Put On Your Spiritual Armor

March 1, 2016 ~ Suzanne Davis Harden ~ 2 Comments

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.

True Stories Behind The Hymn Jesus Lover Of My Soul

February 26, 2016 ~ Suzanne Davis Harden ~ 1 Comment

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” →

With God All Things Are Possible

May 9, 2015May 9, 2015 ~ Suzanne Davis Harden

We Walk By Faith © 2015 Suzanne Davis Harden — **We Walk By Faith**
**© 2015 Suzanne Davis Harden**

With God All Things Are Possible

“The just shall live by faith.” ~Romans 1:17

With God all things are possible,

For those who will believe,

He who spoke all things to life

He spoke and it came to be.

God spoke and all the stars were born,

The Universe began,

He measured the length of Heaven

In the hollow of His hand.

With God all things are possible,

His word can never fail,

To those who with Him walk by faith

His promise will prevail.

God will never forsake those

Who trust Him and believe

In the Word He speaks to them,

For God cannot deceive.

But promises from God come true

According to God’s time

And often they can tarry

Till they can seem a lie.

Often they can tarry till

We think them but a dream,

They tarry and they tarry

Till our hearts may disbelieve.

And when a soul begins to doubt

And walk in unbelief

No longer trusting in God’s word,

Our God is very grieved.

No blasphemy can sting God’s heart

As does the bitter soul

Who started out by faith in God

Then let their faith grow cold.

Through unbelief their love for God

Turns to withered ash,

Because God’s promises to them

Never came to pass.

But the just shall live by faith

And in his faithfulness,

We walk by faith and not by sight;

Our timing is not His.

With God all things are possible

To those with eyes to see,

To those with faith and a patient heart

To trust God and believe.

With God all things are possible

To those who walk by faith,

Loving God with all their heart

And for Him learn to wait.

Bible Dictionary: (Thayer & Strong’s) ~Faith * Conviction of the truth of anything; truth, assurance, to trust, have confidence in, be convinced, be persuaded of a thing concerning a person.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, help us to walk by faith and not by sight, trusting in You ever more each day. Thy word says that “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God,” so help us to read & meditate on Thy word in our daily walk with You. Help us to turn our eyes onto Jesus and off the things of this world that so often steals our attention from You. For this world is not our true home, You are, Lord. We love you, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

ENCOURAGING SCRIPTURES ABOUT FAITH IN GOD

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” ~ Hebrews 11:1

^“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.” ~ Hebrews 11:3

^“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” ~Hebrews 11:6

^“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end…” ~ Hebrews 3:12-14

^“For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end [fulfillment]; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come; it will not be behindhand on its appointed day.

Look at the proud; his soul is not straight or right within him, but the [rigidly] just and the [uncompromisingly] righteous man shall live by his faith and in his faithfulness.” ~ Habakkuk 2:3-4 (Amplified Bible Version)

“God is not a man, so he does not lie.
He is not human, so he does not change his mind.
Has he ever spoken and failed to act?
Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” ~Numbers 23:19 (New Living Translation)

Angel Song “With God All Things Are Possible” ~Poem & Illustration © 2015 Suzanne Davis Harden All Rights Reserved. Scripture Quotations are taken from the King James Version Bible, The New Living Translation, & The Amplified Bible Translation

God’s Faithfulness

April 21, 2015April 21, 2015 ~ Suzanne Davis Harden ~ 2 Comments

God’s Faithfulness

Psalm 36:5-7 (ERV)

“Lord, your faithful love reaches to the sky. Your faithfulness is as high as the clouds.Your goodness is higher than the highest mountains. Your fairness is deeper than the deepest ocean. Lord, you protect people and animals. Nothing is more precious than your loving kindness. All people can find protection close to you.”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Thy faithfulness and mercy. Thy word promises that Thy mercies toward us are renewed each morning. Martin Luther wrote in his famous hymn, “And though this world with devils filled should threaten to undo us, we will not fear for God has willed His truth to triumph through us.” Lord, Thy Truth~ Thy very own Holy Spirit within us will never leave us nor forsake us throughout our sojourn on this earth. Lord Jesus, thank You for Thy holy Presence within us, Thy strength and Thy grace to see us through every trial. No matter what furnace we may find ourselves thrown into, You will be in it with us protecting us from the flames. Lord, You have promised in Isaiah that though we walk through the fires the flames shall not harm us. And You keep every promise forever. Thank You, precious Creator. Help us to keep focusing on You, Lord Jesus Christ and not on the evil all around us. Help us to cling to Thy words, “In this world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Please Bless each soul reading this prayer with renewed faith and hope today and rivers of peace and comfort. Scatter all their fears and anxieties to the four winds and draw them ever closer to Thy heart. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen & amen.