Weekly Reflection - February 08 & 15
February 8 & 15, 2021
“Your name has been given to us, as a leader, who we really need. We are going through an international transition and we will begin with sending you a substantial retainer, by responding to this email. We need to hear from you immediately.”
I recently received this, as well as other similar emails, and of course delete them as fast as they come in. Yet, I am intrigued, for there are truths embedded in the email, such as resourcing in transition, which I do at times.
During the pandemic, we hear passionate support for various viewpoints. I overheard someone say quite strongly, “What is truth today? Who can I believe?" I am examining my own heart for that question through the lens of being an overcomer as described in Ephesians Chapter 6.
Roman soldiers were a remarkable sight. They were covered from head to toe with various pieces of weaponry to protect and equip them. There is a reason Paul begins with the belt of truth buckled around the waist. In Ephesians 6:14, the most important piece of equipment in the soldier’s arsenal was his “loin belt”. It literally held the other weaponry together - no loin belt, and the soldier had no place to attach his massive shield, hang his sword, rest his lance on, or keep his breastplate in place. He would literally come apart, piece by piece. Yes, it was the most vital part of all his weaponry and that is why Paul states emphatically, that for the believer, the loin belt of their spiritual armor is the Word of God.
For us to be an overcomer, to discern between what is false and truth, we can never speak from our resources, we must speak from the truth revealed to us through the Word. Our culture promotes falsehood and attacks truth.
Deuteronomy 32:4 states, “He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.” NKJV
The Bible teaches that Jesus is the communicator of truth; He is truth embodied. Truth is not a system or a philosophy, it is a Person.
For me, in these uncertain times, I need to remember and practice 4 principles:
I need to give priority to my daily time with God in His Word. This is the principle which Paul is writing about in Ephesians 6. The Word is my “loin belt”. It is what holds all I believe in, for it is based on a Person.
I need to speak into lives and also receive from others, that which invests in the relationship, character, engaging others to stand for what they believe God is asking of them and how they are using their giftedness for God during this time. That is especially true for us in the 55+, for God wants us to be engaged for Him.
I need to keep short accounts with God and with others. God desires us to be whole and we experience wholeness through confession. That involves asking the Holy Spirit to convict me where I am drifting and shine the light of truth into my life.
I need to know the strategy of the enemy and how he attacks me. These 7 ways stand out for me.
He is after my honesty and will try to see me drift and rationalize issues. He is the author of confusion and lies.
He wants to fill me with anxiety.
He wants to fill me with doubt and question what I have understood and believed all my life.
He wants to confuse my mind.
He wants to tempt me to sin.
He wants me to stay so busy, that I am tired, stressed and my guard is let down and I do not have my daily time in the Word.
He hates it when I pray. Postmodernists make up truth as they go along. What is true today may not be true tomorrow. James 1:17 states, “God never changes”. What was true yesterday is true today and forever.
Focus on the Person. You have to do this through your loin belt, the Word. "Knowing Jesus means you can spend your time living the truth, not looking for it." – David Jeremiah.
~Bruce
