The past several days have been very interesting, to say the least, and from talking with some of those at the chapel, it is clear that the Lord is causing our eyes to stay fixed on Him. We are not to fear man, or what man can do to us, but to fear only God for He alone is the author and finisher of our faith.
On Sunday before church ,while Rachel was getting ready, I was praying and the Lord gave me a scripture (the Lord specifically ministered to me regarding verse 15, in bold text below):
Ephesians 6: 10-18
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;
As I read these passages, the Lord stirred me specifically in the scripture that talked about our feet being shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. We must have our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel (the gospel of Christ being everything that Jesus said He was and did) which allows a son or daughter of God to be stayed in the perfect peace of God. After I read this, I shared it with Rachel and she re-read it, saying amen to it and praying it over her and Addi (my 4 month daughter). Later that day, some events unfolded that confirmed why the Lord wanted us to heed these words. Let's just say that my wife, Rachel, stood as a spiritual wall between a man given over to darkness and confusion, and a sister (and very good friend) in the Lord. Rachel had no fear for that very morning she put on the whole armor of God as He instructed, and reading that very scripture (and being mindful that greater is He that is in her that he that is in the world) allowed her to be stayed in perfect peace. Also, at one point, when the man was spewing out confusion, she commanded him not to talk, and the voices were silenced. God is our ever present help in time of need.
A couple of nights ago, during the night, I was praying on and off (I was having a hard time sleeping because on Christmas eve I came down with a fever---very unusual for me and rare). During this time of prayer, the Lord gave me a vision and I am stirred to share it:
I was standing in a forest that was very densely populated with trees. These trees were all around me in every direction. As I stood there praying in the Spirit, the trees in front of me were removed and a clear, straight path was immediately before me. After this happened, I heard the Lord speak to me saying "Now do what is in front of you to do." When I heard this, I also was put to mind during the vision of the scripture above regarding your feet being shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. When I began to walk, at the Lord's command, I was looking down at my feet and noticed that it was not me walking (we are not our own) but the Lord causing my feet to move in His perfect timing (a man plans his ways but God alters his footsteps). The peace of God covered me and I knew that once the trees were removed before me and the Lord commanded me to walk, it was time to do what He has shown me to do.
The reason I have felt stirred to share the things above is because I am mindful of the fact that now is the time when God is searching throughout the whole earth for true worshippers, those that worship Him in Spirit and in truth. He wants us to be prepared for what's to come, and to make our callings and elections sure. It is true that God does not want anything to come upon us (His people, His sons and daughters) unaware, but rather to be prepared for all that He has revealed to us (feet being shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace). If we are not stayed in His perfect peace, always, we have let fear enter in and in the times to come our hearts may very well fail us for fear of what's to come. We must be prepared. We must seek His face daily and be transformed, daily, by the renewing of our minds. If we do not put on the mind of Christ, as we are commanded, Christ can never be fully formed in us. As everything, though, it is a choice and one that we must make now while there is yet time. If we do not choose wisely and crucify our flesh daily, we will be counted as one who could not enter in because of unbelief. We must love truth more than we love our life. This is what God requires of us, that when we have done all, and stood waiting on the Lord, we can here Him say "now do what is in front of you to do."
God give us wisdom and understanding in these times.
God bless,
Ryan
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
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2 comments:
It's a good understanding Ryan. It is so important to be fully prepared for what God would have for us. God is preparing his people, and we need to pray that we are found worthy to escape this day that will soon come upon us.
God Bless, Chad
Beautiful Ryan, thank you for sharing, God is so good and so very patient with each one of us, not willing that any of us should perish. He is worth everything!
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