Hope For Today

We take the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God so we can move forward into the love and care of God. Now there’s no doubt that we need something sharp and powerful like a sword.  And that’s why God gives us His powerful words – His truth spoken with the backing of His authority.

In life, all of us will face unexpected hardships and trouble. As we put on the shoes of God’s peace and walk in the way God directs, we will be able to safely navigate through all kinds of hazardous circumstances.

God wants us to do well today and that’ll happen when we hold onto faith in His goodness and His love for us, not matter what’s gone on in our past. God is committed to our good and if we will come to Him, believe that he is there, and turn our will and our life over to His care, He will bring more good into our lives than we can possibly imagine today.  The big question is, will we have faith in God?

So, how are we meant to put on the breastplate of righteousness? We ask God to show us truth, as we spoke last time.  In addition to this, we ask God to empower us to resist walking after our own desires and instead in all our decisions and actions choose to follow God’s ways.

While it is important that we practice telling the truth at all times, the essential advice God is giving us in this picture is that we are to get to know and wrap ourselves around with truth, the truth that God has given us in the Bible.

When we face difficulties and attacks we are meant to turn to God, who has proven that He has power over all evil and that He cares for us. God provides equipment and manpower to help us just as one country helps out another in their time of conflict and war.

And  the winner is – oh my, what emotions that puts in the hearts of so many at such announcements. Why? Money is often seen as the source of contentment and happiness. The Bible shows us a better way to that peace.

God takes us as we are.  Maybe it’s time we did the same with Him in return.

The Bible tells us that love is patient.  How many of us would profess to be patient? Most of us find it easy to be impatient and the only thing that matters in those moments is not how we got there but will we choose to stay that way.

To make restitution is to restore something to its proper owner.  When we have harmed someone, we take responsibility for the harm done and do all in our power to make it right. 

We are often reluctant to admit problems and deal with painful events as they occur.  We push them down into the deep recesses of our souls and put our best face on.  This is like shoving clutter into a closet and tightly closing the door before guests arrive. This works for a while but at some point we have to open the closet door and when we do that with overstuffed closet, everything inside falls out around our feet.

God wants each of us to come to that place where we first identify with Him and acknowledge who we are in Christ instead of seeking to be propped up by someone else.