Christian Are You Dressed? Part 6

Good day. Today we are posting the newsletter Christian! Are you Dressed? Part 6 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?           v18n22
No Need To Duck! Part 6
  
Ephesians 6:10-16 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; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (KJV)

Faith comes by the message heard, as long as the message heard is from Jesus Christ! We need to put aside our distractions, (whatever they may be), and heed the word from Father. The word that he speaks to you and I. To study to please Father, takes discipline, and quality time. Not the leftovers, but the time when we are fresh, and attentive to hear and obey. Much study is a weariness to the flesh.

You have to train yourself, in taking the time, to allow the Spirit of truth, to lead you and guide you in all truth. This is where the problem arises. Father does not get the quality time. We need to be quiet, cut out all the distractions, and listen to what the Word of God has to say. Have you ever tried to study with a lot of noise and distractions going on around you? If you have, you will know that it is quite hard to concentrate.

If you only give Father fifteen minutes a day, guess how big your shield of faith will be? How many fiery darts, do you think that will stop? If the shield fails, it is not Father's fault.

Now faith is! It is my ability to hear, trust, and believe Father at this very moment, and to act upon it. Irregardless of what people or the circumstances say. (But you have to realize, that this does not happen overnight). Especially, since most of us have been taught contrary to the Word of God the majority of our lives.

Most of us are like Thomas the Apostle. Except we can see and touch, we do not want to believe. (John 20:24-25). We want to tell Father we will believe when we see the answer!

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (KJV)

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am to be content: (NKJ).

Paul is not talking about Wisconsin, Minnesota, or Montana in Philippians 4:11. He is referring to the fact, that if we trust and believe Father, we are not moved by the circumstances that may surround us. We are to be independent of all the distractions and turmoil that is all around us. That is why Paul, was able to continue on in the Word, because he did not let the world distract him from the mission Father had set before him. He knew that he could do all things through Christ, who was his strength. How content are you?

Luke 17:6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you. (KJV)

Note the preceding verse. The Apostles asked the Lord to increase their faith! The Lord's reply was, if ye had faith! He did not say, let us increase your faith. They could not get the measure of faith until the day of Pentecost, the moment that they were born-again. Then, the Spirit of truth, could bring to their remembrance, all the words that Jesus Christ had spoken to them. Once you were given the measure of faith, what have you done with it?

Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, (KJV)

Now, we have to continue in the Word of truth! We have to continue in His word, to keep God's shield of faith operating in front of us. My words, the devil will laugh at. God's Word, the devil will flee from. I am not to be concerned with the rear; Father will handle that if I am following his Word.

Isaiah 52:12 For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight; for the LORD will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rereward. (KJV)

rereward = to bring up the rear, rear guard

Colossians 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven, of which I, Paul, am made a minister. (KJV)

Galatians 3:2-3 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? (KJV)

John 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I speak unto you, I speak not of myself; but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. (KJV)

Faith is our ability to hear Father, and to be able to recognize his voice. Then we have to act upon it. And yet at the same time, to not be governed by what we see or feel in the physical realm; for our battle is not against flesh and blood. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen by the physical eye. The worlds around us were formed by the Word of God. He did not need Visa or Master card to accomplish it. Father spoke it into existence.

This same faith, Father has given the measure of it, faith! He has given to us, the same measure of faith that he gave to his Son, Jesus Christ!

It is the same measure of faith that allowed Jesus Christ to feed the multitudes on the hillside. He was not governed by Judas’ fear of what appeared to be lacking in the purse. He was not swayed by how far the furthest bakery was. He asked what was available, blessed it, gave thanks and praise to Father, and then proceeded to feed all that were there. Just from a few loaves and fish.

Have you ever noticed how many baskets were left to be collected? Twelve! Possibly one, for each doubting Apostle?

Jesus Christ was able to believe Father, irregardless of what the circumstances tried to dictate. Now faith is!

How is your shield holding up? Is your now faith, in operation?

Hebrews 4:14-16 Seeing, then, that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (KJV)

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

Next week: The helmet of salvation!

​Content
1)   sufficient for oneself, strong enough or processing enough to need no aid or support
2)   independent of external circumstances
3)   contented with one's lot, with one's means, though the slenderest