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Implementing a Larger Vision of the Church (Insights in NT)

1/11/2013

Jesus used on-the-job training in equipping His disciples as they served in the world. This became a starting point for implementing a larger vision of the church studied earlier in Eph. 1-3. Eph. 4-6 instructs how to implement the church's larger vision by equipping believers for works of service and teaching the truth of Christ so believers are filled with the Holy Spirit to do God's will in their home, work and city realizing their spiritual battle against evil forces.

Equip Believers for Works of Service
Paul urged them to live a life worthy of their calling in humility, gentleness, patience, love and unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. God called them to one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who was over, through and in all. Christ gave grace gifts to fill the whole universe when He ascended on high and led captives in His train. He gave some as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to equip God's people for works of service toward building up the church until all reached unity of faith, knowledge and maturity in Christ. Reject crafty and deceitful teaching in order to speak the truth in love so everyone would grow up in all things through Christ, the Head. In Him, the whole body was joined and held together by every supporting ligament to build itself up in love as each part did its work (Eph. 4:1-16). Equip believers for works of service toward Christ-centered maturity so everyone works together in love and unity.

Teach Truth of Christ
Futile thinking, darkened understanding and separation from the life of God due to ignorance because of hardness of heart led to sensuality, lust and impurity. Teaching the truth of Christ enabled people to put off the old self corrupted by deceitful desires. By renewing their minds, they put on the new self created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. They rejected falsehood and spoke truthfully as members of one body. They resolved anger daily to prevent the devil's foothold. Instead of stealing, they did manual work and shared with the needy. Rather than unwholesome talk, they spoke helpful things that met the listener's needs. They did not grieve the Holy Spirit who sealed them for the day of redemption. Instead of bitterness, rage, anger, slander and malice, they were kind, compassionate and forgiving just as Christ forgave them (Eph. 4:17-32). Teach the truth of Christ so believers renew their minds and practice truth, love and forgiveness.

Be Filled With Spirit
They imitated God through a loving lifestyle because of Christ's love and sacrifice for them. They rejected sexual immorality, impurity, greed, obscenity, foolish talk and coarse joking and embraced thanksgiving. Immoral, impure and greedy idolaters experienced God's wrath without inheritance in the kingdom of Christ. Living as children of light in goodness, righteousness and truth, they pleased the Lord and exposed the fruitless deeds of darkness. Christ shined on those who woke up spiritually from the dead. Through wisdom, they made the most of the opportunity, understood God's will and filled with the Spirit. The fruit was speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs while making music in their hearts to God. They always gave thanks to God for everything in Christ's name and submitted to one another out of reverence for Him (Eph. 5:1-21). Be filled with the Spirit to expose darkness, do God's will, give thanks and submit to one another.

Love and Lead Your Wife
Wives submitted to their husbands as to the Lord since husbands were head and Savior like Christ over the church. Wives submitted to their husbands in everything like the church submitted to Christ. Husbands loved their wives as Christ loved and gave Himself up for the church. He made her holy by washing her with water through the word. He presented her to Himself as a radiant, holy and blameless church without blemish. Likewise, husbands should love their wives as their own bodies by feeding and caring for it as Christ with the church. For this reason, a man left his father and mother and united with his wife so the two became one flesh. Husbands loved their wives as themselves and wives respected their husbands (Eph. 5:22-33). Love and lead your wife as she submits and respects her husband as a positive demonstration of Christ's relationship with the church.

Train Children and Serve Christ Wholeheartedly
Children obeyed and honored their parents in the Lord so it would go well in living longer. Fathers trained and instructed their children in the Lord instead of exasperating them. Slaves obeyed their earthly masters with respect, fear and sincerity of heart just as they obeyed Christ and doing God's will from their heart. They served the Lord wholeheartedly, not men, knowing God rewarded everyone for good they did. Masters treated their slaves similarly without threatening knowing their Master in heaven showed no favoritism (Eph. 6:1-9). Train children in the Lord and serve Christ wholeheartedly at work to earn His reward.

Put On God's Armor
They relied on God's mighty power by putting on His armor. They stood against the devil's schemes since their struggle was not against humans but against rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. They stood firm with the belt of truth buckled around their waist and the breastplate of righteousness in place. They fitted their feet with readiness using the gospel of peace and took up the shield of faith to extinguish the evil one's flaming arrows. They took the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, God's word, to pray in the Spirit for all believers and their situations with all kinds of prayers and requests. Paul requested prayer for the right words in fearlessly making the gospel known as an ambassador in chains. Tychicus told them his condition and activities to encourage them. He prayed that those who loved Christ experience peace, love with faith and grace (Eph. 6:10-24). Put on God's armor using His word to pray in the Spirit so the gospel can go forth with boldness.

Pray through the following action points to see a larger vision of the church be implemented in your city:
1. Equip believers for works of service toward Christ-centered maturity so everyone works together in love and unity
2. Teach the truth of Christ so believers renew their minds and practice truth, love and forgiveness
3. Be filled with the Spirit to expose darkness, do God's will, give thanks and submit to one another
4. Love and lead your wife as she submits and respects her husband as a positive demonstration of Christ's relationship with the church
5. Train children in the Lord and serve Christ wholeheartedly at work to earn His reward
6. Put on God's armor using His word to pray in the Spirit so the gospel can go forth with boldness

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How to Overcome Satan's Lies (Insights in Prophets)

3/19/2012

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Charles Spurgeon wrote, “The precious blood of Jesus is not meant for us merely to admire and exhibit. We must not be content to talk about it, and extol it, and do nothing with it; but we are to use it in the great crusade against unholiness and unrighteousness, till it is said of us, ‘They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb.’ This precious blood is to be used for overcoming, and consequently for holy warfare. We dishonor it if we do not use it to that end . . . The dog of hell knows the dread name which makes him lie down: we must confront him with the authority, and specially with the atonement of the Lamb of God.” You will learn from the negative examples of Jeroboam and Rehoboam how to overcome Satan's lies.

A man of God warned Jeroboam that Josiah born to the house of David would sacrifice the priests of the high places with human bones being burned on him. The altar would be split apart and ashes poured out. When Jeroboam tried to seize the man of God, he could not draw his hand back to himself. The king asked for prayer, which restored his hand. The man of God refused a reward because the word of the Lord commanded him to not eat bread nor drink water and to go back a different way from Bethel (1 Kings 13:1-10). Repent of sin if you want to prosper and live rightly.

An old prophet living in Bethel heard from his sons what the man of God spoke to the king. He found the man of God sitting under an oak and told him to come home and eat bread with him. The man of God said no. The old prophet said an angel spoke by the word of the Lord to bring him to his house so he could eat bread and drink water. But he lied to him and the man of God followed him to his house. The old prophet said to the man of God that his body would not come to the grave of his fathers because he disobeyed the Lord 's command by returning and eating bread and drinking water. A lion killed the man of God and his body was thrown on the road with the donkey and lion standing beside the body (1 Kings 13:11-25). Obey God's word and reject lies so you don't experience calamity.

When the old prophet learned that the man of God was killed by a lion, he buried the body in his own grave. He mourned over him saying, "Alas, my brother!" The old prophet told his sons that he wanted to be buried in the same grave as the man of God. He cried by the word of the Lord against the altar in Bethel and all the houses of the high places in the cities of Samaria. Jeroboam did not return from his evil way, but ordained priests of the high places from all the people. This event became sin to the house of Jeroboam to destroy it from the face of the earth (1 Kings 13:26-34). Cry out God's word against evil so people will repent.

When Jeroboam's son became sick, he disguised his wife to ask Ahijah the prophet what would happen to their son. Ahijah said that God exalted Jeroboam to be leader over Israel, but his evil exceeded all before him when he made other gods and molten images instead of keeping His commandments like David. Therefore, God brought calamity on the house of Jeroboam so dogs or birds would eat every male person. Their son would die, but only he would go to the grave and be mourned. The Lord would raise up for Himself a king over Israel to cut off the house of Jeroboam and scatter Israel beyond the Euphrates River because they made their Asherim, which provoked the Lord to anger. He would give up Israel because Jeroboam made them sin (1 Kings 14:1-20). Trust God's judgment against sin that leaders provoke.

Judah did evil and provoked the Lord to jealousy more than all their fathers had done. They built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, Asherim on every high hill or luxuriant tree and male cult prostitutes in the land. They followed the abominations of the nations that the Lord dispossessed before the sons of Israel (1 Kings 14:21-24). Set yourself apart by not following the world system around you.

In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Egypt took all the treasures of the house of the Lord and the king's house, including the gold shields Solomon made. Rehoboam made bronze shields and committed them to the care of the commanders of the guard. Whenever he entered the house of the Lord, the guards carried them and brought them back into the guards' room. There was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually (1 Kings 14:25-31). Put on the armor of God and shield of faith to fight Satan's lies.

How to overcome Satan's lies: repent of sin, obey and cry out God's word, trust His judgment, set yourself apart and put on the armor of God.

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Gaining Victory Over the Evil One (Insights in Prophets)

1/1/2012

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We often rely on human strategies to fight our battles in life. Trusting in skills or finances for success in family, church or business life will prove inadequate because of spiritual warfare. David learned how to defeat evil forces while Saul chased him before becoming king.

Obedience
David spoke this song to the Lord when He delivered him from Saul and his enemies. The Lord was his rock, fortress, stronghold and deliverer in whom he took refuge. He cried to the Lord in his distress and was saved from his enemies when death and destruction overwhelmed him. When God heard his cry for help, the earth shook and heaven trembled. He confused David's enemies who hated and were too strong for him. God brought him to a broad place because He delighted in him. The Lord rewarded him because of righteousness, blamelessness and obedience to His commands. God saves the afflicted. His way has integrity because His word is tested. He trains and gives strength for battle so enemies are silenced. He made David head of the nations to serve him. Because God delivered him from violent men and showed lovingkindness, he thanked and praised the Lord (2 Sam. 22:1-51). God's deliverance and strength depend on obedience.

Blood of the Lamb
Christ ruled righteously over men in the fear of God. Like light in the morning, He makes an eternal covenant of salvation. His pleasure in humankind is contrasted to the worthless man thrust away like thorns (2 Sam. 23:1-7). Christ secures an eternal covenant of salvation through the blood of the Lamb so He can rule righteously.

Word of Testimony
David's mighty men include Adino the Eznite, chief of the captains, who killed 800 men at one time. Eleazar, one of the three mighty men, killed the Philistines until his hand was weary and clung to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory (2 Sam. 23:8-10). Persistence in sharing a word of testimony defeats spiritual enemies.

Armor of God
Shammah took his stand, defended a plot of ground full of lentils and the struck the Philistines. The Lord brought about a great victory (2 Sam. 23:11-12). Putting on the full armor of God allows you to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

Not Loving Your Life
Three of the 30 chief men came to David in the harvest time to the cave of Adullam. The three mighty men broke through the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem and gave it to David. He poured it out to the Lord not wanting to drink men's blood who jeopardized their lives (2 Sam. 23:13-17). Not loving your life even to death overcomes Satan's power.

Team of People
Abishai, chief of the 30, killed 300 with his spear. He became commander and most honored, but did not attain to the three. Benaiah killed two sons of Ariel of Moab and a lion. He killed an Egyptian by snatching and killing him with his own spear. David appointed him over his guard. Asahel was among the 30 with 37 mighty men listed (2 Sam. 23:18-39). Working with a team of people leads to spiritual victory.

You will have victory over the evil one by:
1. Obeying God's word
2. Trusting in the blood of the lamb
3. Sharing word of testimony
4. Putting on the armor of God
5. Not loving your life
6. Working with a team of people
Claim these passages: Eph. 6:10-13; Rev. 12:10-11

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Preparing for Ministry in a Post-Modern Society (Insights in Law)

12/4/2011

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Today's predominant philosophy, postmodernism, puts a high value on subjectivity. People say, "It is truth if it's true for me." Everyone can have their own truth. There are bridges with strategic potential in presenting the gospel:
1. Spiritual Sensitivity since postmodernists have tendency to be spiritual seekers
2. Experiential Spirituality since Christians have a God who is real and active in their lives and postmodernists are looking for a real personal encounter
3. Personal Spirituality since God answers prayer supernaturally and postmodernists who are spiritually minded want to have a personal interaction with spiritual forces
4. Practicality since God can meet their needs and postmodernists want answers to real problems they face in their daily lives
5. Social Needs since postmodernists are attracted to Christians who do something about real problems in society
6. Shalom since Jesus offers wholeness and postmodernists are looking for a better life like emotional comfort, happiness, peace, joy and love
7. Willing to Break Out of Former Norms since postmodernists are willing to try new religious forms if they are practical, spiritual and speak their language
8. Looking for Spiritual Guides that comes from relationship and inviting postmodernists to join us on the journey

Exodus 30 explains how to prepare yourself for ministry to postmodernists.

Make an altar of acadia wood overlayed with pure gold to burn incense. Two gold rings on opposite sides would be holders for poles to carry the altar. Put it in front of the veil near the ark of the testimony and mercy seat where God would meet with you. Aaron burned fragrant incense every morning when he trimmed the lamps. Don't offer any strange incense on this altar nor pour out a libation on it. Aaron would make atonement on its horns once a year with the blood of the sin offering throughout your generations (Ex. 30:1-10). Put on the armor of God (Ex. 29) with prayer through the power of the Holy Spirit.

God instructed every son of Israel 20 years and over to give a ransom of half a shekel for himself when taking a census so no plague would come among them. The atonement money provided for the service of the tent of meeting (Ex. 30:11-16). Make petitions for the whole church.

Make a bronze laver filled with water for washing and place it between the tent of meeting and the altar. Aaron and his sons would wash their hands and feet so they wouldn't die when they entered the tent of meeting or approached the altar while offering a fire sacrifice to the Lord (Ex. 30:17-21). Confess all known sin so you can be pure before God.

Take the finest of spices to make holy anointing oil. Anoint the tent of meeting, ark of the testimony, table and lampstand and their utensils, altar of incense, altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and laver and its stand. Consecrate them to make them holy so whoever touched them would be holy. Anoint only Aaron and his sons and consecrate them to minister as priests to God (Ex. 30:22-33). Present your body as a living and holy sacrifice to God so He can do whatever He wants with you.

Moses would beat valuable spices to make incense, the work of a perfumer, salted, pure and holy. Put part of the incense before the tent of meeting where God would meet with Moses only (Ex. 30:34-38). Ask God for wisdom on how to minister the gospel so others can understand and embrace it.

Here is your checklist to prepare for ministry to postmodernists:
1. Put on the armor of God by prayer through the power of the Holy Spirit
2. Make petitions and intercede on behalf of the church
3. Confess all known sin to God
4. Present your body as a living and holy sacrifice so God can do whatever He wants
5. Ask God for wisdom to attractively minister the gospel seasoned as were with salt

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Putting on the Armor of God (Insights in Law)

11/16/2011

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Your circumstances are more than what you experience in the natural. There's a supernatural dimension with an enemy, Satan, who hates you. He kills, steals and destroys. Everyday you face a spiritual battle. Like any war, soldiers must wear protective armor to stay alive and prosper. The clothing of the priests in Ex. 28 alludes to the armor of God described in Eph. 6:10-18.

"Bring Aaron and his sons to minister as priest to God. Have skillful persons endowed with the spirit of wisdom to make holy garments for glory and for beauty. Breastpiece, ephod, robe, tunic of checkered work, turban and sash would be holy garments to consecrate Aaron and his sons" (Ex. 28:1-5). Put on the armor of God to be glorified with the beauty of holiness.

The ephod would be made of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet material and fine linen with two shoulder pieces joined to its two ends. Two onyx stones would be engraved with the names of the sons of Israel. They would be set in filigree settings of gold on the ephod's two shoulder pieces joined by its two ends. Aaron would bear their names before the Lord on his two shoulders for a memorial (Ex. 28:6-14). Clothe yourself with Christ with the names of people on your heart.

The breastplate of judgment would be the work of skillful workman using similar types of material as the ephod's, folded double with four rows of valuable stones mounted and set in gold filigree. The stones would be according to the 12 tribes of Israel like the engravings of a seal. Bind the breastplate by its gold rings to the ephod's rings with a blue cord as a skillfully woven band of the ephod so they won't come loose. Aaron would carry Israel's names in the breastplate of judgment over his heart along with the Urim and Thummim when he enters the holy place for a memorial before the Lord continually (Ex. 28:15-30). Put on the breastplate of righteousness and belt of truth so you can maintain a pure heart and hear God's word to minister to the church.

The robe of the blue ephod would be made of pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet material and bells of gold all around its hem. Its tinkling would be heard when Aaron entered and left the holy place before the Lord so he wouldn't die (Ex. 28:31-35). Draw near to God to receive grace and mercy.

A plate of pure gold would have, 'Holy to the Lord,' engraved and fastened on the front of the turban with a blue cord. It would be on Aaron's forehead to take away the iniquity of the holy things that the sons of Israel consecrated to be acceptable before the Lord (Ex. 28:36-39). Put on helmet of salvation to guard your mind.

Aaron's sons would have tunics and sashes with caps for glory and for beauty. They would be anointed, ordained and consecrated to serve God as priests. Linen breeches would cover their bare flesh that reached from the loins to the thighs when they entered the tent of meeting or when they approached the altar to minister in the holy place so they don't incur guilt and die (Ex. 28:40-43). Put on the shoes of the gospel, shield of faith and sword of the Spirit so peace, faith and God's word can defeat the works of the evil one.

The following scriptures can be used as examples of how to “pray on” the Armor Of God (Jim & Linda Warren, Work of His Hand):

The Belt Of Truth

Around my waist I put the belt of truth. Father, I commit myself to Jesus as the foundation of my life today. With your strength Lord, I will resist the temptation to stand on any worldly foundation. Jesus, you alone are my foundation for any situation that will arise today. (John 14:6)
The Breastplate Of Righteousness
On my heart I put the breastplate of righteousness. I can fight any battle today because of the righteousness of Jesus, not my own! Jesus I declare that you are my righteousness and that though the victory of the cross I can stand victorious against temptation, sin and the attacks of our enemy. (2 Corinthians 5:12)
The Shoes Of Readiness and Peace
On my feet, I put the shoes of the gospel. Father, prepare me by helping me know Jesus in a deeper way. Let your word become the guiding light for every step I take today and let the knowledge of the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection be my source of peace. (Romans 5:1)
The Shield Of Faith
In my hand I take up the shield of faith. Father, by faith, connect me to the power of Jesus. My desire is to trust in you and your strength alone. Protect me from the arrows of the enemy today as I rely on your power. Give me faith so I may go forward doing your will. (Hebrews 11:33–34)
The Helmet Of Salvation
On my head, I receive the helmet of salvation. Jesus, you are my salvation. You are my deliverance. Deliver me from all sins and weaknesses – spiritual, physical, and emotional. Cover me with strength, peace and anointing and bring me to complete wholeness in you. (1 Thessalonians 5:8–9)
The Sword Of The Spirit
In my hand I take up the sword of the Spirit, the powerful word of God. Jesus, you are the living version of God’s Word. May God’s Word give me wisdom to apply the Word to life’s situations and today’s troubles. (Hebrews 4:12)

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Put on God's Armor to Be Skilled in Your Work (Insight in Prophets)

4/23/2011

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The book of Ephesians gives a roadmap on how to fight the spiritual battle with the armor of God:
1. Father (Spiritual
   Blessings): Eph. 1:3-19
2. Jesus (Jesus’ Authority
   at Right Hand of God): Eph. 1:18-22
3. Church (Seated with Jesus): Eph. 2:6-10
4. Principalities and Powers (Grace Witness of Defeat):
   Eph. 3:10
5. Church Versus Principalities and Powers (Stand Firm
   Against Satan’s Schemes): Eph. 6:10-20 (Specific
   Schemes: Eph. 4:26-32)

We see these spiritual principles of warfare illustrated in David's physical battle against the Philistine champion, Goliath, which enabled him to stand before King Saul (1 Sam. 17). Prov. 22:28-29 says a man skilled in his work will stand before kings if he doesn't move the ancient boundaries (putting on armor of God begins with the truth of God's word).

The Philistines stood on one side of the mountain and Israel on the other side, with the valley between them. A champion from the Philistine army named Goliath came out and shouted to Israel, “Why do you come out to draw up in battle array? . . . Choose a man for yourselves . . . If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will become your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall become our servants and serve us.” Saul and all Israel feared greatly (1 Sam. 17:1-11). The evil one challenges you to make a choice: serve satan (world, flesh or devil) or God?

David was Jesse's youngest son, while his three oldest brothers followed Saul into battle. David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s flock at Bethlehem. Goliath came every morning and evening for 40 days to take his stand. Jesse had David take food and look into the welfare of his brothers who fought against the Philistines (1 Sam. 17:12-19). Choosing who to serve is a daily and unceasing process as you go through your normal routine.

David ran to the battle line to greet his brothers. When Goliath defied Israel yet again, great fear caused them to flee from him. For whoever killed Goliath, the king would provide great riches, give his daughter to him and make his father’s house free from taxes in Israel. David said, “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?” David's brothers burned in anger against him for coming down to see the battle (1 Sam. 17:20-30). You either embrace God's reward by serving Him or stop persecution from friends and family by serving the world, flesh and devil.

When David told Saul he would fight Goliath, Saul said he was but a youth while Goliath a warrior from his youth. David said Goliath would be like killing the lion and bear “since he has taunted the armies of the living God.” Because the Lord delivered him from wild animals, He would deliver him from Goliath. Instead of using Saul’s untested armor, David took a stick, five smooth stones and sling to approach Goliath (1 Sam. 17:31-40). To serve God, you must be grounded in God's truth and understand His power by putting on His armor.

By his gods, Goliath cursed David’s armor of sticks. Goliath said that he would give David’s flesh to the birds of the sky and beasts of the field. David said, “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted.” David was confident the Lord would deliver Goliath and Philistine army to the birds and beasts so the earth and assemble would know there's a God in Israel and the Lord does not deliver by sword and spear “for the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hands.” David struck Goliath on his forehead and he fell on his face to the ground (1 Sam. 17:41-49). Both the world and the church must see that God is alive and He fights the battle, not you.

David prevailed over Goliath with a sling and stone, but there was no sword in David’s hand. He took Goliath’s sword, killed and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw their champion dead, they fled. Israel pursued the Philistines and plundered their camps. David brought Goliath’s head to Jerusalem, but put his weapons in his tent (1 Sam. 17:50-54). You must rely completely on God's weapons of prayer and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, for the outcome.

Saul asked David, “Whose son are you, young man?” David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite” (1 Sam. 17:55-58). A person skilled in his work and ministry by relying on God's power stands before kings.

Are you emphasizing in your life the most important spiritual boundary or landmark, which is truth or Scripture, the first one mentioned in putting on the armor of God (Eph. 6:14, Prov. 22:28)? If you are, then you can be skilled in your work and stand before kings like David (Prov. 22:29).

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How to Attain True Prosperity (Insights in Psalms)

11/6/2010

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The 1966 Academy Award winning movie,"A Man for All Seasons," depicts the events leading to the martyrdom of Sir Thomas More (1478-1525). More was a judge and a royal official who was beheaded by King Henry VIII because he opposed Henry's actions in taking control of the Church in England, thereby separating it from the Catholic Church. More said, "When statesmen forsake their own private conscience for the sake of their own public duties they lead their country by a short route to chaos."

In times of opposition when people and spiritual forces fight against you, how do you live? The Psalmist says to take up the shield, the spear and say to your soul, "I am your salvation" (Ps. 35:1-3). His counsel is similar to Paul's in putting on the full armor of God through the shield of faith, helmet of salvation and sword of Spirit, which is the word of God (Eph. 6:11,16-17).

The shield of faith allows you to extinguish the flaming missiles of evil one, which is similar to the Psalmist words where our enemies will be ashamed, dishonored, humiliated, be like chaff, fall into pit and caught by the net. Their evil and destructive schemes will be defeated (Ps. 35:4-8). Only by standing in the power of God through the shield of faith can we defeat these enemies because our battle is not against humans, but spiritual forces in the heavenly places (Eph. 6:12).

Rejoicing in God and exulting in His salvation allows you to be delivered from affliction and rescued from malicious witnesses, even former friends who slandered you (Eph. 6:10; Ps. 35:9-17).

Our individualism causes us to think we should fight spiritual battles alone. In times of testing, the Psalmist says "I will give thanks in the great congregation; I will praise Thee among a mighty throng" (Ps. 35:18). Even Paul's instruction about spiritual warfare in Eph. 6:11-20 is in context of the whole body of Christ.

You put on armor of God by praying in the Spirit and interceding for other believers (Eph. 6:18). Prayer should include others, not just for yourself. The Psalmist models a specific prayer request in asking for protection from enemies who hate him without cause, don't speak peace and devise deceitful words against him (Ps. 35:19-21).

He also asks God to awake to his cause and judge him according to His righteousness so that his enemies will be humiliated and clothed with shame (Ps. 35:22-26).

You attain true prosperity or peace by putting on Jesus Christ through the shield of faith, helmet of salvation and sword of the word by prayer in the Spirit (Ps. 35:27-28).

In Psalm 34 blog, we saw how God comforts the humble in overcoming fear within, renders justice in conflicts without and restores you in Christ-centered character (2 Cor. 6:4-6). Psalm 35 shows how to put on the armor of God through word of truth and weapons of righteousness for the right and left hand (2 Cor. 6:7).

Find a prayer partner and start praying together at least weekly by phone or in person. In this way, you will discover true prosperity.

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Implementing a Larger Vision of the Church (Insights in NT)

How to Overcome Satan's Lies (Insights in Prophets)

Gaining Victory Over the Evil One (Insights in Prophets)

Preparing for Ministry in a Post-Modern Society (Insights in Law)

Putting on the Armor of God (Insights in Law)

Put on God's Armor to Be Skilled in Your Work (Insight in Prophets)

How to Attain True Prosperity (Insights in Psalms)

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