Standing Firm: Living Fully Armored

(Armor of God Series – Final Post) Over these past weeks, we’ve walked piece by piece through the armor of God – the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, and finally, the power of prayer that bringsContinue reading “Standing Firm: Living Fully Armored”

The Sword of the Spirit – Armed with Truth

(Part 6 of the Armor of God series) There’s something powerful about the image of a sword. It’s not defensive like a shield or protective like armor-it’s an offensive weapon. In Ephesians 6:17, Paul tells us to “take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” This is the only piece ofContinue reading “The Sword of the Spirit – Armed with Truth”

The Helmet of Salvation – Protecting Your Mind

(Part 5 of the Armor of God series) When a soldier went into battle, the helmet was the last piece of armor he put on – but it was the one he never went without. It was non-negotiable. Without it, he was vulnerable to a fatal blow. Paul uses that same image when he saysContinue reading “The Helmet of Salvation – Protecting Your Mind”

The Shield of Faith – Defending Against Doubt

(Part 4 of the Armor of God series) When Paul describes the armor of God, he doesn’t talk about if we’ll face attacks – he assumes we will. Faith, he says, is what protects us when those attacks come. Ephesians 6:16 says, “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with whichContinue reading “The Shield of Faith – Defending Against Doubt”

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 barefootContinue reading “The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace – Ready to Move”

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 guardsContinue reading “The Breastplate of Righteousness: Guarding the 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 forContinue reading “The Belt of Truth: Holding Everything Together”

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 fullContinue reading “Armor of God: Why We Need It”

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 liftContinue reading “Mountain Moments: Worship on the Mountain”

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 understoodContinue reading “Mountain Moments: The Power of Perspective”