7-21-2015

Good Morning All!!

          Ephesians 6:14; “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness”

     There seems to be times in our life when everything is going wrong.  You might be the farmer who has missed the last few rains and now while your neighbors are looking at bumper crops you might wonder if yours will do anything.  You might be the parent of the child who got in trouble and now is paying the price for his action.  You look around and other kids are well behaved; other people are taking great vacations while you probably never will.  Your friend from college just got another promotion and you have advanced in five years.  Nothing is going right.

    Is it your imagination?  You might even have friends or family members tell you it can’t be that bad and yet, it seems that way.  You know if it rains or not.  You know if your child is in trouble or not.  You know what the doctor told you.  You know what is in your life that is causing you pain, sorrow, sadness or discomfort.  What we must always remember is that the devil uses our “old Adam”, that sinful nature, to throw darts at us.  The devil wants you to think that you are the only one who has problems.  The devil wants you to think that everyone else is just sailing along with no troubles.  You need to have the belt of truth on here. 

    You know no one is perfect.  You know that from Scriptures.  Romans chapter 3 tells us, “None is righteous, no, not one” and “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” We know this and on an intellectual level we can hold it.  Yet the devil continues to throw arrows which strike us.  We need the breastplate of righteousness to battle these arrows.  The breastplate was worn to cover the heart and other vital organs.  We need to wear this, a covering of Christ’s righteousness which will protect us from the pain of the lies that the devil tells us. 

    We need to remember that Christ’s righteousness covers us at all times; it defends us at all times.  Yet sometimes we need some help.  Many of the ancient Christians used to use something called protection prayers.  It helps provide focus as we call to God for his protection.  Here is one that is called “St. Patrick’s Breastplate Prayer.”  Use it when you feel the devil’s attacks. 

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me,  

Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down,

Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret