Inspirational Thoughts and Meditations
Dear Friends,
The following message was written by my friend Deborah Mac Manes. It’s an excellent meditation on Paul’s metaphor about our spiritual armor that we need to wear daily for, as the apostle writes in his epistle to the Ephesians, “we wrestle not against flesh and blood.”
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Debby’s Message
Scripture tells us that a Roman guard was stationed with Paul in his prison cell. Paul must have seen this guard put on his suit of armor many times, which is why he wrote the metaphor about winning the spiritual battle with spiritual armor.
I would like to elaborate on my, daily, prayer with a more in-depth meaning behind each piece of armor:
I wear the helmet of salvation to filter my thoughts … The spiritual battle begins with a thought that enters our mind. If it is an evil thought and we dismiss it, we have won that fight. If we retain the thought and dwell on it, we are entertaining Satan’s whisper. Finally, if we act upon this evil thought, Satan has won this particular battle, we have sinned, and we have grieved the Holy Spirit who dwells inside of us. The helmet of eternal salvation is to protect our thoughts right from the start.
I put on the breastplate of righteousness to protect my heart … The old testament High Priest would wear a breastplate of judgement. Inside this pouch were two stones called the Urim and Thummin that he would, sometimes, use to determine God’s will. Since Christ is our Lord, Savior, High Priest, and King, our breastplate is of righteousness in Christ Jesus and our hearts are protected in Christ Jesus from this unbelieving and evil world.
I am protected by the shield of faith from the flaming missiles of Satan .., Satan attacks us with fiery darts and our steadfast faith in Christ Jesus is the shield that protects us against anything that he is allowed to throw at us. We need to fight the good fight of the faith.
I carry the sword of the Holy Spirit, the Word of the living God … A sword is both an offensive and defensive weapon. We carry the sword of the Scriptures or Bible which is God’s Word. We need to live and breathe God’s Word so that we will be strong and effective in helping to save souls, along with strengthening the souls who have been saved. We need to be able to wield the ‘truth’ in whatever direction the Lord leads us. We can, only, do this with a firm understanding of His Word.
I am belted with truth and righteousness, to glorify you, Holy Father, while walking in the Gospel of peace … Our fight is a spiritual one; not physical. The bible tells us to live a quiet and peaceful life, and we are to mind our own business. Our responsibility in this life is to walk in the shoes of peace and be the light of the world. We are to carry His teachings in our minds and hearts, spread and abide by His Word wherever we go, and give all glory and honor to our Holy Father through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. All glory to Him!
The author of this message, Deborah Mac Manes, is a bible study teacher and servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. As captain and founder of the Spiritual Elegance Team, she moderates this online ministry group which is part of the Etsy marketplace. Deborah is the creative artist and owner of Designs by DM Candles located at designsbydmcandles.etsy.com.
Put On Your Spiritual Armor © 2016 Deborah Mac Manes All Rights Reserved. Soldier Illustration © 2016 SD Harden All Rights Reserved. Angel Song © 2016 All Rights Reserved.
True Stories Behind the Hymn Jesus Lover Of My Soul
“The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him.” ~Nahum 1:7
The hymn “Jesus Lover Of My Soul” was written by Charles Wesley, an English hymn writer, poet, and preacher who lived from 1707 to 1788.
One of the greatest hymn writers of the Christian tradition, Charles Wesley penned over 6ooo hymns.
“Jesus Lover of My Soul” is treasured as his finest hymn and has been translated into almost every known language.
Though it was first published in 1740, it was not until after Charle’s had died that his beautiful hymn became well known and loved.
Many stories abound regarding the inspiration for the hymn.
According to one story, in the late fall of 1736 on his way back from a brief sojourn in the United States, the ship that Charles was on got caught in a terrible storm.
He and the rest of the passengers must have endured a horrible trial of sheer terror and uncertainty.
Author Kenneth Osbeck writes….
Continue reading “True Stories Behind The Hymn Jesus Lover Of My Soul”
This is a beautiful, encouraging post written by my friend, poet Liana Wendy Howarth. She reminds us that with God, all things truly are possible. To our awesome God be all the glory!! May we praise Him forever for His mercy , compassion, and grace! ~Suzanne
This is the first time this beautiful rose has bloomed in the eight years we have been at our home. My father moved it from under the shaded trees about a year ago, not believing it would ever bloom. A few times I asked the Lord to reveal the flower, to have the rose blossom that He may be given the glory, as my father who is an avid, really avid gardener (his life passion, one who knows most of the Latin names) didn’t think it was possible. The leaves had always flourished even in the shade; but as to the colour of the flower, we had no idea.
Well this morning the Lord averted my eyes upwards to the top of the garden arch. I showed my husband and father and said this is answered prayer. With varying responses from them :-), I am in awe of our Creator…
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Peaceangel Song 
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