The Loin Belt of Truth represents the Written Word of God (logos)

Have you ever wondered why a Roman Soldier was so heavily protected in his "loin area"?  It was to protect his ability to reproduce!

The relationshi between these two key components are crystal clear:  God wants you and me to protect our ability to reproduce the character and identity of God, by the written Word of God... the Loin Belt.

If ever we neglect to put it on or just leave it laying, then our protection of productivity is gone and as in any conflict or battle, unjury will occur.  Damages might not be an axe to the head or a dagger through the heart, but what about a brutal hit "below the belt"...OUCH!!!  That strike could lead to us becoming "spiritualy sterile".

We find ourselves believing nothing, doing nothing, confessing nothing, practicing nothing and producing NOTHING - we're "Spiritually Barren"!!

My friends, it is God's desire for us to multiply and be fruitful!  Buckle Up!

Pastor Jody

The Loin Belt of Truth

What does the loin belt represent?

"the Written Word of God..." (logos) The Scriptures!

The belt (or the bible) is the only visible and tangible piece of God's Armor.  All of the other pieces were to be attached to it.  Let me explain...

1. Breastplate of Righteousness (John 16:8) "we as believers, from time to time must be convinced that we are righteous.  So often we might not feel righteous, but the word says that we ARE righteous. (II Corinthians 5:21)

Righteous = Right Standing with God

2. Shoes of Peace... "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts..." (Colossians 3:15)

Peace (brabeuo) an umpire
"Let God's peace make the decisions..."  How? I'm glad you asked!
The very next verse explains, "Let the Word of Christ (logos) dwell in you richly..." (Colossians 3:16).  It is God's Word that will bring about peace!

3. Shield of Faith (Romans 10:17)

Faith comes by hearing and hearing and hearing and hearing and hearing... (you get the idea) the Word of God (logos).

4. Helmet of Salvation

"Now that we have the Mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5), we now have the ability to think and Reason according to the Word of God (II Timothy 3:15).

We now have a "sound mind" or "Saved Brains!" (II Timothy 1:7)

5. Sword of the Spirit (Hebrews 4:12) Rhema - the Spoken Word of God

Rhema - to speak with intelligence and authority
logos = information becomes Rhema = Revelation.

We'll discuss these later on... Buckle Up Your Belt!

Pastor Jody

The Most Important Weapon

"Stand therefore having your loins girt about you with Truth..." (Ephesians 6:14)

When a decorated roman soldier was wearing his polished-brass breastplate or his helmet "head dress" or his shiny sword... who would have ever noticed his belt?  Pretty boring right?  WRONG!

If a soldier wasn't wearing a belt, pretty soon everyone would notice!  A man's belt might seem insignificant, but to remove that belt would seen affect other articles of clothing...

• Pants might fall down - trying to march or fight while holding your pants up or having them around your knees is no easy task!  "Breezy, but not Easy"
  
• Shirt might come untucked, wrinkled and before long... he'd look like a mess!

Over the next few weeks, we'll learn to appreciate the belt's function and value to us as Believers...

(Ephesians 6:14) The belt was mentioined first - first in priority and rank.  Just as the Apostle (the thumb on the hand) which can touch the other four "fingers" of ministry (Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher - but that's another sermon!)

The belt was the connection between the Warrior, his Weapons and him Winning the battle!  What does the belt represent and why was it first over the other weapons?

See you next week...

Pastor Jody

Dude! Where's My Shield?

For the next few weeks we will examine and discuss the spiritual weaponry that God has made available to us as believers.  Today, we begin with “The Shield of Faith”.

“Above all...”

    At first this appears to be telling us that the Shield of Faith has “priority”, but in reality it refers to the location of our Faith.  Above All (epi pasin) means “out in front”.  That’s where our shield of confidence in God and His Word should always be... Out in Front of our hearts and minds.

“The Shield” - a two-fold purpose

First, it’s a defensive weapon to quinch the “feiry darts” (belos); to extenguish “angry arrows” that have been dipped in flammable liquids and lit on fire!

Secondly, it’s an offensive weapon.

A roman shield was made of brass that could be polished to obtain a “mirror finish” and when used in battle it could reflect the Sun to temporarily blind the enemy.  We too can lift our shield to the SON and His Glory will deter and destroy our adversaries! ( II Corinthians 3:18 NLT)

“Take up...” (analambano) to pick up repeatedly...

This word describes our Faith - not as possessional, but POSITIONAL.  If we’ve been born again, we have all been given a “measure of Faith...” (Romans 12:3)

The big question is Where have you put it?  We know you have it somewhere...but where is it?  Often times we tend to leave it somewhere or lay it down somewhere... We become sidetracked and stick it somewhere...

The term “Take up” means “GO GET IT!”  “FIND IT!” “Pick it up and get it out in front of you!!”

Stay firm in the Faith,

Pastor Jody

Down Goes Goliath! Down Goes Goliath!

Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand.  And he drew near to the Philistine.

1 Samuel 17:40 NKJ

Why would David put five stones in his pouch when he needed only one to bring the giant to the ground?  Was he a terrible shot?  Or was it that there was a mystery message God was trying to reveal to us?

One school of thought was the five stones represented the “Five-fold Ministry” in the New Testament Church. (Ephesians 4:11)

Some compared the five stones to the “five wise virgins” in Matthew (Matthew 25:1-3) who made sure that they carried enough oil for their lamps to last the entire night.

Others think the five stones represent the first five books of Moses, which became the Jewish Law.

And Last, but not least the number five is the number of “Grace” - it is God’s Grace that provides everything we might need to succeed and to prosper!

All of these theories are possible and probably, but the Scriptures tell us that Goliath, the Giant of Gath had four “sons” (II Samuel 21:22).  Wouldn’t having four “giant relatives” explain David’s actions in preparation for them also... just in case.

May wisdom always prepare us for our warfare also!

Rock on, my friends!

Pastor Jody