Put on the Shoes of Peace. Ephesians 6:13 : Weapons of warfare

Put on your shoes of Peace –Your armor….And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.Eph 6:15

 Protect yourself against the schemes, traps and wiles of the enemy

    Before I show you what the Lord showed me about our armor, I have a message for some of you : You have been anointed, now act like it…if this speaks to you, here is more: The enemy is after you and has laid out many traps ahead.  Stay focused on the Lord and cling to Him, do not depart.

 Okay, on to the shoes of peace. To be honest, when I studied this armor stuff I didn’t quite understand it, okay the basic teaching maybe, but I had a lot of questions, and I asked..continually.and one by one the Lord began to teach me. I’d say–shoes? How does that relate to the preparation of the gospel? I thought this had something to do with this verse:

 Isaiah 52:7  How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns! 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 (amplified)

    So I kind of disregarded the shoes, I figured, I’m not on a mountain, and I’m not a missionary – so maybe it’s not for me…. until one day in church, the Holy Spirit spoke to me.  I was standing next to someone who really annoyed me. I remember standing there mad as those around me sang their praise, I stood and told the Lord how annoyed I was (and it was because I wasn’t getting my own way). I immediately heard “put on your shoes of peace”. I knew instantly that I was to make peace, control myself, change my attitude and be quiet. I just knew, however, I really didn’t want to do that, I would have much rather done something else.  I obeyed, and I regret that I didn’t obey with a good attitude. The Lord supernaturally blessed me that day with many blessings as I walked in obedience. I understood that the shoes of peace are so much more than we can imagine. 

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns”  Maybe I now understand that my life is my testimony and the way I behave sends out a message of the good news of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that wins souls is wise Prov 11:30

     I am so excited about this new key to protection I have discovered as I studied our armor and warfare… it seems so simple, yet it is so powerful. And this is what I have discovered: Peace is a protector, Peace protects us, (and this peace if from the Lord) it closes a door to the enemy. There is a supernatural link and key between peace and righteousness (right living) that protects those who fear the Lord.

  If you want protection from your enemy and his traps, you must live your life in obedience. Always searching and working hard to maintain a peaceful life in all circumstances and living a life of righteousness and right living. This peace is a gift and a blessing given to you from the Lord God and His Son Jesus.

     ( fyi: There are many messages with truth about the shoes- however, I am specifically focusing on the power and protection of the blessing of the shoes of Peace the Lord gives. AND there is a difference between the peace the world offers and peace the Lord gives us.  Living in peace that the Lord Jesus has given us doesn’t give us an excuse not to stand up for truth or fight for righteousness- this we must do. Speak up for justice and righteousness,  in love. Peace the Lord gives is real and true peace, it is our protection and much more.)

 Righteousness + Peace = Supernatural Protection
Right living in obedience + being a peacemaker = God’s supernatural protection  for us from enemy attacks

      Its true! Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other:   Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps. Ps 85:10-13

  Do you see the connection between peace and right living –and it’s all intertwined like a puzzle as we study our armor. Peace (shoes) and Righteousness (breastplate) need to be worn at all times, we can’t have one without the other. Notice the righteousness in the verse above goes before him AND SHALL SET US IN THE WAY OF HIS STEPS. Righteousness and peace protect us, keep us on God’s path and set us in the way of His steps. Okay, can you tell I’m so excited about this!  For right now, I want to dive deeper into peace and then righteousness another time because there is much to learn about this peace- our shoes we put on with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

What happens when we listen to His commands? We will have peace and righteousness!  Isaiah 48:18Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea.

How can we reap a harvest of righteousness? By being peacemakers James 3:18And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness

What does righteousness bring?  Isaiah 32:17And this righteousness will bring peace. Yes, it will bring quietness and confidence forever.

More on Peace and Righteousness:  For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, ² and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace.  He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever Heb 7:1-3

Am I making sense? You see, if we live right, obey God and work hard for peace- this gives us protection. Think about it this way. Imagine you are really upset or angry with someone. If you obey God’s word and work at peace and forgive as the Lord has told us to, the enemy has no open door to come in and bother you. However, if you lose control and say things you don’t want to – watch out because sin is waiting at the door for an opportunity to take over and master you.  Obedience pays off, the Lord’s words don’t fail, surely we reap what we sow.

Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. Message version of Eph 6:13-18

Rewards of Peace:
Proof! Peace protects us.

1. Protection and Peace come from the Lord Jeremiah 16:5
2. Following God’s commands gives you the ability to endure the pressures and go in peace Exodus 18:23
3. God’s peace protects us on every side 1 Kings 5:4
4. Submit to God and you will have peace, then things will go well for you Job 22:21 (Submit to God and the enemy will flee)
5. He brings me to His rest, it is not on my own power Psalm 23:2
6. Want peace?  Search for it and work to maintain it. Keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Ps 29
7. Peace is a blessing from the Lord.The Lord watches over all who do right and he hears their cries  Psalm 29:11The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace. Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the Lord. Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies!
8.  Peace takes effort on your part- you have to search for it and maintain it . Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil; he will erase their memory from the earth. The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken! Calamity will surely overtake the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished.²² But the Lord will redeem those who serve him. No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
9. A wonderful future awaits those who love Peace. Psalm 37:37 Look at those who are honest and good, for a wonderful future awaits those who love peace I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying,  for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways. Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,  so our land will be filled with his glory. Ps 85
10. Fear of the Lord + Right living + Peace = Supernatural protection Ps 85
11. Righteousness + Peace = staying on God’s path Ps 85
12. Unfailing love and truth have met together.  Righteousness and peace have kissed! Ps 85
13. Peace is given to those who love the Lord’s instructions and it will keep them from stumbling. Psalm 119:165
14. Planning peace fills a heart with joy, plotting evil fills a heart with deceit Pr 12:20
15. Peace brings health: Proverbs 14:30A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.
16. You can have peace with your enemies when you live your life to please the Lord:Proverbs 16:7When people’s lives please the LORD, even their enemies are at peace with them.
17. The Lord’s teaching brings Peace upon our childrenIsaiah 54:13I will teach all your children, and they will enjoy great peace.
18. If you work for peace and do your best to maintain peace, the Lord will bless you and you will be called children of God.Matthew 5:9
19. Jesus has left us with this gift:John 14:27“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
20. Peace protects our mind and heart and keeps us from being troubled or afraid.
21. You can have peace in storms and sorrowsJohn 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
22. Peace with the Fear of the Lord is a powerful combinationActs 9:31 The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord. And with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers.
23. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace rom 8:6
24. We are to live a life of peace and Joy in the Holy spirit Romans 14:17 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
25. Only God can fill us with peace because we trust in Him and this joy and peace will produce and overflow of confident hope the power of the Holy Spirit.Romans 15:13
26. Gal 5:22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
27. Discipline results in a peaceful harvest of right living Hebrews 12:11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
28. Peacemakers reap a harvest of righteousness!James 3:18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
29. His peace guards us: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus Phil 4:6-7
30. Being a peacemaker takes work and you have to maintain this peace. Search for it. 1 Peter3 10-13
31. Peace (grace and mercy) comes from God the Father and from Jesus the Son of the Father 1 J 1:3
32. The work of righteousness shall be peace and the effect of righteousness is -quietness and assurance forever! Is 32:17-20

  Shoes protect us and so does peace. When I don’t wear shoes and walk outside I’m always concerned about what I might step on-broken glass, hot asphalt, thorns, red ants, wasp stingers,etc… but if I wear my shoes I don’t have to worry about anything I might step on. I can walk on burning sidewalks, over broken glass and nothing will hurt me. So it is with the sh0es of peace- you can walk through stormy waters and burning coals, but nothing can touch you- because you are covered and protected by the Peace of the Lord Jesus.

 
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. “Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other”  But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep.  “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes. Romans 14:17, Luke 12:51, Luke 19

What can I learn?

Peace protects us, fills us with joy, keeps us healthy, guarantees us a wonderful future, keeps us from stumbling, brings blessings, protects our mind and heart and keeps us from being troubled or afraid, brings righteousness, fills your heart with joy.

Peace is attained through the Lord by our obedience, our searching for it, Peace is given to those who love the Lord’s instructions and Fear Him.

So here’s the final question: What part of your life do you need to work on in order for God’s peace to reign? How can you be a peacemaker and please the Lord your God and Maker?

And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil avoid it, do not travel on it;
Turn away from it and pass on Keep your heart with all diligence,For out of it spring the issues of life. 
Put away from you a deceitful mouth,
And put perverse lips far from you.
 Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established.
 Do not turn to the right or the left;Remove your foot from evil.
May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.
Amen.

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The Fire of the Holy Spirit and Spiritual Warfare (Part 1)

     In the heart of believers is a fire. This fire according to the bible is the fire of the Holy Spirit. This fire ranges in size accordingly. Some have large fires, some small that are easily put out and some have sparks that are forming, but the pressures of this world and the stress of things comes to stomp it out. I also saw that there are some who consider themselves Christian- having grown up in the church and even regular church attenders who had a deep darkness – completely black -in their heart and cut off from the Lord. They have been fooled by religious rituals unto salvation. 
    The darkness I saw in the heart terrified me. It was a deep darkness, like being lost and left alone in the deepest darkness. If we could only see the spiritual world surrounding us- I wonder if we would wake up?
 

     This darkness was ultimately created by the person’s sin, backsliding, turning from God… with gripping strongholds ( Spiritual Strongholds). And he thought he was saved, but didn’t realize the utter torment he was actually in.

   Jesus said. “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! ¹⁷ You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.  So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. Rev 3:15-18

Remember the parable of the seed Jesus told us….

“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds.  As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them.  Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow.  But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died.  Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants.  Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!  Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

   “Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: 

The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. They hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away. The devil takes it away from their hearts and prevents them from believing and being saved.

The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. 

The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. They hear God’s word, but all to quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, the desire for other things, and the riches and pleasures of this life.  The produce no fruit and they never grow to maturity.   

   The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” They heard and accepted God’s word. They represent honest, good hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it and patiently produce a huge harvest.(there is that word cling again! From Isaiah 41:10 see post on Clinging to the Lord- true meaning Isaiah 41:10 -the bible is like a big puzzle we put together- everything ties into another and the study never ends!)

 Then Jesus said to them, “If you can’t understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables? The farmer plants seed by taking God’s word to others

    The Seed is the Word of God- it is the hearing of the Gospel. So the faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 What do you do with the Word you hear? I remember when I read this years ago, it scared me. I knew that I was one of the one whose heart crowded out the Word of God with things from this world. I wanted life my way and I also wanted to be saved.  In my own mind I thought I was good, but when I read this scripture- I was truly convicted.  As the word says- “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Heb 4:12 
           I heard the Word and loved what I heard, but I wanted to go my own way. I didn’t think I knew how to change this. I know it takes a changed heart only the Lord can change. It takes a willing heart. It takes a heart willing to give up the worldly desires and passions the world tries to tempt us with. It’s determination to say no to the things of this world and a new determination and desire to please the Lord. It is sad that I had to hit absolute rock bottom to change. But I rejoice in that time and my trials. It broke me where I needed to be broken and changed my life. In trials we have two choices- we can become bitter and angry or we can give it to the Lord and trust Him.

        The Dark Empty blackest heart:  This person considered himself to be a practicing Christian, having grown up with rituals and practices for salvation, also attending church each Sunday. Yet demonic strongholds had him captive and although he heard the word, he listened and he tried, nothing changed. He couldn’t see the demon who had his hands wrapped around his neck.  This demonic chokehold around the neck was choking out the word.
           Let me explain further: This person heard the word of God , and I’m assuming this person wanted to change going to church each weekend, but as he heard the words and the words started to go down into his heart, the demonic hands wrapped around the neck gripped it so hard the word could not go into the heart. The heart stood unchanged, the man wrestled to no avail.     

 

The Heart with the Large fire : This was amazing to see, this person was humble at heart and did not know the large flame within. This person had been through years of difficult tests and trials, yet relied on the Lord through each one. As each trial passed, the flame increased more and more, and now at an older age in life, the flame overflowed out of the heart. I could see demonic attacks that would still come to this person- in the spirit world it looked like someone trying to blow out a campfire- maybe it would make a small dent, but the flame would come right back.  In the physical world it would be a person or situation that bothered or annoyed them, not knowing it was actually a fight with the spiritual realms- not flesh and blood as the scripture says:
     For 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 Eph 6:22
   I was given understanding to know that our battles in the day are really spiritual battles. We think they are people or situations, but they are not. 
    To prove further: “we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;⁴And patience, experience; and experience, hope Romans 5:3-4, you see the trials and tests we overcome strengthen us. 
      In this heart I saw, I knew this person had faith and trust in the Lord and the trials endured through trust in the Lord had helped her now as trials still came. Although trials still came, the person stood unaffected by the storms. It reminds me of one of my favorite verses in Jeremiah 17:7-8 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. This verse tells us that those who trust in the Lord stand strong in their storms. If drought, extreme heat, or great storms topple over, the tree still stands tall and strong with it’s roots deeply secured along the river. It never worries and always keeps on producing fruit.

HEART IN THE FIRE- MADE IN HIS IMAGE

       I was reading the story of Moses and I thought it was really interesting that the Lord spoke to them from the heart of the fire. I wonder – if we are also made in his image spiritually. I saw that within us is a fire in the heart. It makes sense, but it never something I’ve considered or been taught. 

Deuteronomy 4:12  And the LORD spoke to you from the heart of the fire. You heard the sound of his words but didn’t see his form; there was only a voice.
Deuteronomy 4:15 “But be very careful! You did not see the LORD’s form on the day he spoke to you from the heart of the fire at Mount Sinai.
Deuteronomy 5:4At the mountain the LORD spoke to you face to face from the heart of the fire.
Deuteronomy 5:22“The LORD spoke these words to all of you assembled there at the foot of the mountain. He spoke with a loud voice from the heart of the fire, surrounded by clouds and deep darkness. This was all he said at that time, and he wrote his words on two stone tablets and gave them to me.
Deuteronomy 5:24They said, ‘Look, the LORD our God has shown us his glory and greatness, and we have heard his voice from the heart of the fire. Today we have seen that God can speak to us humans, and yet we live.
My child, listen and be wise: Keep your heart on the right course. Proverbs 23:18-20

Weeping and Gnashing of teeth
       There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth on that great and terrible day. I was thinking on this verse about a month or two ago and the Holy Spirit spoke clearly into my heart –  those who will be weeping and gnashing their teeth will be those who think they are saved, those who have been lied to from the pulpit and those who consider themselves Christian.  We cannot make our own rules and we cannot change the Laws and regulations of God to fit our lifestyle. We need to stop pretending and trying to impress people.

         But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.For many are called, but few are chosen. And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  and he shall say “Lord, Lord, open unto us” ; and He shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. Matt 8:12, 22:13, 24:51Matt24:51Luke 13:13

Verses to think on:

As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person. Prov 27:19

Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” John 7:38(this relates more to spiritual stronghold post describing the heart)

Luke 21:34 “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware,

Hebrews 1:7 Regarding the angels, he says, “He sends his angels like the winds, his servants like flames of fire.”— I think this is really interesting- we are the flames of fire He is describing

2 Timothy 1:6 This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.  (We can fan these flames within us! That means we can increase the flame in us in order to overcome any spiritual battles that come against us- remember we do not battle against flesh and blood but against…  principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. It is not as we perceive from our wordly view- the people that hurt us or situations at home and work are the workings of your enemy trying to put out the flame within you. In your trials rejoice- raise your hands, give him praise- put on the belt of truth, the shoes of peach and the breastplate of righteousness praise Him- fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you and stand spiritually strong.)

Jeremiah 2:13  “For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me— the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!  This verse says a lot in the few words it speaks- can a cracked cistern hold water? Can the heart of those who turn and abandon the Lord hold the living water?    Be careful and above all guard you heart for out of it flow the issues of life.

 How can I enlarge the fire of the Holy Spirit in my heart? By enduring all your trials as you cling to the Lord -Raise your hands and Praise His name-know who your enemy is and know your weapons of warfare. Use scripture to lift you up if you are down. Fan into flames the fire of the Holy Spirit in you.

   There is more I want to share about the heart and the fire within us. I think this post is a bit too long at this point, so I’ll finish up during the week and share more of what the Lord showed me. (and I promise to draw better next time:) )

Peace to All! May God’s grace and Mercy be upon you. The Lord is soo Good! He answered three specific prayers I prayed unto Him this week! Surely the Lord is good and His Mercy endures forever! I am so happy happy that He hears me and answers our prayers. Glory to you O Lord!
Shalom my friends!

Prayer for our loved ones who are lost and struggling: Prayer- our weapon of warfare