Shield of Faith

A. FAITH:
1. Ephesians 6:16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
2. It is a Shield of Faith
i. What is Faith:
1. Faith: The Greek word is: pistis
a. To believe with the predominate idea of trust or confidence
b. Assurance,
c. Fidelity
d. a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is Messiah
ii. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
1. Faith is our hope and trust in our God
2. It is our strength in hardship and weakness
3. Faith in God is what makes us righteous
a. Atonement
3. Why was faith looked at or described as a Shield:
i. What does a shield do?
ii. It is a blocking tool so that the solider would not be pierced by the enemy
1. Have you ever watched Brave Heart?
a. There is a scene in which the English Army brings out the archers…
b. At once they all shoot there arrows in to the air?
i. There are so many arrows that it darkens the sky like night.
ii. Let me tell you at this moment all those who did not have a shield had a bad day.
2. But this is what Paul was thinking when he was writing this part of Ephesians
a. This was a war for him
b. It would be easier to quit and renounce his belief in God then to be in prison
c. I‘m sure temptations came but he stood his ground
d. It was by his faith that he kept the faith and finished strong
4. Fiery Arrows:
i. Every day we are being shot at by fiery arrows
1. Some we deflect and others hit us square on our back
2. Arrows can be:
a. Temptations, Trials, Hardships
b. But also Sexual thoughts, Anger, Jealousy, Gossip Depression and Hopelessness.
c. Anything to throw us off the road to God at the destination and purpose He has planned for us.
5. Then what are we supposed to do?
i. 2 Timothy 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along
with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
1. We run from sin….
a. Some of us need to run out of our girlfriends house
b. Run from the bar
c. Run from the Computer
d. Run from condemnation
e. We need to grow up, Mature up in our faith…
i. When will we stop falling for the same tricks
ii. It is time to use our faith….Put up your Shield
2. Run into or Pursue: Righteousness, Faith, Love
a. Run to those who can support you
b. Run to the house of God
c. LIFE GROUPS
d. Run to those who can help you stay the course

Jillian Michaels is the enemy

Last night I did an exercise video with my wife called "No More Trouble Zones". Today my legs feel like I been kicked by a large mule. I just feel all unpleasant everywhere. I don't think that women's exercise videos are meant for grown men like me. I officially hate Jillian Michaels......really I do

This is my Confession

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness

How many have ever heard the phrase "Confession is good for the soul"? How true is this statement for our lives. I pray that we confess every day because of the power and the freedom that it brings to our lives. According to the word of God it tells us how good God is, how faithful, how just, and how much he desires to be with us.

You know that according to Isaiah 59 that sin will separate us from God.....in the same way confession will bring us closer to God. You will know and understand God more as we confess our sins. We see the Fathers love, we feel His covering over our lives.

The greatest part of this verse is not only that when we confess he will forgive us of our sins but also that we will cleanse us from all unrighteousness, darkness, pain, depression, lust, burden....and the list goes on. The confession process is trying to renew us back into a vessel of Light. God is Light (1 John 1:5) in him there is no darkness at all and that is what he is doing in us

Fear of the Lord

The Fear of the Lord is the beginning.........(prov 1:7)

I believe that this is the truth about every thing. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom, knowledge, success, intimacy, hope, power, grace, love, truth and the greatness of God that is placed in all of us. If we get step one wrong, just like a ship being off a few degrees, we will be taken completely off course. What our christian society as a whole has lost today is that reverence and fear of God. In all the great leaders in the bible there was a time when they got to a place in life where they understood that with out God being honored as God the kingdom would utterly be destroyed. But like the bible I believe God gives us so many chances to lead so that He can bless of lives.

We need to get back to Matt 22:37, when Jesus was giving us the key to life and a life lived in fullness and it all starts by Loving the Lord more than any other person or possession that we have in our lives. Many times our gifts and talents can be a distraction to us focusing on God and His will, His Kingdom.

Let us refocus and get back to the first commandment.....You shall have no other Gods before Me.

Always say I love you....

On November 12th of 2009 J.P.(Josh Pishura), Taune Winter, Philip Harris were killed in a Van roll over accident outside Baker City Oregon. I can feel the emotions rise up within me like it was yesterday even though it was a month ago. There has not been a day that has gone by with out me thinking about them and just who they were to me and my family. Sometimes I go into a daze and think of all the moments I got to share with each of them. I guess if we really think about it ......all we truly have is moments in this world and I hope that mine is making a difference.
I miss these guys so much......and the tears still hit my face if I let my mind wander. I know that they are in Heaven with their maker but it just makes me wonder. In my life I have made so many mistakes and I have taken the wrong roads on purpose. I have been in many situations that could of gotten me killed. So many time have I wanted to die...yet God has kept me. These who passed before us on that fateful day.......they were pure, righteous, so good. They did things right yet they go on before me....too young, too precious, too innocent. Does the clay have a right to tell the potter anything? I think not...the potter knows best.....but I guess this is just me pondering.

I have never felt closer to heaven then I do today. I know that this life is but a vapor, a shadow that is here than gone. It is time for me to step into the true reality of life.......knowing that the treasure here are meaningless. The toys, the cars, the houses......meaningless. There is no time to wait....these guys did not know this was their time and we won't either.

Let us get going and stop the foolishness.....the petty things got to go. There is too much for us to do and not enough time. GET OVER IT....GET UP and lets make a difference in this world and increase, enhance and enlarge the kingdom of God. It's the only thing that matters

JP you are a joy, a treasure of a person. You would be so proud of me today because I purchased a Macbook.

Taune.....I miss your love

Phil....I miss your laugh

For the rest of us lets live.......really live

The Big Stage

Today my little girl is going to take the big stage today. She begins by singing the first verse of "Away in a Manger". i remember when I sang my first solo.....it was for a national korean singing contest. I thought I was so cool until I got behind the mic and the cameras. I froze. I remember singing the whole song in uncontrolled vibrato and I was so glad when it was over. But it taught me a lesson in singing and speaking in front of others. I still get nervous but nothing compares to that day. I hope she rocks it out......

My how she has grown up so soon......she always says to me "I am 4 years old and I am getting big...pretty soon you can'y hold me". As I reply the she is always going to be my little girl.

Hmmm

True Forgiveness is it in us without God. We as men all want to get vindicated for any wrong done against us. We feel that we deserved to be treated fair even when we don't treat others in the same way. CS Lewis would call this the natural law.

Thank you God that you see the big picture.......you are seeing 20/20 in every event that takes place. You weigh the heart of man and the decisions that you make are just. Even if they were not to our liking what can we say as man....as the clay to the potter. I can not see the full picture...the work of art that you are creating in me and the world around me. Let us trust the artist, it is his creation anyway. He is Sovereign.