Christian Are You Dressed? Part 4

Good day. Today we are posting the newsletter Christian! Are you Dressed? Part 4 written in 1996 by our dear brother, fellow steward and ambassador of the mystery of Christ, Larry Gazelka, Our prayer is that you will be blessed and encouraged by this newsletter. Have a very blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. ***You can download a copy of the writing for personal use only by clicking on the Built Anew Ministries Archive page link above and scroll down to the year 1996.

Christian!  Are You Dressed?           v18n20
To the Armory! Part 4
 
Ephesians 6:10-15 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (KJV)

So many of us, whenever we start something, want everything right now. We want all of the answers; all the results; anything that applies to the situation, we want it complete, right now. We don't want to take the time to be sure everything is set in order. That it is complete and ready to be utilized properly.

In the Marine Corps, when going through basic training, one was not able at the time, to understand the reason for all the repetitiveness that was pushed on us. It was hard to understand why everything had to be done right now as soon as they barked the command. In boot camp, not much of anything made sense.

By the time you arrived in Viet Nam, and spent a week or two in combat, you had a full realization of what they had tried to teach you; now you just hoped that you remembered enough of the basics to keep yourself alive. This is when you tell yourself, if only I would have listened more; paid closer attention in the classes. The wrong time for self examination! By being properly prepared, many lives could be spared.

The Roman soldier, that was preparing for battle, was sure to take ample time to prepare himself and his equipment for the battle ahead. He realized the importance of being sure that everything was totally operational, before entering the skirmish.

In putting on his sandals, he knew without them properly installed, that he would not have good footing, nor be able to hold the ground that he was responsible for. (Have you ever had blisters from an improper fitted pair of shoes?)

For any of you that have hiked in the mountains, after your first trip there is one thing that you will not forget. You do not wear tennis shoes for hiking the mountains! They just do not hold up! They were not designed for that type of use. With the wrong application of equipment, a pleasurable trip in the beginning, can be a real nightmare by the end of it.

To get a proper fit, you have to know the size and the width of your foot. Then, you also have to be sure that it is properly broke in, so that it will not injure your feet.

Another thing the word shod reminds me of, (living in Montana), is what is necessary for getting a horse properly shod for use.

First of all, the foot, or hoof, has to be sound. No deep cracks, or other damaged parts, that would render it ineffective. Then, the hoof has to be trimmed, before the shoe can be fit properly. All excess hoof has to be cut off and trimmed away. Then it has to be filed and smoothed out to ensure that the shoe will lay flat. Next, the shoe itself, is sized and beat into shape to fit the hoof properly, and then it is nailed into place. But we are not yet done! The nails have to be bent over, cut-off, and then pounded in and filed. Thus, it will not hurt itself, or anyone else.

As we start to apply some of these ideas to our Christian walk, we can begin to see what Paul was trying to relate to us in his letter to the Ephesians. It takes total concentration, and diligence to become prepared for the tasks that Father has for us.

If we are not properly prepared, how will we be of any use to anyone, even ourselves? Just taking a scripture here, and another one there, does not get us prepared for all that is ahead! We have to constantly study for Father's approval. Remember, that much study, is a weariness to the flesh.

Prepared, is also very close to seeking. We have to seek out Father's will for our life.

Proverbs 28:5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things. (KJV)

Matthew 6:33-34 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is its own evil. (KJV)

Being prepared, is waiting for Father’s instructions. All to often, we want to react on our own. We try to tell Father when the time is right. It just does not work that way. We have to wait upon the Lord. It is His Spirit that leads us and guides us into all truth.

Psalms 51:10-13 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with a free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners shall be converted unto thee. (KJV)

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (KJV)

Hebrews 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance, seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. (KJV)

Are you prepared for what Father has for you to do? Have you taken the time to hear Father's instruction for you?

To be properly prepared, we have to wait upon the Lord. We have to be renewed with His strength. I can not do it on my own. My righteousness will not stand up before the throne of God.

Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (KJV)

My ability to serve Father through Jesus Christ, is because Jesus Christ has become my righteousness. He took my place at the cross and in the grave.

Romans 1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For in it is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (KJV)

Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (KJV)

1 Corinthians 1:30-31 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption; That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. (KJV)

Ephesians 4:23-24 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (KJV)

Next week, we will continue on being prepared!

That you may know Him,
In the service of Jesus Christ
Larry Gazelka


​Word Corner
preparation-- being ready for use or service!