Sacrificial Love | Thankful Thursday

The LORD impressed on my heart to carve out a section of my blog to share what I am thankful for. I started it on a Thursday and decided to call it "Thankful Thursday." Each week I share what I am thankful for. Come back each week so we can count our blessings together.

Hello friends!

Welcome back to another Thankful Thursday post! It is already Thursday; my, how time flies! I have prayed for God to give me direction for what He wants me to do on my blog each week. I sensed He was wanting me to share how I creatively journal my faith. I wasn't sure how that would fit in to a Bible study Wednesday, Thankful Thursday, or Fuel For The Weekend post. I continued to pray and I sensed God leading me to be creative with how I share what I am thankful for. The projects will evolve and sometimes I will have a tutorial, like today, and other times it will just be a project share for inspiration. I hope you like the new direction Thankful Thursdays is going.

I want to continue to put the emphasis on my blessings and not on the products I use to create projects. My focus is on God and while I have proved you can be thankful without a project, I am excited for this new path He is leading me on. I have been a paper crafter for over two decades and I have taught many scrapbooking, card making, and paper crafting classes in those years. I taught small children, tweens and teens, adults, women's groups, youth groups, children's church, Sunday school, taught in a brick and mortar scrapbook store and even hosted events in my home. I love having a creative outlet to express my faith and I am so thankful our God, the great Creator, has allowed me to share these projects with others.

I got a new Bible from Faith Heirlooms and it is so cute! It is covered with strawberry fabric and has an adorable bow on the side. It is micro size and I love anything tiny! I quickly made a prayer journaling card to put in my Bible and I want to show you how I did it. It is very simple and one of the easiest designs to get started for those who enjoy paper crafts but may not know where to get started.

Let's take a look at my new micro size Bible. It is in New Living Translation (NLT). My favorite translation is KJV, but I do like reading other translations as a part of my personal Bible study time. It helps me when I read the same passage of Scripture from various other translations.

Isn't this Bible so sweet? I love, love, love strawberries so this was the one I knew I wanted as soon as I saw the pattern, but they had many other beautiful fabric covered Bibles to choose from. 

To make the prayer journaling card, I chose a piece of kraft colored card stock by a brand called Echo Park. It was on sale at JoAnn so I was able to get a pack of 50 sheets for only $2.50. I cut my piece of card stock to measure two and a half inches wide by four and a quarter inches tall. The size you want to make will depend on the size of your Bible, or your preference. These measurements are what worked for my tiny Bible.

The next piece I cut was Bazzill card stock in the color Ballet. It has texture on this paper with raised dots. I really like this patterned paper and how the pink pops against the neutral card base. This piece will go along the bottom so it measures two and half inches across by 5/8" tall. If I was in my own home right now and had access to my inks and daubers I would have inked the edges and that gives it a nice dimension without adding any bulk.

I used a tape runner I purchased from Walmart to adhere the Ballet pink card stock to the kraft colored card stock. It is inexpensive and easy to use. The brand I am using here is called AdTech. You can use a coupon to get this adhesive at big box stores, but I found the best price at Walmart.

I placed the Bazzill card stock just a short distance from the bottom of the kraft card stock. You can eye ball how far up you want it to be. I preferred not to have the pink piece flush with the bottom of the card, but it is up to you if you choose to make one of these cards.

When stickers come on a clear backing sheet, you can easily see which size sticker to choose, as well as where you want to place it before sticking it down. Some stickers peel back up easily but others will tear your paper. These self-adhesive gem stones came in a package for one dollar at the Dollar General.

I decided to use two of the smallest sized light pink hearts flanking a middle sized silver/clear heart gem. I like how they look together on the pink strip. You can choose to skip these gem stones if you prefer to have a flat card. It doesn't bother me to have bulk on the cards. It makes my Bible chunk up, but I don't mind. If you like these gem stones but don't want to have the bulk in your Bible, you can keep these cards in a little envelope or pouch.

I have enjoyed this alphabet sticker book so much. I believe I got it from Michael's in the Recollections line but I am not sure. There are so many different sizes and types of fonts to choose from in this sticker book. It is so fun to make titles with these stickers.

I used the alphabet stickers to spell out ROMANS and the numbers 5 and 8 for the scripture reference. I had a bow header sticker from NashsPrintWork and I like how the silver bow looks just below the alphabet stickers.

I thought it would be cute to a put another gem stone heart in the center of the bow. It ties in with the three heart gemstones on the bottom of the card. And I like using them because they are so cute! Again, if you want a flat project, you can skip the sticky gems. The bow header is cute with or without the gems.

I wrote a short prayer on the back of the card. I used a new white pen that I picked up recently. I am not sure where I got it, but I am not a huge fan of this white pen. My favorite white pen to use is a UniBall Signo Gel Pen. It is so smooth and bright. This was bright enough to read but it skipped a lot and that's something I didn't experience much, if at all, from the UniBall Signo Gel Pens. Do you have a favorite white gel pen? Do you find your white gel pens skip, too? It definitely depends on what type of paper you write on that determines how much skipping it will do. I may try it on a smoother paper and see how it works.

To make this card stand out in my Bible, I decided to use an Avery tab on the back. The sticky part is see-through so it doesn't interfere with my writing. I love the shattered glass look. This is one design in a set of three. I purchased a pack of three at Walmart in the office supplies aisle. Have you tried these tabs yet? I have some in my main Bible. I love the different colors it picks up as the light hits it. It's so pretty!

I recommend to do any writing before sticking on the bulkier accessories. It just makes it easier to write, especially the prayer on the back. Since this Bible is NLT, I decided to write the scripture on this card using the NLT translation. It is Romans 5:8 "But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." Isn't that an amazing fact? You are so loved, and I am so loved, that God sent Jesus, His only Son, to die for our sins while we were still in sin. We did not love Him yet. We did not know Him yet. And that is the heart of God. He loves us that much!

Look at that top tab sparkle! It's so pretty! Don't forget to date your card somewhere so you can look back later and see your style change or progress. It is also great to look back and remember what you studied. If the goal is to use these as memory cards it would be fun to see if in a few months you can remember the verses, maybe quiz your family or friends.

I had a hard time writing on this card stock. I didn't like the way the white gel pen was working. I tried my ultra fine tip Sharpie pen and it was going out on me. The tip was nearly gone. So I had a fine point Sharpie pen and it would have been okay but I don't like the different tip sizes. But the point is I still wrote out the Scripture, reflected on it, thought about it, and so this card did what it was supposed to do, help me draw closer to God through my creative process of journaling. Doesn't it look so cute nestled in the pages of my micro sized Bible? I love it!

Here is a top view of the shattered glass Avery tab peeking out of the top of my Bible. If you prefer not to see your journaling cards sticking out of the top of your Bible, just leave the tab off and make sure you measure your Bible pages so you can cut the card base smaller than the pages of your Bible. I love having mine stick out so I am pleased with how that looks.

I like how this is already starting to get chunky. If I had used flat embellishments it wouldn't look like this, but it's so cute to me. I am excited to make tons and tons of journaling cards. The only drawback for this Bible is that it only includes the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. But it is just for me to have fun creating prayer/journaling/Scripture writing cards so I don't mind that it is not the full Bible. I would love to have a full Bible in the micro size though because I love it!

One last look at the tab. Those tabs are gorgeous and I love how the colors change depending on how the light hits it.

I am not getting paid or sponsored to share these tutorials. It is just a fun way for me to share my faith in a creative way. I make these projects anyway so I am happy to share on my blog how you can do this too. If you make any of these cards let me know in the comments below or tag me on Instagram @BridgettOwens78 and I will check it out.

So, in conclusion, this Thankful Thursday I am grateful for Romans 5:8, a sacrificial love that was not reciprocated until I encountered Jesus for myself. I am so thankful that while I was still in sin Jesus Christ died for me. He didn't just die for me, though. He rose on that third day and now sits on the right hand of the Father. He didn't just die for me, and rise again for me, but He is also coming back for me and all of you who are waiting on His triumphant return!

I pray that something I have shared today has been strength for your journey and light for your way! God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens

Obadiah God's Judgment | Wednesday Bible Study

Welcome back to another Bible study Wednesday! Today I would like to study the book of Obadiah. It is one of the minor prophets in the Old Testament. It is one chapter with only 21 verses. It takes up a page and small part of another page in my compact Bible. I would love for you to join me as we look at this book together. Let's pray.

Heavenly Father, we come before You now asking for You to impart to us Godly wisdom. We do not know everything and when it comes to the Holy text we can only know what You reveal to us with Holy Spirit. Please open our spiritual ears and spiritual eyes to hear and see what great mysteries You want to open up to us. Please prepare our hearts to receive this message and the goodness that is only found in Your Word. Help us to apply this wisdom to our lives. God transform us with this message today and help us share it with others.Thank You, Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen

Obadiah is the tiny book after Amos and just before Jonah. Sandwiched between these small books is a message for us that we need today. So, as usual, I would like to share what my Bible has to say about the book of Obadiah.

The Book of OBADIAH: A struggle that began in the womb between twin brothers, Esau and Jacob, eventuates in a struggle between their respective descendants, the Edomites and the Israelites. For the Edomites' stubborn refusal to aid Israel, first during the time of wilderness wandering (Numbers 20:14-21) and later during a time of invasion, they are roundly condemned by Obadiah. This little-known prophet describes their crimes, tries their case, and pronounces their judgment: total destruction. The Hebrew name Obadyah means "Worshiper of Yahweh" or "Servant of Yahweh." The Greek title in the Septuagint is Obdiou, and the Latin title in the Vulgate is Abdias.

Obadiah is a prophet we know little about. He has one job: to announce the war God has waged against the Edomite people, the descendants of Esau, because of the wicked way they dealt with the nation of Israel, the descendants of Jacob. Before we discuss the message Obadiah has for the Edomites, let's first get a background on who we are talking about and what has happened to cause God to become so angry.

Jacob and Esau were twin brothers born to Isaac and Rebekah. The sibling rivalry began before they were born. Rebekah felt the struggle within her womb. Let's pick the story up in Genesis 25:22-26.

GENESIS 25:22-26 (22)And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD. (23)And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. (24)And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold. there were twins in her womb. (25)And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau. (26)And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel: and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.

The boys grew up and Esau was a skilled hunter and the outdoorsy type. Jacob was a quiet type, preferring to stay indoors. As God had said these boys were twins but the brothers were very different with unique personalities. The nations that would come from these two men would be like them. The sibling rivalry began in the womb but continued long after the brothers died. 

The birthright was very important because it was a sign of leadership. Once Isaac had passed away, the one who had the birthright would be the head of the house, a spiritual leader. This was a privilege to be prized but Esau did not care about his birthright. He sold his birthright to his younger brother Jacob for red pottage. After he got his strength back from the food his younger brother fixed him, he despised his birthright. He was not sad. He did not mourn it. He was angry that he let Jacob have it, but it meant nothing of importance to him. It was very significant to Jacob. No doubt Rebekah told Jacob, (her favorite son), that God said Esau would serve Jacob.

You may recall Rebekah convinced Jacob to claim Esau's blessing. While Esau was out hunting the game that his father requested Rebekah conspired a plan that would cause the younger to claim the elder's blessing. This blessing was prophetic in that it would dictate their futures. Once Esau and his father learned they had been deceived, Esau threatened to kill Jacob. The whole catastrophe ended with Rebekah sending Jacob to her brother, Laban's house so Esau would not kill him. Years would pass before the brothers reconnected, and although Jacob and Esau forgave one another in time, they never fully buried the hatchet, and the rivalry continued in the two nations of their descendants.

MALACHI 1:1-4 (1)The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. (2)I have love you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein has Thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I have loved Jacob, (3)And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness. (4)Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down: and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever.

We read in Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament before God is silent for 400 years, that God loved Jacob but hated Esau. We may think that sounds unfair and harsh. Why would God favor Jacob and not love them both? Isn't God loving? Yes, God is loving. He hates Esau, and his descendants, the nation of Edom, because of the way they treated the Israelites. One of many instances was in Numbers 20:14-21. Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom saying, Hey brother, you know the hardships we have had, how our fathers went down to Egypt and we were in slavery a long time, and the vexation was so great we cried to the LORD and He heard us and sent an angel to bring us out of there. Now, we are trying to get past you guys in our travels, but we don't want anything from you. We just want permission to take the King's Highway to go across your property. And Edom said, Absolutely not unless you want to fight! They said, If you just let us go through, we will pay for any water our cattle drink, but we just need to get through on foot. The answer came again, they were not allowed to go through and the king even decided to flex some muscle, and brought out the military they were so proud of. Edom refused to give Israel passage  through his border and so Israel turned around and left.

You might wonder why they didn't fight Edom. Why didn't they let God show them who was boss? God would not let them. Let's go to Deuteronomy 2:1-8. Moses recounts that after going around Mount Seir many days, God told him to switch direction and go north. When God leads us in a specific direction He often gives us instructions. This time was no different. He told Moses to command the people to pass through the territory of their family, Esau's children's land. "They live in Seir and they will be afraid of you, so be careful. Don't meddle with them because I gave Esau the land of Mt. Seir to possess it. You will pay money for anything you eat or drink. Because the LORD God has blessed you and in 40 years God has been with you and you didn't want for anything." So they did not quarrel with the king of Edom and they did not fight. God told them not to and they obeyed. The decision of Edom to prevent the children of Israel from passing is not going unnoticed by God. The response of the children of Israel is noted as well. God will pay Edom back for this and much more as we read through Obadiah together. As we can see, something has angered God very much, to the point He is going to destroy the Edomites from off the face of the earth.

JEREMIAH 49:7-10 (7)Concerning Edom, thus saith the LORD of hosts: Is wisdom no more in Teman? is counsel perished from the prudent? is their wisdom vanished? (8)Flee ye, turn back, dwell deep, O inhabitants of Dedan; for I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him, the time that I will visit him. (9)If grapegatherers come to thee, would they not leave some gleaning grapes? if thieves by night, they will destroy till they have enough. (10)But I have made Esau bare, I have uncovered his secret places, and he shall not be able to hide himself: his seed is spoiled, and his brethren, and his neighbours, and he is not.

Verse 1

God declares war on the nation of Esau. Can we just sit here in this verse for a moment? The nation of Edom has the same attitude and characteristics of their forefather, Esau. They are arrogant, self-absorbed, prideful, and haughty. They care not for the things of God or His people. God says, "This means war!" That should put fear in the hearts of anyone on the other end of that statement!

Verse 2

He tells the nation of Edom that He made them small and greatly despised among the nations; just the opposite of how they perceived themselves. This is a huge insult. They had a lofty spirit. They were proud and puffed up.

Verse 3

It is time to pay for what had been done. But why? What would cause God to be so angry with Edom? What was the great sin that stirred God so much He declared war? It was pride. A prideful heart was one strike against this nation that thought nothing was going to bring them down. Their city matched their inflated ego. They built the capitol city up in the clefts of the rocks; up high where eagles fly and nest. They had the audacity to say no one could bring them down! This nation believed defeat was for their opponents because they couldn't lose!

JAMES 4:5-7 (5)Do ye think that the Scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? (6)But He giveth more grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. (7)Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Verse 4

God says even though they have exalted themselves up with eagles and settled in among the stars, they had a false sense of security. They are arrogant and think they are not vulnerable to attack. The next strike against them is they relied on themselves and their own security instead of leaning on God. He said He would pull them down from the safe perch they were on and bring them down to the ground. 

Whoa! That is a scary statement! I want us to really check our hearts here. Are there things in our lives that cause us to have a false sense of security? A new job? Our bank account? Our friendships? Our ministries? We need to check ourselves and make sure we don't start building nests with the eagles and among stars. We shouldn't be so high-minded that we think that we are untouchable. God is the only one to be elevated in our lives! What are we leaning on? Is it the Rock of Jesus Christ?

ROMANS 12:3 "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."

MATTHEW 22:36-40 (36)Master, which is the great commandment in the law? (37)Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. (38)This is the first and great commandment. (39)And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (40)On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

We read that the Edomite nation did not love God with all their heart, all their soul, and all their mind, and they completely disregarded the second commandment to love their neighbors. Israel was their relatives! It was not just a nation they knew about. Jacob and Esau grew up together. They were not just brothers, they were twin brothers, but the animosity that grew between these two men from the womb, continued generations later and the way the Edomites treated God's children set God's anger ablaze!

Verse 5 & 6

Obadiah says that if thieves came to steal, they would plunder until they had all they wanted, but there might be something left. If the ones that gather grapes came, they would not take every single grape. But, the implication here is that the judgment of God would leave them with nothing remaining and to this day there is no remnant of Esau left on the earth. God's judgments are right and true.

In the Contemporary English Version, verse six reads, "Everything you treasure most will be taken from you." This is God ripping out of the hands of Esau everything He ever gave him. Edom trusted in their riches and wealth instead of trusting in God.

What treasures has God promised to give us, and generously blessed us with, that could be snatched out of our grasp when we worship the gift more than the Giver? Friends, let's examine our hearts today. Are we storing up our treasures in heaven like God says to do, or are we idolizing the very blessings God gave us to enjoy?

Verses 7

The Edomites have not only trusted in their own security and their own wealth, but they have trusted more in their allies than they have trusted in God. All the people they trusted, counted on, and thought were at peace with them has deceived them and prevailed against them. The ones they counted on to always have their back in trouble had taken Edom to the edge of their border. Their friends they ate bread with laid a trap beneath them and Edom never saw it coming! God says in one day He would destroy all the wise men of Edom and all the understanding of the mount of Esau. And He kept His promise!

We are told in Proverbs 3:3-6 to keep mercy and truth around our necks, and write them on the tablets of our hearts so we can find good understanding in God's eyes and with men. We are told to trust in the LORD with all our heart and not to lean on our own understanding. We are not to use our own logic or what others perceive things to be. We are to acknowledge God in every thing we do and He will make our paths smooth and straight. Edom did not do any of those things. They used their wealth as a security blanket and their allies as a safety net. Those allies did not care about securing Edom and making sure they were okay all the time. They worried about themselves and securing their own countries and cities. We have to be so careful about who we put our trust in.

Who are we trusting to help us? Who do we think is always going to be there for us? Is it a spouse? A friend? A relative? A neighbor? A co-worker? We must put our trust in God. Yes, He will send us help when we need it, but if we are leaning so heavily on another person to help us, we are replacing God with them in our lives. They become an idol. We must be careful not to do this.

Verse 8

In one day God was going to destroy the wise and understanding men of Esau. Those experts were not consulting God on how to help Edom. They were not looking to the Scriptures for advice and wisdom. This is dangerous to have leaders in government that are not seeking Truth when looking to lead a group of people. Psalm 1:1-6 tells us that we are blessed when we don't walk in the way of the ungodly or participate with sinners and the scornful. When our delight is in the law of the Lord and we are meditating on Scripture day and night, we are like the trees planted by the river, constantly being watered by that stream. We are going to bring forth good fruit when the time is right and whatever we do will prosper. However, it speaks of what happens to those who choose not to obey. They are like chaff blown away with the wind. The way of the ungodly shall perish. This is exactly what happened to Edom. They did not look to the ways of God. Esau's grandfather was Abraham. His father, Isaac was a miracle baby! God was a huge part of Esau's story but he just couldn't be bothered. His entire lineage is gone but Jacob served God and the nation of Israel is still a country to this day!

You know everyone seems to be an expert anymore. When I was growing up we used to question the integrity of a commercial. People would use words like, "False advertisement." They would get upset if they felt like they were being lied to on tv. They felt that if they saw it on television it must be true and so they were skeptical. Now you have gurus on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and any other social media platform giving advice and often it contradicts the Word of God. The reports on the news are not even reliable most of the time. Friends, we have to lean on God's counsel and seek men and women who are asking God and getting their wisdom from Him. If we don't we may find ourselves in Esau's shoes. Let's pray for our leaders to turn to God to lead our country and for the things God values to be important values for the rulers of this nation.

Verse 9

Esau's nation had another nail in their coffin because they trusted in their military power. They had skilled men in battle and often defeated many of their foes. They grew in arrogance as they won battle after battle. Having the advantage of the bird's eye view on the enemies coming at them from the valley, they were no match for many of their opponents. But they forgot to honor God. He was not a part of their victory celebration. They trusted in their weapons and artillery more than in God's powerful hand!

As we self-reflect today, what are some things we have rested in that is the counterfeit of God's power? Are we trusting in our government, our military, our own gun power or strength? Friends, God is all powerful. He told us in Exodus 14:14 He fights for us. We do not need to worry about the status of the world at any point because our hope and security is in Jesus Christ if He has saved us. We have nothing to fear or dread. 

Edom treated Israel horrible more than once. They were wicked and violent and God had enough. 1 Thessalonians 1:6 "Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you:" tells us that God is not going to allow His children to be steam-rolled by anyone who tries to stop us from worshiping God and living our lives in a way that pleases Him.

Verses 10-14

These verses share the reasons God is so angry with Edom. The first reason is for the violence against his brother Jacob. Genesis 27:41 And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob. God knew what was in Esau's heart and He saw the hatred grew for Jacob. He did not love his brother. He was greedy and jealous. Ezekiel 25:13-14 (13)Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also stretch out Mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman; and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword. (14)And I will lay My vengeance upon Edom by the hand of My people Israel: and they shall do in Edom according to My fury; and they shall know My vengeance, saith the Lord GOD.

The second reason is they stood against the children of Israel when the strangers carried away forces in captivity, and foreigners came through the gates and cast lots on Jerusalem. The Edomites were with them! Psalm 83:5-8 (5)For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: (6)The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes'; (7)Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; (8)Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah. God took names! He said yeah you were with your friends and you could have stopped them but you didn't! You pursued after them and participated by standing by watching and doing nothing to stop the attacks. Think of their uncle Ishmael. Of course the descendants from him would want to destroy anything that Isaac was a part of. Another sibling rivalry.

The third reason God is angry with them is for the way Edomites looked down on Israel in the day of their trouble. When they were being destroyed, Esau's descendants rejoiced. They were cheering for the ones destroying Israel. They could have stood in allegiance with Israel but instead they were encouraging the destruction. When they were in great distress, the Edomites started speaking proudly. There is pride again! It is always prevalent in the heart of the arrogant.

PROVERBS 24:17-18 (17)Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: (18)Lest the LORD see it, and it displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him.

PROVERBS 6:16-19 (16)These six things doth the LORD hate; yea, seven are an   abomination unto him. (17)A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood. (18)An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, (19)A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

This passage in Proverbs sounds like the resume for the Edomites. Proud, liars, shed innocent blood, thinks up wicked things to do, and quickly run to mischief. Look at the last one, sows discord among brothers. These things are so serious. Lying will take us to hell. Do we want bad things to happen to others? Before we answer that, let's think about the people we are happy to see "get what's coming to them." How about the child molester who gets arrested? What about the police officer that kills an innocent person because they are trigger happy? Friends, we have to be careful. We need to pray for their souls. If the sin they are caught in isn't a big enough sign they need Jesus, what is? We must be quick to hit our knees and pray for the victims, of course, and their families, but also the criminals, the guilty, the ones who are running quickly to do bad things. God draw us all closer to You so we look at and love others the way You do!

MARK 7:20-23 (20)And He said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. (21)For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, (22)Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: (23)All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Obadiah is a book about a heart problem. Esau's heart was far from God and all his children and grandchildren and every generation on was just as wicked as Esau. Emotional, temperamental, quickly angered, violent, quick to kill, it was the thrill of the hunt for him. Friends, we must be checking our hearts daily and asking God to help us do the same thing. If we find something amiss, we must repent and surrender that area of our life to God. He must have full control of every area of our life. He wants our whole heart so we can remain true and faithful to Him, the only true and faithful one!

The next reason God waged war on Edom is because they marched through the gates of the city while Israel was in trouble, and did not to come to their aid. They saw the affliction of the Israelites and began looting their homes. It was bad enough they came to see the disaster and be nosy, but now they were stealing from their own family! But it gets worse!

The last reason God is angry with them is they helped the enemy! Edomites were stationed at the crossway so that when any of the Israelites fled, Edomites told the enemy where they were hiding. Some didn't even tell on the Israelites, they just killed them for fun. Any fugitives escaping for their life were soon caught by the Edomites hiding and lurking in wait to utterly destroy the people of Israel. They said they would help them but they lied and when Israel tried to go another route, Edom prevented that, too. God had enough!

God made Abram a promise that He would bless them that blessed Abram and would curse those who cursed him. He kept that promise generations later when He saw the way Edom had betrayed Israel. As they slaughtered God's children, the descendants of Abraham, God kept the promise He gave in Genesis chapter 12.

GENESIS 12:1-3 (1)Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: (2)And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: (3)And I will bless them that bless thee, and I will curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall families of the earth be blessed.

Verses 15-21

These last few verses are God's response to the sin of Edom. In verse 15 we see that God is going to pay them back using their own wicked measuring stick to judge them. Matthew 7:1-2 (1)Judge not, that ye be not judged. (2)For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. The principle you reap what you sow is played out in this verse. God says what you did to them is coming right back to you! Because they chose to celebrate on God's Holy mountain the demise of the Israelites, God said the Edomites will be poured out like water onto the ground, slowly slipping away and vanishing. But God is going to bless Jacob on Mount Zion. Everything God said was Israel's they will one day get. The house of Jacob is going to be fire and the house of Esau stubble. The house of Joseph will be a flame. The flame and fire is going to burn up the stubble and it will be no more. Obadiah 1:18 says, "And there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the LORD hath spoken it." He kept His Word, like He always does, and to this day there is no remnant of Esau.

The rest of the verses declare the ownership of God's territories and the mountain He gave to Esau will be the LORD's Kingdom. Deliverers will go to Mount Zion to judge Esau's mountain. Israel will get to claim all the things God promised them, the things that they once possessed, but were stolen, will all be back in their hands. God will restore His children.

Friends, I know this is was a lengthy study for such a short book in the Bible. There is much history to consider and the big picture to be viewed before thinking God is unfair or unkind. Many times Edom had the opportunity to bless Israel, to do good to them, offer them protection, but they would not do it. Israel remained peaceable with the Edomites, but God sees all. He knows when we are being abused and mistreated by the world. He will not always strive with man. He hates wickedness. The Bible says God is angry with the wicked every day! Time is ticking and the sand in the hour glass is swiftly funneling to the bottom. We must remain faithful to God and pray for our enemies. Jesus said to pray for those who despitefully use us. 

Right now, my fellow Americans and I are in a free country. This is the land of opportunity the say. Home of the free because of the brave. Yet, I have seen in my 42 years of living on this planet, things swiftly changing into something scary and awful. Christian liberties are being taken one by one. The Church has been lulled to sleep by the wicked lullabies of the world. My videos on YouTube have been censored and not shared like some of my older videos were. They are tightening down on what is allowed to be said and what isn't. This is why I encourage everyone to get in their Bibles and study God's Word for yourself. Do not wait on a pastor or a teacher to tell you what the Bible says. They may get it wrong. Search it out for yourself and commit verses to memory. It is our spiritual sword and the only weapon we can use on the enemy. Don't think that just because we have free access to any Bible we want right now, that it will always be like that here. We have brothers and sisters all over the world with no Bibles and no freedom to serve God. Many places just saying the name of Jesus will get you thrown into jail. Let's wake up and stir the gifts within us, so we can go light our world. Let's share about Jesus as much as we can to tell the whole world about His goodness, love, mercy, and forgiveness.

I hope something I have shared today has been strength for your journey and light for your way. God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens

How Great Is Our God | Thankful Thursday

Have you ever been to the ocean? I am surprised to learn that many people have never seen the ocean. It is so beautiful and one of my favorite places to be. I am sharing a photo today that I love. I don't like having my picture taken very often but my daughter took this picture as I was staring over the ocean in Biloxi, Mississippi. The sky was breathtaking and looked like cotton candy. The ocean, so vast - with white caps and small waves rising and crashing. The ebb and flow of the water at the edge of the white sand was so relaxing I could have easily been lulled to sleep. The salt in the air and the beauty around me filled my heart with gratitude and thankfulness. What a joy it was to be surrounded by God's beautiful creation.

As I sit in Indiana, surrounded by white SNOW and not white sand, I long for the warmer temperatures. I do not like winter, and I never have. Far from the beautiful place God sent us for 16 months, I am reminded that I can no longer just take a short walk to see the beautiful water. Instead of longing for what I cannot have, I am thankful for the memories. I am grateful for the experience. I am happy that I had those opportunities to grow exponentially in my faith and our little family of four connected like never before.

What about you? Is there something that you want? Something you miss? Something you may not be able to get back but you long for it? Friends, don't get discouraged. If God has removed something from your life, rest assured He has something better to give you. It may not feel like it, and maybe if you are mourning the loss of a beloved pet or family member maybe it is not going to be replaced, but I know that God gives beauty for ashes and strength for fear, gladness for mourning, and hope for despair.

PSALM 33:6-12, 18-22 (6)By the Word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. (7)He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: He layeth up the depth in storehouses. (8)Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. (9)For He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. (10)The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: He maketh the devices of the people of none effect. (11)The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations. (12)Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance. (18)Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His mercy; (19)To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. (20)Our soul waiteth for the LORD: He is our help and our shield. (21)For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His Holy name. (22)Let Thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in Thee.

What an incredible passage. I encourage you to go back and read all of Psalm 33. It is SO good. It is refreshing to the soul. The words make a huge impact on me in this season of waiting and not seeing anything around me change. I am staring at the horizon, much like in this picture, and I am waiting, hoping, expecting, and sometimes doubting but I repent and try harder to believe and wait and hope and expect again. Verse seven says He gathers the water together in a heap. The ocean is so big and so deep and so wide and yet God who is far greater and bigger than the ocean He created, just gathers it in a heap! Verse eight says let all the people in the world stand in awe of God. 

I was in awe at the ocean. I feel so small, so minuscule next to the ocean, but I don't feel insignificant. And I think that is part of what draws me to the water. It is so incredible to see that the very one who knows how many drops are in the ocean, is the very same God who loves me so much He sent His Son Jesus to die for my sins and then rise on the third day. How can we not feel loved and cared for by the Master of the wind when we feel the breeze blow into our face? How can we wonder if God is real when proof is painted in every sunset of every single day.

This passage reminds us that everything was made at the voice command of God, Elohim, our Creator. And if we are going through a situation where we need to see and experience a move of God, we can ask the star-breather to speak life into our hopeless situation and He will do it. We will be amazed at the way He comes through for us. Just stand still and know that He is God. Verse 20 says our soul waits for the LORD because He is our help and our shield. He is everything we need. He is the giver and protector. He sustains us and lifts up our heads. We can rejoice in our hearts because we trust Him. He is always faithful.

I am thankful for many things this week. I am thankful for the heat, and the water, electricity, and reliable transportation to get my husband to work safely and back home safely, too. I want to tell my family and friends in Tennessee and Texas that I am praying for you all. I am praying you get your water and power back. I am praying you stay warm and safe. I am praying the ice melts soon and that warmer temperatures can come and thaw out the frozen pipes and things that have plagued so many families. I am praying for the safety of the emergency workers who are risking their own lives to save others. And as David says in verse 22, Let Your mercy LORD be upon Your children according as we hope in You. Keep hoping in Jesus. Let's keep Him first. Keep a praise and a grateful heart toward God. Let's love one another and help encourage each other. Jesus is coming back so soon and we want to be ready!

I pray that something I have shared today has been strength for your journey and light for your way. God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens

Revelation | Fuel For The Weekend

Sometimes I am so thankful that I am not on social media as much. I try to post on Twitter a verse or two of Scripture, share my blog posts there, and for the most part that had been it. I upload a YouTube video now and then, though I am trying to be better at sharing a video a week to encourage others through God's Word. The past few days I went back to InstaGram. I tried to engage with some accounts I follow and the people have been so kind to just draw me into their communities. It's a wonderful thing. But, in branching out to see what others are sharing on Twitter and InstaGram, I have noticed a lot more world views that do not reflect my Biblical world view as I gaze through the lens of Scripture. It is disturbing to me because it is those who claim to be Christian and they are slandering one another and slinging each other through the mud. The world is watching this horrific show and the devil must be so amused. Instead of praying about these needs, the threads are so long and filled with hatred spewing from their lips. I just saw on InstaGram a church, A CHURCH!!, stating that the Holy Bible is NOT the Word of God! And I just want to scream, WAKE UP! Wake up, church! Take up your cross and follow Jesus. We do not have time for this nonsense. We need to be about our Father's business. Whose agenda are we pushing? How can anyone, especially anyone professing to be in the body of Christ, say that the Holy Bible is not the Word of God? They said the Bible is not infallible or inherent. I am shaking my head thinking what imbeciles we must seem to God our Creator if we believe such things! By the foolishness of preaching we are saved! 

1 Corinthians 1:18-21 (18)For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (19)For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. (20)Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? (21)For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

1 Corinthians 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

As a culture, we have pulled God down to make Him our Lord and personal Savior for so many years, that somehow we shoved Him in a box and decided He is our personal assistant. Instead of letting Him lead us, we order Him around. Instead of asking what He wants to do through us, we tell Him what He can do for us. We have got to stop! God is Sovereign. He is Lord over all. He is the Creator of Heaven and Earth and all that dwells therein. We cannot make God our size. He is so big and so powerful and so mighty that we cannot contain Him. He is not a miniature God. He is not a tiny being that we command like a genie in a bottle. We need to pull our Bibles back out and dust off the covers. We need to start reading what the Bible says for ourselves so we are not deceived. You have a whole congregation on Sunday saying Amen to a message given by a minister and how many of those people even bothered to check if the Scriptures were correct? That is assuming anything was even read from the Bible! We get two poems, a joke, and three bullet points and many of us think that takes too long! What happened to our spiritual appetite? When did we lose our hunger and thirst for the things of God?

There is a remnant that God has kept for Himself. He is coming back for a people who have made themselves ready. They are waiting for Him and His swift return. Many will stop believing because the Bible says that Jesus is coming back quickly and it's been thousands of years and so they have decided it's never going to happen. I understand that we are far closer to His triumphant return now than when those words were first spoken or penned. We must not fall asleep now. It is harvest time and we need to get ready. There is a beautiful passage in Revelations that is for the true Bride of Christ. The people of God, the men and women from every nation, every tribe, and every tongue that is honoring God with their lips and with their lives, can grab this passage and cling to it, because it is ours! It is Truth and it is Life!

For those of you that look at the signs of the times all around us and shake your heads in disbelief that the Church has grown so close to the world, which is the enemy of God, you will take comfort in the passage I am about to share. For those who are expecting Jesus to return, looking and waiting and believing He is coming back, you will rejoice in what I am about to share. It is a beautiful picture of God's love for His children. For those that think life is to be lived on their own terms and they seek man's approval and applause over the approval of God, this is not going to mean much. I am sharing it anyway in hopes that something I say will help us all reflect on the status of our heart. Where do we stand with God? If your life was required tonight, where would you stand with God? Is there anything you want to change? Do it now! The time is now! There is so many wonderful things in store for God's people and I want us all to be ready to receive it!

Revelation 21:1-7 (1)And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (2)And I John saw the Holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (3)And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. (4)And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (5)And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. (6)And He said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. (7)He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.

What an incredible vision John must have saw. It is so magnificent that I cannot imagine what it would have been like to witness those things and hear those words and experience that amazing display. What a gift to share it with us! Even though we cannot fully comprehend or take it all in what everything means, we can understand that it is going to be a glorious time! We get to dwell with God! We will live with Him. He will wipe away all our tears and there will never be another separation, another funeral, another hospital, another pain medication because it will never be required of us again. It will all be brand new. Satan and his hounds of hell will be banished for ever in the pit! Those who refused to accept God and the sacrifice Jesus made to cover their sins, will be in the lake of fire for eternity. But for those who have had their garments washed in the blood of the Lamb will stand in victory with God and we will never be apart from Him again. Our joy will be full because we will be in His presence for ever and ever and ever. It will never end. The good feelings and pleasures He gives will be ours without end. No time. No schedules, No agendas. No rush. No hustle and bustle and frustration and stress and anxiety and oppression. The tormenter will be gone and we will be in constant peace, love, joy, and kindness for ever!

The beautiful verse seven in this chapter is so precious. It tells us to keep fighting. Keep the armor of God on. Keep shunning evil and doing the harder right instead of the easier wrong. Keep obeying the commands God gave us. Keep praying and keep reading the Word of God. Keep fighting sin and keep trusting in Jesus to see you through and when you overcome, you inherit all the blessings and all the treasures of God. ALL of them! And you will be His children. We are His sons and daughters and we will be with Him forever and ever!

That's what I am living for! That is what I am hoping for! That is why I keep warring with the devil and won't let him have my marriage, my children, my finances, my peace, my health, my heart, my mind, my emotions, my time! It's too precious. It wouldn't be worth it to trade all of heaven's splendor for a temporary pleasure on earth. It is not worth compromising my faith to have a small moment of fortune or fame. Friends, we have everything to gain .. to inherit when we overcome this life. Keep marching on! Like good soldiers in the Army of God, keep moving and keep your eyes on God. He is what will get us through anything we face! He is faithful!

I hope you enjoy your weekend. It looks like it's a snowy one here in Indiana this weekend and more snow is predicted for Monday. I am not a fan of the snow, but thank goodness this too shall pass. I hope whatever you are doing this weekend, you will remember to keep God first and foremost in your life. Let Him take the reins and guide you in the path toward Home. Only He knows the way and we would just go off course if left to our own devices. Give Jesus your whole heart, not just part of it, and let Him rule and reign in your life. Let Him have complete control and I promise you will never be the same. It is so good to trust in Jesus. I hope something I have shared today has been strength for your journey and light for your way. God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens

Blessed Mourning | Thankful Thursday

Jesus said in Matthew 5:4, "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." What an incredible statement. When you have lost nothing, and nothing has been taken from you recently, it sounds so beautiful and encouraging. It seems like it is a wonderful promise that maybe when someone you love dies it won't hurt as bad. But that is not the promise. Maybe it makes us think that we, as believers, get a pass on the grieving process, but that simply is not true. It is not what Jesus is saying at all.

Jesus said the people that grieve, no matter what that loss looks like, regardless of what the object is, be it a loved one, a beloved pet, a job, an opportunity, finances, physical health, mental health, it could be anything at all, --those people are blessed. Blessed?? It sure doesn't feel like I'm blessed when I lose something or someone. But if we just stop at Blessed are they that mourn and we don't read the rest of the sentence we miss the whole point. It sounds kind of cruel almost to bless someone because they are grieving. Why are we blessed? Why did Jesus call us blessed when we mourn?

The promise is not that we will never hurt, or that we won't ever have hard times. Jesus told us in the Gospels that in this world we would have trouble. In John 16:33, in the red letters, Jesus again speaking says, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

The reason we are blessed when we mourn is because we have Hope, the Blessed Hope. We have Jesus and He has given us a promise from His own mouth in Matthew that promises we SHALL be comforted. We will be consoled. We will be cared for in the lowest moments, in the lowest valleys. Jesus told us a couple chapters back in John 14:16-18 "And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."

Now do you see where the mourners are blessed with Comfort? Jesus is coming to each and every one of us that serve Him and He through the Holy Spirit comforts us. He is the Comforter! That is why we can face the uncertainty of tomorrow and all fear can be gone because Jesus lives. He lives inside each of His children and He is comforting those that mourn.

This Thankful Thursday I am thankful for my cousin, Tim. I am thankful that I knew him and that he loved me and cared for me and gave me some wonderful memories. He nicknamed me, "Bridgett the Midget" when I was a little kid. I understand the term "midget" is not politically correct but he just called me that because I was a short kid and it rhymed. It was just in jest. I am thankful for the privilege to be able to hold his hand and pray over him and I know God moved on Tim's behalf. I am thankful for the power of prayer and for what God can do. I am thankful that Jesus is alive and that means we have HOPE because Tim placed his faith in God. He received his license to minister and preached last Sunday. Now he is Home. Everything he lived for in these last days of his life... the message he shared with his whole heart... he gets to see the fruit of his labor as he now is in the presence of the Lord. the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:8, We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

It may seem strange that on this Thankful Thursday I am grateful for this topic, but I am thankful that I do not mourn like the world who is without hope. I have the blessed assurance that Tim is in a far better place than I am. He is with God and he has no more cancer, no more sickness, no more pain, no more suffering, no more swelling, no more torment. He saw through a glass darkly but now face to face. It just encourages me to draw nearer to God. Lord, help us all be ready when You call our name. We must labor while we have the chance, friends. Work now while you can. We are not promised tomorrow and one day it will be over. Our fighting and striving for the good fight we are battling in this life will be over and we will have Jesus welcome us in to His paradise. What a day that will be!

I am 42 years old and most of my family has died now, the majority of them through some type of cancer. It has swept through our family swiftly and there are very few of us left, many are not in good health that remain. I do not take my days on earth lightly. If I could have one wish, one desire, one goal it would be to reach the whole world for Jesus Christ. It would be that I would tell everyone about the goodness of God. His mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness. He is loving and kind and quick to forgive. Jesus already paid for your salvation. It is free. It is yours just by putting your trust in Him. Have you done that? If you have, I am so thankful! Let's help encourage one another, pray for and uplift each other on our journey we have left. If you haven't, please don't wait. You never know when time is up. Please do not put off making the best decision you could ever make. Ask Jesus to be your Savior. Tell Him that you believe Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for your sins. Confess with your mouth that you believe Jesus rose from the dead on the third day and now is alive forevermore. If you ask Him to forgive you of your sins and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, you are saved. It is that easy! It is that free! But don't stop there.

Find a church that is teaching from the Holy Bible and get yourself a Bible. Tell me if you need a Bible and I will make sure you have one. Read it every single day. Pray and ask Holy Spirit to help you understand what it means. It is spiritually discerned so that means you cannot read it like a regular book. You need Him to give you wisdom and knowledge to help you understand it. Surround yourself with other believers and if you have the opportunity to get baptized in Jesus' name then do that! Give your life to Jesus and you will soon see that your life changes. You will make better choices and you may have to change who you spend time with. You will lose your desire for the things you once craved in this world but you will get a hunger and a thirst for His righteousness and the Bible says you will be filled! You will never regret making Jesus the Lord of your life. You will never be the same.

I am thankful Jesus saved me with His merciful grace. He loves me and He has never given up on me. I would have given up on me by now but Jesus never does. He loves us all so much He gave His life for us. Do not wait another minute to ask Him into your heart.

I pray something I have shared today has been strength for your journey and light for your way. God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens

Armor Up | Wednesday Bible Study

When I was growing up, we used to sing a song at church that went like this:

Ain't gonna lay my armor down

Ain't gonna lay my armor down

Ain't gonna lay my armor down 'til He comes.

Ain't gonna lay my armor down

Ain't gonna lay my armor down

Ain't gonna lay my armor down 'til He comes.

I remember singing that song and really listening to the words. The armor is the full armor of God. It was a catchy, upbeat chorus. I believe now that God was using that song to sow seeds into my heart that I should not lay my armor down. Now in this season of my life I can understand that much better.

God has always enabled His people to fight to win. In the Old Testament there are numerous passages of where God told the men in charge to go forward and He would fight for them. When they obeyed Him they were victorious. In the New Testament we are given instructions on how to apply the full armor of God so we can stand against the schemes of the devil. When we are in the full armor we are victorious.

The one thing the Bible does not tell us is when it is okay to take the armor off. From Genesis to Revelation you will never find a time that tells us it is okay to lay our armor down. In the natural, after a battle, the men would take their armor off and put it away until they needed it again. In the supernatural, we have to put on the full armor of God, not just one or two pieces, but fully suit up for battle and we are never to take it off. We have to be ready because the devil knows his time is short so he is not going to take a break from trying to discourage us from serving God.

REVELATION 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

We read Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus and we are warned in chapter five to walk cautiously as wise men and women taking back our time because the time we live in is evil. It was true then and it is even more true today. We have to take back our time because we are allowing the enemy to distract us and cause us to watch videos, movies, news programs, and social media posts that are taking our eyes off of Jesus and onto the state of the world around us. We can get so discouraged and frustrated, and even become fearful when we look at what is going on around us. It's time we take back our time and we use it to further the Kingdom of God. It's time we start using our gifts and talents to help encourage one another and lift each other up. Let's stop looking at what is happening around us and feeling defeated. We can see the evil and pray for God to shine bright in the darkness through you and me.

EPHESIANS 5:15-17 (15)See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, (16)Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (17)Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Paul finishes his letter in Ephesians chapter six with detailed instructions of how to fight the good fight of faith. We are given the instruction, the reason, and detailed instructions of what piece of armor goes where. Today we are going to take a closer look at the full armor of God because it is so important to know why we have each piece. None of the armor is outdated or obsolete. We need every single piece as much today, if not more than they did in the time Paul penned this letter.

EPHESIANS 6:10-20 (10)Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. (11)Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12)For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (13)Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (14)Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; (15)And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16)Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (17)And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God: (18)Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (19)And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, (20)For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

As we break this passage down, let's first start out with drawing strength from God. He is the source of our strength. In Nehemiah 8:10 it says the joy of the LORD is our strength. We get joy of the LORD when we are in His presence. The Bible says in Psalm 16:11 in the presence of God is fullness of joy! We draw strength from God when we are in His presence. That is the first part of suiting up is being in His presence. The first part of getting prepared for the battle is laying at the feet of Jesus and growing strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. It is not our own strength. Remember how God told Gideon to go in his own strength? He did not say that Gideon would be successful in his own strength, but he had to go. He had to start doing the thing God wanted him to do. He had to be obedient and then Gideon found strength in God alone. The same is true for you and me. We are to say yes to the call and willingly go where He tells us to go but we can never do it alone. God doesn't expect us to. That is why lesson #1 in how to suit up for battle is drawing strength from God when we are submerged in His presence.

In verse 11, Paul explains why we need to wear the entire armor of God. He tells us that in order to be successful, we have to know why we are suiting up in the first place. So that we may be able to stand against everything the devil throws at us. He is going to sling discouragement, slander, hatred, jealousy, envy, wrath, strife, mistrust, anxiety, and fear at us to prevent us from reaching toward the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14) There is a God and there is a devil. There is a heaven and there is a hell. If someone does not believe that, nothing changes. There is still a God and there is still a devil. There is still a heaven and there is still a hell. We will be fought hard if we are in the Lord's Army, but we will win every single battle. We will be victorious every single time. Why? Because God fights our battles. We must be obedient, standing firm in the full armor, and trusting God completely.

Sometimes we find ourselves at war with one another. In our culture today you have different camps. Some are liberal, some conservative, others somewhere in the middle. Some vote for one party, another for another party, and yet others for independent. There are those who believe all humans are created equal in the image of God and others who believe they are superior because of what color they are, where they were born, if they have money, and other ridiculous reasons. We do not war with one another. It is not black vs white; rich vs poor; skinny vs fat; nerdy vs athletic. We do not fight against flesh and blood. The person who makes us so angry we could spit nails is not really the problem! The enemy at work in their life is the problem. We are in a spiritual battle and that will never change until Jesus comes back in His glory to wage war against the prince of darkness and Jesus will prevail! Whose side are you on? I am on the Lord's side.

Verse 12 explains the enemy is at work in principalities. What is that? Rulers of the darkness. This is not some sci-fi movie script. These are real forces at work and according to Darby's Bible Synopsis they possess an evil energy that has mastery over those who do not know how to resist it. Brothers and sisters this is why it is imperative that we take this seriously. We can be deceived and enslaved if we are not aware of who the real enemy is.

The powers and spiritual wickedness in high places refers to the heavenly realm in which they reside. God does permit these evil forces to be at work at times, but remember God is good all the way through. There is no evil in Him (Psalm 92:15) and so He will work all these bad things for our good for His children according to Romans 8:28. But we have to be suited up and ready for these wicked attacks.

God wants us to do everything we can to stand in the evil time. He says after you have done all you can, stand! Standing is not a light assignment. Have you ever stood for a long time? It is physically fatiguing to stand for a long period of time. Your legs start aching. You get tired. Your back can start to hurt as your posture changes and shoulders slump. It is not easy to stand. But God gives us the strength we need! (Psalm 121:2, 7-8)

To have your loins girt about with truth is to wear truth like a belt. The loins are on the right and left sides of spinal column, below the "false" ribs and the hip bones. The belt is symbolic because when a belt is secured, in our society today it holds up clothing. So there is security in having truth surrounding us, but it's more than just that. In the Roman soldier's attire it was a place to hang their sword. We haven't talked about the sword yet, but the belt of truth is a place to hold up the truth of God's Word. It needs to be secure around the waist, not hanging loosely. We cannot grab hold of any version of truth the world throws at us. We must be like those in Berea. Acts 17:11 says they received the word with all readiness of mind and searched the scriptures daily, They were taking everything they heard and holding it up to the reflection of God's Word to see if there was truth in what they heard. We have to do that! We must do that!

Before verse 14 ends we see that we need the breastplate of righteousness to go with our belt. Why is a breastplate important and what is the righteousness we need to cover ourselves with? A breastplate covers the chest. It is protecting a vital organ, the heart. When we cover our chest we protect our source of life; we protect our emotions; we protect our feelings. It is multifaceted and not to be discarded. Do not think the breastplate is of no value. We must wear the righteousness of God over our heart. We are to protect our heart because out of it flow the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23) As we follow after righteousness we find life (Proverbs 21:21). When we believe in God it is accounted to us as righteousness. (Genesis 15:6) (2 Corinthians 5:21) (Romans 10:10) When we believe in God, and trust Him to be our Redeemer, our Lord, our Savior, we are guarding our hearts. This is a place the devil loves to attack us. We get hurt feelings. The seat of our emotions, where we can hold a grudge, harbor unforgiveness, lose courage, feel defeated, is the one area the devil targets us every single time. If we are not covered by our identity in Christ Jesus we are an open target! Satan's lies have no effect on a heart set on God's truth.

Next verse says to put on our spiritual shoes prepared with the gospel of peace. We are called to be peacemakers. The Bible tells us in Romans 12:18, "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." If it is possible, we must take the characteristics of God and live at peace with everyone. That is hard but it is possible. We need to wear shoes in battle. We have to protect our feet that will carry us to the mission field God has prepared for us. If our feet are unprotected we will get blisters and sores and cuts. We will not be able to walk far, then we will start hobbling along, and before we know it we are sitting on the sidelines nursing wounds we would never have been subject to if we were prepared with feet coverings. When we expose ourselves to the culture of our times and we are not under the protective armor of God we will get hurt and wounded and damaged. We will be sitting on the sidelines wondering why we ever tried in the first place. Daughters and sons of God get up! This is no time to quit. Get your fire back. Bandage the wounds, let the Holy Spirit pour His healing salve into the wounds and put your shoes on! The fight is on! How do we get those shoes on? Isaiah 26:3 says, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee." Jesus said in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." We are kept in perfect peace when our minds are on God. I can't stop thinking about God. He is always on my mind. We commune throughout the day. I walk in perfect peace. I have troubles and trials but I am at peace. The armor is not to prevent the battles, it is to prepare you for the battles.

Verse 16 says above all the other pieces of armor, you really need to take the shield of faith with you. It is with faith that we are protected from fiery darts of the wicked one. Fiery darts sounds painful and they are! You will know when you have been hit with a fiery dart of the devil. If you have no faith and you are not holding up the shield, you will get hit hard and it will be felt! Those darts are painful because they are meant to keep you from ever having faith in God. The fiery darts are memories of how your childhood was; reminders of how it felt to be reprimanded in front of others in the office; the shame of the area you compromised. On and on it goes, friends, to discourage us and defeat us. It is the painful regrets and bitter memories of the past that haunts us and holds us back. The chains clamp tight around our wrists and we are limited in what we can do. Don't doubt God. Don't look at the situation. Look at what God said about it. Walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7)

The shield of faith will quench ALL of the fiery darts of the wicked one. It does not say it will extinguish the big ones, or the small ones, or a few of them....it clearly says, "wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." That is why no weapon formed against us shall prosper. (Isaiah 54:17) Faith is the shield because we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). The salvation of God protects us. How do we get faith? Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Read the Word of God. Let that Word come alive in your heart. Let the Word guide your steps. Let it lead you and direct you in the way you should go. Allow it to empower you to make good decisions. It is God's Word that changes us.

Verse 17 gives us the helmet of salvation. The helmet is protecting your brain, your thought process, your mind, your way of thinking, your judgment, your decisions, your ideas, your creativity. Do you see how important this is? Do not leave the helmet off. Do not think you can go a day without it. It is too important to miss. This is the devil's favorite playground...the mind. He can start twisting your thoughts, messing with your imagination, magnifying problems that are not that serious, and causing you to doubt the things you have learned about God. If the devil sees us without our helmet on, we are in trouble! He is coming hard for us because if he can control our minds he can control our destiny. He will change our direction and we will follow him straight into the flames of hell. Do not be deceived. The helmet of salvation is truly that. It is the protection of your mind reminding you that you are redeemed, you are blood-bought, purchased of God, and you are victorious in Christ Jesus. When we slip off our helmet for a moment, we are at risk of being hit with a bullet from the enemy. Now you can see why we must never take off the armor of God. Safeguard your thoughts. Romans 12:2 says, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

In the same verse, we get our only defensive weapon. Now we are introduced to the sword of the Spirit. This is the drop-kick to the devil that we have at our disposal 24/7. It is effective 100% of the time to defeat the enemy. It is the Word of God. In the wilderness, after Jesus had fasted 40 days and 40 nights he was tempted of the devil. He was told of all the things He could get if He would compromise, bow down, give in, lower His standards. Three times He was tempted, and three times Jesus answered: IT IS WRITTEN! IT IS WRITTEN! IT IS WRITTEN! (Matthew 4:1-11) We have the same weapon. It is irreplaceable. It is indestructible. It never fails. It never loses power. It is a sure-fire way to win against the powers of darkness every single time, in every single battle you face. We can grab our spiritual sword, which is the Word of God, and defeat the devil every time!!!!

As we bring this Bible study to a close, we finish Paul's letter in verses 18-20 telling us to pray in the Spirit and watch without giving up. We must be praying and asking God to help us and to help others and then with expectancy be looking for the answer. We must believe God can do the BIG, the HARD, and the IMPOSSIBLE things for us. Nothing is too hard for God! (Jeremiah 32:27) (Mark 10:27)

We are to boldly speak the truth of God's Word. We will offend some. The goal is not to be offensive, but God's Word is going to offend some people. God's Word holds us to a much higher standard than the world has and when others see what we are doing, it makes them uncomfortable to be around us. When we choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, it creates an atmosphere where others look at their own lives and if they are not hitting the mark, they can get upset with us for doing the right thing. How often has someone watched us politely decline something that does not align with our values and their response is, "Well, it's not that bad." "There's not that much cussing." "It's not going to hurt anything." We need to ask ourselves, "What does God's Word say about it? What would Jesus think? Can this hurt my witness and my testimony?" Let's start standing up for what we know is right and true and good. We do not need to feel bad for making righteous choices.

Verse 20 says we are ambassadors for God. We are the lights, the living testimonies of God's truth. We are to light up the darkness and shine bright so others may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16) That is our mission! That is our goal. We should be unashamed in our walk with the Master. We are not cast-aways. We are not disposable. We have great worth. We are children of the Most High God. We are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and we are sanctified by Him. Our sanctification is a life-long process. We won't get it right every day, but we can keep trying. God offers grace and mercy and His wonderful love and forgiveness. We can strive to be perfect but we know we will fall short. Everyone does! (Romans 3:23)

Friends, rejoice in knowing that we are in a winning battle! We have God on our side. He has given us perfect armor and God recently reminded my friend that His armor does not fail! We can see that when we have the full armor of God on us, we will live a life of victory and not defeat. We can hold our heads up high. We cannot ever take off the armor of God until we are in the presence of our Savior and King and it is no longer required. I'm singing it now:

Ain't gonna lay my armor down

Ain't gonna lay my armor down,

Ain't gonna lay my armor down 'til He comes! 

Ain't gonna lay my armor down

Ain't gonna lay my armor down

Ain't gonna lay my armor down 'til He comes! 

I'm gonna keep on fighting sin!

I'm gonna keep on fighting sin!

I'm gonna keep on fighting sin 'til He comes!

I'm gonna keep on fighting sin! 

I'm gonna keep on fighting sin! 

I'm gonna keep on fighting sin 'til He comes!"

God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens