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Bible studies |
| Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for giving us armor to fight the enemy with and giving us wisdom to know how to use it. Be with us as we study your word today. Open our hearts to what you want to say to us. Help us to put all our trust, hope, and faith in you. In Jesus's name, Amen π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘ Suggested Scripture Memory: Hebrews 11:1-3 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. 1 Peter 1:3-9 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls Monday - Hebrews 11:1-2 Tuesday - Hebrews 11:3 Wednesday - 1 Peter 1:3 Thursday - 1 Peter 1:4-5 Friday - 1 Peter 1:6-7 Saturday - 1 Peter 1:8-9 Sunday - review π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘π‘ I felt led by the Spirit to share this Scripture writing I did this last week. Maybe it will help clarify the meaning of this scripture for someone. Scripture writing - James 2:14-17 Scripture: 14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Observations: Verse 14- It is one thing to say you believe in something. It is an active belief when your actions show it. Verse 15 & 16- If you know someone is in need, and all you give them is well wishes, how is that going to help them? You can show that you believe they truly are in need by giving them what ever it is that they need. Verse 17- Belief in Jesus Christ without out actions to back it up profits no one. Application: It is one thing to believe something, but it is another to prove it. Actions speak louder than words. Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Help me to show my faith through action. Help my love for you to be more than just words. May people see and know you through the life I live. In Jesus's name, Amen Armor of God - Shield of Faith  Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. From the picture: -Faith saves and heals us. -Faith, just a small amount, can move mountains. -Faith protects us from fiery arrows and puts them out too. -Faith is both an offensive and defensive weapon. -Faith produces good deeds or it is dead. -Faith can be refined and purified from the fire on the arrows. -Faith isn't static. It becomes more beautiful and strong as time goes on. -Faith is assurance. (Hebrews 11:1) It makes us sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. π‘The Roman Sheildπ‘ The Roman shield was made from 2 pieces of plywood glued together on an iron frame and covered in leather. It was oblong or rectangular in shape and measured around 4 feet by 2 1/2 feet. The Greek word for these shields came from a root word meaning door. They either had a handle or strap to be held by one arm. The Roman soldier's shield did more than just take blows from the enemy. It could be used to push back against the enemy as well. When soldiers grouped together, they could use their shields and lock them together to form another barrier of protection. The shield was large enough to protect the entire body; head, heart, arms, and feet. It also protected the other pieces of armor too. π―Fiery Dartsπ― πΉArrows in those days were commonly dipped in pitch and set in fireπ₯. They were then shot toward the enemy. The Roman soldiers commonly wet the leather covering their shields. When the fiery arrows hit the shield, the fire would be extinguished and it would blunt the arrow's tips.πΉ Above All Above all, take the shield of faith. It protects the whole body and every other piece of the armor. Faith protects the head with the confidence of the knowledge of God. It protects the heart and helps us remember our eternal reward. It protects our arms giving us strength to do God's will. It also protects the feet keeping us from being misled and allowing us to stand firm. Our battle is to choose every day to follow Jesus and his ways over anything the devil may throw at us. Like a shield, faith has to be held onto. We have to make a deliberate choice to hang onto our faith. The command associated with this piece of armor is, βTake upβ. We have to pick it up and hold it. We can do this by finding a biblical truth and choosing to believe it regarding our life and circumstances. What is faith? This is the first definition shown when I do a Google search on faith. https://www.google.com/search?q=what+is+faith&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=... faith /fΔTH/ Learn to pronounce noun noun: faith 1. complete trust or confidence in someone or something. "this restores one's faith in politicians" Similar: trust belief confidence conviction credence reliance dependence optimism hopefulness hope expectation Opposite: mistrust 2. strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof The Bible itself also offers a definition of faith. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Faith is standing on God's promises. It is a God-given response to God's revelation. It is formed on Jesus Christ. What does all of this mean? I think the world would like to believe that Christians faith is not based on truth or facts. However, Christian faith is based on both, truth and facts. Faith in a general term is a belief in someone or something reguardles of truth or facts. It is more than just blind belief for a Christian. Let me explain. Christian faith comes when we have enough evidence to make an informed decision. It starts out with hearing the Gospel. We may first choose to believe in Jesus because we were told we had to by our parents, a preacher, a teacher, a friend, etc... Romans 1:16-20 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: We begin to read and study God's Word for ourselves. We research for scientific proof that the Bible is the authentic Word of God. We listen to teachings, doctrines, and preaching of God's Word. We gather evidence with our own eyes, ears, and life experiences. As we do this regularly, we begin to experience the Bible and God for ourselves. We begin to learn how to apply it to our lives. We begin to see God's Word played out in our hearts for ourselves. Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Our faith in Christ is based on reality. (Romans 1:20) Even though we can't physically see God, he manafests himself through creation. Our faith in him is based upon this truth and truths found in the Word of God. Jesus talks about faith in the following verses: Matthew 21:22, Matthew 17:20, Matthew 9:29, Matthew 8:5-13, and Mark 9:23-25. In Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus uses his shield of faith in God's Word to push back against the Devil. God is our shield: Genesis 15:1, Psalms 33:30, Dueteronomy 33:29. Shield of Faith as an offense We don't have to just stand there and let the Devil hit us with his blows and just take it. We can push and fight back as we use God's Word along with our faith. We will get into that more in depth when we study the sword of the Spirit, but our shield can be used to push the enemy back as well. The shield can be used to knock an enemy over by force. Shield of Faith as a defense The shield of faith manifest itself in an active defense against the Devil's assaults. Some of the Devil's fiery darts are temptations, doubt, wrath, greed, lust, despair, vengeance, problems, trials, and tribulations. Faith gives us a firm courage and strength to stand against Satan and his attacks. It especially protects us in the battle of the mind. Faith can help us stop the lies of the Devil. Other arrows to be aware of: Psalm 7:13, Psalms 11:2, Psalms 58:3-7, Psalms 64:3, Psalms 120:1-4, Proverbs 25:18. We need to have our shield of faith at all times. If we drop it or lay it down, we leave ourselves unprotected from Satan's fiery darts and arrows. Collective Faith Roman soldiers would lock their shields together providing more protection for the group as opposed to just protecting one soldier. When Christians come together in unity, with Jesus directing their efforts, they become a mighty force for good. They are able to achieve more together than an individual could do on their own. The shield of faith can be used effectively by the entire body of Christ. Matthew 18:19-20 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. When we fellowship with other Christians, our faith can be strengthened. It is strengthened when we come together in prayer and helping each other through our doubts and fears. We can then form a stronger defense against the Devil. How do we take the shield of faith and use it? Our shield of faith is only as good as the material it is made out of. Faith is strong when it rests on truth and is based on the Bible. Strong faith is not based on earthly things. Faith is strong when it is based on the person of Christ. We are able to use our shield of faith and handle it well when we know the promises of God, sound biblical doctrine, and we are focused on God. We take up the shield of faith by praying and asking God to arm us with it in all circumstances. In conclusion: The shield of faith is complete reliance on God and willingness to do his will. It is believing God's promises even though they haven't materialized yet. If we have faith in Christ, it will influence the way we live. Our faith will guard us in trials, trouble, and tribulations the way a shield protects us in battle. Faith stops the arrows of temptation before they become sin in the soul.Temptations and all assaults from the enemy are to be encountered before they get to the vulnerable parts of the body. The shield of faith catches them, snuffs out the flame, and makes them fall harmlessly to the ground. James 1:2-6 2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. God may allow us to experience tragedy and loss, but he can provide faith to get us through tough times when we pray and rely on his precious promises. Faith is the victory that overcomes the world! 1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you would like to discuss any of these questions in your blog and post them in the forum, please do so. Would you guys like me to send out blog prompts to discuss the topics of these studies and how we can apply them to our lives? Discussion questions: 1. How strong is your faith in God? 2. What is your faith in God based on? 3. Are you protected in every area of your life by your shield of faith? 4. Is your faith being exercised regularly? 5. Are you actively living out your faith? 6. Do you know how to use and exercise your faith? 7. How is your faith related to a shield? 8. How can we work together to grow and exercise our faith collectively? 9. How can you work to grow your faith as an individual? 10. What does your current lifestyle and activities and attitudes say about your faith right now? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Resources: https://www.gcu.edu/blog/spiritual-life/weekly-devotional-armor-god-shield-faith... https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/what-is-a-shield-of-faith-and-how-do... https://www.bethelfosston.org/2020/01/12/shield-of-faith/ http://www.hopeinthehealing.com/2019/01/12/when-ye-fast-shield-of-faith/ Jesus is my permanent anchor!  |
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