Refresh in the Race

Hebrews 12:1-2  Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

It’s hot and heated out there and it's easy to get caught up in it.   I pray that these words will be a cool drink of water for you in the course of this race set before us, refreshing you again by what your best attire is against the slew of mean that we read or hear.

The refresher is from God’s Word in Epheshians 6:10-18.

Let it pour over you again.

Going from head to toe.

Start with your helmet of salvation. 

Guard that mind of yours with the knowledge of your saving grace.  Don’t fall into areas of limitations.  There is no limit to the grace that Jesus has given you in salvation or for the salvation of others.  It’s all about the grace and love here through forgiveness and believing it.

The Breastplate of Righteousness 

This is your heart-beat and breath covered by the pure goodness of Jesus.  He alone is our righteousness and in Him, wearing Him over those spiritual vital organs, we can’t help but be a life in a place of strengthened love.  His love is poured into our hearts and knowing our righteousness is not ours, but His, we can love so much better without fear of being hurt.  It’s not about me, it’s about Him upon me. The place of Love and Life is covered by His.

The Shield of Faith 

Those words of hate against all you believe in have become loud and hurtful or attempt to shame.  But, hold to that shield of Faith.   You know the way you know Jesus, how He changed your life and how that alone is a miracle.  His power is real and His promises and truths are real. You’ve heard of His power in the lives of others, too, as they share what He has done.  He has fulfilled prophecy after prophecy in the Scriptures.  He’s not going to stop now.  Hold to your shield and know that the blessing of your faith is already a gift from Him as He is the author and finisher of our faith.  The words of hate can’t destroy you when you keep your faith shield up. 

The Belt of Truth

Always gird yourself with truth.  There is no wrong in truth.  If you don’t know something, say so.  It’s better to be truthful in not knowing it all, because no one does.  Be truthful about it.  Jesus says He is the Truth. Read His words. Pay attention to them and how often He says, “I tell you the truth…”  Those words following such a point are powerful.  Jesus reveals His love and His holiness. He also reveals His displeasure.  Frequently He reveals it towards ones who put on their own self-righteousness or know- it-all answers. He opposes pride and haughtiness.  He humbled the proud and He was good at it.  He’s gracious to children and the humble.

The Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God 

This is big.  Get into the Word.  Ask Him to open it up to you and show you Him in it and give you understanding in it.  There’s nothing else that encourages me, strengthens me, convicts me and gives me peace and hope as it does.

His holiness is powerful in the Word and so is His grace and love.

His Word is your confidence.

If you’re having difficulty these days in ways of anger, judgment, criticism or even arrogance, my advice first is to connect with Jesus.  A prayer life of talking with Him is going directly to Him the Living Word.  His love for you will help you love others.  I suggest reading the Bible and if it is difficult to understand, look for resources to be instructed well in it. The combination of a prayer life or time talking to Jesus, and reading the Bible or being instructed in it, help the Scriptures begin to open up to your life.  It helps so much in getting past the bad in this world and to keep it from sticking to you.   

A humble Bible teacher is a treasure.  From them come some of the best insights as they lead from that place of humility.  The humble are usually the best at walking in grace. I don’t mean humble in the way of weakness.  A good teacher is also courageous enough to speak truth and be honest in their own short-comings.  I just circled back to humble again.  It matters.

The fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23.  Let your own words be filled with this kind of fruit.  There is power in love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  That power was evidenced at the cross and resurrection.  Then, Jesus breathed it upon us: His Spirit.

The more you consciously carry your own conversations in these ways, the more it becomes you and the more others begin to speak in like manner.  Kindness is contagious.  The rude and arrogant may get angry by it because it messes with them, so it isn’t always received well, but know you did right by His righteousness.

The Shoes of Peace  Aggression is not peace.  Peace is being. 

Not attacking and not retreating, but being.

 Be in the place of His Spirit.  Jesus did not desire the physical sword any longer by His example of when He healed the soldier’s ear that had been cut off by Peter.  Jesus said to that, “No more!”

The swords Jesus was referring to when he said to His followers that it was time to take up their swords and they gallantly said they had two and Jesus said, “It is enough,” were mentioned with the list of things that would be the part of Jesus being numbered with the transgressors as He was about to be crucified. This is how I interpret it; the bag of money that Judas got, Jesus’ garment, and I believe knapsacks because they would be fleeing from Him. There would be two more uses of swords before His resurrection; the sword cutting off the soldier’s ear and the sword that was pierced into Jesus’ side.  Both uses contrasted as transgression to what was the new covenant.  No longer an ear for an ear and an eye for an eye as Jesus restored the ear and peacefully went with them (not attacking and not retreating)  to be tried and crucified and then pierced by another sword to prove His death. Grace had come and forgiveness made by the blood and water shed by the Holy One; The Prince of Peace.

Luke 22:35-38  He said to them, "When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?"

So they said, "Nothing."

Then He said to them, "But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.  For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: 'And He was numbered with the transgressors.'  For the things concerning Me have an end."

So they said, "Lord, look, here are two swords."

And He said to them, "It is enough."

 Our sword now is His Word and Spirit.  Keep moving in this full armor of Him; His presence in your life as He sends you.  Because only in Him do we have no lack.  Keep your precious mind in His grace and salvation for you, your heart beating in love, life and breath covered by His righteousness, your shield of faith, your belt of truth, your sword of the Spirit and shoes of peace that will never wear out.

Keep your prayers, the words in the Spirit, always refreshing you and for Him and one another.

Be strong in the LORD and His mighty power.

In His love and Spirit; refresh.

Romans 5:1-5  ESV  Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoiced in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.