The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace – Ready to Move

(Part 3 of the Armor of God series)

There’s a reason Paul mentions shoes when describing the armor of God. You can have all the armor in the world, but if you can’t move, you’re an easy target. The shoes aren’t glamorous, but they’re essential – they give us traction, balance, and direction. Walking barefoot across a Florida parking lot in July reminds you really quick why shoes matter. The same is true spiritually.

Ephesians 6:15 says, “and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”

The Roman soldiers Paul would have had in mind wore heavy sandals with spikes in the soles – built for both stability and mobility. They could dig in and hold their ground, or move quickly when needed. That’s exactly what the peace of Christ gives us – the ability to stand firm and move forward.

Peace doesn’t mean the absence of conflict. It means the presence of Christ in the middle of it. The peace of God steadies our steps when the ground feels unsteady. It anchors us when the world around us shakes. And it allows us to keep walking when everything in us wants to stop.

If I am being honest, the past six months have been some of the busiest and most chaotic I can remember at work. We’ve had a record number of projects – some successful, some not – with the smallest crew and the shortest timelines I’ve ever seen. There were days I wasn’t sure how I’d get through my schedule without breaking down. But this is where my faith has changed everything. Walking with Christ hasn’t removed the pressure, but it has given me peace in the middle of it. His presence steadies me when stress threatens to knock me off balance. And His nudges still challenge me to drive forward.

When Paul says “readiness,” he’s describing a posture of alertness – a willingness to go where God leads. The gospel prepares us to move. Not in fear, but in faith. When we’re grounded in His peace, we can respond to pressure without panic and face uncertainty without losing our footing.

Isaiah 52:7 says, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation.”

Everywhere we go, we carry the peace of Christ with us. Into our homes, our workplaces, our communities. The shoes of peace remind us that faith isn’t meant to stand still – it’s meant to go.

So before stepping into your day, pause and picture yourself putting on those shoes. You’re not walking into battle barefoot – you’re walking in the strength, stability, and peace of Christ.

“The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:7

Prayer from Wild at Heart: Lord, I do choose to live for the gospel at any moment.  Show me where the larger story is unfolding and keep me from being so lax that I think the most important thing today is the soap opera of this world.

The Breastplate of Righteousness: Guarding the Heart

(Part 2 of the Armor of God series)

If the belt of truth holds everything together, the breastplate of righteousness protects what’s most vital – your heart.

In battle, a Roman soldier’s breastplate covered the chest and abdomen, shielding the organs that, if struck, meant certain death. Spiritually, righteousness serves the same purpose. It guards the place where your deepest convictions, desires, and affections live.

“Stand firm then… with the breastplate of righteousness in place.”
– Ephesians 6:14

As a leader, I’ve learned how easy it is to let bitterness or pride slip in. It doesn’t take much – a hard week, a harsh email, a disappointment – and suddenly my heart’s unguarded.  Righteousness isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being protected by the perfection of Jesus.

When Paul talks about the breastplate, he’s not pointing us back to our own moral performance. He’s pointing us to a new identity – one covered by Christ’s righteousness.

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
– 2 Corinthians 5:21

That means when the enemy comes to accuse – when he whispers, “You’re not good enough,” “You failed again,” “You’ll never change” – we don’t stand there exposed and defenseless. We point to the One who already paid for it.

Our righteousness isn’t earned; it’s received.
And when you put that on daily, you’re choosing to live from a place of grace, not guilt.

The enemy wants nothing more than to pierce your heart with shame, regret, or comparison. That’s why the breastplate matters so much. Without it, your heart becomes an easy target.

Isaiah 59:17 says that when God Himself goes to battle,

“He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head.”

In other words – righteousness is part of God’s own armor. And through Christ, He shares it with us.

I love that picture – God Himself putting on righteousness as armor. It reminds me that He doesn’t ask me to fight battles He hasn’t already fought Himself.

Wearing the breastplate of righteousness means walking in confidence – not because you’ve done everything right, but because Jesus did. It means remembering that your heart is already guarded by His grace, even on your worst days.

The goal isn’t sinless perfection; it’s daily direction. It’s keeping your heart aligned with His, and letting His righteousness cover the places you still fall short.

So when you feel attacked, accused, or unworthy – when the arrows of shame start flying – remember: your heart is covered. You’re protected by the righteousness of Christ.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
– Proverbs 4:23

Prayer from Wild at Heart:

Yes, Lord, I wear your righteousness today against all condemnation and corruption.  Fit me with your holiness and purity. Defend me from all assaults against my heart.

The Belt of Truth: Holding Everything Together

(Part 1 of the Armor of God series)

In Roman armor, the belt wasn’t just a decorative strap – it was the foundation that held the rest of the armor in place. Without it, nothing else fit right. The sword hung from it. The breastplate fastened to it. It literally held the soldier together for battle.

That’s why Paul started there:

“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist…”
– Ephesians 6:14

Truth is the first line of defense in a world full of deception. And not “your truth” or “my truth,” but God’s truth – the unshakable, unchanging, timeless truth of His Word.

When you fasten the belt of truth around your life, you’re choosing to build your identity, your decisions, and your perspective on what God says – not what the world says.

Without truth, everything else shifts.
Without truth, righteousness becomes self-righteousness.
Without truth, faith becomes feeling.
Without truth, salvation becomes self-help.

Truth is what keeps it all from falling apart. As a husband and dad, I’ve learned that if I’m not grounded in God’s truth, I start making decisions based on comfort or emotion. And that’s when things unravel fast.

In John 14:6, Jesus said,

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Truth isn’t just a concept – it’s a person.
And when we walk with Him, live in Him, and align our lives to Him, we’re girded for battle.

But the enemy loves to attack at this level first.
If he can get you to question what’s true – about God, about yourself, about your purpose – then he can loosen the belt that holds everything else together. That’s why lies often sound almost true. They’re half-truths dressed up in logic and emotion.

For me, one of those lies has always been that my worth is tied to my performance – how productive or successful I am. That’s not God’s truth. His Word says my value is fixed in Him, not in what I do.

That’s why Paul calls us to stand firm – not by shouting louder, not by arguing longer, but by clinging tighter to the truth of God’s Word.

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”
– John 17:17

Every time we choose to speak truth, live truth, and stand on truth, we’re fastening that belt a little tighter. It doesn’t just protect us; it keeps us steady when everything else feels uncertain.

The Belt of Truth reminds us that what holds us together isn’t our own strength, consistency, or discipline – it’s Christ Himself, the One who is Truth embodied.

So, buckle up. Start your day fastening the belt of truth – not with fear of what’s ahead, but with confidence in who stands with you.

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
– John 8:32

Prayer from Wild at Heart:
Lord, I put on the belt of truth. I choose a lifestyle of honesty and integrity. Show me the truth I so desperately need today. Expose the lies I’m not even aware that I am believing.

Armor of God: Why We Need It

(Series Intro)

There are moments when you just can’t ignore the way God lines things up.

About two weeks ago, I set a goal to read one chapter a day from a list of books I’d been meaning to get through. I started with John Eldredge’s Wild at Heart. Seven straight days – a full chapter each evening after work and family time. I was crushing it.

Right until that eighth day (Saturday), when life got a little too full and something had to give. Sorry, John. Maybe tomorrow.

The next morning, I sat in church at The Church of Eleven22, listening to Pastor Joby Martin preach on Ephesians 6 – about what it means to stand firm and act like men. It was incredible. Three full pages of notes. I was in tears for most of the service. (I’ve come to learn this is how the Holy Spirit gets my attention – turns on the waterworks. If you ever see me in church weeping like a baby, just know: God is good.)

The next day, I finally picked Wild at Heart back up. Chapter Eight.
And wouldn’t you know it? It was about the armor of God – the very same passage Joby had just preached. That’s not coincidence. That’s a God nod.

Had I read that chapter on my own schedule, it might not have hit the same way. But God made me wait. I was frustrated that I’d missed my daily goal, but the truth is, He handed me distractions to align me with His timing – not mine. He needed me to hear that message clearly and personally.

After taking notes from both the sermon and the book, I sat back wondering: What should I do with all of this? Then came Monday – busy as ever.

Tuesday morning, I had time blocked to write, but no devotional planned. Usually, I pull from a pool of ideas, pray over one, and start writing what God gives me. But that morning, I sat staring at a blank screen.

So I prayed a familiar prayer: Lord, give me a word to share.

The very next thought that came to mind was – “The Armor of God isn’t just for you.”

The timing couldn’t have been clearer: God was reminding me that we’re in a real battle. Not a metaphorical one. Not a symbolic one. But a daily, unseen fight for our hearts, our families, and our faith.

Paul’s words in Ephesians 6:10–12 hits differently when you’ve been through a few battles of your own:

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

Paul doesn’t say if we face spiritual battles – he says when. Every believer who decides to follow Christ becomes a target. But God doesn’t leave us unprotected. He gives us everything we need – not just to survive – but to stand firm, to advance, and to live in victory.

Just like a soldier wouldn’t step onto the battlefield without armor, we can’t walk through life unguarded. The attacks may not come as swords or spears – they come as doubt, distraction, discouragement, temptation, and fear.

But the armor of God isn’t just defense – it’s empowerment. It’s how we live from victory, not for it.

This series, born that Tuesday morning,  is a journey through each piece of that armor – what it means, why it matters, and how to wear it daily. My prayer is that as we walk through these verses together, you’ll not only understand the armor – you’ll feel its weight, purpose, and power in your life.

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground…” – Ephesians 6:13

Mountain Moments: Worship on the Mountain

There’s something about reaching the mountaintop – even just a glimpse – that naturally turns our hearts toward worship. When we pause and see how far God has brought us, when we look back at the valleys and the climbs, we can’t help but lift our voices in gratitude.

Psalm 121 reminds us: “I lift up my eyes to the mountains-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2). The mountaintop isn’t about us; it’s about Him. It’s a reminder that every step we took, every struggle we faced, and every moment of perseverance was guided by God’s hand.

Worship is more than music or words. It’s a posture of the heart – a recognition that God is faithful, that His promises are true, and that His presence is our greatest blessing. When we worship on the mountain, we aren’t just celebrating the view; we’re celebrating the One who brought us there.

“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” -(John 4:23–24)

And the beauty of worship is that it transforms the journey itself. Even when the climb continues, even when the next valley appears, worship keeps our eyes lifted, our hearts steady, and our souls full of hope. It reminds us that joy isn’t only at the destination – it’s in the presence of Jesus every step of the way.

So, as we stand on the mountaintop today, let’s lift our eyes, lift our hearts, and lift our voices. Worship isn’t just what we do when we reach the top; it’s who we are as people who walk with a faithful God.

Mountain Moments: Anchored in Hope

Climbing toward the mountaintop can feel uncertain at times. The path isn’t always clear, the footing isn’t always steady, and the horizon can feel impossibly far away. But there’s something that keeps us steady when everything else feels shaky: hope.

As Paul wrote, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
Our hope isn’t fragile—it’s fueled by God Himself, overflowing through His Spirit even when the climb feels steep.

The Bible calls hope an anchor for the soul. “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Hebrews 6:19). An anchor keeps a ship from drifting, even in the strongest storm. Hope in Jesus does the same for our hearts. It keeps us grounded, focused, and steady when life tosses us in every direction.

Hope isn’t wishful thinking. It’s not pretending everything is okay when it isn’t. It’s not a blind optimism that ignores reality. Real hope is trusting in God’s promises, knowing that He is faithful, and believing that He is working even when we don’t see the full picture.

When we anchor ourselves in hope, the climb doesn’t feel endless. The valleys don’t feel permanent. The weight of worry and fear loses its grip. We can breathe, trust, and keep taking steps forward, knowing that God holds the outcome.

The psalmist reminds us, “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.” (Psalm 62:5–6)
When we rest in Him, even the stormiest paths can’t move us from His steady hand.

So whatever you’re facing today, remember this: your hope in Christ is unshakable. It’s steady, secure, and life-giving. Anchor yourself in it, and you’ll find that every step toward the mountaintop becomes a journey of peace and confidence, no matter the storm around you.

Mountain Moments: The Power of Perspective

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how much our perspective shapes our experience of life. Two people can be standing in the same valley, looking at the same struggles, and feel completely different. One sees despair. One sees an opportunity to grow. One sees limitation. One sees God’s provision. Perspective changes everything.

Paul understood this better than most. He wrote, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”  – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.

What we focus on matters. When we dwell on the difficulty, the climb feels heavier and the valley deeper. But when we shift our eyes to Jesus, to His faithfulness, to the eternal perspective He gives, everything changes. The same valley suddenly feels smaller. The same climb suddenly feels manageable. And the same mountaintop feels within reach.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” – Philippians 4:8

Perspective isn’t about ignoring reality. It’s about seeing reality through the lens of God’s truth. It’s about looking beyond what is visible today to the promises and glory He is building for tomorrow. It’s about trusting that every struggle, every uphill step, every valley lesson is part of the journey He is guiding.

The power of perspective is the power to transform a valley into a classroom, a climb into a refining fire, and every step into a chance to draw closer to Jesus. And when we embrace that power, the mountaintop isn’t just a destination – it’s a view we can experience every day.

Mountain Moments: Living from Victory, Not for Victory

One of the traps I’ve fallen into more times than I can count is believing I need to fight my way to victory. If I just worked harder, prayed longer, or tried to be a better man, maybe then I’d finally “win” at this Christian life. But the more I’ve wrestled with that idea, the more I’ve realized I’ve been starting from the wrong place.

The truth is, in Christ, we don’t fight for victory. We live from victory. The battle has already been won. The cross and the empty tomb settled it once and for all. Our part isn’t to conquer, but to walk in what Jesus has already accomplished.

Paul puts it this way: “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 15:57.

Notice the tense – He gives us the victory. Not someday, maybe, if we try hard enough. It’s already ours in Christ.

That changes everything. When I’m tempted to measure myself by my failures, I remember Jesus has already overcome. When I feel like the climb is too steep, I remember I’m not climbing to prove myself – I’m climbing in the strength of the One who has already gone before me.

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  – John 16:33

Living from victory doesn’t mean life is suddenly easy. The climb is still real, the struggles still happen. But it means I’m not fighting alone, and I’m not fighting unsure of the outcome. The victory is secure. My role is to trust, obey, and keep walking in that truth. So today, let’s stop striving to earn what has already been given. Let’s stop chasing victory like it’s something just out of reach. In Jesus, it’s already ours. And when we start living like that’s true, every step of the climb becomes lighter, every valley feels less dark, and every mountaintop becomes a place of gratitude instead of pride.

Mountain Moments: Joy in the Climb

If the valley teaches us gratitude and contentment, the climb reminds us that joy isn’t just found at the top. Sometimes, the most important growth happens while we’re still on the way up.

Climbing isn’t easy. The air gets thinner, the path feels steep, and there are moments when it would be simpler to turn around and settle back in the valley. But it’s in the climb where strength is built. It’s where we learn to lean on God step by step.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” – James 1:2-4

That verse always stops me in my tracks. Pure joy? In trials? It doesn’t come naturally to think of difficulty as a reason for joy. But the climb is not wasted. Every struggle, every step, every breathless moment is producing something in us that lasts.

Don’t confuse Joy with Happiness either – or at least not the way this world defines happiness.  “The pursuit of happiness is the insatiable attempt to control your circumstances because happiness is dependent on everchanging happenings. Joy is found in the everlasting Jesus.” – Pastor Joby Martin sums this up perfectly.

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:13–14

Joy doesn’t come from pretending the climb isn’t hard. It comes from knowing the climb has a purpose. It comes from remembering that God is shaping us with every uphill push. He is strengthening us, preparing us, and drawing us closer to Him.

And when we learn to find joy in the climb, the mountaintop becomes that much sweeter – not because we escaped the valley, but because we discovered God was with us on the journey.

So if you feel like you’re still climbing, take heart. Don’t give up. There is joy to be found right where you are. Every step matters. Every moment matters. And God is using it all to bring you closer to the person He has called you to be.

Mountain Moments: Gratitude in the Valley

Contentment as Perspective

In my last series, Silent Struggles, we spent time down in the valley – exploring the quiet battles of the mind and heart that so many of us fight every day. Those struggles are real, and they matter. But the story doesn’t end in the valley. God doesn’t leave us there. He lifts our eyes upward.

As I thought about what comes next, one word kept coming to mind: perspective. When you’re in the valley, everything looks big. Problems seem overwhelming. Shadows feel long. But what if the difference between the valley and the mountaintop isn’t just where you’re standing – but how you’re seeing?

Paul wrote about this while sitting in a prison cell. He said, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation… I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11-13). His circumstances didn’t define his perspective. Gratitude and contentment in Christ lifted him higher than any mountain ever could.

Scripture also calls us to something that feels impossible at times: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Gratitude doesn’t erase our struggles, but it reframes them. It takes our eyes off what we lack and places them on the One who provides. Gratitude turns the valley floor into holy ground, because it reminds us that God is with us – even there.

Contentment is really about trust. Do I trust God to give me what I need today? Do I trust Him to carry me through tomorrow? When I trust, I find peace. When I rest in His goodness, I find contentment. And that perspective begins to change how I see everything. The valley no longer feels like defeat. It becomes part of the climb.

As we move into this new series, Mountain Moments, I want to encourage you: don’t despise the valley. See it as the place where God is teaching you gratitude, growing your faith, and shaping your heart. Those lessons prepare you for the mountaintop.

Contentment and gratitude are the first steps upward. They are the perspective that transforms valleys into victories. So let’s lift our eyes, shift our focus, and start climbing together.