Daily Reminders #22

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Psalm 23

Photo Credit:
http://raykliu.wordpress.com/2011/11/20/guarding-the-flock-shepherd-and-sheep-5/

Do not be Afraid

From six calamities he will rescue you; in seven no harm will touch you. In famine he will deliver you from death, and in battle from the stroke of the sword. You will be protected from the lash of the tongue, and need not fear when destruction comes. You will laugh at destruction and famine, and need not fear the wild animals.
Job 5:19-22

The bible's #1 command is "fear not," but we all do fear many times in our life, even though God has proved himself time and time again in the bible. But God still reminds us to fear not all the time. There were many people in the bible who God reminded to have faith in him.

God told Abraham "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield" (Genesis 15:1)
God said to Isaac "I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you" (Genesis 26:24)
God told Jacob "I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go" (Genesis 28:15)
God said to Moses ""My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."" (Genesis 33:14)
God told Elijah "do not be afraid of him" (2 King 1:15)
God said to Jeremiah "Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you" (Jeremiah 1:8)

But seriously, why do fear?

1. We don't believe in God's Sovereignty
Fear is not always rational. Most of the time, fear is based off of what may or may not happen. Fear can give you the impression that your know and see all. Fear can create an image were your are god. Trusting in God, who knows the future, is much better than trusting in our own understanding.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7

2. We create our own vision instead of seeking God's
We when are fearful of what we imagine the future might hold, we are imagining a future without God. We are seeing a future that God is not in.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

3. We are often false prophets
A false prophet is someone who makes incorrect prediction about the future. Fear is making a prediction that will most-likely not happen.

Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
Luke 12:22-26

4. We follow false gospels
Fear is when we try to control our life, instead of allowing God to do it.

Fear can seem impossible to overcome, but with God's help, all things are possible.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9
-Ruth

Sources:
http://pastormark.tv/2012/05/09/4-reasons-why-we-fear

Photo Credit:
http://goodnewsgreatjoy.blogspot.com/2011/08/take-courage-it-is-i-do-not-be-afraid.html

Micah: Who is Like God? (Part 7)

In the last days the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and peoples will stream to it.
Micah 4:1

This refers to a temple in Jerusalem, the 3rd temple. "The last days" refers to before the events in revelation. Since the third temple has yet to be built, Micah is making a prediction that's waiting to be fulfilled. Ezekiel 40 describes the physical appearance of the temple, but Micah describes something different.

Many nations will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.
Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the LORD Almighty has spoken. All the nations may walk in the name of their gods, but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.
Micah 4:2-5

Micah means "Who is Like God?" and this helps when your look for what Micah means.
In the old testament, the temple was how God communicated with his people. You need to sacrifice at the temple to have your sins forgiven.
Once Jesus died on the cross, there was no need for the temple and it was destroyed in a later invasion of Israel.
But what we see is the temple coming back and we see what happens when the temple is rebuilt.
Who is like God?
God has chosen to reveal himself to his people by a third temple.

for the LORD Almighty has spoken.

"In that day," declares the LORD, "I will gather the lame; I will assemble the exiles and those I have brought to grief. I will make the lame my remnant, those driven away a strong nation. The LORD will rule over them in Mount Zion from that day and forever. As for you, watchtower of the flock, stronghold of Daughter Zion, the former dominion will be restored to you; kingship will come to Daughter Jerusalem." Why do you now cry aloud— have you no king? Has your ruler perished, that pain seizes you like that of a woman in labor? Writhe in agony, Daughter Zion, like a woman in labor, for now you must leave the city to camp in the open field. You will go to Babylon; there you will be rescued. There the LORD will redeem you out of the hand of your enemies.
Micah 4:6-10

Who is like God?
Only God can keep a perfect balance between justice and mercy.
God punishes his people, but he also promises to gather them back together.

But now many nations are gathered against you. They say, "Let her be defiled, let our eyes gloat over Zion!" But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD; they do not understand his plan, that he has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor.
Micah 4:11-12

This prophecy is already starting to be fulfilled. Nations have always been rising up against Israel. More modern examples would be Hilter and conflicts with Egypt, Jordan,Syria, and Iraq.

"Rise and thresh, Daughter Zion, for I will give you horns of iron; I will give you hooves of bronze, and you will break to pieces many nations." You will devote their ill-gotten gains to the LORD, their wealth to the Lord of all the earth.
Micah 4:13

Who is like God?
God still helps his people, despite the many times they've turned their backs on him. God will bring them victory, allowing them to destroy many nations. Who is like God?

Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven and said: "LORD, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way.
1 Kings 8:22-23

-Ruth

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Photo Credit:
http://eschatologytoday.blogspot.com/2009/11/school-to-prepare-for-rebuilt-temple.html

The Armor of God

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.
Ephesians 6:10-11

I have read through Ephesians many times and I have covered it with highlighter, but Paul's last statements have to be my favorite. This conclusion is like most, it gives you the takeaway. Paul tells us if we remember nothing else, we should remember to be strong in the Lord.

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:12-17

The conclusion of Ephesians is packed with information. It's easy to lose sight of Paul's purpose of in writing this.

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

Our war is not against people, this world, or anything we can see...it's against Satan and his demons. With that in mind, let's look at how to fight the devil

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,

What was the purpose of the belt?
The belt is very important, it holds your scabbard and any of your weapons. If you forget your belt, you would also leave behind your weapon.

with the breastplate of righteousness in place,

What was the purpose of the breastplate?
The breastplate protects vital organs such as the heart and lungs. Without a breastplate, any attack could become fatal, but with a firm breastplate, those same attacks can be ineffective.

and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

What was the purpose of the shoes?
A soldier needs shoes. Battle can create debris. Even pebbles and twigs can be painful to the barefoot.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

What was the purpose of the shield?
Shields in the Roman army were three and a half feet tall and nearly three feet wide. This would offer a lot of protection from enemies.

Take the helmet of salvation

What was the purpose of the helmet?
The helmet protects the head from attacks

and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

What was the purpose of the sword?
The sword is the only thing Paul lists that can be used offensively. Without a sword, we are just well-armored moving targets.

The bible is the only offensive weapon given to us. That is why it is vital to use the bible when you trying to convert a nonchristian. You must fight for people with your sword, armor in place.

-Ruth

Sources
http://www.freebiblestudyguides.org/bible-teachings/armor-of-god-belt-of-truth.htm
http://www.freebiblestudyguides.org/bible-teachings/armor-of-god-breasplate-of-righteousness.htm
http://www.freebiblestudyguides.org/bible-teachings/armor-of-god-shoes-of-preparation-gospel-of-peace.htm
http://www.freebiblestudyguides.org/bible-teachings/armor-of-god-shield-of-faith.htm
http://www.freebiblestudyguides.org/bible-teachings/armor-of-god-helmet-of-salvation.htm
http://www.freebiblestudyguides.org/bible-teachings/armor-of-god-sword-of-spirit-word.htm

Photo Credit:
http://bloggingwithjames.jamesduncan-writer.net/2011/09/27/warriors-in-armor/