Posted in Freedom, The Word, Theology

Why the Armor of God? Hasn’t Christ Already Won?

Posted on by Trenidy Davis

Question: Our only confusion with last night’s content has been the seeming contradiction that the battle has been won but yet we are to put on the armor of God and do battle / war.  Is it as simple as taking our stand and claiming the victory?  It’s not so much that we have to engage against Satan (we are in a war?) but to simply stand victorious, right? 

This is a very good question and one that we need to understand!  Let’s look closer at the tense of some of the verbs in this passage.  (NOTE a word-for-word translation like the King James, New American Standard, or ESV shows this much more clearly)  Here is the ESV of Ephesians 6:13-18

13 Therefere take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Neil Anderson writes about this passage

“It would appear from the verb tenses in Ephesians 6;14, 15, that three of the pieces of armor—belt (truth), breastplate (righteousness) and shoes (peace)–are already on you: “having girded . . .”; “having put on . . .”; having shod. . . .” These pieces of armor represent the elements of your protection made possible when you receive Jesus Christ and in which you are commanded to stand firm. The Greek tense of “having” signifies that the action it refers to was completed before we were commanded to stand firm. That’s the logical way a soldier would prepare for action: He would put on his belt, breastplate and shoes before attempting to stand firm. Likewise, we are to put on the full armor of God after having already put on Christ.”

This is so powerful!  As with so much of Christ’s saving work there are past, present, and future ramifications of His victory. From this passage there are things that have already been done at salvation and these give us the power to stand in victory!  Yet the victory is not automatic.  We have responsibility to take up the shield of faith (believe), take up the helmet of salvation (renew our mind), and to pray (asking our Heavenly Father for His Spirit to help us and each other).

We are already seated with Him Ephesians 2:6, yet at the same time we are here on this earth, working to carry out His kingdom work.  Christ has already won The WAR and declared PEACE and He sat down, but the “Rebel Prince of this Age” continues to battle in pockets of resistance he has been temporarily allowed to have.  As the sons and daughters of God we are representing Him and proclaiming His PEACE to our generation; until Christ returns to finalize all things.

This past, present and future work is so clear in Hebrews 10:12-13, which reads:

But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,  waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected (made perfect) for all time those who are being sanctified (are being made holy).

This is also illustrated in the Old Testament when God told the people that the “Promised Land “ was already theirs, given to them as a free gift of God. However they had to be obedient to march around Jericho (on one occasion), and at other times to engage their enemy.

I BELIEVE GOD DOES NOT DRIVE OUT OUR ENEMY COMPLETELY BECAUSE HE WANTS US TO COMPLETELY DEPEND OF HIM AS OUR HEAVENLY FATHER AND THE SOURCE OF OUR STRENGTH.  (Check out Exodus 23:20-31 for some interesting read sometime)

I hope help this helps all of us as we stand in the Victory that Christ won as we do our part. Praying that the eyes of our hearts may be open to see God’s amazing authority and power for us who believe!  Remember we don’t have to dispel the darkness, we just need to shine His Light in our own lives and in our world!

Posted in Uncategorized

Band of Brothers Fall 2014

Posted on by Trenidy Davis

Band of Brothers was put together to create an environment for Fathers to mentor their son’s in Living life, Learning to follow God, Leading others.   We believe the best place to do this is with a group of like-mined men; in the great outdoors.

Posted in Uncategorized

Family Fun at Home

Posted on by Trenidy Davis

“If we teach our kids that fun is something they can only experience outside the home; then when they grow up they will not enjoy coming back.” #itstartsathome

Here are some ideas:

  • Power Up- Have each member of the family take a turn sitting in a chair at the center of the room.  Then every takes a turn telling the person in the chair something positive they see in their life.
  • Family Talent show- Karaoke, Magic Tricks, Dance, etc.  (Don’t post to social media without your kids/parents consent 🙂
  • Game Night- Charades, Board Games, Etc
  • Book night- Low Key (alternative to Move Night)
Posted in Uncategorized

What We Want More Than to Know God Exists

Posted on by Trenidy Davis

“We all want to be certain, we all want proof, but the kind of proof that we tend to want–scientifically or philosophically demonstrable proof that would silence all doubts once and for all–would not in the long run, I think, answer the fearful depths of our need at all. For what we need to know, of course, is not just that God exists, not just that beyond the steely brightness of the stars there is a cosmic intelligence of some kind that keeps the whole show going, but that there is a God right here in the thick of our day-by-day lives who may not be writing messages about himself in the stars but who in one way or another is trying to get messages through our blindness as we move around down here knee-deep in the fragrant muck and misery and marvel of the world. It is not objective proof of God’s existence that we want but, whether we use religious language for it or not, the experience of God’s presence. That is the miracle that we are really after. And that is also, I think, the miracle that we really get.2”

“When we are diagnosed with cancer we don’t want to be able to prove God’s existence, we want him near. When we lose a loved one we want God to be with us. In the midst of our confusion, struggles and questions, the thing that matters most to us is that we are not alone. And when we gather as a church family, the most important thing is to sense God’s presence with us. That is when we worship.”

Frederick Buechner

 

Posted in Books, Money, Storm, The Word

PREPARE – My Notes

Posted on by Trenidy Davis

I’ve posted before about Ethan Pope and his ministry. I do believe in what this book is communicating. Ethan takes the first portion of the book and reiterates his primary points of his last book “America’s Financial Demise.” Below are some of notes. I consider myself a realist and I’m not making a bomb shelter, however I am planning with this in mind and as you can see from the scriptures; throughout history the wised have always made provisions for times of trouble. Find out more at www.ethanpope.com.

As Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” Proverbs 27:17

“The wise see danger ahead and prepare; a fool ignores the facts and suffers the consequences.” Proverbs 27:12

“The sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do” 1 Chronicles 12:32

“Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God.” Ecclesiastes 7:14

“The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets.” Proverbs 21.:20

We must demonstrate to those around us what it means to trust God and prepare at the same-time.  To put Matthews 7:24-27 into practice (Building on the rock knowing hard times come to all.)

In history God has given wisdom in advance to Joseph

  • Joseph Gen 48:4-8
  • He had to learn his Spiritual Context before his physical context Gen 45:5-8
  • Understand the Joseph Principle Gen 41:35-36 0 Save during good years, knowing famine will occur

God ordained for us to live at this time in history Psalm 139:16

  • Nehemiah Nehemiah 2:17-18
  • Ester  Ester 4:14
  • Jeremiah Jeremiah 1:5

“Don’t just sit at Home watching movies; PREPARE!”

We Need Wisdom to

  • Make Sound Financial Decisions
  • Where to Live
  • How to Provide
  • How to Protect
  • Position ourselves to witness and serve
  • Encourage Others to Prepare

PREP Plan

  • Prepare Spiritually
  • Reallocate Resources
  • Economize Lifestyle
  • Pay Off Debt

Random Notes:

  • China owns 8% and Japan 7% of US Debt- Page 35
  • Feds have ability to create money at will and they are.
  • Keep portion of emery fund in FDIC insured Money Market account and the rest in American Silver Eagle dollar coins
  • Develop a skill or small business you can run for money
  • Own fewer things.  Get rid of things that are not necessary. The less you have to maintain the better off you will be.
Posted in Culture, Productivity, Theology

God Will Not Do Your Part

Posted on by Trenidy Davis

God has set things up in a certain way and He has decreed that something’s are His responsibility and some things are our responsibility. The trouble is we tend to get those things mixed up. Based on our understanding of God (Theology) we either try to do things that are God’s responsibility or we want him to do things that are our responsibility.

In many ways it would be great if all we had to do was ask someone to pray for us and our issue would instantly be fixed. However, confession (admitting our wrong) repentance (changing our actions) and believing the truth have always been the answer and no one else can do those for us.

Most defeated Christians are hoping that God will change His ways to accommodate them. They want God to assume their responsibility, but he won’t. If we want to move on as a Christian; no one else can do it for us. God has already promised to be with us (Hebrews 13.5) and provide all that we need (2 Peter 1:3), but we must stop blaming and do our part.

 

Adapted from Freedom In Christ Discipleship Course p.227

Posted in Uncategorized

Hebraic Vs Greek Thought Concerning Leadership/Ministry

Posted on by Trenidy Davis

In this chart below, taken from Mike and Sue Dowgiewiez book Reclaiming the Early Church, they contrast the Hebraic vs the Greek view of living. I can see these two models warring in the hearts and minds of church leaders on how their churches will be lead.

HEBRAIC GREEK
Active-appeals to the heart Cognitive-appeals to the intellect
Process Oriented

  • Emphasizes direct participation
  • Emphasizes age, wisdom
 Program Oriented

  • Heavy Program Emphasis
  • Emphasizes Education
Biblical Application

  • Doers of the Word
  • Bible-reality that must be confronted
 Biblical Application

  • Belief without cost to self
  • Bible-data that must be taught
Ministry Activity

  • Small intimate groups
  • Leader as facilitator
 Ministry Activity

  • Large impersonal groups
  • Leader-directed, controlled
Fruit

  • Love, acceptance, forgiveness
  • Transparency encouraged
 Fruit

  • Mutual toleration
  • Transparency discouraged

How should a church be lead? Should these to thoughts be merged? Can they be merged?

Posted in Uncategorized

Removing the Dragon

Posted on by Trenidy Davis

I will never get over this.

trenidydavis.com

The first time I heard this being read aloud, I got a bit emotional. In it Lewis depicts our (my) self-effort to remove our dragon, which can only be removed by The Lion Himself. Read and Worship J


(Photo taken from http://soulstretchesandsteps.wordpress.com/2011/07/07/peeling-away-my-dragon-skin/)

“The water was as clear as anything and I thought if I could get in there and bathe it would ease the pain in my leg. but the lion told me I must undress first. Mind you, I don’t know if he said any words out loud or not.

I was just going to say that I couldn’t undress because I hadn’t any clothes on when I suddenly thought that dragons are snaky sort of things and snakes can cast their skins. Oh, of course, thought I, that’s what the lion means. So I started scratching myself and my scales began coming off all over the place. And…

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Posted in Culture, History

I Will Be In The Stairwell of Your Final Moments

Posted on by Trenidy Davis

I was listening to the Galo radio show a few days after the events on September 11th, 2001 when I heard this read over the air. It sent chills up my spine and to this day brings me encouragement and hope about God, and his sovereignty.

You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news on September 11, 2001. Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say “Good-Bye.” I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, “Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK…I am ready to go.” I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn’t coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to me for help. “I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!” I said. “Of course I will show you the way home – only believe on Me now.”

I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.

I was in Texas, Kansas, London. I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me? I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name – though not all know Me.

Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor. Some sought Me with their last breath .Some couldn’t hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames; “Come to Me… this way… take my hand.”

Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there.

If you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me?

September 11, 2001 was not the end of the journey for you. But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are “ready

to go.”

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

God

~ author unknown ~

Posted in Books, LifeHacks

Chasing Daylight (A Book Review on Preparing to Die)

Posted on by Trenidy Davis

To celebrate a recent birthday milestone J I decided to read the book by the late Gene O’Kelly, “Chasing Daylight-How My Forthcoming Death Transformed My Life”.

Reading the words of a dying man will certainly motivate you to think and as Mr. O’Kelly pointed out in his book, not everyone gets the chance to plan out the last 2-3 months of their life. But his diagnosis was such that it allowed him to function at a very high level physically and mentally; which allowed him to capture his thoughts on planning to die, dying, and life after death. While I don’t consider all of Mr. Kelly’s content Christ centered, I do believe his practice of examining what remained of his life on earth and his life beyond should be a practice of every Christian. In Psalm 90:12 we are encouraged, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” I believe this the essence Jesus example while he lived on earth and spoke of Father in Heaven and His coming Kingdom.

Here are a few of my takeaways from the book. Mr. O’Kelly’s hope was that the living would use what he found in dying, to live more fully.

  • Much of the sympathy we feel toward people who are dying can actually be emotions toward ourselves. In short, their dying reminds us that we will be dying as well.
  • Most of our daily frustrations come from our expectations or NOT ACCEPTING the way things are. Mr. O’Kelly states that he had to arrive at a point of “accepting acceptance”, accepting the way things were. Knowing they would not get better allowed him to fully enjoy the time he had left.
  • Learning to live in the present moment by lowering our expectations about our present circumstances and future desires will help us create more “perfect moments”.
  • He brought all of his relationships to a close starting with phone calls and emails to friends and acquaintances (which took him three weeks). He then worked through family relationships; end with his children and wife. In some formal sense he wanted to say goodbye. This practice revealed the following for those of us who still have time.
    • Relationships Matter Most
    • Slow Down!
    • It’s rewarding to have deep conversations with people.
    • Be More Spontaneous
    • Tell people how much you care about them today (you may not get the chance.)
    • Write letters to your loved ones that would help them gain closure in the event of your passing.

I certainly do not consider this book a Christ center book, however, looking over some of the discovery’s made during his last days, certainly gives me direction and motivation on how to live the days God has given me. Write out your personal reflections, or read the book for yourself, but either way you will be blessed by this most difficult practice.