#Sunday@Waymacres - 6/9/24

This is how we spend our Sundays. Choosing parts of the Word to read together, discuss together, pray and worship together. We choose to gather and collectively pray, worship and study His word - helping each other to apply what we've learned through His Word to our individual lives and struggles. We welcome and encourage ALL who feel inspired to join us to please reach out, or just show up.

Ephesians 6: 10-20

The Armor of God

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."

-Ephesians 6:10-12

We had an opportunity to show grace and mercy to Henry, 10, yesterday when he expressed his frustration in an inappropriate way. He was so remorseful, in tears and wondering why he "was the only 10 year old who struggled with controlling his anger".

What we had an opportunity to teach today was that the person is not the enemy. Nowhere in those verses does it say that our battle is with people, rather it opens with the statement that we do NOT wrestle with people. The enemy works through people, yes, but when we experience a perceived harm or disrespect from others, we begin a battle with the enemy within ourselves. We cannot fight the battle against someone who has lost a battle with the enemy and has committed an offense against us. We are to focus on the enemy and the battle within and end the battle for the sake of saving ourselves and the perceived "enemy", the other person, from further defeat.

Belt of Truth: Me, consuming the Word and letting it infiltrate my mind, body and soul.

Sword of the Spirit: Activating the Word by speaking the Word into a situation.

Jesus was the word become flesh, he used the Word to rebuke Satan during his temptation, he used the Belt of Truth from his heart into the Sword of the Spirit when he rebuked Satan.

Praying in the Spirit: We talked about repeating consistent prayer, like when Joe prays over the buildings, property and animals every morning and night. When we release our intentions for our prayer and let our heart, mind and words wander and follow the prompting of the Spirit as He guides them, we are praying for what is needed to advance God's Kingdom in the unseen realm. Every time we pray, there are advances made in the Heavens on behalf of the Lord. Think of Daniel 10 when he is doing his 21 day fast, praying in the Spirit, praying for Israel:

"Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard and I've come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian Kingdom resisted me 21 Days. Then Michael, one of the Chief Princes, came to help me because I was detained there with the King of Persia. Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future. For the vision concerns a time yet to come."

- Daniel 10: 12-14.

God sends the Angel Gabriel. Daniel keeps praying, seeing nothing happening in the physical realm, for Gabriel is held up in battle in the second Heaven. God comes to Daniel's (and Israels rescue) and sends the Arch Angel, Michael, to assist in the battle with Gabriel and the battle is won. Daniel sees none of it . When we pray in the Spirit we are advancing God's Kingdom, taking ground from the enemy, even if we don't see it . We must remain faithful to this calling at all cost.

Henry: "The sword of the spirit goes inside the sheath, which is on the belt of truth. If you don't have the belt you don't have the sword. The belt holds it all together".

Psalm 91

Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God

"For He shall give His angels to charge over you, to keep you in all your ways, In their hands they hall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone."

-Psalm 91: 11-12

Satan tries to use these verses during the second tempting of Jesus in the desert. Jesus' rebuke (and all three rebukes) come from Deuteronomy:

"You shall not tempt the Lord your God as you tempted him Him in Massah".

-Deuteronomy 6:16

"You shall fear the Lord your God. You shall serve Him and hold fast to Him and take oaths in His name".

-Deuteronomy 10:20

"Seeing that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weakness, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 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

The cornerstone of Christianity, which is truly unlike any other religion, is found in these verses. We have a God that knows us, loves us and chose to experience the sting of sin that we experience. He chose to come and show us how to live after telling us how to live didn't save us.

He lived righteously for us, died our sinners death for us, offers us an Earthly life abiding in Him and prepares an eternal rest in communion with him - all for us. He tried the route of firmness and command in the Old Testament, all the while knowing that it wouldn't succeed. He had a rescue plan from the beginning. He gains nothing. Our companionship, our surrender to Him and our love for Him through prayer, worship and loving what He loves - each other - is all enough for Him. I'd say we get the better end of the deal! Thank you, Jesus!