Carried By Christ

O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. Psalm 139:1-4

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

The Armor of God

My mother used to tell me that you can't reason with the unreasonable. A friend once told me to "Never argue with an idiot; they'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience."

The fact of the matter is, we are unable to survive in spiritual warfare and suffering without spiritual strength and courage, and without placing the battle in His hands. The attacks will come, and if we try to battle them on our own, we will be defeated. Without the Christian armour, we are doomed to fail because the combat is not against human enemies, nor against our own corrupt nature. The warfare is spiritual, and our advisary is a skilled fighter, willing to break any rule, and assault us against our souls. He knows, laid bare, our souls are unstable, and by merely defacing the heavenly image of our hearts he will gain ground in this war - turning many away from the world as they watch our fruit wilt under the attack.

We must find resolve in God's grace, lending full trust to our cause and our Lord, donning the armor that is designed to sustain the fiercest assaults of the enemy.

Ephesians 6:10-20

10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

19And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

20For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

The Truth

John 8:32 (King James Version)


And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Christopher Laurie, Son of Pastor Greg Laurie, dies in Automobile Accident

Christopher Laurie, the Son of Pastor Greg Laurie of the church I attend, Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, died this morning in an automobile accident.

The elder of two sons, Christopher Laurie was 33 years of age and leaves behind a wife and daughter. Recent news, provided by the family during the Church trip to Israel, also reveals that Christopher's wife is pregnant with the couple's second child.Christopher's vehicle struck a Caltrans Truck from behind on the eastbound lanes of the 91 Freeway in Corona. The accident occurred this morning, but was not completely cleared until 3:00 pm.

Our prayers go out to the Laurie family.

Saturday, July 05, 2008

An Ordinary Person in Extraordinary Times

"The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him."

— 2 Chronicles 16:9

In the world of changing morals and a worldview based on deception and pleasure, I wonder if it is at all possible for revival.

The world, as some would say, is going to "Hell in a hand-basket." And during this time of great challenges, it is not the time to become complacent and lukewarm. The world has yet to see what God can do, and those of us that are totally committed to him will be the vessels that revival shall come through.

The Book of Acts is about ordinary men and women doing extraordinary things because they allowed God to have His way in their lives. In the same way, God wants to use us to turn this ailing world upside down for Christ.

The world is trying to change us, discredit Jesus Christ, and convince you that you can't make a difference. The world wants you to believe that it is too late, the train has left the station, and you were not on board.

We must place it in His hands, and ask Him to use us.

The world has yet to see what God can do through His Church - Are we up to the task? Do we wish to be the people that He uses to usher in a revival?

One of these days our lives will end and the shells we reside in will be buried in the earth. Our lives on Earth will be ended. What will those we leave behind say of our lives? What will we say of our own time spent here on Earth?

How great it would be if we could say, after it is all over, like Paul, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful" (2 Timothy 4:7).