Please watch the video introduction to my message here:
I hope everyone had a very nice Christmas and New Year. We will be continuing our study on the armor. We just concluded our study on the Helmet. The helmet study has been a personal benefit to me. Mentally, I imagine a helmet of salvation over my mind, and instantly, I am refocused on our salvation in Christ, and whatever was stressing me is met with hope and a proper sense of priority. The Helmet “protects/changes” many things: our beliefs, thoughts, actions, how we relate to others, and our environment, including our hardships and blessings.
All of this starts in our mind, and the Helmet encompasses everything. In tough times, our helmet focuses our thoughts and gives us our willingness to fight. Also, it has everything to do with how well or skilled we fight. Our ONLY offensive weapons are our sword and dagger (in some passages where the word is translated as sword, it means a dagger), and each has a specific use. Our helmet equips us with courageous thinking and the knowledge to use the proper sword.
We know that our kingdom does not exist here, and because of that, we will fight courageously for our Father’s Kingdom, upholding His values. Valuing that which our Father values, we will rule over our flesh. This takes maturity and knowledge of God’s Word. Also, what use is our sword if it is not wielded with accuracy, strength, and the determination to win? It’s of no value. If we don’t fight knowing that the victory is ours because of our Savior’s victory, then we will lose the fight. All this comes from our mind, which is protected and directed by the Helmet of Salvation.
Here’s a worldly example of how the Helmet works. Say you are going on vacation where you will be swimming, snorkeling, etc., but you love donuts. The last thing you want to do is gain a few pounds before the trip. You may even go to the gym and eat more salads. Why did the behavior change? Because the thought of going on a tropical vacation affects your eating habits. You want to look good in your bathing suit. The Helmet of Salvation works the same.
How we engage with the world is affected by the Truth of God’s Word. Here is not our home; one needs to know the Bible and God’s Words to live like that. That’s why we are admonished to know God’s Word (Joshua 1). If we know the Word of God and continue in it, we will know how to conduct ourselves, what to think about, and what to reject. As we study God’s Word, we are becoming more equipped to defeat any thought contrary to God’s Word, and a Godly life will become infused into our souls. We don’t have to act, we just need to be (AMEN TO THAT)
Psalms 119:10-11
With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Our role is to hide God’s Word in our hearts and minds. Unfortunately, too many have not done this, and we eat the donuts.
This is a recap from two Vida’s ago.
Now, picking up from the last Vida… God’s dialogue with Solomon.
2 Chronicles 1:12
Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.
Would we not want God to say this to us? What did Solomon say to God for God to say this to him? It’s such a huge blessing. Most of us can handle adversity much better than blessings. The expression that the younger generation uses when something is super active, for example, your cell phone, instead of saying what I usually say, “It’s ringing off the hook,” they say, “Your cell phone is blowing up.” Well, that happens to us when we seek and receive the blessing without the character to support it.
Like people who win the lottery, they didn’t work for the money, so they mismanaged it. Like the prodigal son, he spent all his inheritance that took his father his lifetime to develop, and within a short period, he was broke. He had not worked for it and hence had no character to support or appreciate it. He was reduced from a son of wealth to a slave feeding pigs for a gentile man (which shows that he was living outside of Israel and how far he had decreased. Pigs were forbidden in Jewish culture.)
Just like the prodigal, we “blow up” like a balloon with the air of pride when a blessing comes our way. We take the credit for ourselves, becoming prideful and fail to be grateful. God often allows this to test us and show us what is in our hearts. Failing to acknowledge that this blessing God has bestowed on me was for me to bestow on others and not just on myself. Having this mindset keeps us from “blowing up.” We are [stewards] of His blessings, not owners.
Without proper character development, which God seeks through trials, we will instinctively take ownership of God’s blessings. We will lose intimacy with Him as we allow pride to invade our hearts, making us “secular Christians,” which many of us are, wanting Christ (so we think) and the world. If you are in this position or want to be sure you’re not, read Revelation 3:13-20. It will open your heart and eyes to the trap that awaits each of us. It changed me in my early Christian life.
Revelation 3:15&16
I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich (it doesn’t take much for some people to feel they do not need the Lord). I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked (God’s view of us; our pride blinds us to the sin that controls us [pride, sin and I have what letter in common?])
Back to Solomon. So, what was the prayer he prayed? It was a prayer that came from his deepest being.
2 Chronicles 1:9-12
Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude (God’s promise to Abraham fulfilled).
Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people (this is an expression for proper leadership )for who can judge this — thy people, that is so great?
And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart,(the purpose of trials is to bring out what is in our heart) and thou hast not asked for riches, wealth, or honor, nor — the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge — my people, over whom I have made thee king (or a husband, dad, wife, mother, manager etc).
Therefore, wisdom and knowledge are granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.
King David’s life (his father) profoundly affected Solomon and put him on the right track. Unfortunately, in Solomon’s later years, he departed from it and lost his fear/respect of God. This is a severe caution; many start well but finish poorly (how will you or I finish?) Just studying the Kings in the Old Testament, many fell into paganism. We must never allow ourselves to escape the Word of God, for it teaches us always to fear God.
Most of the time, what is in our hearts is self-serving. It becomes most apparent in times of testing. Bad attitudes, impatience, selfishness, etc., all rise to the surface in the heat of a trial, as gold being purified and all the inferior minerals being lighter rise to the surface. Likewise, our sinful nature rises to the surface, being inferior to God’s righteous nature, and we become angry, foul-mouthed, loud, self-serving, bitter, etc., as things do not go our way. Upon seeing that, we have a decision to make. We can own our bad attitudes, stop blaming others, and confess it to the Lord, at which point God will forgive us and begin the process of cleansing our hearts, or we can ignore it and justify it and continue down this road for as long as we like. We will make ourselves and those around us miserable. It’s our choice.
When we confess our sins and humble ourselves before God, God’s method is straightforward. A repentant heart combined with God’s Word defeats mountains of sin in our lives. For example, say anger is one of our problems; in James 1:19-21, it would be only one of many scriptures to memorize, asking the Holy Spirit to apply this truth to our hearts until we see victory in this area (google Bible verses on anger).
James 1:19-21
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore, put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted (be grafted) word that can save your souls.
Now, back to our question: what did Solomon say to The Lord for the Lord to respond as such? Solomon’s request is a great prayer, for it is entirely selfless, genuinely seeking God’s honor (a key to a good prayer). As mothers or fathers, we could pray this prayer for raising our children or grandchildren correctly, even including our work: “Help me to work in such a way that I honor You, Lord.” As a boss, manager, or lead person, to pray a prayer similar to that in my managing and dealing with people, I would honor The Lord. It would be such a remarkable prayer. We don’t have to be a King to seek to rule, manage, and raise kids so that God is honored.
Solomon felt overwhelmed by his duty (the fear of God causes you to want to do the task at hand in an excellent way), and it causes you to see your limitations. Therefore, the intelligent thing to do is humbly request The Lord’s help. Solomon requested help from the God of his father (the importance of a godly example cannot be underestimated). It is an excellent place to be with God when we feel overwhelmed, though it is very uncomfortable. Our prayers will not be casual; they will be intentional and earnest, coming from the depths of our hearts.
The real me and the real you. Solomon’s prayer was just that. On a practical level, here’s an example of a prayer; “God, would You be honored as I deal with my boss or as I deal with my ex., or my child’s teacher, or a fellow employee, or help me to steward my finances in a way that honors You (2 Cor. 9:11-13) and give as You have asked me to do (remember disobedience in our finances affects the rest of our life with Him. How can He trust us with measures of anointing if we cannot trust Him with our finances). Would people not just see a man or a woman that speaks religion but carries the [presence of the Holy Spirit in them]?
If this becomes our prayers and the motive for our study, the armor of the spirit and the gifts that come with being God’s child will be impactful and valuable. Knowing that we are stewards of His gifts and not owners makes us more careful to honor God. God’s Word in us keeps developing our character to handle current and future blessings and challenges. The Word causes us to value the Giver of the gifts, and not the gifts themselves. And the Word also allows us to develop in humility, causing me to think Big of God and small of myself. The most crucial characteristic period; also the least prayed for. However, there is not a man or woman extensively used by God who does not possess this. Look at all the men and women from history who were ambassadors for God; they all possessed humility and valued it above all else, and those who lost sight of it fell.
For without humility, intimacy with God will be alluded to. Further progression into the Heart of God is unattainable, but with it, there is no limit to how close we can become. As we mature, it is no longer an option to seek Him or not, but as one who has become desperate for His presence and love, we seek Him. For example, being blamed for the death of my brother would have destroyed me if there was not a foundation of God in my life. Where would I have gone to escape such a pain that you cannot outgrow or outrun? To a bar, drinking to escape the pain, or drugs, or how many divorces would I have had by now? I have been married to Lisa for 43 years, and I’ve never drunk
or had an interest in doing drugs. There is no need or interest in blurring the lines, preventing me from hearing God’s voice, not even for a night. The pain that could have ruined me has only made me seek Christ more intently.
If you struggle with trauma of any kind, would you please heed my words and stop blaming God for your tragic event? This world is not His, so we experience the pain that a fallen world has. He cries with us, but He has done so much more other than cry with us. He has redeemed us from what the effect of the pain could have had on us, using the pain to make us stronger. Then, we use pain to allow us to reach others. Know that none of us has experienced the pain He went through for us, not only the weight of all sin but the absolute separation from His Father, “My God (not Father) My God, why have You forsaken me (Matt.27:43). Such a pain, that it killed Him. Continued bitterness or blame only keeps you from being free and filled with His love and hope. You may not understand the incidents in your life yet, but I have come to know Him as my most intimate friend because of my pain. We can let the pain drive us to Him or from Him; it’s up to us. Getting this right frees you and me and means I can offer Him to others as I do with Vida. You, too, can bless others if you get victory over your pain.
Trials prove the genuineness of our faith (1 Peter 4:12-14)
Before we blame Him for our pain, look to His Cross and see the pain He underwent to redeem us from this temporal life, to make us right with our Heavenly Father for [Eternity & 1Peter 3:18) . If we do this, there is no way pity can govern us or put a wedge between us and God. As He meets us in our desperate times, we become marked by His love and experience His faithfulness. He becomes part of our story, and we become part of His.
Okay, let’s discuss our shield of faith before closing.
Hebrews 11:1 “By Faith”
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (that’s exactly what Abraham did. He believed he would have a son, though Sarah was not pregnant and very old.
Romans 4:19-21
And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb:
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
He was being fully persuaded that what he had promised, he could also perform.
Why is Faith likened to our shield and breastplate( though the breastplate in Ephesians is our righteousness, righteousness comes from faith)? Both armors, the shield, and the breastplate, protected the soldier from fiery arrows, spears, swords, etc. And what protects us from our “arrows.” The trials and difficulties are the circumstances the enemy uses to discourage and whisper to us that God does not care. He wants to lure us into doubt and distrust. If we believe, the doubt pulls us away from God, which is his intent to defeat us. The wolf always seeks to separate a lamb away from the flock; therefore, the more we know of God’s promises and His character, the better equipped we will be to quench satan’s lies and navigate the difficult times of our lives.
So all this works, our armor, walking by faith, trusting, etc., or falls apart if we are not in God’s Word. It is the foundation for all the armor. Not great sermons, though they are accommodating, no doubt, and not Christian friends, though without them life would be very hard, but time spent between you and the Lord, alone; allowing Him to speak to your heart through His Word (the great messages or godly friends support or clarify God’s teaching). That is what Jesus meant by a Wise Builder (Matthew 7). He who hears the Words of Righteousness and applies them to his life will stand against the winds and the waves of life.
1 Thessalonians 5:8
But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.
In ending, the shield of faith and the breastplate of righteousness grow and develop in us as we spend time knowing the Lord. It is not hard to have faith in someone if you know them; the more intimately you know them, the easier it is to trust them. Life then isn’t so hard because you know and trust the person from whom you seek help. Amen
Father,
Thank you for this study. Help us to understand that it was only when Mary broke the alabaster jar that the costly aroma came out and filled the room. You want your aroma in us to INFUSE US and come out to the people around us, in our family, at work, wherever our life takes us; so, let us be willing to go through the harrowing trials, for in doing so, we grow closer to You and become a more helpful vessel in your hands. Thank you, and Amen.
“Broken bread feeds the multitude, bread that stays whole feeds only one, ourselves.”
Your son by Grace,
Arthur
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Arthur NavarretteVida4U.com is the website where all past Vida’s are archived. In addition to the weekly devotionals, the yearly inspirational writings featured in December’s House2Home Magazine are archived under “Faith Talk.” Please use this site for your benefit and refer your friends to it as well. If they would like the weekly series emailed to them, they can send their requests to Arthur@Vida4U.com.
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