GOD OUR SHIELD

A shield provides protection to another. According to Wikipedia, a human shield is a legal, military, and political term denoting a non-combatant (or a group of non-combatants) who is forced or volunteers to shield a legitimate military target to deter the enemy from attacking it. In other words, if anyone is going to get hurt in the encounter, it won't be the target but the shield. For example, because of their God-given protective instincts, parents often place themselves in harm's way to protect their children; they respond so spontaneously that the potential danger ahead doesn't face them. They'd rather be the ones hurt than their children.  

Similarly, in the spiritual realm, we are the devil's target; God puts Himself between the devil and us to keep us safe. Jesus allowed Himself to suffer and die on the cross to rescue us from the devil's intentions and to shield us from his unrelenting attacks. Isn't this amazing?

God is a better parent than all parents put together; He is our perfect shield.

I see two ways in which God is our shield: First, He protects us and keeps us from danger, sometimes by removing the threat and other times by delivering us from the harm that could have come to us. I experienced this twelve years ago; I was in a bad car accident, but God's protection kept me alive, and I did not sustain any injuries. He could have prevented the accident, but even though He didn't, He ensured I was not hurt. Second, putting our trust in the Word of God, claiming it, and relying on it protects us from fear and worry, making difficult situations bearable; we can stand firm in the face of adversity.

God has promised to protect His servants, time and time again. For instance, He promised Abraham, "Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great" (Genesis 15:1). In addition, He promises protection for those who look to Him for safety: "God's way is perfect. All the Lord's promises are true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection" (2 Samuel 22:31). After all, He's promised to give to those who ask. Are you in any kind of danger? Don't face it alone; call on Him, and He will deliver you as He has promised.

The psalmist has experienced God's favor over and over again and is never reluctant to share it: "God is my shield, saving those whose hearts are true and right" (Psalm 7:10). Again, he testifies, "The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my Shield, the power that saves me" (Psalm 18:2). Do you have a testimony of God's protection? Allow that to comfort and encourage you when trouble comes your way. I can say with the psalmist: "He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings" (Psalm 91:4).

In addition to God being our shield, the Scriptures remind us of the spiritual battle we face 24/7 and admonish us to be always prepared. How do we prepare, though? The armor consists of six items (the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit); they work together to ensure our safety. We can't pick and choose which ones to wear or skip on any given day (see Ephesians 6:10-17). We must keep God's armor on to remain firm and undefeated at the battle's conclusion.

The shield listed in the armor of God is our faith; it is just as important as the other five. Its purpose is to stop the enemy's fiery arrows from reaching and hurting us. Our confidence in the Word of God prevents us from worrying over the devil's lies: "I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return" (2 Timothy 1:12). When we put up the shield of faith, the enemy's arrow will bounce back and be extinguished.

Although our faith is in God, and we can claim that He is watching over us and therefore is our shield, knowing exact verses to claim in different situations makes it even better by boosting our confidence. How diligently are you studying the Word of God? 

GOD HATES INGRATITUDE

Merriam-Webster defines ingratitude as the lack of proper appreciation or thanks for something (such as a kind or generous act): lack of gratitude. In our dealings with people, we are quite often in situations where we should express gratitude. For instance, we say thanks to someone ahead of us who holds the door for us, gets out of our way in the store and takes a message over the phone. How about when someone brings you a cup of water, tea, or coffee at home? You do say thanks. I don’t think we ever go through a day without needing to thank someone. We’re always in situations that require the expression of gratitude.

We are so quick to say thank you to people, which is good and proper, but how often do we thank God? Should we go all day without thanking Him, waiting until before we fall asleep in prayer? That’s not the proper way of showing gratitude; we must constantly express gratitude as we experience different daily situations.

Not showing proper gratitude means we think we are in charge of all our circumstances. We pat ourselves on the back or thank other people more than we say thank you to God. We are robbing God of the honor and glory due Him, and He has told us in the Scriptures that He won’t give His credit to another (see Isaiah 42:8). We need to take that as a warning because He does react when we replace Him with ourselves, others, or things.

We must take note of the Psalmist’s experience and learn from it. He said to the LORD, “Your favor, O LORD, made me as secure as a mountain” (Psalm 30:7a NLT). But “When I was prosperous, I said, ‘Nothing can stop me now!’’ (Psalm 30:6 NLT). Do we consider our achievements the result of our own doing? Well, the Psalmist did but learned his lesson quickly: God was not happy about his response. “Then you turned away from me, and I was shattered” (Psalm 30:7b). Without God, we can do nothing (see John 15:5). So, whatever we can do or accomplish is dependent upon His grace and goodness in our lives. Let’s not take Him for granted and stop stealing His glory!

On their way to the Promised Land, Moses warned the Israelites about the danger of becoming proud once they started to enjoy God’s blessings in the land. After all, the land was described as flowing with milk and honey. Moses warned them about the possibility of getting puffed up after they’d built houses, their flocks had increased, and their silver and gold had multiplied. He was concerned that at that point, they might say, “I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.” So he instructed them:  “Remember the LORD your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath” (Deuteronomy 8:17-18).

This is an apparent warning to us; we cannot and should not claim glory for what God does in our lives, which is everything. Are you intelligent? Do you have a college degree? Do you have unusual abilities? Good for you, but don’t ever forget that God made all that possible and can take those things away without notice.

May God help us get into the habit of giving Him thanks around the clock because He deserves it, and it is His due. The Psalmist says, “Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name” (Psalm 100:3-4).    

Have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING celebration as you reflect on God’s goodness throughout the year, and spend time with family and friends on this thanksgiving day!  

THE TRIANGULAR CHURCH

                

                                                                    GOD

YOUME

The Church as we know it is not a physical structure. People think of it that way because traditionally, the Church meets in a designated building. But of course, it meets outdoors or in other buildings on other occasions. However, as the Bible explains, the Church is God's people! So, the Church is not defined by where it meets to worship, what it does, or how it does it; it is determined by what it is – the Body of Christ.

 The Bible also refers to the Church as a spiritual building, built on the prophets and apostles as the foundation and Jesus Christ Himself as the cornerstone. We, His children, are members of the household of God. Collectively, we are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit (see Ephesians 2:19-22). Individually, all Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, which is why we are each the Temple of God; when we meet collectively, we are the Church. 

The Church is also called the Body of Christ: Christ is the head of the Body, and we, His children, form the other parts: the arms, legs, etc. (see Romans 12:4-5). The Church is also classified as the family of God, where He is the Father (parent), and we are His children.

I see the Church as a triangle because we are each joined to Christ and then to each other. How can a triangle become a single structure? Jesus has brought us to God through His death and resurrection; He tore down the wall (sin) that separated us from God! And through that one act, He broke down the wall of hostility between the Jew and Gentile, black and white (see Ephesians 2:14), whereby there's no longer the Jew and the Gentile, black and white; there's only the Church, the Body, or the family of God.      

Since all the walls are down, with nothing separating us from God or each other, how should we live and relate to each other? The Lord instructs us to live in love just as He loved us and, by our passion, prove to the world that we are family, living in the light (see John 13:34; 1 John 2:10). He further emphasizes the kind of love that is acceptable: "Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other" (Romans 12:10). And by the same token, anyone who doesn't love other members of the family, proves that he or she doesn't belong to God (see 1 John 3:10).

During Paul's last discourse with the elders of the Ephesian Church, he charged them to take care of the flock: "Guard yourselves and God's people. Feed and shepherd God's flock--his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders" (Acts 20:28).

Peter wrote a similar letter to church elders: "Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly … Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example" (1 Peter 5:2-3). In verse 5, Peter admonished, "Accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 

Humility and respect for each other are necessary for a peaceful and loving environment in which to live and thrive in faith. They were united, humble, and patient, cutting each other additional slack when things didn't go as expected (see Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:2-4). These charges also apply to us; let's watch and pray for each other so the devil doesn't pit us against each other.

If we loved genuinely, serving each other would be easy; we'd be able to help cheerfully, not considering race, gender, age, social status, or any such thing. In the Body of Christ, some have the gift of serving; they need to serve without hesitation (see Romans 12:7). Everyone's gifts are meant to be used to help the Body in love; if we do, all the Church's needs will be met.

Another way we should express love for each other is to be willing to suffer for each other as Jesus did for us; the apostle Paul said it this way: "I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church" (Colossians 1:24). Of course, suffering in the body is not the only way to suffer; we can suffer emotionally and financially as well.

And finally, since we are co-heirs with Christ, Gentile or Jew, black or white, we will enter God's presence to enjoy our inheritance together: "And this is God's plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe in the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God's children. Both are part of the same Body and enjoy the promise of blessing because they belong to Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 3:6).

Praise God, the dividing walls are down; we are one people for God's glory! Let's love each other well. 

                                                                     

THE INHERITANCE THAT WILL NEVER FADE AWAY

 

An inheritance is something (property, money, etc.) we receive from a loved one who named us in their will before passing away. It is not something we worked for or earned; it is awarded to us out of love.

God has promised His children an inheritance--heaven; He even gave us a guarantee in the person of the Holy Spirit. We didn’t work for it; Jesus did! To be mentioned in God’s will, a person must repent of their sins and ask God for forgiveness through Jesus. He forgives and indwells us with His Spirit. The Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are God’s children; He is also the guarantee that we will, without doubt, receive our inheritance (see 2 Corinthians 1:22). As His children, He has made us heirs of His glory, in fact, joint heirs with Jesus! (See Romans 8:17).

Would you like to be named in this will? The benefits are excellent; you get to live in heaven forever. But you might ask, “What is so wonderful about being in heaven?” That’s a good question! Making it to heaven means God is not holding you accountable for your sins; your sins have been paid for by Jesus through His death on the cross. And in heaven, there’ll be no more sin, sickness, or death.

On the other hand, if you’re not named in the will, you’ll have to pay for your sins. That payment is spiritual death; you will burn in hell with no hope of ever getting out of there. Can you think of anything else worse than that? Life after death goes on forever, whether in heaven or hell. Once you get there, you can never change residence; it’s permanent, and you are there to stay. So, which would you prefer, heaven or hell? You decide!

I imagine you want your sins forgiven and your sin record cleared, so you’ll be named in the will. If so, you need to admit you are a sinner because the Bible says you are (see Romans 3:23). Ask for forgiveness based on Jesus dying in your place. God will forgive you, put His Spirit in your heart, and put your name in His will, guaranteeing your inheritance—heaven.

Now, let’s talk about your life as a child of God. It will be an extraordinary life; you can relate to God as your Father. As your Father, He will be your provider, protector, guide, healer, and more. As with every father/child relationship, there’ll have to be ongoing communication; He talks to you through His Word, the Bible. You speak to him through prayers. The only way to get that relationship moving in the right direction is to obey whatever He commands you.

Disobedience constitutes sin and interrupts your relationship; the Holy Spirit in you will convict you, and you must repent immediately to maintain the relationship. As you live in obedience, your life will gradually change to match how God wants you to live. 2^nd Corinthians 5:17 tells us, “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun.”

In addition to communication with God, you’ll also need to join a local church for fellowship and growth in your faith. As you understand your walk, share your experience with others; you can start by inviting family and friends to Church and other church gatherings, where they’ll hear the gospel preached or explained.

Throughout this process, you’re being transformed into Christ’s image, living a more fulfilling life, and your inheritance is waiting for you; you and the Church will live forever in heaven with the Father and Son. No matter how long it takes, your inheritance will not fade away! 

 

REPENTANCE IS THE GAME CHANGER EVERYONE NEEDS

 

Repentance is turning away from sin, disobedience, or rebellion and turning back to God. It is the only wise response to God’s gracious call to salvation. But why is repentance necessary?

As much as God loves us, He is also holy and cannot co-exist with sin. After He put creation in place, He created man and woman; He wanted us to be like Him! He said to the other members of the Trinity: “Let us make human beings in our own image to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground” (Genesis 1:26). Sadly, Adam and Eve sold themselves to the devil by believing his lies and disobeying God. However, this behavior did not surprise God; He knew before creation that man would rebel against Him. So, He had already made plans for our restoration through Jesus.

Sin has plagued mankind ever since. We are each born with a sinful nature that separates us from God. The only way we can have a relationship with God is if our sins are paid for by a sinless Person. So, God gave His one and only Son, Jesus, to die in our place. This is where repentance comes in; each person has to be sorry for their sins and ask God for forgiveness. It’s only then that one can have a relationship with God.

So, repentance is the game changer: it moves us from darkness, the devil’s camp, into God’s light. He puts His Holy Spirit in our hearts to witness that we belong to Him, not the devil. Also, the Holy Spirit is our guarantee that we will inherit heaven (see Romans 3:24-25).

Dear reader, do you understand that you are a sinner, and have you repented of your sins? Please do because the alternative to non-repentance is scary; it is spending eternity with the devil and his demons in hell. It will not be a fun place; it will be a place of torment. On the other hand, if you repent now, your afterlife is guaranteed to be in heaven with God, Jesus, the angels, and all penitent sinners. Heaven is promised to be beautiful: streets of gold, pearly gates, singing and worship, not to mention feasting, no pain, sickness, sin, or death. Which of these two places appeals to you? Would you choose hell over heaven? I hope not! Please give this earnest attention and choose wisely.

If you are reading this article, you still have time, but time is running out. Once your time on earth is over, you’ll have missed the opportunity to repent. Repent now and have the assurance that your sins are forgiven, and your eternal dwelling place is secured; you will be ushered into God’s presence the moment you take your last breath. “Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then, we will be at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). Take repentance seriously; it will change your life now and in eternity.

Suppose you already have a relationship with God. In that case, it is essential to understand that repentance will be ongoing because we struggle with sin and sometimes lose the battle due to our sinful nature. John reminds us, “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all wickedness” (1 John 1:8-9).

 Repentance and confession will restore our fellowship with the Father. John goes on further to say: “If anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the only one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins” (see 1 John 2:1-2). So, this is how Christians are restored when they fall—repentance!

Repentance, therefore, is a game-changer whether or not you are a child of God; it can bring you into a relationship with God and keep you in that relationship until you see Him in glory.