War is a terrible thing. It has caused the deaths of millions, and forever separates us. Albert Einstein was reported to say, “The release of atom power has changed everything except our way of thinking… the solution to this problem lies in the heart of mankind. If only I had known, I should have become a watchmaker.” The bomb has not changed the hearts of man. The millions of lives lost has not changed the hearts of man. So what can change the heart of man?

THE AMAZING GOD!  More powerful than the atom bomb is the word of God. It has the power to change thinking (Rom. 12:2), the power to change man’s heart (Ezek. 36:26) and the power to save souls (1 Cor. 1:18, Rom 1:16).

And “…I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Rom. 1:16). Not only that but the Word that came down from heaven to walk with man, by His word, made the blind to see, the lame to walk, the lepers were cleansed, the deaf could hear, and the dead were raised up to life… 

Remember Paul said, “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” (Eph. 6.13). By saying the whole armor—Paul is telling us that every part of the armor is necessary if we want to with the battles against the devil and his schemes. Last week we learned about the first part of the armor were Paul said, “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth…” (v.14), which begins with learning objective truth via the word of truth—God’s breathed word. But knowing the truth in not enough—there is more and today we’ll examine the second piece of armor we must take up—which is “…the breastplate of righteousness”. Righteousness is necessary for this fight—but what is the righteousness Paul is speaking of here? Is it our own righteousness, is it the righteousness related to our salvation, our sanctification? Or, the righteous manner in which we are commanded to live out our daily lives? 

During His earthly ministry, Jesus astonished the people with His teaching. He astonished them in the synagogues (Mark 1:21-22; Mark 6:2). The question might be raised, “Did Jesus have the authority to speak this way?” He may have taught with authority, but was it His right to do so? Should we, who read that which He taught, give heed to obey what He said?
In this study, we shall review the authority that Jesus has, beginning with THE INHERENT RIGHT OF JESUS’ AUTHORITY BY VIRTUE OF BEING THE CREATOR. All things were made through Him…

Paul wrote, “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth…” (Ephesians 6:14a). What then is truth? Your preacher is not truth, your pastor is not truth, you priest is not truth, your family, friends and co-workers are not truth. So, what is truth?  God is truth. Moses describes Yahweh saying: “He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He” (Deut. 32:4). God’s word is truth according to Jesus who said prayed to the Father, “Sanctify[a] them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17). 

The psalmist wrote, “…His faithfulness will be a protective shield” (Psalm 91:4 CSB).

In my younger years I had few friends, in fact I was a “One friend” guy. As a result all the kids when they would have birthday parties, pool parties, or get togethers. I was never invited. I joined the Boy Scouts at 10 years old and found some friends their, but soon my father…

Paul teaches us about what we all need to be victorious in Christ—and against the devil. In order for that to happen we must, Put On the Whole Armor of God. He begins by teaching us where the source of our strength comes from…

Our Strength Is In The Lord – “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Eph. 6:10). Paul is saying if you expect to win the battle for your soul—you will need the strength and power and might that – isn’t found in yourself. Your adversary the Devil is walking about like a roaring lion—and seeks to devour your soul.

it is amazing that these words were pend by the apostle who all throughout his ministry suffered at the hands of the Jews. Yes, indeed it was our beloved Paul in the midst of persistent strong persecutions and at the same time was inspired to write the book of Philippians.
As Paul records it he suffered oppression from civil government, interference from his own countrymen, and jealousy from some of his own brethren.
How did this beat up, tired and rejected saint ever find reason to rejoice while under such hardship?
The answer in not in the question how, but in whom. Paul’s answer is found in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Paul understood where joy comes from as he spoke to the saints in Thessalonica saying, “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.” (1Thess. 2:19:20).

Joy is directly a result of serving God in spirit and truth and knowing that we are in Him, and always in His presence. Happiness, peacefulness, and contentment are conditions that come from knowing and serving God.

Today we all have the one same Master, our great God in heaven, and to Him we must be walking worthy which means as employees we work worthy as if we are working for the Lord, because we are. As owners, managers you too must oversee in a worthy manner, as to the Lord, because you are. 

Most people I meet on a daily basis I talk to about the God of the Bible. It is astonishing how many don’t know God, yet profess to believe in Him, and proclaim loudly of their own, “personal” salvation experience. 

Fact is that few religious, “Christian” people know much of anything about the word of the Lord. But, what amazes me all the time, are the people I meet who don’t believe the Bible is inspired at all. Don’t believe the Bible is true and valuable. What is astounding is that of the overwhelming majority who take an “atheistic”, or “agnostic” stance on the subject of faith, and the Bible, most are totally or nearly totally ignorant concerning the Bible, what is actually says, and proofs of its authenticity, and accuracy that are found within its pages. Proofs also external to the Bible are never examined by these hard core “anti religious” people. How can a reasonable person say they don’t believe in something of which they have never studied?  The answer is simple, they have been taught not to believe it. 

That is why I would give them a little sympathy on one point, because they have been raised to say no to faith, and to believe that Bible teaching is just myth and foolishness and to be disregarded, replaced of course by factual science. And before you make the argument that, “Well, the same is true about religious people, they were all raised to believe the Bible is true and science must have second place to faith”. know this, I was raised to believe the latter that the Bible is the one book man should destroy. 

There are many reasons that I don’t think that way any more. I’d like to share just a few with you here…

“The Family Walk” Paul focuses on how children are to walk as members of the family. Remember Christ set before our eyes the beauty of submission. We saw in Jesus the incredible glory of self-sacrifice in John 12:12-26. Paul teaches us in theses 4 verses how submission works with children and their fathers. Paul begins at verse 1 with “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” (Eph. 6:1).

First, let me point out why this lesson is universally important to all of us—and the reason is that for certain we all are children—we all have or had parents. Secondly, as mentioned in our last lesson, this too is clear evidence that God cares a lot about what goes on in our homes. This first verse plainly teaches all children in order to walk worth of your calling you must obey your parents…