Post Sunday February 15 2009

“Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass…” Judges 1:1

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13

Warriors wore armor to better protect themselves. Protect themselves from what? Injury yes, but I would imagine, mainly to increase the chances of actually living through the battles that they were called to enter into. Living is good.

Yesterday, Pastor Mike Blackie challenged us with the fact that we are to wear certain hats in life to carry out the calling of God in our lives. We should first off be wearing that all important helmet of salvation, then to put on the construction hat, the party hat and the pastor’s hat. As with many of us we have heard many messages over our lifetimes and read many books over our lifetimes or watched many individuals over our lifetimes that have sparked us to say, yes that is right, I need to do that. So have we?

Look at the above verses. We are told in Ephesians that we are to take up (put on, put into use) the whole armor of God because doing that we do all that we can in order to stand (not die, not sit down in sameness). In the short verse from Judges we find that Joshua died. What does that have to do with anything? Joshua was the leader of the Israelite people. He was a strong leader, righteous and true. His leadership brought the people great victories and prosperity. Joshua, as all people do, eventually reached that point in his life when he died. Death is inevitable, people pass away, things, programs, ministries, certain ways of life pass away, fade away, go out of date, death is a natural course of life. What happens after the death of someone or something? Someone or something else comes along, in other words, “it came to pass” as Judges 1:1 states.

There is always something else coming, but there is always the armor of God that we can put on so that we will stand and withstand the attacks. The coming to pass in our lives can be dealt with when we wear that armor.

How is your praying/ministering/learning coming along for your 222? Was this a “battle” that you were called into? After being motivated and moved in your heart to focus on reaching out, how is that going? I have thus far heard of our church members joining neighborhood book clubs for example. Not because they are so desperately excited to read books, but because they so badly want to meet other people in their neighborhoods that do not know Christ. I have heard of some having their 2 over for dinner and making an honest effort to spend time with them. That rocks! Steps are being taken, because the armor is on and with armor on, comes confidence to step forward to the front lines. When you are fully armed there is confidence to move toward the front lines.

With armor on you’ll be fully prepared to take on what comes. You’ll also if you are honestly putting on your armor each morning know which battle you are to head into. The problem in the book of Judges is that the people counted on Joshua’s armor to protect them and when he was gone they fell into the snares of life that were around them. They were unprepared because they put their trust in the wrong thing. It is great that you may have someone strong around you for support and help, but you are truly falling way short when a person instead of God becomes your strength and support. If you find yourself getting angry often at people for not coming through for you then you are placing your trust in the wrong place and at the wrong level. You are living unarmed.

Why didn’t they come through for you? Probably because they were fully armed and God called them to a different battle today and He is testing you to see if you’ll decide to rely on Him today instead of everyone else. We are fully armed for God’s purposes not our own, so do not be surprised to find fully armed people constantly on the move. When you find yourself fully armed don’t be surprised that your battles lead you throughout God’s large battlefield!

Allow God to use Pastor Mike’s message to spur you on in how you “dress” for each day. As any good warrior will do, assess your surroundings and see where God has you right now. Then reassess His call in your life and allow Him to guide you in that call in your current surroundings. What are your armed up for right now? Work? Family? Finances? Is there someone that continues to be before you week after week? Have you neglected someone that God has entrusted to your care? Are those without Christ in your life on your heart today? We minister/serve in church for approximately 1 to 2 hours a week, those ministries in need of preparation maybe 4 or 5 hours per week. Where are you ministering the other 163 to 166 hours of the week? If your armor is thoroughly banged up by the time you re-enter the church doors on Sunday consider that a week well spent!

Praise God the armor is only banged up and that you are still standing! For you did all to stand and to withstand!

Questions to Ask Yourself: Read Judges chapter 2 & 3

1. What was the cause of the problems in the life of Israel (see 2:17 and numerous other areas)

2. What does 3:1 and 3:4 tell you about some of the things around you? And what does it tell you about God’s desires for you….

3. Based on these two chapters what is the key to a properly armed warrior of God?

pastor e