From: Beverly French [frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us]
Sent: Sunday, October 17, 2004 5:57 AM
To: Heritage
Subject: October 17th Greetings

"Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm."  Ephesians 6:13

As seen last week we are girded around with Christ who is truth and covered with the breastplate of righteousness which is Christ. Now to stand firm, the Apostle Paul says, "And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one."  Ephesians 6:15-16

'And having shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace.'
Gospel: good news!
Romans 5:1-11 Gives us a wonderful picture God's awesome love and the good news to all who will receive.  I will just mention a few verse, but read the whole passage. Vs. 6,  "For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly." Vs. 8, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

[Ephesians 2:1-2  elaborates on our former condition,
"And you were dead in your trespasses and sins...and by nature children of wrath, even as the rest." But God: Vs. 5, "Even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) "]

Roman 5:10 goes on to say,
"For while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."

It is the good news of PEACE
We have that wonderful good news in Romans 5:1:
"Therefore, since we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us [grasp the fact that we] have the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One.) The Amplified Bible

We are no longer enemies of God, but in fact we are now on His side!  Our feet are shod with the peace of Christ! "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." John 14:26

Ephesians 6:15 in The Amplified Bible says,
"And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace."

Not only are we girded with truth, covered with righteousness and shod with the good news of our justification giving us peace with God, but we have a mighty shield to protect us from the enemy's fiery darts.  It is the shield of faith!

Vine's Expository Dictionary defines faith: "a firm conviction, producing a full acknowledgment of God's revelation or truth; a personal surrender to Him; a conduct inspired by such surrender." "...He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."  Hebrews 11:6 Very simply, faith for the Christian is believing God; who He is and what He has done!

The Roman soldier has more than one type of shield, but in this verse Strong's Exhaustive Concordance defines it as 'a large shield (as door shaped.)'  This is one that protects the whole body and can ward off a volley of fiery missiles.

Concerning our faith, 1 John 5:4 says,
"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith."

Have you noticed that in verses 14 and 15 Paul says, 'having girded; having put on; having shod your feet'?  These are permanent coverings of Christ!!

Our shield must always be at the ready for as we see in 1 Peter 5:8-9, "Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.  Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour, but resist him, firm in your faith..."

In James 4:7 we have this promise:
"Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."

And in Psalm 18:30,
"As for God, His way is blameless;
 The word of the Lord is tried;
 He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him."

Hallelujah!  Praise our Lord and God now and forever.  Amen