Tag: faith

How to Put on the Whole Armor of God Daily

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The “Armor of God” is a powerful metaphor that helps us Christians prepare for spiritual battles. Found in Ephesians 6:10-18, the apostle Paul describes this armor as a vital tool to withstand evil forces in our lives. This passage reminds us that our struggle is not merely against human opposition but against the unseen spiritual powers of darkness. In this article, we’ll break down each piece of the armor and explain how you can apply them in your daily life.

1. The Belt of Truth

“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.” (Eph 6:14)

The belt was essential for Roman soldiers because it held their armor together. In the same way, truth is foundational for Christians. To put on the belt of truth, we must live in honesty, integrity, and align ourselves with God’s truth found in Scripture. It means rejecting lies and deception, both from the world and from the enemy.

Application: Daily, remind yourself of God’s truth, whether it’s reading Scripture, speaking the truth to others, or being truthful in your actions. Know that standing firm in truth keeps your spiritual life intact.

Prayer: “Lord, wrap me in Your truth and help me to discern and speak the truth in every situation. Let Your truth be the foundation of my life, guiding me in all my decisions, in Jesus’s name I pray.”

2. The Breastplate of Righteousness

”…with the breastplate of righteousness in place.” (Eph 6:14)

The breastplate protects the heart and other vital organs. Righteousness—right standing with God through faith in Christ—guards our hearts from attacks like guilt and condemnation. It’s important to understand that this righteousness is not our own but is given to us through Christ.

Application: Live righteously by following God’s commands and trusting in His forgiveness. When you are attacked by guilt or shame, remember that your righteousness comes from Christ, not from your performance.

Prayer: “Heavenly Father, protect my heart with the breastplate of righteousness. Let my life reflect Your righteousness, and guard me from any attacks that seek to lead me into sin or despair, in Jesus’s name I pray.”

3. The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace

”…with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” (Eph 6:15)

Roman soldiers wore sturdy shoes to keep their footing in battle. As Christians, the gospel gives us peace and readiness to face trials. The good news of Christ’s work on the cross enables us to stand firm in difficult situations and to share that peace with others.

Application: Reflect on the peace you have with God through Christ. Share this peace with those around you, knowing that it keeps you steady even when the world feels chaotic.

Prayer: “Lord, equip me with the shoes of the gospel of peace. Help me to walk in Your peace wherever I go, and use me to spread Your good news to those in need of Your saving grace, in Jesus’s name I pray.”

4. The Shield of Faith

“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” (Eph 6:16)

The shield is vital for deflecting attacks. Faith in God is our shield—it blocks and extinguishes the “flaming arrows” of doubt, fear, and temptation that the enemy launches at us. A strong faith will help us trust in God’s promises when life’s circumstances feel overwhelming.

Application: Strengthen your faith daily by trusting God’s promises. When you feel attacked by negative thoughts or fears, use Scripture and prayer to remind yourself of God’s faithfulness.

Prayer: “Father, strengthen my faith so that I can extinguish every fiery dart the enemy sends my way. Help me to trust in You completely, knowing that my faith in You is my greatest defence, in Jesus’s name I pray.”

5. The Helmet of Salvation

“Take the helmet of salvation…” (Eph 6:17)

The helmet protects the head, the center of our thoughts. Salvation through Jesus Christ guards our minds against doubt, confusion, and discouragement. Our assurance of salvation gives us confidence and hope in difficult times.

Application: Keep your thoughts focused on the assurance of your salvation. When your mind is filled with worries or negative thoughts, replace them with the truth of your eternal security in Christ.

Prayer: “Lord, protect my mind with the helmet of salvation. Keep my thoughts focused on You and remind me of the assurance of my salvation in Christ Jesus. Let Your saving grace guide my mind and decisions, in Jesus’s name I pray.”

6. The Sword of the Spirit

”…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Eph 6:17)

The sword is the only offensive weapon mentioned in the armor of God. It represents the Word of God—Scripture—which is alive and powerful. Just as Jesus used Scripture to combat Satan’s temptations, we must rely on the Word of God in our battles.

Application: Memorize and meditate on Scripture regularly. When you face temptation, confusion, or spiritual attacks, use the truth of God’s Word to stand against the enemy.

Prayer: “Father, I take up the sword of the Spirit, which is Your Word. Teach me to wield it with wisdom and power against the enemy’s lies and attacks. Let Your Word be alive and active in my life, in Jesus’s name I pray.”

7. Prayer in the Spirit

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” (Eph 6:18)

Prayer is not a piece of armor, but it is essential in spiritual warfare. By praying in the Spirit, we invite God’s strength and guidance into every situation we face. Continuous, Spirit-led prayer ensures that we stay connected to God and vigilant against the enemy’s schemes.

Application: Cultivate a habit of prayer throughout your day. Whether you’re thanking God, asking for guidance, or praying for others, keep communication with God open and ongoing.

Conclusion

To “put on the whole armor of God” is to intentionally live out our faith every day. This armor equips us for the spiritual battles we face and helps us stand firm in the face of opposition. Each piece of the armor—truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer—is a powerful tool in God’s hands. By putting on this armor daily, we stand strong in His power and resist the attacks of the enemy.

May we always be vigilant, prepared, and clothed in God’s armor as we walk through life in His strength.

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*** Prayers by Vlad Savchuk / Photo by Timeline Photos

From Supermodel to Advocate: Kathy Ireland’s Pro-Life Journey

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Kathy Ireland, once celebrated as a supermodel, has embarked on a profound journey of transformation, emerging as a passionate advocate for the pro-life cause. In an interview on the show Huckabee, she shared her personal evolution from being pro-choice to embracing a staunch pro-life stance.

Initially identifying as pro-choice while maintaining her Christian faith, Kathy’s perspective shifted as she immersed herself in medical literature and scientific research. She discovered the undeniable truth that human life begins at the moment of conception, equipped with its DNA, sex, blood type, and unique fingerprints.

The transcript from the show:

Interviewer: “We’re back with Kathy Ireland, author of the bestselling book ‘Real Solutions for Busy Moms and Dads.’ Kathy, what mom’s advice is all about?”

Interviewer: “But on a personal level, there’s another aspect of your life that I found fascinating, and you’re unafraid to talk about it. I think that’s so refreshing in the life of the celebrity who often says, ‘I don’t want to get into anything like this.’ You were once pro-choice but you became very clearly pro-life. What was the turning point for you? When did the switch click for you that said, ‘This is a human being?'”

Kathy Ireland: When I looked at some medical books and saw the scientific evidence ahead of me. As I mentioned, I was baby Christian for such a long time, even though I was a Christian, very pro-choice. I always have and I will continue to fight for women’s rights. And so, even though maybe I wouldn’t have one myself, who am I to impose my beliefs on someone else? It’s a woman’s body, it’s her choice.

After I really realized that I was on the fence, I dove into the medical books, I dove into the scientific research. What I learned is, at the moment of conception, a new life comes into being. The DNA, the genetic blueprint is there, the sex is determined, the blood type is determined, the unique set of fingerprints is there.

And I picked up the phone, I called Planned Parenthood. ‘Help me out here, give me your best arguments.’ And the best arguments were, ‘Well, if you get it early enough, it doesn’t even look like a baby.’

We’re clumps of cells and that unborn human being does not look like a baby the same way a baby does not look like a teenager; a teenager does not look like a senior. But that unborn human being looks exactly the way human beings are supposed to look at that stage of development.

Some people say, ‘Well if you get it at a certain state, it’s okay.’ According to the law of biogenesis, all life comes from pre-existing life and each species reproduces after its own kind. Therefore, human beings can only reproduce other human beings.

So, it doesn’t start out as one species and suddenly become a human being somewhere along the way. And some people say, ‘Well, it’s a woman’s body, it should be her choice.’ There’s a 50% chance the baby she’s carrying is a male child and he would have a penis. Women don’t have penises.”

So, it’s residing in her body, it is not a part of her body. And the bottom line is, I really believe if The Unborn is not a human being, have as many abortions as you want, whenever you want, no justification is necessary. If, on the other hand, The Unborn is a human being, no justification is adequate unless another human life is at risk, that being the mother’s.

But in that case, you’re not acting to kill, you’re acting to save a life. And I also believe that when an abortion takes place, there are at least two victims.

We cannot be condemning women. Women have been so hurt by this and they’re not given all the facts. And especially as Christians, we need to be so careful that we are not condemning her because by doing that we can turn her away from oh this person and their God and they’re being so unkind, I don’t want to have anything to do with their God. And not only that, they’ll tell 10 friends.

So, it’s an issue we need to deal with love but I believe we got to get politics out of it. We need to put this in the hands of science. Even if you don’t share our faith, an atheist can know that it’s wrong to take an innocent human life. That’s why I don’t mind imposing this on other people and the science on that is clear.

Interviewer: Kathy, your explanation is maybe the clearest, the most effective that I’ve heard, not just from a person who is a celebrity, from any person in politics or even from the pulpit. And I want to say thank you for the clarity with which you have brought about this topic.”

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**Interview at Huckabee © 2009 FOX News Network, LLC. / Photo by Today show

Topics of Interest:

Planned Parenthood Origins

Support for Crisis Pregnancies in USA & UK

GET INFORMED:

Please be informed and educated about abortion procedures and gain a better understanding of what they entail, visit: PRO LIFE CONNECT. This resource provides accurate, evidence based information designed to educate and inform people about the medical, emotional, and social aspects of abortion. Understanding the facts is a critical step in making informed decisions and engaging thoughtfully in the abortion debate.

The Tale of the Little Boy and the Sailboat

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I want to share with you a story about a young boy who lovingly crafted a small sailboat. He adorned it with fine gems and precious metals, polished it until it gleamed, and marked it with his signature, ensuring everyone knew it was his creation. When he took it to the river to test it, the boat sailed beautifully. However, a strong wind arose, sweeping the boat away, and the boy was heartbroken by the loss of his cherished creation.

Sometime later, while walking through town, the boy was astonished to see his boat in the window of a shop. Though some gems were missing and it was battered, his signature confirmed it was his boat. He rushed inside and told the shop owner, “That little boat is mine; I made it.” The owner replied, “I’m sorry, but I bought it from someone else. If you want it back, you’ll have to pay for it.” Determined, the boy worked tirelessly for weeks, saving every penny. Finally, he returned to the shop, slammed the money on the counter, and bought his boat back. Holding it aloft, he exclaimed, “Little boat, you are twice mine. I made you—and I bought you back!”

The Deeper Meaning

You might wonder how this story relates to us. In many ways, we are like that little boat. Each of us is uniquely created by God, reflecting His image and cherished deeply by Him. However, life’s storms and the lure of the world have swept us away from our Creator, leaving us battered and lost. The challenges of life and the wrong things we do separate us from God. The temptations of the world and our own pride hurt us, and the enemy, Satan—the fallen angel, who hates mankind—tries to keep us down.

The boy in the story represents Jesus, who came to save us. Despite our broken state, affected by sin and life’s hardships, Jesus recognized us as His own. Just as the boy worked hard to buy back his boat, Jesus paid the ultimate price for our redemption. He bought us back with His precious blood, shed on the cross. He did this to restore our relationship with God the Father, as God is holy and cannot abide in sin. We are twice His—created by Him and bought back with His blood.

Understanding Our Condition

All of us have done wrong and fallen short of God’s standards. Sin is not just about major wrongdoings but also includes knowing what is right and failing to do it. It encompasses acts like lying, stealing, unforgiveness, hatred, jealousy, anger, sexual immorality, idolatry, addictions, pornography, drugs, and wanting to live separately from God. These wrongdoings separate us from a holy and righteous God.

God judges the heart, including our thoughts, words, deeds, and motives. While people can pretend to have a holy exterior and act pious, God sees through our facades and knows our true nature. It’s not about religion, where you have to do things to be accepted by God. It’s about a relationship with God who is near and accessible. Our good works cannot save us; they are like filthy rags in comparison to God’s purity, you cannot buy salvation. The Bible states that the wages of sin is death—eternal separation from God in hell, a fate none of us would wish upon anyone.

The Sacrifice of Jesus

Jesus Christ paid the price for our sins on the cross so we can be restored to God, our heavenly Father. There needed to be a sacrifice, and God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, who was sinless, to take our place. It’s like a mother giving away her newborn baby or you giving away your only child to pay someone else’s debt, someone who couldn’t care less about you or love you back. God was willing to do that for you and me.

Jesus Christ was crucified, with nails driven through His hands and feet and a crown of thorns pressed onto His head. He was whipped until His skin was torn off, becoming unrecognizable. As He hung on that cross, He did it for your sins. He took our sins upon Himself, including the very sins that have destroyed our lives. He was destroyed for those sins on that cross. He bled and died for our sins, which were buried with Him in the grave. Three days later, Jesus Christ was raised from the dead. Jesus is alive!

The Call to Salvation

This message is for everyone. Regardless of your wealth, status, sexual orientation or religious background, Jesus invites you to turn from sin and accept His gift of salvation. No amount of money, social standing, or religious observance can save you. It’s not about comparing yourself to others; the only comparison that matters is with God, and we all fall short, we all have sinned. God doesn’t want our religion; He wants a relationship with us. We are created with a God-shaped vacuum that nothing else can fill. He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

Now is the time to respond. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Romans 10:9 says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” This declaration and belief bring salvation. John 3:36 warns, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”

A Prayer of Salvation

If you feel the call in your heart, don’t wait. Embrace this good news today and pray:

“Dear God, thank you for loving me. I confess that I have sinned against you. I believe that Jesus, Your Son, died on the cross to pay for my sins. I believe that Jesus was raised from the dead. I ask that you forgive all my sins. I confess that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Thank you for Your gift of eternal life! I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Remember, it’s not the prayer that saves you; it’s the heartfelt belief and confession, turning away from sin, and choosing to trust in Jesus for a righteous life. Now is the time for salvation. Turn from darkness to light, from sin to salvation, and follow Jesus.

What next?

Download the free guide on the 7 Things To Do After Getting Saved:

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7 Reasons Why They Left

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I believe that every person goes through a transitional season in life where joy, tears, pain, and even heartbreak can take place. This is especially true when relationships are broken, lost, or at times introduced. 

If you find yourself wondering why some people have been removed from your life, these are a few of the most common reasons.

Why They May Have Left

1. Your Season Has Changed

The Bible says that when Moses died and manna stopped, it was time for Joshua to step into the Promised Land (Joshua 1:2). In other words, sometimes a person leaving is God’s way of notifying us that we are stepping into a new season.

2. They (Place or People) Have Become Toxic

In Exodus 1:11, we see that Egypt was a place of provision for Israel at one time, but soon it became a place of pain and as a result, they needed to leave. Similarly, there are times when God will remove people out of your life because the connection you have with them is no longer helpful, or the place you are in is causing more harm than good.

3. You Are Being Pruned for More Fruit

John 15:2 says that we are pruned in order to bear more fruit. Sometimes relationships must be stripped away from us in order for us to be more effective in the area where God is leading us into.

4. They Block Your Vision

A great example of this is found in Genesis 13:14, when Lot separates from Abraham. The word “Lot” actually means veil, and I find it interesting that after the separation, Abraham is able to receive God’s direction clearly. Often, the same can happen with us after we lose certain relationships. 

5. They Have Become an Idol

Another reason for the loss of a relationship could be that you came to rely on them more than you relied on God, turning them into an idol in your heart. We see in Judges 7:2 that God didn’t use Gideon until people left.

Some people are like crutches we lean on them more than we do God.

When they leave, it’s time to advance, not retreat.

6. God Has Another Plan For Them

Another example is found in Exodus 4:18. Here we see that Moses left his father-in-law’s house because Moses had an assignment to fulfill that required him to leave the house of Jethro (Exodus 4:18).

Sometimes it is no other reason than God leading them in a different direction and we must be at peace with that.

7. God Wants to Bring Someone Else

Lastly, we see in Scripture that the disciples had become familiar and comfortable with Jesus. They loved being able to talk, walk, and eat with Him. However, in John 16:7 He tells them that it is necessary for Him to leave in order for the Holy Spirit to come.

In the same way, at times it is to our advantage that some people be removed so God can introduce others that are meant to take us further in our walk with Him.

Sometimes people are in our lives for a season, while others for a reason.

I hope these reasons brought some clarity to any questions that you may have been struggling with. May God usher you into your new season with grace and blessing.

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*** *** By Vladimir Savchuk © Copyright – Vladimir Savchuk. No changes whatsoever are to be made to the content of the article without written permission from the author at HungryGen

“Where Was God In All Of This?”

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Many times, unexplainable circumstances, death, or sickness visits us or the people close to us. And the reality is that life is not always good. It’s during these difficult trials that a lot of people lose their faith in God. The question is: what do you do when you can’t make sense of things? 

I hope to help you shed some light on how God desires us to go through these unexplainable times.

Seasons In Everyone’s Life

There are seasons where we walk through the valley of the shadow of death (Pslams 23:4), and face the tribulations mentioned in John 16:33, but the Lord says to “be of good cheer,” not because it won’t hurt but because He has overcome the world.

God wants to teach us not only to celebrate our victories but learn to walk through things without them destroying our faith. Hebrews 11:6 says “it is impossible to please God,” not without understanding, but “without faith” (Ephesians 1:18, 4:18).

Truths About Suffering

There are four truths about suffering that I want to share with you. 

  1. Sin brought suffering, not God.
  2. God used suffering to bring salvation.
  3. God will end all suffering on the earth.
  4. God uses suffering to refine us and if we do not refuse it, to define us. 

Suffering is unavoidable because of sin. 

As Christians, we have the promise that one day it will end. While we are here, however, we must learn how God teaches us to deal with suffering. His way will ensure healing and growth. 

What To Do When You Don’t “Understand”

Hebrews 11:3 says that it’s “by faith we understand.” The starting point for our “understanding” as Christians is not in trying to understand the situation first, but in trusting God. God is asking you today, through your situation, “Can you trust Me?”

The world tries to understand things before understanding who God is. That’s why their understanding gets darkened and they think things like, “God doesn’t love me”, “God must be mean because He didn’t stop something from happening.”

You can’t dwell with God based on your understanding. You could only do that if He was just like you. But He is not like anything He created. What is the point of worshipping someone like you? Why trust somebody who has your limitations, weaknesses, and strengths?

Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and lean not on your own understanding.” Until I settle into the seat of trust, His understanding cannot lead me.

My friend, if you try and understand the “why” and the “how” of every unfortunate circumstance, you will be left confused and clouded, doubting the goodness of God. But, if you settle in God’s truth, His understanding will guide your life.

Trust Him. Trust that He loves you and died on the cross for your salvation. And even if things in this world don’t turn out the way you planned, prayed, or asked, God is still in control and in the end, God will settle the score.

How To Deal With Suffering

We have to enlighten our understanding with the truth of God’s Word. 

After Jesus’ resurrection, He enlightened the disciples’ minds by explaining the Scriptures. The problem happens when we take our theology from what we want to happen, instead of from the truth the Bible reveals to us.Instead of your mind creating an idea about God based on the current circumstances, allow the Word of God to show you the truth about who He is.

For example, if you ask yourself, “How do I know that He loves me?” the answer is because He did not allow sin to take its final course. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16). Jesus loves you; He never stops loving you. That’s what the Truth says. 

What Suffering Produces

If you are suffering, take refuge in the truth of this Scripture found in Romans 5:3-5, “…But we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” 

When you learn to glory in your tribulation, you begin to grow in God more. Not only in your character but in your hope. This hope will be what leads unbelievers to Christ, “be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15).

Word of Advice 

The Bible says, “In all this, you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:6-7).

I encourage you when God removes the suffering, praise Him. But if suffering doesn’t end, if there are things you have to learn to live with – I am not saying to stop praying or give up trusting in God, but learn to suffer well. When the apostle Paul pleaded with the Lord three times to take ‘the thorn in the flesh’ away from him, the Lord told him in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I (Paul) will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

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*** *** By Vladimir Savchuk © Copyright – Vladimir Savchuk. No changes whatsoever are to be made to the content of the article without written permission from the author at HungryGen