news that Jesus Christ died in our place, and became our sin on the cross--taking ALL of our sin upon himself to reconcile us and bring peace into our relationship with an holy and just God. So, the reason our feet are ready to go forward is because the Holy Spirit brings peace into our lives as we daily die to self and follow Christ. We are citizens of heaven, fighting a war that we know we win! Hallelujah! So pick up the shield of Faith with which we rebuke the enemy, and the sword of the Spirit which is the Living WORD of God and go forth and follow Yeshua! And remember to pray always and in all ways make your requests known to our Father who is in Heaven. The way forward will NOT NECESSARILY BE EASY (remember Job, who God "chose,") but we are not in this war alone. A great cloud of witnesses had gone before us and they await our return home to celebrate the end of the war. All we need to do is to stand firmly on God's word and know that He is all that really mattress, after all. This life is only the "dress rehearsal" for eternity. And what is important is to make sure your citizenship in Heaven is secure in Christ. He alone is pure and holy and righteous and just. And he had promised never to leave us nor forsake us. God wants to lavish his love upon you. He has given you heavenly armor, if you already know him. Don't walk thru your day without it.
On the other hand, If you don't know what I am talking about, then you need to know that the scriptures tell us "God so loved the world (and you) that he gave his one and only begotten son (The Book said that his Spirit came upon the Virgin Mary and created his earthly son supernaturally in her womb) that whosoever believes in him (Yeshua, God's only begotten Son) will not die, but will have ever lasting life. Moreover, God's plan from before the beginning of time was that his son, Jesus would take all of our sins upon himself as ħe died on the cross at the age of about 33. He became the propitiation for our sin. God had required an annual blood sacrifice for sins, and yet Yeshua came to die once for all, a substitutionary death, so that he could pay for ALL of our since, dying once for all. This is the good news that Jesus wants all people to know. If you call upon his name he will come into your life and be your Lord and your savior. This plan is the most miraculous plan any of us could ever hope for. Jesus the Messiah wants a personal relationship with you. He and his father are one along with the Holy Spirit, and he wants each of us to also join with him as one. He ACTUALLY completes us, once for all of time, and even outside of time! That emptiness in you're heart, that had you continuously looking for your next "high" point? This world cannot fill that hole, only a relationship with the living God can do that. Everything else this world has to offer you it's a counterfeit "high." If you want the forever fix, try Jesus. He promises to meet your every need in this life, to give you an abundant life, if you will just believe. Ask him into your heart. Submit to him. I promise he will not let you down. He is always good. I do not say we will always be happy. But his Joy is my strength. And joy is not dependant upon circumstances. Joy is eternal. Come to the foot of the cross and look upon the one who died for you, to set you free from sin. And who rose again from death after 3 days and was taken up to heaven where he sat down at the right hand of God and sent us down the Holy Spirit to guide and direct and comfort us as we face the darkening days ahead before he comes back for us. And he promised he would come again to take us to where he is. The way will not be easy, but it will be filled with treasures unimaginable and fullness of heart as his Holy Spirit indwells you and teaches and directs you.
If you want to choose Yeshua, who is Jesus in English, Iesu in Hawaiian, and JesĂşs in Spanish, then pray this simple prayer:
God, who created me in my mother's womb, and who is God above all god's, I hear you sent Jesus down here to die for me, In my place, to take away my sins. I may not like the word sin, but I know I have done things that hurt others and that are wrong, and I cannot make up for those "sins" to make myself "holy" nor "righteous"; but I have a longing in my heart to know you, and to be known and loved by you. Will you please come into my life and show me that you are who Dr. Maryruth has introduced you as, and reveal to me all of who you are? I want to know you. I want to be yours. I thank you Jesus for dying to reconcile me to an almighty God, what an amazing thing you have done. Please teach me who you are. Give me a true hunger to know and love you. Please fill that God sized hole in my heart and transform my heart so that I can become all that I was created to become. I want to know you God. Holy Spirit please Indwell me. I give you my life right here and right now. Set me free Jesus! Amen. So may it be!"
And, your next step is to get ahold of A Bible and start reading first the book of John. He was Jesus' closest friend. And he tells you all about his life. (Most Christian churches will give you a Bible, if you cannot get one leave mena note with your address and I will send you one.)
Then find a Christian church that believes the Bible is God's inspired word and that is still open on either Saturdays or Sundays and attend services until you find a church where you hear Truth spoken and where you believe God has directed you to be.
