restoring your shield of faith

8/12/2019 Restoring Your Shield of Faith

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P R A I S E F O R

RESTORING YOUR

SHIELD OF FAITHThis well-written book brought e to ! new le"el o# #!ith !n$

belie# th!t I h!$ not w!lke$ in %re"iousl&' Re!$ing these(on(e%ts is r!ther like e!ting s%iritu!l )he!ties' For those o# &ou

who h!"e h!$ soe serious (h!llenges to &our #!ith o# l!te*Restoring Your Shield of Faith is #or &ou+

,INDYA,O.SA U T H O R , THEVOICE OFGOD

It/s re!rk!ble how ,hu(k 0ier(e !n$ Robert Hei$ler !lw!&s hitthe bull/s-e&e' Restoring Your Shield of Faith i%!rts (l!ssi(

te!(hing !bout #oun$!tion!l %rin(i%les* &et it un#ol$s thesetruths in ! #resh !n$ rele"!nt w!&' )e !ll nee$ to he!r thisess!ge' .oth o# these en h!"e #!(e$ "er& tough s%iritu!l

b!ttles !n$ h!"e le!rne$ #irsth!n$ how to li#t high their shiel$so# #!ith' Re!$ their stories* so!k in their te!(hing* !n$ be(oe

better e1ui%%e$ to #!(e the ene& !n$ enter ! new $iension o#&our w!lk with Go$'

DR' DUT,HSHEETSA U T H O R , INT ERCE SSORYPRA YER

Restoring Your Shield of Faith (h!llenges our l!(k o# #!ith when

trouble or !$"ersit& (oes our w!&' ,hu(k 0ier(e !n$ RobertHei$ler (!re#ull& un#ol$ ! t!%estr& o# bibli(!l truths to hel% us!(t in #!ith to re(ei"e the %roises o# Go$' Re!$ this book !n$

&our #!ith will ignite !s ine $i$+

ALI,ES2ITHE X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R , U . S . P R A Y E R C E N T E R

Do &ou w!nt to li"e Go$/s #ull $estin& #or &our li#e3 It will onl&

h!%%en i# &ou li"e ! li#e o# "ibr!nt #!ith' Restoring Your Shield ofFaith is ! book th!t will hel% &ou begin ! new 4ourne& !n$

sust!in the #!ith th!t &ou nee$ to o"e #orw!r$'

,' 0ETER )AGNERC H A N C E L L O R , W A G N E R L E A D E R S H I P I N S T I T U T E


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In to$!&/s worl$ o# (h!os !n$ (on#usion* ,hristi!ns nee$ ! newle"el o# #!ith' 2!n& %eo%le h!"e be(oe $is(our!ge$* #!(e$

#e!rs the& ne"er en(ountere$ be#ore or lost ho%e' Restoring Your

Shield of Faith gi"es ! %r!(ti(!l ro!$ !% #or reg!ining ! %ower#ulle"el o# #!ith th!t se(ures the "i(tor&' I highl& re(oen$ this

book to hel% !n&one shi#t into ! new %l!(e !n$ obt!in the%roises o# the Lor$ #or their li#e'

.AR.ARA )ENTRO.LEF O U N D E R , I N T E R N A T I O N A L B R E A K T H R O U G H M I N I S T R I E S A U T H O R , PROPH ET IC

IN TERCES SIONA N D YOUAR EANOI NT ED


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P U B L I S H E D B Y R E G A L B O O K S

F R O M G O S P E L L I G H T

V E N T U R A , C A L I F O R N I A , U . S . A .

P R I N T E D I N T H E U . S . A .

Reg!l .ooks is ! inistr& o# Gos%el Light* !n e"!ngeli(!l ,hristi!n %ublisher $e$i(!te$ to ser"ing the lo(!l(hur(h' )e belie"e Go$/s "ision #or Gos%el Light is to %ro"i$e (hur(h le!$ers with bibli(!l* user-#rien$l&!teri!ls th!t will hel% the e"!ngeli5e* $is(i%le !n$ inister to (hil$ren* &outh !n$ #!ilies'

It is our %r!&er th!t this Reg!l book will hel% &ou $is(o"er bibli(!l truth #or &our own li#e !n$ hel% &oueet the nee$s o# others' 2!& Go$ ri(hl& bless &ou'

For a free catalog of resources from Regal Books/Gospel Light, please call your Christian supplier or contact us at 6-788-9-GOS0EL orwww'reg!lbooks'(o'

All S(ri%ture 1uot!tions* unless otherwise in$i(!te$* !re t!ken #ro the N!"#S(ri%ture t!ken #ro theNe$ ing !ames "ersion% ,o%&right : 6;?* 6;7< b& the@on$er"!n ,or%or!tion' The A%li#ie$ New Test!ent (o%&right : 6;?7* 6;7< b& The Lo(k!nFoun$!tion' Use$ b& %erission' !"#ing !ames "ersion% Authori5e$ ing !es Bersion'N&SB#S(ri%ture t!ken #ro the Ne$ &merican Standard Bi'le, : 6;>8* 6;>=* 6;>C* 6;>7* 6;


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D E D I C A T I O N

This book is $e$i(!te$ to !ll o# those who in the i$st o#b!ttle h!"e r!ise$ high their shiel$s o# #!ith' )e s%e(i#i(!ll& w!nt

to !(knowle$ge !ll o# our %erson!l inter(essors !n$ #rien$s whoh!$ their shiel$s u% on our beh!l# !s we %re%!re$ this book'


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, O N T E N T SPrologue................................................................................................9he estudo

Chapter 1.............................................................................................13!esus, -ur Shield

Chapter 2.............................................................................................27.hat Faith )s

Chapter 3.............................................................................................3Blessings and Benefits

Chapter !.............................................................................................1nemies of Faith

Chapter ............................................................................................."1he 0o$er of -ur .ords

Chapter ".............................................................................................70assing the est

Chapter 7.............................................................................................91

Bursting 0ast Blockades

Chapter #...........................................................................................111he .hole &rmor of God

Chapter 9...........................................................................................121From .eakness to 0erfection

Chapter 1$.........................................................................................1311o+ing )nto a Ne$ 2imension


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Put on the full armor of God, ... with thebelt of truth buckled around your waist, with

the breastplate of righteousness in place,

and with your feet fitted with the readinessthat comes from the gospel of peace. In

addition to all this, t ake u% the s hie ld offa i th , with which you can extinguish all the

flaming arrows of the evil one.

E 0 H E S I A N S > 6 C - 6 > * N ) " , E 2 0 H A S I S A D D E D


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PROLOGUE

%&' %'(%)D*Through the e!rl& orning ist Se"erus 2!ius (oul$ see

b!rb!ri!n w!rriors !!ssing !t the #!r en$ o# the "!lle&' For sionths these ene& (ob!t!nts h!$ been r!i$ing w!gons th!ttr!"ele$ !long Ro!n tr!$e routes in the region' Se"erus !n$ his(ohort o# >88 Ro!n sol$iers h!$ been $is%!t(he$ to (le!r theout'

Se"erus/s en knew their 4obs well* but going into b!ttle w!sne"er t!ken lightl&' Tension #ille$ the !ir !s the& 1uietl& !n$e##i(ientl& $onne$ their !ror' The &oungest o# the (ohort*B!lentinus* "isibl& treble$ !s he !$4uste$ the str!%s on his!ror' Not &et out o# his teens* he w!s !bout to t!ste b!ttle #orthe #irst tie'

)hen Se"erus !%%ro!(he$* B!lentinus sn!%%e$ to !ttention'

Se"erus (!re#ull& (he(ke$ the &oung !n/s !ror !n$ thenor$ere$* J0i(k u% &our e1ui%ent+J

The &oung re(ruit knelt !n$ %i(ke$ u% his swor$ !n$ hisl!rge re(t!ngul!r shiel$' The b!ttle shiel$ hel$ Se"erus/s!ttention' It w!s Roe/s se(ret we!%on !n$ the ke& to !n&b!ttle#iel$ "i(tories' A!5ingl& light* it w!s nonetheless #irenough !n$ l!rge enough to gi"e ! sol$ier !lost (o%lete

%rote(tion' A ner"ous B!lentinus stoo$ to !ttention* hol$ing hisshiel$ (losel& b& his si$eit w!s !lost !s t!ll !s he w!s'

JYoung B!lentinus* &ou !re now ! Ro!n sol$ier*J Se"erus!nnoun(e$' JYou !re %!rt o# the best-tr!ine$* best-e1ui%%e$#ighting #or(e the worl$ h!s e"er seen'J

The (o!n$er %ut his h!n$ on the &oung !n/s shoul$er


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68 0ROLOGUE

!n$ so#tene$ his tone* JYou were sent here to #!(e this b!rb!ri!nhor$e' .ut reeber this* &ou were not sent here to $ie' You

were sent here to win+ ee% &our shiel$ u% !n$ &ou will $owell'J

As the &oung !n/s e&es brightene$* Se"erus sile$ slightl&*JStrength !n$ honor* B!lentinus'J

JStrength !n$ honor* sir'J

A(ross the "!lle& the b!rb!ri!n w!rlor$ w!s %re%!ring hisen #or b!ttle !lso' His (!% w!s 1uite ! (ontr!st to the one

Se"erus r!n' It reeke$ o# unw!she$ bo$ies !n$ s%oile$ #oo$' Theen were %oorl& tr!ine$* ill e1ui%%e$ !n$ sh!gg& in!%%e!r!n(e' Howe"er* their sten(h !n$ %!int-stre!ke$ #!(es h!$stru(k terror into the he!rts o# !n& ! #oe'

The b!rb!ri!n hor$e w!s $i"i$e$ into two grou%s' On the#ront lines were


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THETESTUDO 66

i%enetr!ble w!ll' The b!rb!ri!ns #oun$ thesel"es rushinghe!$long tow!r$ ! soli$ !ss th!t w!s o"ing ineor!bl&

tow!r$ the')hen the eneies (l!she$* the b!rb!ri!n we!%ons

h!rlessl& (l!nke$ !g!inst the Ro!n shiel$s' The w!rlor$(oul$ not belie"e his e&es His br!"e w!rriors were 1ui(kl&i%!le$ on Ro!n swor$s th!t were thrust through n!rrow slitsbetween the shiel$s'

The b!rb!ri!n le!$er sign!le$ ! se(on$ w!"e o# !tt!(k but

s!w this #or(e eet the s!e #!te $!she$ !g!inst the o"ing#ortress o# the Ro!n !r&' A thir$ w!"e w!s 4ust !s r!%i$l&re%ulse$' A #ew Ro!n sol$iers #ell* but the& were inst!ntl&re%l!(e$ b& others who o"e$ u% #ro the re!r'

As the Ro!n w!ll o# shiel$s (ontinue$ to !$"!n(e on theb!rb!ri!ns* the w!rlor$ shrieke$ in !nger !n$ g!"e ! sign!l tohis !r(hers' 0it(h-ti%%e$ !rrows were $i%%e$ in #ire%ots' At thew!rlor$/s net sign!l* the !ir !bo"e the Ro!n #or(es w!s #ille$

with ! stor o# #l!ing !rrows'

.ut on(e !g!in the Ro!ns were %re%!re$' )hile the#rontline sol$iers ke%t their shiel$s (losel& linke$* the sol$iersbehin$ the li#te$ their shiel$s o"erhe!$* #itting the togetherin ! #or!tion the Ro!ns (!lle$ the testudo Ktortoise' TheRo!n line h!$ been tr!ns#ore$ into ! roo#e$ stronghol$+Their linke$ shiel$s 1ui(kl& etinguishe$ the #l!ing !rrows

!n$ !llowe$ the sol$iers to (ontinue their !$"!n(e'The b!rb!ri!n w!rlor$ h!$ no #or!l e$u(!tion* but he w!s

no #ool' He knew his #or(es were $e#e!te$* so the& 1ui(kl&retre!te$' As the b!rb!ri!ns #le$ !(ross the "!lle& !n$ out o#sight* Se"erus knew th!t be(!use o# their shiel$s* !nother b!ttleh!$ been won' ust !s the #in!l (lou$s o# $ust were settling*Se"erus (!ught sight o# B!lentinus' The &oung !n* who h!$been so ner"ous be#ore the b!ttle beg!n* now stoo$ t!ll* %rou$

!n$ "i(torious' JStrength !n$ honor* sir*J the Ro!n sol$ier s!i$to his (o!n$er'

JStrength !n$ honor* B!lentinus*J Se"erus be!e$ to the(hil$ who* b& trusting in the strength o# his shiel$* on this $!&!n$ in this b!ttle h!$ be(oe ! !n'


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S( ) L 2 - FF& ) (.ords and music 'y Ron Block Recorded 'y Grammy &$ard3$inner

&lison rauss

Soeties I/ b!ttle we!r&I #orget to use & shiel$

The !rrows %ier(e & !rorAn$ I stuble in the #iel$

A shiel$ won/t $o u(h goo$ i# it/s h!ngin/ b& &our si$e

ee% the shiel$ o# #!ith be#ore &ou i# &ou w!nt to st!& !li"e

I/ll think & li#e is o"er.ut the Lor$ he (oes to eHe he!ls & woun$e$ s%iritAn$ he sets e on & #eet


ee% the shiel$ o# #!ith be#ore &ou i# &ou w!nt to st!& !li"e

Soeties &ou/re b!ttle we!r&.ut the w!r/s !lre!$& won

ee% &our he!$ !n$ hol$ &our shiel$ high/Til &our $!&s o# li#e !re $one


ee% the shiel$ o# #!ith be#ore &ou i# &ou w!nt to st!& !li"eee% the shiel$ o# #!ith be#ore &ou i# &ou w!nt to st!& !li"e

JShiel$ o# F!ithJ written b& Ron .lo(k : 6;;= 2OONLIGHT ,ANYON 0U.LISHING K.2IA$inistere$b& .UG All Rights Reser"e$' Use$ .& 0erission'


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C H A P T E R 1

6

ESUS* OUR SHIELD)hen we be(oe ,hristi!ns* we !re born onto ! b!ttle-#iel$'

Our (hoi(e is not whether we w!nt to enter into ! (on#li(t r!ther*w!r h!s !lre!$& been $e(l!re$ !g!inst us' Our onl& (hoi(e iswhether we w!nt to be tr!%le$ b& the ene& or le!rn to #ight!n$ win'

At issue in this b!ttle !re the %roises o# Go$' 0eter s!i$ th!tGo$ h!s gi"en us His %re(ious !n$ !gni#i(ent !ssur!n(es !n$th!t through the we (!n be(oe %!rt!kers o# His $i"ine n!tureKsee = 0et' 69' Go$ h!s gi"en us %roises th!t rel!te to e"er&!re! o# li#e' He h!s %roise$ us !bun$!nt %ro"ision* he!ling !n$!n& other blessings'

% & ' + % % L ' + ' / (

Go$ gu!r!ntees u(h to %eo%le who %ut their trust in Hi'Howe"er* when we o%en our .ible !n$ begin to (l!i these%roises* we $is(o"er the b!ttle+ )hen we s!& JI w!nt to (oeinto ! new %l!(e in the Lor$+ I w!nt to o"e #orw!r$ to obt!inthe %roises+J S!t!nour ene& in this b!ttlewill tr& to sto%us' S!t!n/s go!l is to #righten !n$ $is(our!ge us* to (!use us toturn b!(k !n$ not %ress on'

O#ten when we st!rt o"ing #orw!r$* we !lso st!rt seeingthings go wrong in our li"es' Soeties S!t!n unle!shes onegre!t* o"erwheling !tt!(k' For e!%le* 4ust when we begin totrust the Lor$ #or our #in!n(es* !n une%e(te$ bill !rri"es in the!il' )e o%en the en"elo%e !n$ !lost #!int+ All o# our #!ithw!shes $own the $r!in' I# it is not ! bill* then it !& be !


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69 ,HA0TER6

%rolonge$ illness or soe other setb!(k th!t i%e$es our%rogress'

Soeties ! stor o# !$"ersit& (oes u%on us' )e st!rt tot!ke huge ste%s #orw!r$ !n$ w!lk (loser to the Lor$ th!n e"erbe#ore* when su$$enl& we !re b!rr!ge$ b& (!l!ities' )e #igureth!t the !tt!(k ust be s%iritu!l* be(!use wh!t h!s sl!e$ intous is #!r be&on$ ! nor!l run o# b!$ lu(k+ A #rien$ o# RobertHei$ler $es(ribe$ these stors o# !$"ersit& this w!& JYou (!n!lw!&s tell when it is S!t!n* be(!use he !lw!&s o"er%l!&s hish!n$'J6

Su(h !tt!(ks !& !##e(t our he!lth' )hen ohn Di(kson le#this (!reer in the se(ul!r worl$ to be(oe ! #ull-tie worshi%le!$er in the (hur(h I !tten$ KGlor& o# @ion Outre!(h* it seee$!s i# the ene& resiste$ hi on e"er& si$e' The $!& he (!e onst!##* two o# his ki$s (!e $own with (hi(ken %o* one$e"elo%e$ %inke&e !n$ his wi#e got si(k+ His #!il& w!s in su(hturoil th!t #or two weeks* t!king (!re o# the took u% !ll o# his

tie' ust when ohn/s #!il& beg!n to re(o"er* his own b!(kwent out' He w!s #l!t on his b!(k !n$ gone #or !nother twoweeks'

Soeties ! stor o# !$"ersit& sees to blow h!r$ on our#in!n(es' )hen %!stor Robert Hei$ler beg!n to shi#t Glor& o#@ion Outre!(h* ! tr!$ition!l .ible (hur(h* tow!r$ the new!%ostoli( o"eent Ke%h!si5ing gi#ts !n$ the bibli(!l %ositionso# !uthorit&* in(lu$ing !%ostles* %ro%hets* et('* !$"erse win$sbeg!n to blow' )e entere$ ! %h!se when Go$ w!s est!blishingsoe !4or new inistries through the (hur(h' In the i$st o#this (ru(i!l tie* ! w!"e o# !$"ersit& (r!she$ $own u%onRobert/s #!il&' First* their hot w!ter he!ter s%r!ng ! le!k !n$the #loo$ o# w!ter ruine$ their (!r%et' The& h!$ to get the (!r%etand the hot w!ter he!ter re%l!(e$' As the& were working to getthese !((o%lishe$* the !ltern!tor on their (!r went out !n$terites in"!$e$ their house' Then the therost!t in their (!r!l#un(tione$* (!using it to o"erhe!t' The #uel %u% w!s net togo $own* le!"ing Robert !n$ his #!il& str!n$e$' In ! three-week %erio$ this stor o# !$"ersit& not onl& (onsue$ u(h o#their tie !n$ !ttention* but it !lso resulte$ in ore th!n MC*888in re%!ir bills' T!lk !bout $istr!(ting* hin$ering #or(es+


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ESUS* OURSHIELD 6?

SATAN ,O2ES )ITH A STOR2OFADBERSITYTOINTI2IDATEUSAND TRY TO 2AE US TURN.A,'

%he 'ne0y ho ttacs

2ost ,hristi!ns who tr& to !$"!n(e !long the %!th to whi(h

Go$ h!s (!lle$ the h!"e e%erien(e$ s%iritu!l !tt!(ks' S!t!n(oes with ! stor o# !$"ersit& to intii$!te us !n$ tr& to !keus turn b!(k' )e will t!ke ! (loser look !t this in (h!%ter 9* butlet/s be(oe #!ili!r with the $i!boli(!l s(hees o# the enero the st!rt'

The !%ostle 0!ul $es(ribe$ s%iritu!l w!r#!re in the book o#E%hesi!ns JT!ke u% the shiel$ o# #!ith* with whi(h &ou (!n

etinguish !ll the #l!ing !rrows o# the e"il oneJ K>6>* N)"4% The%eo%le o# E%hesus e%erien(e$ the gre!test re"i"!l the ,hur(h inth!t $!& h!$ seen' How $i$ 0!ul get belie"ers to ! %l!(e o# #!ithto e%erien(e this3 As $es(ribe$ in the book o# E%hesi!ns* #irst he%r!&e$ th!t the& woul$ h!"e resting u%on the wh!t I (!ll !s%irit o# wis$o !n$ re"el!tion' He then hel%e$ re"e!l e!(hbelie"er/s i$entit& in ,hrist' He en(our!ge$ the to be roote$!n$ groun$e$ in lo"e' He !$onishe$ the to %ut o## !ll

i$ol!tr& !n$ to %ut on ,hrist' JTo %ut on ,hristJ e!ns not onl&to r!ise Hi u% !s ! o$el but !lso to in"ite His Hol& S%irit toli"e within !n$ work through us' 0!ul !$e this (le!r to the,hristi!ns o# his $!&'

The !%ostle !lso stresse$ the i%ort!n(e o# the !s(ension* orgo"ernent* K(hur(h le!$ershi% gi#ts th!t woul$ bring belie"ersinto ! unit& o# #!ith' He then en(our!ge$ ebers o# the E!rl&,hur(h to get !ll o# their e!rthl& !##!irs in or$er' He re"e!le$

th!t un$erst!n$ing %ro%er !lignent !n$ !uthorit& w!setreel& i%ort!nt' There w!s ! (le!r or$er !n$ %rogression inwh!t 0!ul t!ught' A#ter l!&ing out the initi!l ste%s* the !%ostles!i$* JThere#ore %ut on the #ull !ror o# Go$J KE%h' >6C* NIB' Itw!s the shiel$ th!t woul$ 1uen(h e"er& #l!ing !rrow th!twoul$ (oe !g!inst thelikewise* it is the shiel$ th!t will%rote(t us'


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6> ,HA0TER6

o0an (hiel4s %hat Protect

As 0!ul s!w the kin$ o# !tt!(k S!t!n unle!she$ !g!instGo$/s %eo%le* he %er(ei"e$ th!t the s%iritu!l w!r#!re o#,hristi!ns is !n!logous to the %h&si(!l w!r#!re o# the Ro!n!r&'

As illustr!te$ in the %rologue o# this book* in !n(ient w!r#!reit w!s (oon #or !ries to use ! stor o# !rrows to terri#&their eneies' I# we were sol$iers !n$ thous!n$s o# #l!ing!rrows beg!n to strike !ll !roun$ us* the nuber one thing in

our in$ woul$ be* )5+e got to get out of here6 Soeties th!t ishow we #eel when S!t!n !tt!(ks us'

The Ro!n !r& h!$ ! %ie(e o# !ror th!t %ro"i$e$ ! soli$$e#ense !g!inst this kin$ o# !tt!(k' In !n& (!ses it w!s these(ret we!%on th!t brought the !r& "i(tor&' This %ie(e o# !rorw!s the b!ttle shiel$'

As I $es(ribe$ in the %rologue* this shiel$ w!s not like the

roun$ et!l $is(s we o#ten see in o"ies' The Ro!n b!ttleshiel$ w!s ! l!rge re(t!ngul!r $e#ense o# et!l th!t (o"ere$ theentire length o# ! !n/s bo$&' Ro!n sol$iers woul$ line u%shoul$er to shoul$er with their shiel$s hel$ in #ront o# the !n$o"e !(ross the b!ttle#iel$ like !n !rore$ t!nk' )hen the!%ostle 0!ul thought !bout our struggle !g!inst S!t!n* he

re!li5e$ th!t Go$ h!s gi"en us ! shiel$ like th!t' It is ! shiel$ o##!ith'

)hen 0!ul $es(ribe$ our shiel$* he use$ the wor$ #or theRo!n b!ttle shiel$' The wor$ is thureos, and it e!ns ! $oor-sh!%e$ shiel$ Kthe Greek wor$ #or $oor is thura4%7

The thureos w!s ! l!rge re(t!ngul!r shiel$ !bout #i"e #eethigh !n$ three #eet wi$e' It w!s !lso (!lle$ ! (!stle shiel$' Inother wor$s* it w!s ! %ort!ble #ortress' I #oun$ it interesting tostu$& how this shiel$ w!s !$e' The thureos w!s "er& l!rge

there#ore* i# it h!$ been !$e o# soli$ woo$ or et!l* it woul$h!"e been $i##i(ult to (!rr&' To (onstru(t ! thureos the Ro!nsbeg!n with ! woo$en #r!ework' O"er th!t #r!ework the!stene$ se"en l!&ers o# tough le!ther #ro the skin o# ! bull or !(!l#* until the shiel$ w!s #our or #i"e in(hes thi(k* !n$ thenn!ile$ the se(urel& in %l!(e' As the sol$iers got re!$& to go intob!ttle* the& $i%%e$ the shiel$ in ! ne!rb& ri"er to s!tur!te it with


17/143

ESUS* OURSHIELD 6 le!"es no $oubt !bout wh!t we shoul$ $oJIn !ll &our w!&s !(knowle$ge Hi* !n$ He sh!ll $ire(t &our

%!ths'J In other wor$s* when we $e%en$ u%on Go$* He willstr!ighten our %!ths'

An in$e%en$ent s%irit th!t (!nnot trust in or subit to!uthorit& will not be !ble to w!lk in #!ith' )hen esus s!w the(enturion/s un$erst!n$ing o# !uthorit& in !(tion* He s!i$* JYouh!"e gre!t #!ith+J Ksee 2!tt' 7;-68'

". Confi4ence:nsecurity

F!ith is (on#i$en(e' First ohn ?69 ?&104 e%l!ins

An$ this is the (on#i$en(e Kthe !ssur!n(e* the%ri"ilege o# bol$ness whi(h we h!"e in Hi we !resureP th!t i# we !sk !n&thing K!ke !n& re1uest!((or$ing to His will Kin !greeent with His own %l!n*He listens to !n$ he!rs us'


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C= ,HA0TER=

The $e#inition o# the Greek wor$peitho is J(on#i$en(e'J Thise!ns to be (on"in(e$* to h!"e !n inw!r$ (ert!int&* to win o"er*

to %re"!il u%on* to %ersu!$e* to in$u(e ! (h!nge o# in$ b& theuse o# !rguent' The o%%osite o# (on#i$en(e is inse(urit&' I# we!re %l!gue$ b& inse(urit&* we !re !greeing with the "oi(e o#unbelie#' Inse(urit&whi(h (!n !lso !ni#est itsel# !s #e!risbelie"ing th!t Go$/s %roises will #!il' )here there is true #!iththere is no roo #or inse(urit& or #e!r' I like wh!t 0hil 0ringlewrote in his book Faith !$$s to this %oint JFor in ,hrist esusneither (ir(u(ision nor un(ir(u(ision !"!ils !n&thing* but

#!ith working through lo"e'J)e !re !((e%te$ on the groun$s o# #!ith* not b& !n& l!w or

rule' As we show lo"e* our #!ith in(re!ses' Our #!ith be(oesenergi5e$ when we !llow oursel"es to lo"e* Go$ !n$ %eo%le')hen we lo"e one !nother* Go$ !bi$es in us'

Lo"e h!s so !n& won$er#ul bene#its' Lo"e (!sts out #e!r'.e(!use we lo"e Go$* we e!gerl& obe& Hi' .e(!use we lo"e

Go$* we e!sil& show lo&!lt&' .e(!use we lo"e Go$* we !re !bleto trust Hi'

The o%%osite o# lo"e is h!te' A %erson who s!&s he is in thelight &et h!tes his brother is !(tu!ll& in $!rkness Ksee 6 ohn =;'This e!ns th!t i# we w!lk in $!rkness* we will lose sight o#where we !re going !n$ the One who we !re #ollowing' H!tre$(!uses our #!ith to sto% #un(tioning'

A . A R O 2 E T E R O F F A I T H

F!ith* !s I h!"e note$ is the #oun$!tion o# our ,hristi!n li#e'I# we !re going to restore !n$ r!ise our shiel$ o# #!ith* then weust un$erst!n$ wh!t #!ith e!ns !n$ how integr!l it is to our(onne(tion with Go$' .!si(!ll&* without #!ith we (!nnot %le!seHi* be(!use we h!"e no rel!tionshi% with Hi' )ith #!ith* !llis %ossible'

.e#ore we o"e #orw!r$ to the net (h!%ter* t!ke ! oentto e!sure &our #!ith !g!inst the S(ri%tures !n$ (o%!re &our#!ith with the 68 sets o# o%%osites' )here $o &ou st!n$3 Do &ounee$ to t!ke th!t #irst ste% o# #!ith !n$ (oit &our li#e to,hrist3 You (!n $o it now' Do &ou nee$ to !sk #orgi"eness #or !l!(k o# #!ith in !n& !re! o# &our rel!tionshi% with Go$3 Do itbe#ore we %ro(ee$' Then &ou will be re!$& to t!ke u% &our

shiel$ o# #!ith'/otes

6'1erriam3.e'ster5s Collegiate 2ictionary, 68th e$'* s'"' Jsubst!n(e'J=' R' T' en$!ll* Belie+ing God K,h!rlotte* N, 2orningSt!r 0ubli(!tions* 6;;


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C H A P T E R 3

C

.LESSINGS AND.ENEFITS

Go$ !$e ! big %roise to Abr!h!

Get out o# &our (ountr&* #ro &our kin$re$ !n$

#ro &our #!ther/s house* to ! l!n$ th!t I will show &ou' Iwill !ke &ou ! gre!t n!tion I will bless &ou !n$ !ke&our n!e gre!t !n$ &ou sh!ll be ! blessing' I will blessthose who bless &ou* !n$ I will (urse hi who (urses&ou !n$ in &ou !ll the #!ilies o# the e!rth sh!ll beblesse$ KGen' 6=6-C'

This %roise #ro Go$ w!s (ontingent u%on Abr!h!/s

le!"ing !n$ #ollowingnot 4ust #or ! short tie* but until he#oun$ the l!n$ th!t Go$ woul$ show hi' The %roise !lsoin(lu$e$ ission* %ros%erit& !n$ blessing' Let/s t!ke ! (loserlook'

T H E . L E S S I N G S O F F A I T H

In essen(e* Go$ tol$ Abr!h!* JI# &ou will le!"e &our

i$ol!trous #or o# worshi% !n$ #ollow 2e* I will %ros%er &ou!n$ !lign 2&sel# with &ou so th!t &ou will be the %rotot&%e !n$!n& %eo%le will #ollow &our e!%le in the #uture'J

In Ro!ns* 0!ul $es(ribes how Abr!h!/s $eonstr!tion o##!ith !n$ his (hoi(e to #ollow Go$ resulte$ in his 4usti#i(!tion'JAbr!h! belie"e$ Go$* !n$ it w!s !((ounte$ to hi #orrighteousnessJ KRo' 9C The Greek wor$ logid@omai e!ns


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C> ,HA0TERC

J!((ounte$'J To better un$erst!n$ this (on(e%t* think o# ! bowl'I# we (ontinuousl& %our w!ter into the bowl* it will soon #ill u%

!n$ s%ill o"er' Another !n!log& woul$ be ! re(on(ile$ b!l!n(esheet' Ro!ns 9=8 goes on to in$i(!te th!t Abr!h! $i$ notw!i"er in unbelie# when Go$ !$e His %roise r!ther*Abr!h! w!s strengthene$ through #!ith !n$ g!"e glor& to Go$'He w!s #ull& (on"in(e$ th!t with Go$/s hel% he w!s !ble to%er#or wh!t he w!s %roise$' Ro!ns 9== rein#or(es the%oint JIt w!s !((ounte$ to hi #or righteousness'J

Abr!h! %!tientl& !w!ite$ the #ul#illent o# wh!t woul$see to others !n un#ul#ill!ble %roise' Abr!h!/s #!ith*howe"er* w!s strengthene$ !s he w!lke$ with !n$ glori#ie$ Go$e!(h $!&' He belie"e$* !n$ so h!"e gener!tions o# %eo%le whoh!"e been ins%ire$ b& his e!%le'

R' T' en$!ll e%!n$s on this %oint

The heroes o# Hebrews 66 !re %eo%le who belie"e$Go$' The& !re the writer/s e!%le to show th!t #!ithitsel# is not ! New Test!ent inno"!tion' F!ith goes w!&b!(k in tie* (l!is the writer o# Hebrews' There isnothing new !bout it !t !ll' Go$ hi$es His #!(e in or$erth!t we ight belie"e' He withhol$s the e"i$en(e o#things "isible th!t we ight be %ersu!$e$ b& His )or$!lone+ F!ith* then* is the long %!renthesis between theun$eni!ble !%%e!r!n(es o# Go$/s glor&' )hen Go$

!%%e!rs* #!ith is no longer ne(ess!r&' There !re !(tu!ll&ties when #!ith is e(li%se$ b& su(h ! sense o# the!4est& !n$ glor& o# Go$ th!t one is te%or!ril&without the nee$ o# #!ith' These ties !re ount!into%e%erien(es* su(h !s when our Lor$ w!s tr!ns#igure$be#ore His $is(i%les Ksee 2!tt' 6


37/143

.LESSINGSAND.ENEFITS C we re!$

)ithout #!ith it is i%ossible to %le!se Hi* #or he

who (oes to Go$ ust belie"e th!t He is* !n$ th!t Heis ! rew!r$er o# those who seek Hi'

)e usu!ll& think o# (oing to Go$ in ters o# s!l"!tion'Abr!h! belie"e$ Go$ !n$ it w!s (ounte$ to hi !srighteousness' ohn C6> %roises th!t whoe"er belie"es in Hiwill not %erish'

.ut there is ore to (oing to Go$ th!n being s!"e$' No

!tter where we !re in our w!lk with Hi* there is !lw!&s!nother ste%' No !tter how (lose to Hi we !re* there is !lw!&sore' Go$ (!lls us to (ontinu!ll& seek His %resen(e* !n$ e"er&ste% tow!r$ Hi is ! ste% o# #!ith'

C' n4uces o8e0ent

Hebrews 667 re!$s J.& #!ith Abr!h!* when he w!s (!lle$*


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9= ,HA0TERC

obe&e$ b& going out to ! %l!(e whi(h he w!s to re(ei"e ''' !n$ hewent out* not knowing where he w!s going'J

Soe %eo%le h!"e ! (!ll to o"e out into soething but$on/t h!"e ! (lue !s to where the& !re going or how the& !regoing to get there' The& sit b!(k !n$ s!&* J)hen I #igure it out*I/ll st!rt o"ing'J As ! result* the& usu!ll& ne"er o"e' There !reties when we $on/t get the (le!r $ire(tion we w!nt #ro Go$until we (hoose to bre!k the inerti!to sh!ke o## %!ssi"it& !n$4ust st!rt o"ing'

Going into new territor& in"ol"es risk' It is "er& likel& th!tAbr!h! w!s une!s& le!"ing the be!uti#ul (it& o# Ur !n$he!$ing out into the wil$erness with his wi#e* ser"!nts* #lo(ks!n$ her$s' It woul$ h!"e been si%ler to st!& in Ur !n$ sit!roun$ on the (ou(h e!ting (ookies !n$ w!t(hing 2on$!& NightFootb!ll' Abr!h! resiste$ the te%t!tion to t!ke the e!s& w!&out !n$ res%on$e$ to Go$e"en though he $i$n/t know wherehe w!s going'

The (!ll to get o"ing is not ! bl!nket (o!n$' )e canhe!$ out into soething new !n$ not be obe&ing Go$' Th!t/s(!lle$ %resu%tion* whi(h will !lw!&s get us into ! ess' On theother h!n$* i# Go$ s!&s go* then we nee$ to st!rt o"ing'Getting u% o## the (ou(h !n$ turning o## the tele"ision !& !keus un(o#ort!ble but i# we $o not go #orw!r$ when Go$ tells usto $o so* then we risk $&ing with the TB reote !n$ ! tub o#%o%(orn in our h!n$s! o$ern e1ui"!lent o# being in thewil$erness'

A #ew &e!rs !go* Robert Hei$ler !n$ his wi#e* Lin$!* went to! Te!s R!ngers b!seb!ll g!e' Lin$! is the b!seb!ll #!n in their#!il&' She (!re#ull& w!t(hes the g!e* kee%ing s(ore !n$(heering e"er& hit' Robert* on the other h!n$* s%en$s ! lot o#tie in line !t the (on(ession st!n$s' On this o((!sion* he w!sw!iting to %ur(h!se soe #oo$ when he looke$ u% !n$ s!w !

ess!ge #ro Go$' The !n in #ront o# hi in the line w!swe!ring ! T-shirt th!t re!$ JYou (!n/t ste!l se(on$ b!se with one#oot on #irst'J )hen Robert s!w those wor$s* he knew it w!s !re"el!tion' hat, he un$erstoo$* $as faith%

Ste%%ing out !n$ t!king ! risk is ! $iension o# #!ith th!t"er& #ew %eo%le un$erst!n$' F!ith is not 4ust sitting still !n$w!iting #or Go$ to $o soething!lthough we $o nee$ to le!rn


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.LESSINGSAND.ENEFITS 9C

to listen #or His "oi(e' Th!t $!& !t the b!seb!ll g!e* Go$seee$ to be telling Robert th!t #!ith !lso in"ol"es letting go o#

wh!t is #!ili!r so th!t we (!n o"e #orw!r$ to obt!in His%roises'

Th!t/s how Abr!h! li"e$' He knew th!t he (oul$ not (oeinto the %roise until he le#t his %l!(e o# se(urit& !n$ st!rte$!$"!n(ing into the unknown'

9' eleases bility

Hebrews 6666 rein$s us th!t Jb& #!ith e"en S!r!h hersel#

re(ei"e$ !bilit& to (on(ei"e* e"en be&on$ the %ro%er tie o# li#e*sin(e she (onsi$ere$ Hi #!ith#ul who h!$ %roise$'J

F!ith bre!ks b!rrenness' Th!t is %!rt o# & wi#e/s testion&'In he Best )s Yet &head, 0! !n$ I $et!il the 6= ste%s th!t we h!$to go through to bre!k the s%irit o# b!rrenness' Go$ worke$ in !ir!(ulous w!& to re"erse 0!/s b!rrenness* !n$ we st!rte$ toh!"e (hil$ren'?F!ith (!n bre!k b!rrenness in !n&one !n$ in !n&

!re! o# li#eit $oes not ne(ess!ril& h!"e to be %h&si(!lb!rrenness'

Soe %eo%le h!"e lots o# ki$s* but their li"es !re b!rren inother w!&s' Su(h %eo%le o#ten look !t their li#e !n$ see %l!(eswhere the li#e o# Go$ is not #lowing' These !re !re!s o# wh!t I(!ll $r& bones! gri55l& et!%hor in$ee$* but it works' These!re !re!s in whi(h we $o not see the things being birthe$ th!tnee$ to be birthe$'

F!ith bre!ks b!rrenness' F!ith gi"es us the !bilit& to $o wh!twe (!nnot $o n!tur!ll& th!t is wh& we nee$ to t!% thesu%ern!tur!l %ower o# Go$'

2oses o# the Ol$ Test!ent g!"e us ! gre!t e!%le o# howthis works' Go$ s%oke to hi !t the burning bush !n$(oissione$ hi to le!$ the Isr!elites' 2oses s!i$* JOh* I (!n/t$o th!t+J Ksee Eo$' C66' 2!n& o# us (!n i$enti#& with th!t

res%onse'.!rb!r! )entroble* who h!s ! won$er#ul %ro%heti(

!nointing* sh!re$ th!t when Go$ (!lle$ her into inistr&* sheg!"e Hi ! long list o# re!sons wh& she (oul$n/t $o it'

)hen & (o!uthor %!stor Robert Hei$ler st!rte$ (ollege* hew!s so %!in#ull& sh& th!t he (oul$ not %r!& out lou$ in ! grou%


44/143

99 ,HA0TERC

o# #i"e or ore %eo%le'

It is ! (li(he !ong ,hristi!ns but true )e nee$ to be

(!re#ul when we tell Go$ th!t we (!n/t $o soething He ight4ust go to work on us in th!t %!rti(ul!r !re!+ It $oesn/t !tterwh!t we think we (!n/t $o' I# we he!r the (!ll o# Go$ !n$ rise u%in #!ith* we will #in$ th!t (e can gi+e us the a'ility to do $hat $ecannot other$ise do% He will bre!k both %h&si(!l !n$ s%iritu!lb!rrenness in our li#e'

?' eleases (trategy

Hebrews 66; s!&s* J.& #!ith Abr!h!P li"e$ !s !n !lien inthe l!n$ o# %roise* !s in ! #oreign l!n$'J

Isn/t th!t "erse !!5ing+ Abr!h! li"e$ !s !n !lien in thel!n$ o# %roise+

)e le!rne$ ! #ew "erses e!rlier th!t Abr!h! went out notkno$ing $here he $as going% Abr!h! $i$n/t know where he w!sgoing* yet he made it to the 0romised Land6

)HEN )E TRUST GOD AND.EGIN TO 2OBE FOR)ARD *GOD)ILL SHO) US THE )AY+

)hen &ou trust Go$ !n$ begin to o"e #orw!r$* Go$ willshow &ou the w!&+ You $on/t h!"e to h!"e e"er&thing #igure$out in !$"!n(e'

I# &ou !re w!lking b& #!ith* &ou (!n !ke ist!kes !long thew!&' Abr!h! esse$ u% ! nuber o# ties' Go$ s!i$* Lea+eyour family !n$ go to the %l!(e I/ll show &ou'J Abr!h! took hisfamily $ith him, !$e it h!l#w!& to the 0roise$ L!n$ !n$ then(!%e$ out in H!r!n #or ! nuber o# &e!rs+ Along the w!&Abr!h! !lso took ! #ew $etours $own into Eg&%t' Abr!h!

!$e ! lot o# ist!kes* but he h!$ faith6 .e(!use he h!$ #!ith*Go$ #oun$ ! w!& to get hi to the go!l'

You ight h!"e ! %roise o"er &our li#e but not h!"e !n&i$e! how to get there' Th!t/s ok!&' Go$ h!s ! w!&' Str!teg& !n$creati+ity come 'y faith% )f you $ill link u% with Go$ 'y faith andhol$ on to His %roises* He (!n gi"e &ou the str!teg& to seee"er& %roise #ul#ille$'


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.LESSINGSAND.ENEFITS 9?

>' +rings ppro8al

Hebrews 66= re!$s* J.& #!ithP the en o# ol$ g!ine$

!%%ro"!l'J It w!s b& #!ith th!t the en o# ol$ g!ine$ Go$/s #!"or'Using our #!ith !n$ r!ising our shiel$s !re the onl& w!&s to get(lose to Go$' )e (!n #!st we (!n %r!& we (!n tr& to le!$ betterli"es' )e (!n %roise Go$ we will $o better' )e (!n turn o"erso !n& new le!"es th!t we turn into ! tree' None o# these !(tswill rele!se Go$/s #!"or'

)h!t (ounts is #!ith'

Robert sh!re$ the #ollowing with e

I reeber* &e!rs !go* he!ring the l!te Dr' .ill.right gi"e his testion&' .ill .right w!s the #oun$er o#,!%us ,rus!$e #or ,hrist' Go$ use$ hi in in(re$iblew!&s' He w!s res%onsible #or hun$re$s o# thous!n$s o#%eo%le (oing to know esus !s their S!"ior' He h!$ totrust Go$ to bring in illions o# $oll!rs' In his testion&*

Dr' .right tol$ the se(ret o# how he (!e into the #!"oro# Go$' As ! &oung !n he $esire$ to ser"e Go$ !n$ bee##e(ti"e #or Hi ore th!n !n&thing else in the worl$'He w!nte$ the #!"or !n$ !nointing o# Go$ u%on his li#e'He $i$ e"er&thing he (oul$ think o# to g!in Go$/s #!"or'He s%ent long hours in the )or$* long hours in %r!&er!n$ !n& $!&s in #!sting' In his testion&* he e%l!inshow he %erse"ere$ in these things $!& !#ter $!& !n$

onth !#ter onth* tr&ing to get #!"or with Go$' Then*!t the en$ o# his testion&* Dr' .right si%l& s!i$ this*JThen one $!& I $is(o"ere$ it is all of faith%

The #!"or !n$ blessing o# Go$ $o not (oe through stri"ing*tr&ing* %roising or #!sting' Those !(ts !ll h!"e their %l!(e* butwh!t brings the #!"or o# Go$ is #!ith'

)ithout #!ith it is i%ossible to %le!se Go$' I# it is not o#

#!ith* it is sin'


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9> ,HA0TERC

!n&' Yet in the n!tur!l re!l there w!s no w!& #or Abr!h! toget there' .oth Abr!h! !n$ S!r!h were too ol$ to h!"e ! (hil$'

Yet be(!use the& w!lke$ in #!ith* the %roise be(!e re!lit&*e"en though the& h!$ to w!it =? ore &e!rs !#ter the %roise tosee it #ul#ille$'

I# we belie"e* $e $ill recei+e%

You h!"e ! %roise o"er &our li#e+ It is &our (!ll #ro Go$' Itis %!rt o# the %ur%ose #or whi(h &ou were (re!te$' Go$/s wor$ to&ou to$!& is this )f you 'elie+e, you $ill recei+e6

. L E S S I N G S A . E N E F I T O F F A I T H

)e o#ten go #or long %erio$s o# tieor !&be throughout! li#etie$ithout reali@ing th!t we h!"e in(re$ible blessingsth!t Go$ inten$s #or us to re(ei"e' I reeber when the Lor$#irst showe$ e this truth' I h!$ 4ust h!$ ! gre!t re"el!tion o# sin!n$ how it o%er!tes through the gener!tions' The Lor$ h!$

gi"en e #!ith to bre!k the %ower o# sin' Howe"er* I h!$ ne"erseen $eonstr!te$ the #!ith to enter into !ll the blessings o# Go$'I un$erstoo$ gener!tion!l sin but not gener!tion!l blessing'

I h!$ be(oe $is(i%line$ in .ible stu$& !n$ %r!&er' I w!s$e"ouring the )or$ o# Go$' At this tie in & li#e* I worke$ !s!n ee(uti"e #or one o# the !4or energ& (o%!nies in$owntown Houston' On & hour (oute* ri$ing ! bus to &work%l!(e* I woul$ re!$ !n$ stu$& the )or$' One $!& !s I w!s

ri$ing hoe* I w!s re!$ing #ro E%hesi!ns J.lesse$ be the Go$!n$ F!ther o# our Lor$ esus ,hrist* who h!s blesse$ us withe"er& s%iritu!l blessing in the he!"enl& %l!(es in ,hrist* 4ust !sHe (hose us in Hi be#ore the #oun$!tion o# the worl$* th!t weshoul$ be hol& !n$ without bl!e be#ore Hi in lo"eJ K6C-9'All o# ! su$$en I #elt ! 1u!king insi$e o# e' Soething elseh!%%ene$* too' It seee$ to e th!t the he!"ens o%ene$ !n$e"en though I w!s ri$ing on !n e!rthl& bus* & bo$&* soul !n$

s%irit were (onne(te$ into ! he!"enl& re!l' Through thiso%ening I s!w the blessings Go$ h!$ %l!nne$ #or the gener!tionsbe#ore e' E"en though those gener!tions h!$ not !tt!ine$ !llthe blessings the Lor$ showe$ e* the& were still there #or e'

He then showe$ e the blessings He h!$ #or e in &%resent e!rthl& tie #r!e& li#e on E!rth !lso h!$ gre!t


47/143

.LESSINGSAND.ENEFITS 9 ,HA0TER9

SATAN HAS 2ANY STRATEGIESTO2AEUSFEARFULANDTHEYARE ALL DESIGNED TO DESTROYOURFAITH'

hy e ear &orses

S!t!n h!s !n& str!tegies to !ke us #e!r#ul !n$ the& !re !ll

$esigne$ to $estro& our #!ith' S!t!n will #ill us with #e!r to !keus %ut $own our shiel$ o# #!ith' )hen we gi"e in to #e!r* we !reno longer o%er!ting in #!ith' E"er& one o# us h!s ! (hoi(e' )e (!n(hoose to !((e%t the #e!r S!t!n is tr&ing to %l!nt in our in$ orwe (!n $e(i$e to st!n$ in #!ith !n$ trust Go$' Fe!r not+ Genesis:;


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ENE2IESOFFAITH ? we #in$ th!t the $is(i%les $i$ notbelie"e r!ther* the& $oubte$ 2!r&/s wor$ Ksee 2!rk 6>66'

.e(!use the& $i$ not belie"e* esus !%%e!re$ to the Hisel#'He !(tu!ll& w!lke$ through the w!ll !n$ shut $oor o# the rooin whi(h the& were !sseble$* hi$ing out in #e!r' Tho!s*howe"er* w!s not %resent' Here w!s Tho!s/s res%onse whenthe $is(i%les (hose to belie"e in esus/ resurre(tion

Unless I see in His h!n$s the %rint o# the n!ils* !n$%ut & #inger into the %rint o# the n!ils* !n$ %ut &h!n$ into His si$e* I will not belie"e Kohn =8=?'

Eight $!&s l!ter* esus stoo$ in their i$st !g!in' Tho!sw!s %resent this tie' esus s!i$ to hi* JRe!(h &our #inger here*!n$ look !t 2& h!n$s !n$ re!(h &our h!n$ here* !n$ %ut it into2& si$e' Do not be unbelie"ing* but belie"ingJ K"' =


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ENE2IESOFFAITH ?;

The Lor$* howe"er* rebuke$ hi J.lesse$ !re those who h!"enot seen !n$ &et h!"e belie"e$J K"' =;'

)HEN)EGOTHROUGHTRIALS*SATAN TRIES TO 0REBENT USFRO2ENTERINGINTOFAITH'

)hen we go through tri!ls* S!t!n tries to %re"ent us #roentering into #!ith' Our ske%ti(is ight (!use us to 1uestion thegoo$ness o# Go$' )e ight s!&* JYes* Go$ he!le$ He(tor !n$ hehe!le$ Ste%h!nie* but He won/t $o th!t #or e'J S!t!n knows th!ti# he (!n get us to $oubt Go$/s goo$ness* then our shiel$ o# #!ithwill be $e!(ti"!te$' )e ust w!t(h #or S!t!n/s !tte%ts to %l!ntth!t $oubt' I# we !re going through ! tri!l !n$ #in$ oursel"esthinking* ) don5t see $hy God $ould allo$ this if (e is good, then we(!n be sure we h!"e 4ust he!r$ the "oi(e o# S!t!n' I# S!t!n (!n fill

us $ith fear !n$ #ro th!t #e!r (!use us to begin to dou't God5sgoodness, then S!t!n (!n begin to $estro& our #!ith'

Doubt is ! %ro$u(t o# unbelie#' Doubt will h!r$en our he!rts'Our unbelie# will then be(oe ! sel#-#ul#illing %ro%he(&' I# we!llow oursel"es to w!lk in unbelie#* we !re choosing to e%erien(ethe l!(k o# Go$/s %ro"ision' Go$ %roise$ Isr!el ! won$er#ull!n$ #lowing with ilk !n$ hone&' .ut the initi!l gener!tion th!tle#t Eg&%t chose to 'elie+e the& woul$ $ie in the wil$erness'

.e(!use the& $i$ not belie"e Go$/s %roise to the woul$ be#ul#ille$* the& re(ei"e$ wh!t the& belie"e$' The& $ie$ in thewil$erness'

As we go through our wil$erness* S!t!n will r!ise u% !ount!in o# #e!r !n$ $oubt to blo(k our w!&' Th!t #e!r !n$$oubt will kee% us in the wil$erness until we o"er(oe it' ust !sAlison r!uss/s won$er#ul song Ksee the %!ge o%%osite the

o%ening o# (h!%ter 6 $e(l!res* we (!n en$ u% $&ing in thewil$erness i# we $o not st!n$ !g!inst the "oi(e o# unbelie# !n$le!rn to r!ise high our shiel$ o# #!ith'

/otes

6' G!"in De .e(ker* he Gift< of Fear KNew York Dell 0ublishing* 6;;


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>8 ,HA0TER9

=' ohn .e"ere* Breaking )ntimidation KL!ke 2!r&* FL ,re!tion House* 6;;?* %%'696-69='

C' Derek 0rin(e* hey Shall 9pel 2emons KGr!n$ R!%i$s* 2I .!ker .ook House*6;;7* %'


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C H A P T E R 5

?

THE 0O)ER OFOUR )ORDS

S!t!n/s nuber one go!l is to (!use our shiel$ o# #!ith to beuseless' I# he (!n $is(re$it the ob4e(t o# our #!ith* then we will l!&$own our shiel$ !n$ 1uestion the worth o# the b!ttle itsel#'

In the %re"ious (h!%ter* I e%l!ine$ S!t!n/s %ri!r&we!%ons #or un$erining our #!ith #e!r !n$ $oubt' Soeties*howe"er* we %!rti(i%!te with the ene& through the %ower o#our wor$s' The %ower o# our wor$s (!n either !ke or $estro&our #!ith' Through ururing* or (o%l!ining* we #!ll %re& tothe ene&/s %l!n' I like to $e#ine JururingJ !n$J(o%l!iningJ !s re%e!te$l& "oi(ing our $iss!tis#!(tion o"er the

situ!tion Go$ h!s %l!(e$ us in'

Now the %eo%le be(!e like those who (o%l!in o#!$"ersit& in the he!ring o# the Lor$ !n$ when the Lor$he!r$ it* His !nger w!s kin$le$* !n$ the #ire o# the Lor$burne$ !ong the KNu' 666* NAS.'

Now these things h!%%ene$ !s e!%les #or us* th!twe shoul$ not (r!"e e"il things* !s the& !lso (r!"e$''''Nor let us tr& the Lor$* !s soe o# the $i$*''' norgruble* !s soe o# the $i$* !n$ were $estro&e$ b&the $estro&er K6 ,or' :


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>9 ,HA0TER?

the wil$erness* !n$ be(!use o# it ! whole gener!tion w!s un!bleto enter into the %roise' )hen we !re struggling in the !re! o#

ururing* or (o%l!ining* we ust !llow Go$ to reo"e thebitterness !n$ restore our %le!s!nt #r!gr!n(e'

%he Dangers of ur0uring

The .ible re"e!ls th!t (o%l!ining* or ururing* is$!ngerous #or !t le!st #our re!sons

6' 1urmuring cuts off our +ision for the future% esus $i$ noturur !n$ (o%l!in on the (ross be(!use His e&es

were #ie$ on the out(oe JFor the 4o& th!t w!s setbe#ore Hi en$ure$ the (ross* $es%ising the sh!eJKHeb' 6==' )e $on/t (o%l!in in the wil$erness i# oure&es !re on the %roise$ l!n$+ Our %roble is th!t S!t!ntells us there is no w!& out o# the wil$erness' S!t!n tellsus JYou will $ie in the wil$ernessthere/s no w!& out+JGo$ s!&s* JFollow 2e+ I h!"e ! %roise$ l!n$ #or &ou+J)e get to (hoose who we/re going to !gree with+ )hen

we (o%l!in* we !re !greeing with the $e"il th!t our#uture is (ut o##'

=' 1urmuring is dangerous 'ecause it causes us to dou't God5sgoodness for the present% )hen we (o%l!in* we !re s!&ing*JGo$* I $on/t like the route You h!"e !%%e$ #or & li#e'JRo!ns 7=7 te!(hes th!t Go$ h!s ! route %l!nne$ #or us'All o# the things on th!t routee"en those th!t !re not

#un!re $esigne$ b& Go$ to work together #or our goo$')hen we (o%l!in* we !re s!&ing* JGo$* I $on/t like thisroute' I $on/t think You/"e $one ! goo$ 4ob'J 2ururingis !n !((us!tion !g!inst Go$ th!t His %l!n #or us is not !goo$ %l!n'

C' 1urmuring causes un'elief to deepen and gro$% The Lor$tol$ e soething !while b!(k' He s!i$* JUnbelie# is like! see$ i# &ou w!ter it* it will grow'J E"er& tie we

(o%l!in* we !re $atering our unbelie#' )h!t h!%%enswhen &ou !re un$erw!ter !n$ o%en &our outh wi$e3)!ter (oes in+ In the s!e w!&* when we o%en ourouth to (o%l!in* unbelie# #loo$s in' I# we !re h!"ing !h!r$ tie w!lking in #!ith !n$ we o%en our outh to(o%l!in* we h!"e 4ust lost the b!ttle be(!use we h!"eo%ene$ oursel"es to ! #loo$ o# unbelie#' Soeties the


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THE0O)EROFOUR)ORDS >?

best thing we (!n $o to st!& in #!ith is 4ust to shut ourouth+

9' 1urmuring in+ites greater ad+ersity% Soe o# us h!"egotten into ! (&(le th!t gets worse !n$ worse+ )henwe/re h!"ing ! %roble with soeone !n$ we (o%l!in*wh!t h!%%ens3 )e e%erien(e ore !$"ersit&'2ururing %uts us un$er ! (urse' Let e %ro"e this#ro S(ri%ture' )h!t w!s Isr!el/s (o%l!int in thewil$erness3 The ewish %eo%le s!i$* J)e !re going to $iein the wil$erness+J Th!t w!s not Go$/s %l!n' He h!$%roise$ to get the to the 0roise$ L!n$'

Then the LORD s%oke to 2oses !n$ A!ron* s!&ingJHow long sh!ll I be!r with this e"il (ongreg!tion whourur !g!inst 2e3 I h!"e he!r$ the ururingswhi(h the (hil$ren o# Isr!el urur !g!inst 2e' S!& tothe* /As I li"e*/ s!&s the LORD* /4ust !s &ou h!"e s%okenin 2& he!ring* so I will $o to &ou The (!r(!sses o# &ou

who h!"e urure$ !g!inst 2e sh!ll #!ll in thiswil$erness/J KNu' 69=6 gi"es the !nswer' )e (!n %uton ! !ntle o# %r!ise Ksee "' C' A !ntle is like ! (!%e or !to%(o!t' It is soething we choose to %ut on' An$ we (!n (hooseto %ut it on in !n& situ!tion'

I think the best e!%le o# this is when Go$ g!"e 0!ul !"ision !n$ tol$ hi to go to 0hili%%i' 0!ul got there* but !#ter !brie# tie o# inistr&* he w!s !rreste$' His robes were torn o##!n$ he w!s be!ten' He w!s stru(k with !n& blows !n$ throwninto %rison* where his #eet were %ut in sto(ks' The sto(ks werenot to kee% 0!ul #ro es(!%ing the gu!r$s !n$ the b!rs woul$$o th!t' The sto(ks were ! etho$ o# torture' The sto(ks #or(e$


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>> ,HA0TER?

hi to s%en$ the night l&ing on his b!(k in !gon&'

0!ul h!$ $one nothing wrong' Not onl& w!s this tre!tent

un#!ir* but it !lso w!s illeg!l' The rulers o# the $!& $i$ not !llowtheir own (iti5ens to un$ergo su(h huili!tion'

It ight be un$erst!n$!ble i# ! %erson in su(h ! situ!tionres%on$e$ in !nger* $on/t &ou think3 .ut how $i$ 0!ul re!(t3 Hes!ng %r!ise songs+

Di$ 0!ul #eel #ull o# %r!ise !t the oent3 Not !t !ll+ Ibelie"e th!t 0!ul s!i$* JI/ going to %ut on & !ntle o# %r!ise' I

#eel iser!ble* !n$ I (!n/t slee% be(!use o# the %!in* but I/going to #ill this (ell with the %r!ises o# Go$+J

IFTHEREIS0RAISE,O2INGOUTOF OUR 2OUTHS* THERE IS NOROO2FOR,O20LAINING'

)e (!n !lso choose to $o th!t in !n& situ!tion+ 0r!ise is ourshiel$ !g!inst unbelie#' 0r!ise gu!r$s us !g!inst (o%l!ining' I#we #eel like (o%l!ining* then we (!n (hoose inste!$ to %r!iseGo$' I# there is %r!ise (oing out o# our ouths* there is noroo #or (o%l!ining'

How (!n we %r!ise Go$ in the wil$erness3 Here !re #oursuggestions

6' .e can learn to praise God in ad+ersity% Robert !n$ his wi#e*Lin$!* h!"e #oun$ this to be true on ission tri%s' Ontheir #irst "enture to Ukr!ine* Lin$! went into theb!throo to w!sh her #!(e' ust !s she got it !ll so!%&* thew!ter sto%%e$ (oing out o# the #!u(et' Lin$! le!rne$new %r!ise' The net $!&* when she turne$ on the #!u(et!n$ w!ter (!e out* it w!s soething #or whi(h she

(oul$ %r!ise Go$' There !re !n& things we t!ke #orgr!nte$ until we $on/t h!"e the'

=' .e can praise God for (is goodness% E"en when Go$ h!s usin the wil$erness* there !re blessings #or whi(h we (!n%r!ise Hi' )hen Isr!el w!s in the wil$erness* the&re(ei"e$ !nn! Kbre!$ #ro he!"en' It (!e e"er& $!&'Their shoes $i$ not we!r out #or 98 &e!rs' The& s!w the


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THE0O)EROFOUR)ORDS > is !n !$onishent #ro 0!ul to the %eo%le o#E%hesus to J/be !ngr&* !n$ $o not sin/ $o not let the sun go$own on &our wr!th* nor gi"e %l!(e to the $e"il'J Anger !&win the oent* but it won/t win the w!r' Anger is ! %e(uli!reotion' The Lor$ $oesn/t tell us we (!n/t be !ngr& howe"er* i#we $on/t !n!ge our !nger* we (!n !(tu!ll& gi"e groun$ in ourli#e to s!t!ni( (ontrol' Deons (!n "e !n$ o%%ress us' Inste!$ o#our %ossessing the best th!t Go$ h!s #or us* we lose groun$'

Anger (!n ne"er be ! %!rt o# our shiel$ o# #!ith' Anger %ro$u(es4e!lous& 4e!lous& le!$s to h!te h!te $e"ises $estru(tion !n$e"entu!ll& %ro$u(es ! ur$erous !(t* whether b& wor$ or $ee$'

Eotions !re Go$ gi"en* but unless we e%ress our eotionsin he!lth& w!&s* we will ne"er !((o%lish Go$/s %l!n #or ourli#e' In& .oman5s Guide to Breaking Bondages, uin Sherrer !n$Ruth!nne G!rlo(k wrote

Anger is %erh!%s h!r$est to h!n$le* es%e(i!ll& i# weh!"e store$ it u% onl& to o"erre!(t to onl& ! rel!ti"el&inor in#r!(tion''' be(!use store$-u% !nger be(oes(orrosi"e !n$ $!ngerous' It/s like %utting ! te%est in !te!%ot i# not (!le$ it/s boun$ to (!use $estru(tion'Anger !lost !lw!&s begins with ! %er(ei"e$ loss* !n!(tu!l loss or the thre!t o# loss' The loss itsel#* (ou%le$


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THE0O)EROFOUR)ORDS 6


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C H A P T E R

>

0ASSING THE TEST2!n& ties when Go$ is re!$& to #ul#ill ! %roise* we #in$

oursel"es in ! tie o# testing' This sees to be ! bibli(!l %!tternth!t runs #ro Genesis to Re"el!tion' Isr!elwho we h!"ebeen using !s ! o$el #or our s%iritu!l w!lk in this book$is(o"ere$ this %ro(ess o# testing in the wil$erness' Go$ h!$

%roise$ Abr!h! the l!n$ o# ,!n!!n* ! l!n$ #ille$ withwon$er#ul blessings' Th!t %roise h!$ been e9tended throughthe generations !n$ be(!e ! (or%or!te %roise #or ! n!tion'Howe"er* be#ore the ewish %eo%le (oul$ recei+e the 0roise$L!n$ blessings* the& h!$ to !ke it through the wil$ernesstestings'

)e !ll go through tests in our own wil$erness' This isun!"oi$!ble' Howe"er* the length o# tie we s%en$ in the

wil$erness is $eterine$ b& how we res%on$ to Go$/s e!' Itw!s onl& !bout ! two-&e!r hike #ro Eg&%t to the %roise$L!n$ Kthe& $i$ not h!"e SUBs in those $!&s' The ewish %eo%le*howe"er* ke%t #!iling tests !long the w!&' )e know the stor& Ittook the 98 &e!rs to !ke it'

No!h* Esther !n$ D!niel !lso were teste$' E!(h one %!sse$*but soeties it took 1uite ! while' esus w!s teste$* too' He h!$

been b!%ti5e$ !n$ w!s re!$& to #ul#ill !ll righteousness* but #irstHe h!$ to %!ss ! test' He went into the wil$erness where #or 98$!&s He h!$ to resist the wiles o# the $e"il' )hen He (!e out*He h!$ %ower' esus is our o$el there#ore* we (!n (on(lu$eth!t we (!n e%e(t to go through e"er&thing He went through' I#we %!ss the test* then we too (!n e%e(t %ower'


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Go$ Hisel# is the One who he!ls' Howe"er* He usessi(kness+ He h!s le#t in#irit& %resent on E!rth !s !n instruent

to 4u$ge sin !n$ to strengthen our #!ith' Our tr!ge$& is th!t!n& ties in the i$st o# our test we $o not see th!t we nee$the He!ler to inter"ene'

2!n& ties $is!%%ointent* bitterness !n$ ho%e $e#erre$settle in our eotions' As 0ro"erbs 6C6= $e(l!res JHo%e$e#erre$ !kes the he!rt si(k* but when the $esire (oes* it is !tree o# li#e'J ust !s the tree w!s there #or the ewish %eo%le to(h!nge the bitter w!ter to sweet* the Lor$ !lso h!s the %ower!n$ $esireto he!l' 2!n& ties the onl& obst!(le lies within us'0erh!%s it is !n unresol"e$ woun$* ! bitter he!rt or #!ith th!t$ill not rise !n$ see the tree in our i$st'

L O S S A N D H O 0 E D E F E R R E D

ust !s in#irit& is %!rt o# the ,hristi!n li#e* so is loss' In0ossessing Your )nheritance, Rebe((! S&tse! !n$ I wrote

)hether it be through $e!th* $i"or(e* 4ob loss*"i(tii5!tion* $is!bilities* %ro%ert& loss or ! &ri!$ o#other tr!ge$ies !n$ $is!%%ointents* e"er&one h!se%erien(e$ loss in one #or or !nother'''' All loss%ro$u(es soe kin$ o# grie#* whi(h is the eotion!le%ression o# loss''''

E%erts in the #iel$ o# hu!n beh!"ior tell us there

!re* in #!(t* st!ges to the Jnor!lJ grie"ing %ro(ess''''Thegrie"ing %ro(ess !##e(ts e"er&one $i##erentl&'6

Rebe((! !n$ I then list two inst!n(es in whi(h grie# (!n kee%us #ro o"ing tow!r$ restor!tion when the (&(le o# grie# is not(o%lete$ !n$ when the (&(le o# grie# goes on too long'=

During our ties o# loss we e%erien(e eotions su(h !ssho(k* $eni!l* $e%ression* !nger* guilt !n$ (on#usion' These !re!ll nor!l eotions th!t #ollow ! tr!u!ti( loss' The ene&!tte%ts to t!ke e!(h one !n$ use it !s ! #ier& $!rt' He throws itb!(k !t us in !n !tte%t to %ro$u(e ! hole in our shiel$ o# #!ith'E"en !s we resist $uring these ties o# loss* our shiel$ o# #!ith(!n be we!kene$'


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78 ,HA0TER>

aith < Patience = Pro0ises ecei8e4

2!n& o# us h!"e been t!ught th!t we re(ei"e Go$/s %roisesb& #!ith' Th!t is true* but it is onl& h!l# the e1u!tion' The .iblete!(hes th!t we inherit Go$/s %roises through #!ith and patience%F!ith !lone is not enough' )e h!"e to h!"e ! #!ith th!t l!sts* !#!ith th!t en$ures* ! #!ith th!t st!n$s the test' Abr!h! w!ite$'esus w!ite$' )e too ust le!rn to w!it'

Ho%e $e#erre$ strikes when we !llow $el!& to bring$is(our!geent' Here/s how ho%e $e#erre$ o%er!tes )e (oe

into ! tie o# testing* so we #i our e&es on Go$/s %roises !n$$e(l!re* JI/ going to belie"e these %roises be(!use I know Go$is #!ith#ul'J

Ten inutes go b& without !n !nswer* so we re%e!t e!(hste% o# (l!iing the %roise' Ten hours go b& without !res%onse* !n$ we tr& one ore tie with "igor !n$ e!rnestness'

Ten $!&s go b&* !n$ we s!&* J)ell* Iguess I still belie"e these

%roises'J

GOD/S 0I,TURE OF ANS)ERED0RAYER IS NOT A BENDING2A,HINE.UTAHARBEST

Ten weeks go b&* !n$ we uble* JI sure thought Go$

woul$ h!"e $one soething b& now+J

Here is ! secret< I# we belie"e the %roise be(!use we knowGo$ is #!ith#ul* then it $oesn/t !tter whether it t!kes 68 inutesor 68 &e!rs' Go$ is still faithful% It !& be h!r$ to re!inste!$#!st in #!ith !s we see tie %!ssing* but i# we !llow $el!& tobring $is(our!geent* then we !re in trouble' 0!rt o# ourtrouble* !s twent&-#irst-(entur& ,hristi!ns* is th!t we go through

li#e with ! "en$ing-!(hine ent!lit&' )e w!nt e"er&thing rightnow+ )e $o this with Go$* too' )e nee$ ! bre!kthrough #rohe!"en* so we go to the $i"ine "en$ing !(hine* sli% soe #!ithin the slot* %ush the %r!&er button !n$ look #or the !nswer to%o% out' I# the !nswer is not there in two inutes* we/re re!$& tost!rt ki(king the !(hine' Th!t/s not how %r!&er works+

Go$/s %i(ture o# !nswere$ %r!&er is not ! "en$ing !(hine


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0ASSINGTHETEST 76

but ! h!r"est' )e h!"e ! nee$* so we sow our #!ith in the goo$soil o# Go$/s %roise' As we sow* we nurture !n$ w!ter our

%roise until the tie o# h!r"est' )hen the tie o# h!r"est h!s#ull& (oe* we re!% b!se$ u%on wh!t we h!"e sown+

(igns of &ope Deferre4

Ho%e $e#erre$ o((urs when we!riness brings w!"ering' )eenter ho%e $e#erre$ when the tire$ness o# %ressing on !kes usw!nt to gi"e u%' Here !re soe signs th!t we h!"e su((ube$ toho%e $e#erre$'

)e know we !re on sh!k& groun$ when we no longer w!ntto he!r Go$/s %roise' As we go through testing* Go$ will gi"eus %ro%heti( wor$s to en(our!ge us !n$ kee% us #o(use$ on His%roise' )hen Abr!h! w!s w!iting #or ! son* Go$ re%e!te$l&(!e to hi !n$ s!i$* JI/ going to gi"e &ou ! son+J Ksee Gen'6?9 6


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7= ,HA0TER>

"erses+ O# !ll o# the en o# #!ith in the Ol$ Test!ent* Abr!h!is the onl& one with ore "erses o# %r!ise th!n 2oses'

2oses w!s ! !n o# %erse"ering #!ith' He w!s in thewil$erness #or 98 &e!rs b& hisel#' Then he le$ Isr!el out o#Eg&%t !n$ w!s in the wil$erness #or !nother 98 &e!rs' He h!$ !#!ith th!t %erse"ere$' The onl& %roble is 1oses didn5t perse+ereAuite long enough6

2oses #ell into the tr!% o# ho%e $e#erre$' He e"entu!ll& grewwe!r& o# the b!ttle' As 2oses w!s in the wil$erness with !ll the

%eo%le !roun$ hi o!ning* (o%l!ining !n$ !((using* hebeg!n to grow we!r&' He took his e&es o## Go$ !n$ %ut the onhis situ!tion'

At one %oint the Lor$ s!i$ to 2oses* J.e(!use &ou $i$ notbelie"e 2e* ''' &ou sh!ll not bring this !ssebl& into the l!n$whi(h I h!"e gi"en theJ KNu' =86=' To un$erst!n$ thesigni#i(!n(e o# this %en!lt&* we nee$ to un$erst!n$ th!t it w!s2oses/ (!ll !n$ $estin& to bring the %eo%le out o# Eg&%t !n$ into

the 0roise$ L!n$' Th!t w!s wh!t 2oses h!$ been (re!te$ to $oit w!s his %ur%ose in li#e+

2oses h!$ gone through &e!rs o# %re%!r!tion in Eg&%t !n$ore &e!rs o# %re%!r!tion in the wil$erness' .& 2oses/ h!n$*Go$ %er#ore$ ir!(les to rele!se Isr!el #ro sl!"er&' Then2oses le$ the %eo%le through the Re$ Se! !n$ $own to Sin!i*where he g!"e the Go$/s L!w' 2oses le$ the %eo%le to the

bor$er o# the l!n$* !n$ when the %eo%le sinne$* he le$ thethrough the wil$erness #or 98 ore &e!rs' .ut the go!l w!s!lw!&s to t!ke the into the 0roise$ L!n$'

2oses !lost !$e it* but he sto%%e$ too soon+ He resorte$to his hu!n w!& o# looking !t things' F!ith (oes b& he!ring*but reeber we (!n he!r Go$/s "oi(e !n$ S!t!n/s "oi(e' 2oseswent b!(k to wh!t he h!$ he!r$ e!rlier in his li#e inste!$ o#he!ring the truth Go$ w!s s%e!king to hi th!t $!&' I# we $o not

st!& in #!ith* we (!n iss the %roise'

T E S T I N G A N D 0 E R S E B E R A N , E

2!n& %eo%le gi"e u% too soon' I h!"e seen !n& %eo%lewith in(re$ible gi#tings !n$ !nointings (oe into the ,hur(ho"er the &e!rs' Soe h!"e in(re$ible %ro%heti( wor$s o"er their


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li"es' The& w!nt to ser"e Go$* !n$ the& w!nt to inisterbutthe& w!nt it !ll right now+ Soe see to h!"e the !ttitu$e* Lord,

) $ant to ser+e You% .hich spotlight do You $ant me to stand under8Go$ usu!ll& h!s us %ut these %eo%le through ! tie o#

testing' He will s!&* JTr& the in ! %l!(e o# huble ser"i(e #irst!n$ see how the& $o'J So we %ut the in ! %l!(e o# hubleser"i(e* !n$ #or ! #ew onths the& $o "er& well' .ut when%rootion $oes not (oe !s soon !s the& !nti(i%!te$* the& gi"eu% !n$ w!n$er !roun$ in the wil$erness #or ! while' Soe!ssue their gi#ting w!s un!%%re(i!te$* !n$ the& le!"e the(hur(h' Others sit in re4e(tion #or onths !n$ then (oe b!(k!n$ tr& !g!in'

One (ou%le went through this %ro(ess two or three ties'The& were two o# the ost t!lente$ %eo%le I h!"e e"er et* !n$the& h!$ ! re!l (!ll #ro Go$ to le!$ worshi%' .ut the& woul$not be #!ith#ul to their (oitents #or ore th!n ! #ew onths')hen the& got $is(our!ge$* the& woul$ sto% showing u% #or

worshi% %r!(ti(e' I #in!ll& tol$ the* JI# &ou woul$ 4ust st!&ste!$& #or si onths* &ou woul$ !ke it+J

Go$ s!&s we ust (o%lete the testing be#ore we (!n obt!inthe %roise' !es wrote* J.lesse$ is the !n who %erse"eresun$er tri!l* be(!use when he h!s stoo$ the test* he will re(ei"ethe (rown o# li#e th!t Go$ h!s %roise$J K!s' 66=* NIB' )e $onot obt!in the %roise without %!ssing the test'

(teps to the /e>t Le8elThere is !process to get to thepromise% )hen Go$ sees th!t

we !re (!%!ble o# o"ing into the net le"el o# His %roise* His#irst ste% is to %ut testing in our li#e'

0!ul h!$ to go through this testing' Fro the tie Go$(!lle$ 0!ul until He sent hi out on his #irst ission!r& 4ourne&w!s 6> &e!rs+ 0!ul w!ite$ 6> &e!rs #or Go$ to o%en the $oor to

his $estin&' These were 6> &e!rs o# le!rning* %re%!r!tion !n$testing' .e(!use 0!ul re!ine$ #!ith#ul !n$ %!sse$ the test* Go$w!s !ble to sen$ hi out !s !n !%ostle to (h!nge !n e%ire'

None o# us en4o&s w!iting* but the %roise is worth the%erse"ering'

Obt!ining the %roise is like running in ! r!(e' )e !rer!(ing $own the tr!(k* gi"ing it !ll we h!"e' Our (hest is he!"ing


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!n$ our us(les !(hing' )e !re growing ore we!r& with e!(hste%' )e $on/t think we h!"e the strength to go on' .ut then we

(oe !roun$ the l!st ben$* !n$ we see the #inish line' Soehowwe re!(h $own insi$e !n$ #in$ resour(es we $i$ not think weh!$' )e get ! se(on$ win$ !n$ s%rint $own the tr!(k to win ther!(e'

SO2E 0EO0LE DON/T SEE GOD)OR .E,AUSE GOD NEBER0RO2ISED THE2 )HAT THEYARETRYINGTOGET'

)hen we go through ! tie o# testing* it will t!ke longer !n$be h!r$er th!n we thought* be(!use Go$/s go!l is to bring #orthen$ur!n(e' His go!l is to bring us to ! new le"el* to !ke usstret(h #urther !n$ re!(h higher th!n we thought we (oul$' It is

onl& then th!t we $is(o"er th!t !s we %erse"ere* we inherit the%roises'

(ecrets of Perse8ering

)inning the r!(e !n$ re!(hing the 0roise$ L!n$ soun$s sogoo$* but how $o we sur"i"e the trek3 How $o we %!ss Go$/stests3 Here !re soe gui$elines th!t work'

Be sure $e are on the right path% Soe %eo%le $on/t see Go$work be(!use Go$ ne"er %roise$ the wh!t the& !re tr&ing toget' I# we #eel like we !re not getting !n&where* we nee$ to ste%b!(k !n$ !ke sure we h!"e he!r$ Go$' )e shoul$ go tole!$ers who we trust* who know us' )e nee$ to listen!n$t!ke notes!s the& s%e!k into our li#e' )e nee$ to !sk the* JIsthis re!ll& wh!t Go$ is s!&ing to e3J I# it isn/t Go$/s %roise* no!ount o# %erse"er!n(e will get us there' 0resu%tion is not#!ith' )e nee$ to be (ert!in th!t we h!"e he!r$ #ro Go$'

no$ that God $on5t test us 'eyond our a'ility% I# Go$ %uts usin ! situ!tion in whi(h we nee$ ! (ert!in le"el o# strength* it/sbe(!use He knows th!t it is !"!il!ble to us' Go$ %uts us in !$i##i(ult testing !#ter He h!s looke$ !t us !n$ s!i$* JI belie"e this%erson (!n !ke it through this test !n$ into the blessing'J )henwe see the $i##i(ult& o# the test* we shoul$ re!li5e th!t God


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'elie+es in us% Go$ woul$ not gi"e us the test i# He $i$ not belie"ewe (oul$ !ke it through'

2e+elop a refle9 of thanksgi+ing% )hen we !re being teste$* wenee$ to $e"elo% ! re#le !(tion' ust like 0!"lo"/s %u%%ies$e"elo%e$ the re#le to !uto!ti(!ll& res%on$ e"er& tie the&he!r$ ! bell ring* we nee$ to $e"elo% !n !uto!ti( res%onse to(!l!it&* n!el&* the re#le o# th!nksgi"ing' )hen the big test(oes !n$ our #!ith is stret(he$ to the bre!king %oint* this re#lewill see us through' )hen une%e(te$ (!l!it& strikes !n$ wew!nt to throw $own our shiel$ !n$ gi"e u%* the th!nksgi"ingre#le will kee% us #ro going un$er+

Here/s how it works )hene"er ! (ir(ust!n(e rises u%!g!inst us* the #irst three wor$s out o# our outh nee$ to beJTh!nk You* Lor$+J )e 4ust got ! b!$ re%ort #ro the $o(tor* !nune%e(te$ bill or ! letter #ro the l!w&er wh!t $o we s!&3JTh!nk You* Lor$+J The )or$ s!&s we shoul$ gi"e th!nks ine"er& (ir(ust!n(e Ksee 6 Thess' ?67' )e (!n !(t u%on this

"erse !n$ !sk Go$ to buil$ th!t re#le into us' )e (!n th!nk Go$in e"er& situ!tion !n$ re(ei"e the strength to kee% our shiel$ o##!ith in %l!(e'

Remem'er that discouragement does not come from God% )henwe #eel th!t !ntle o# $is(our!geent (oing $own o"er us* weshoul$ not 4ust sit there !n$ w!llow in it+ )e nee$ to rise u% in#!ith !n$ s!&* JThis isn/t #ro Go$+ Go$ $oesn/t w!nt e un$erthis+J

eep going no matter $hat% O"er the &e!rs* I/"e le!rne$ th!t i#we %ress on with Go$* we $o win' The onl& thing th!t will (!useus to lose $uring ! tie o# testing is sto%%ing' I# we kee%o"ing* Go$ will !ke ! w!& !n$ we will win'

!es 69 ?N&SB4 ehorts us* JLet en$ur!n(e h!"e its %er#e(tresult* th!t &ou !& be %er#e(t !n$ (o%lete* l!(king innothing'J This is Go$/s go!l #or our li#e' He w!nts us to Jbe

%er#e(t !n$ (o%lete* l!(king in nothing'J

ighteous lie an *a %ree

Soeone on(e s!i$* J)hen Go$ w!nts to grow ! s1u!sh* Het!kes si onths' )hen Go$ w!nts to grow !n o!k tree* He t!kes! hun$re$ &e!rs'J Is!i!h tells us th!t Go$ is buil$ing us intoJo!ks o# righteousness* the %l!nting o# the LORD* th!t He !& be


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7> ,HA0TER>

glori#ie$J K>6C* N&SB4% Go$ (oul$ $o ! rush 4ob !n$ get it $onein si onths* but !ll we/$ be is ! s1u!sh' Go$ h!s not $estine$

us to be ! s1u!sh' He h!s (!lle$ us to be !n o!k tree' 2on5t despisethe $aiting% Remem'er that the promise is $orth the perse+ering6

T E S T I N G A N D 0 R O 0 H E T I , F U L F I L L 2 E N T

In he Best )s Yet &head, Rebe((! S&tse! !n$ I wrote !boutthe test o# Abr!h!' Our shiel$ is linke$ to Abr!h!/s #!ithbe(!use we h!"e been gr!#te$ into Abr!h!/s (o"en!nt' The

blessings we re(ei"e #ro Go$ to$!& were initi!te$ through Hisrel!tionshi% !n$ (o"en!nt !greeent with Abr!h!'

In or$er to hel% us ore #ull& un$erst!n$ how %ro%heti(#ul#illent works #ro gener!tion to gener!tion* let/s t!ke ! look!t Abr!h! !n$ see the si ste%s it took to %!ss the (o"en!nt%roises onto Is!!( so th!t Is!!( (oul$ (oe into his %ro%heti(#ul#illent'

6' perse8ering faithAbr!h! h!$ ! (o"en!nt %roise #or his #!il&* whi(h

in(lu$e$ ! son being born to hi #ro his !ging wi#e* S!r!h'Abr!h! h!$ to st!n$ !n$ belie"e Go$ #or His %roise !s the&e!rs o# n!tur!l #ertilit& $win$le$ !n$ %!sse$' E"en so he!int!ine$ ! %erse"ering #!ith* !n$ the %roise through whi(hthe (o"en!nt woul$ be %!sse$ w!s #in!ll& born when Is!!(!rri"e$'

As we h!"e s!i$ be#ore* Go$ h!s ! $estin& #or e"er&bloo$line !n$ we nee$ to (oe into !greeent with wh!t Go$ istr&ing to $o* e"en i# we $on/t know the s%e(i#i(s o# how it willwork out' It re1uires ! %erse"ering #!ith th!t o#ten o"erlooks then!tur!l (ir(ust!n(es in #!"or o# But God6 As we !llow th!t #!ithto !rise within us* we will see the (o"en!nt %roises o# Go$ o"eroursel"es !n$ our #!ilies begin to t!ke sh!%e !s Go$ (!uses the

(ir(ust!n(es o# our li"es to (oe into !lignent with His%roise to us' )e see other in$i"i$u!ls in the .ible th!t !regre!t e!%les #or us (on(erning %erse"ering #!ith' D!nielwithstoo$ the lions* ,!leb in his 78s !$"!n(e$ into his %roise*S!r!h in her ;8s (on(ei"e$' )h!t won$er#ul e!%les o# #!ith'

=' %he co8enant pro0ise ;ill al;ays be teste4

In Genesis == we see th!t Abr!h! un$erwent ! strong test'


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0ASSINGTHETEST 7ten4 to ne; generations

Another result o# Abr!h! %!ssing the test w!s th!t Go$eten$e$ ! new %roise to hi #or the gener!tions o# his #!il&to (oe' Go$ s!i$ to hi* J.& 2&sel# I h!"e sworn* s!&s theLORD* be(!use &ou h!"e $one this thing* !n$ h!"e not withhel$&our son* &our onl& sonblessing I will bless &ou* !n$

ulti%l&ing I will ulti%l& &our $es(en$!nts !s the st!rs o# thehe!"en !n$ !s the s!n$ whi(h is on the se!shore !n$ &our$es(en$!nts sh!ll %ossess the g!te o# their eneies' In &our see$!ll the n!tions o# the e!rth sh!ll be blesse$* be(!use &ou h!"eobe&e$ 2& "oi(eJ KGen' ==6>-67'

Go$ is !lw!&s looking #or how to (onne(t His %roises #ro


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one gener!tion to !nother gener!tion' )e ust !(knowle$ge thegener!tions !n$ see th!t Go$ h!s %roises #or the gener!tions to

(oe' E"en those %ro$ig!ls who see so #!r #ro Go$/s %l!n #ortheir li"es !lw!&s h!"e soe o%%ortunit& to return to Go$/s %l!n#or the'

?' Connecting to pass the 0antle

2!n& ties we ust %!rti(i%!te in su%ern!tur!l (onne(tingso the net gener!tion re(ei"es the blessing #ro the %re"iousgener!tion !n$ (ontinues %rogressing in th!t blessing' Ye!rs

l!ter* Abr!h! h!$ (oe to !n !w!kening th!t the %roise th!the h!$ been gi"en* whi(h h!$ been eten$e$ to Is!!(* (oul$ notbe (o%lete$ i# Is!!( h!$ no wi#e with who he (oul$ h!"e(hil$ren o# his own' Abr!h!* there#ore* instru(te$ his ser"!ntto #in$ 4ust the right wi#e #or Is!!(' Through Abr!h!/s (!re#ulinstru(tions* the ser"!nt #oun$ Rebek!h* who be(!e Is!!(/swi#e'

)h!t is it th!t we !re to %ro"i$e the net gener!tion #or

the to o"e on in Go$/s (o"en!nt %roise #or the3 ,ert!inl&! go$l& u%bringing K0ro"erbs ==> s!&s* JTr!in u% ! (hil$ in thew!& he shoul$ go* !n$ when he is ol$ he will not $e%!rt #roit'J* !n un$erst!n$ing o# who the& !re in ,hrist* !n$ lots o#%r!&er to% the list' .ut be&on$ goo$ %!renting* we nee$ to g!ininstru(tion #ro the Lor$ reg!r$ing our role in !ssisting the netgener!tion re!(h %ro%heti( #ul#illent in their li"es'

>' Conception for the futureIs!!( g!ining ! wi#e w!s not enough to ensure th!t Go$/s

%roise woul$ (!rr& on' He !n$ Rebek!h h!$ to (on(ei"e thenet gener!tion' There h!s to be ! (on(e%tion in or$er to bring#orth the %ro%heti( #ul#illent' )e ust not sto% until we !resure th!t we h!"e (on(ei"e$ !n$ brought to birth !ll th!t Go$!sks o# us'

Go$/s (o"en!nt %roise to Abr!h! !lso re1uire$ obe$ien(e#or %ro%heti( #ul#illent' Abr!h! w!s re1uire$ to go through!ll these ste%s !n$ %!rtner with Go$ in #!ith !n$ obe$ien(e* e"enin the #!(e o# &e!rs o# $is(our!geent' Yet through Abr!h!/s#!ith#ulness* !ll the #!ilies o# the e!rth trul& h!"e been blesse$')h!t is it th!t Go$ longs to !((o%lish through &our #!il& line*!n$ wh!t role $o &ou %l!& in &our #!il&/s %ro%heti( #ul#illent3


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T H E F I N A L S , O R E A T E S T I 2 O N Y

.& withst!n$ing the test* Abr!h! se(ure$ ! testion& th!tw!s %!sse$ #ro one gener!tion to !nother' JTestion&J liter!ll&e!ns Jwitness'J?A testion& is ! $e(l!r!tion or st!teent !$eto est!blish ! #!(t' Abr!h!/s testion& be(oes !n !##ir!tion*e"i$en(e !n$ %roo# o# the $eli"ering %ower !n$ (h!r!(ter o# !hol& Go$' Th!t testion& still s%e!ks to$!&' Re"el!tion 6=68-66re!$s

Then I he!r$ ! lou$ "oi(e s!&ing in he!"en* JNows!l"!tion* !n$ strength* !n$ the king$o o# our Go$*!n$ the %ower o# His ,hrist h!"e (oe* #or the !((usero# our brethren* who !((use$ the be#ore our Go$ $!&!n$ night* h!s been (!st $own' An$ the& o"er(!e hib& the bloo$ o# the L!b !n$ b& the wor$ o# theirtestion&* !n$ the& $i$ not lo"e their li"es to the $e!th'J

)hen we go through testing* the ene& w!nts us to #!il !n$lose the #!"or o# Go$' Howe"er* e"er& tie we %!ss ! test* our#!ith in(re!ses !n$ ! testion& is est!blishe$' The testion& iswh!t S!t!n h!tes' There#ore* $uring our test he $oes e"er&thingto we!ken us !n$ $estro& our testion&'

A test is ! re#ining e!in!tion b& tri!l to %ro"e the "!lue or!s(ert!in the n!ture o# soething* or !n e"ent or set o#(ir(ust!n(es th!t %ro"es or tries ! %erson/s 1u!lit& o# (h!r!(ter'

)hen we triu%h in our tri!l* ! $e(l!r!tion is est!blishe$' This%ro#ession* or %ubli( !"ow!l* o# #!ith o"er(oes the ene&' It%ro"es the re!lit& o# Go$ !n$ His (o"en!nt' A testion& is the%roo# o# our #!ith in !(tion' Our shiel$ o# #!ith shines when ourtestion& is %ro(l!ie$'

Gi"ing testion& is ! #un(tion o# the s%irit o# !n' The Arko# the ,o"en!nt hel$ the Ten ,o!n$ents* or Test!ent o#Go$' The Ark h!$ to be (!rrie$ in #ront o# the %eo%le !n$

!$"!n(e #irst be#ore the %eo%le o# Go$ (oul$ #ull& enter into the0roise$ L!n$' Our testion& is ! %ro(l!!tion o# !strengthene$ s%irit th!t $e(l!res the goo$ness o# Go$' Ito"er(oes the ene& !n$ gi"es us the (on#i$en(e #or us to!$"!n(e into the #uture'


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;8 ,HA0TER>

/otes

6' ,hu(k D' 0ier(e !n$ Rebe((! )!gner S&tse!* 0ossessing Your )nheritance

KBentur!* ,A Renew .ooks* 6;;;* %%' >>->7'C' ,hu(k D' 0ier(e !n$ Rebe((! )!gner S&tse!* he Best )s Yet &head K,olor!$o

S%rings* ,O )!gner 0ubli(!tions* =886* %%' >7'9' Ibi$'* %%' 76-79'?'1erriam3.e'ster5s Collegiate 2ictionary, 68th e$'* s'"' Jtestion&'J


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C H A P T E R !

= ings


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688 ,HA0TER='

9' The Hol& S%irit will hel% us in our tie o# nee$ b& t!kinghol$ o# our s%irit !n$ %r!&ing through us when we $on/tknow how to %r!& Ksee Ro' 7=>'

?' )e (!n ren$er hel% when we !i$ !n&bo$& Ksee 2!tt'6?=? 2!rk ;==-=9'

>' The wor$ Jhel%J is linke$ with 4oining together !n$ser"ing soeone so th!t their ission gets !((o%lishe$Ksee = ,or' 666'

6>'

)e ust not 1uen(h the Hol& S%irit* #or when we 1uen(hthe Hol& S%irit* we 1uen(h our hel%er' )hen we grie"e the Hol&S%irit* our hel%er is grie"e$ !n$ we $o not h!"e the strength to


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.URSTING0AST.LO,ADES 68?

!((o%lish wh!t we nee$ to !((o%lish' ,r& out #or hel% !n$ lethel% (oe+ 0s!l 9>6-C re!$s

Go$ is our re#uge !n$ strength* ! "er& %resent hel%in trouble' There#ore we will not #e!r* e"en though thee!rth be reo"e$* !n$ though the ount!ins be (!rrie$into the i$st o# the se! though its w!ters ro!r !n$ betrouble$* though the ount!ins sh!ke with its swelling'

He is there' ,r& out+

The Hol& S%irit is the %erson th!t $wells within us th!t(!uses our #!ith to !ni#est itsel#' The gi#ts o# Go$ work throughthe !ni#est!tion o# the Hol& S%irit' This !ni#est!tion is linke$with our shiel$ o# #!ith' )hen we nee$ ! wor$ o# knowle$ge or! wor$ o# wis$o* the Hol& S%irit brings it to us' Fro this!ni#est!tion* the #!ith we nee$ (oes through this wor$ o#knowle$ge or wis$o* whi(h (!uses our shiel$ to be #leibleenough to 1uen(h !n& #ier& $!rt th!t the ene& sen$s' The gi#ts

o# %ro%he(&* #!ith* tongues* inter%ret!tion o# tongues* $is(erningo# s%irits* he!ling !n$ ir!(les !re !ll !ni#est!tions o# the Hol&S%irit* whi(h (!use our shiel$ o# #!ith to #un(tion %ro%erl&'

F A I T H A N D A U T H O R I T Y U N L O , O U RD E S T I N I E S

One o# & #!"orite stories !n$ %rob!bl& the ost i%ort!nt

illustr!tion o# the (on(e%t o# #!ith is #oun$ in 2!tthew 7?-6Cthe stor& o# the (enturion' This !n (oes to ,!%ern!u to #in$esus !n$ %le!$ with Hi (on(erning his ser"!nt who is$re!$#ull& torente$ !n$ %!r!l&5e$' .e(!use o# this !n/s (ror hel%* esus s!i$* JI will (oe !n$ he!l hi'J The (enturion!nswere$ !n$ s!i$* JLor$* I ! not worth& th!t You shoul$(oe un$er & roo#' .ut onl& s%e!k ! wor$* !n$ & ser"!nt willbe he!le$' For I !lso ! ! !n un$er !uthorit&* h!"ing sol$iers

un$er e' An$ I s!& to this one* /Go*/ !n$ he goes !n$ to!nother* /,oe*/ !n$ he (oes !n$ to & ser"!nt* /Do this*/ !n$he $oes itJ K""'


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68> ,HA0TER6; to ohn =8=6-=C !n$ Re"' 667 C


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.URSTING0AST.LO,ADES 686>* ! l!rge

oblong or s1u!re shiel$'

The sinnaw!s the shiel$ o# the he!"il& !re$ sol$iers Ksee 6,hron' 6==9' Goli!th w!s !lso %rote(te$ b& ! sinn!in his (!se! !n (!rrie$ the shiel$ in #ront o# hi !s he entere$ b!ttle Ksee6 S!' 6C;*!B4 $ere %rob!bl& onl& gilt' The shiel$s use$ b& the gener!ls o#H!$!$e5er Ksee = S!' 7-6 were orn!ent!l %ie(es o# !ssi"e gol$*!s were the shiel$s l!ter sent to Roe !s gi#ts Ksee 6 2!((' 69=96?67* !B4% .ron5e shiel$s !lso were use$ but onl& b& le!$ers!n$ ro&!l gu!r$s Ksee 6 S!' 6 6 ings 69=6> in other wor$s* it isthe l!st ite we %ut on !n$ (o"ers e"er&thing else we we!r'Howe"er* Sin!iti(us !n$ B!ti(!nus !nus(ri%ts re!$ Jin !ll

things'J F!ith will (ert!inl& J1uen(h !ll the #ire-ti%%e$ $!rts o#the e"il oneJ Ksee 6 0et' ?; 6 ohn ?9*67' Fire-ti%%e$ $!rts were(!nes' Sol$iers woul$ ignite the ti%s !n$ %ro%el the tow!r$ theene&'C

D E B E L O 0 I N G A N D I N , R E A S I N G T H ES H I E L D O F F A I T H


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669 ,HA0TER7

In !n online !rti(le* .ible te!(her Ri(k o&ner !ske$* JIs &our#!ith %roinent3J He then wrote the #ollowing

I# ! sol$ier is !r(hing tow!r$ &ou with his shiel$hel$ rightl&* it will !lost (ert!inl& be the ost%roinent thing &ou see !bout hi' I# it is (le!n !n$shine$ u%* it will be e"en ore so' ,oul$ th!t be s!i$ o#us3 )hen others look !t &ou* is &our #!ith th!t%roinent3 Our shiel$ o# #!ith is !lso wh!t etinguishes!n& !rrow the ene& #lings !t us' I# we !re (onst!ntl&

getting hurt !n$ woun$e$* it is !lost (ert!inl& be(!usewe !re not (!rr&ing our #!ith right' F!ith is b!si(!ll&seeing esus !n$ knowing where He sits !bo"e !ll rule*!uthorit&* !n$ %ower' I# we know this* then it isi%ossible #or the ene& to get ! shot in while the Lor$is not looking' There#ore* !ll o# the tri!ls th!t (oe ourw!& !re #or ! %ur%oseour !turit&' )e shoul$there#ore ebr!(e the tri!ls !s o%%ortunities' In this w!&*

e!(h tri!l the ene& #lings !t us will !(tu!ll& (!use our#!ith to grow so th!t it be(oes e"en ore $i##i(ult #orhi to woun$ us'9

Our #!ith ust !lw!&s be "isible !n$ (onst!nt* but we !lsonee$ to be #leible with our #!ith' o&ner (ontinues

A skill#ul w!rrior in bibli(!l ties use$ his shiel$e##e(ti"el& reg!r$less o# whi(h $ire(tion the !tt!(k w!s

(oing' A w!rrior who rigi$l& w!lke$ with his shiel$ inone %l!(e woul$ be(oe !n e!s& t!rget #or soeone whoshot !t hi #ro !n une%e(te$ $ire(tion' )e* too* ustle!rn to be #leible with our #!ith' There is #!ith #ors!l"!tion* !n$ #!ith #or he!ling' There is #!ith #or!uthorit& o"er $eons* !n$ there is #!ith to bring inGo$/s %ro"ision' There is #!ith #or our (hil$ren*(hur(hes* !n$ (ities* !n$ #!ith #or our (ountr& to see Go$

o"e in the' So i# our #!ith is going to be use#ul #orthese* we ust see the with trust in Go$ !n$!nti(i%!tion o# His "i(tor&* !n$ not look !t the in$oubt* reg!r$less o# wh!t %robles !rise' The ke& is tokee% our shiel$s u%* reg!r$less o# wh!t $is!%%ointents!& (oe' There !re ties when things will h!%%enwith !ll o# these th!t (oul$ be "er& $is!%%ointing'


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THE)HOLEAR2OROFGOD 66?

Howe"er* to be(oe $is!%%ointe$ is to $ro% our shiel$o# #!ith' )hen !rrows st!rt (oing* it is not the tie to

$ro% our shiel$s* but to r!ise the u% with e"en oreresol"e' The !rrows will (oe* whi(h shoul$ ne"er$is(our!ge us* but (!use us to gri% our #!ith e"en tighter*!n$ hol$ it u% with e"en gre!ter "igil!n(e'?

0 U T T I N G O N T H E A R 2 O R

)e!%ons o# w!r !re use$ both o##ensi"el& !n$ $e#ensi"el&'

Sin(e w!r#!re is entione$ so #re1uentl& in the .ible* so !re !rs!n$ !ror' nowle$ge is ke& there#ore* it/s "er& i%ort!nt th!twe h!"e knowle$ge o# the !ror th!t Go$ h!s gi"en us' The#ors !n$ uses o# we!%ons !n$ !ror e"ol"e #ro thebeginning o# the Ol$ Test!ent %erio$ until the en$ o# the NewTest!ent %erio$' ,ert!in we!%ons th!t were (oon in one%erio$ be(!e out$!te$ !n$ #ell out o# use in l!ter ties'>

The (o%rehensi"e Hebrew ter #or $e#ensi"e !n$o##ensi"e we!%ons is kelee Ksee Gen' =


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66> ,HA0TER7

HELL ,ANNOT )ITHSTAND THEUNITYOFFAITHOF.ELIEBERS'

0!ul instru(ts the %eo%le o# E%hesus to re(ei"e ! s%irit o#re"el!tion !n$ wis$o' He tells the to be roote$ !n$ groun$e$in lo"e' He en(our!ges the to w!lk in unit&' He e%l!ins Go$/sgo"ernent* whi(h h!s been rele!se$ to e1ui% the in the

e!rthl& re!l !n$ to bring the into ! unit& o# #!ith' On(e we%ut on #!ith !n$ !(ti"!te our #!ith* we unite our #!ith with th!t o#other belie"ers' This %ro$u(es ! unit& o# #!ith' Hell (!nnotwithst!n$ the unit& o# #!ith o# belie"ers' 0!ul then tells the%eo%le o# E%hesus not to grie"e the Hol& S%irit* be(!use the Hol&S%irit e%owers the to !int!in their new li#est&le' He !lsotells the to w!lk in lo"e !n$ wis$o' On(e he h!s e%l!ine$the %ro%er !uthorit& rel!tionshi%s* he then tells the to get

(lothe$ so th!t the& (!n withst!n$ the ene&* the $e"il* who willtr& to rob the o# their $estin&

Fin!ll&* & brethren* be strong in the Lor$ !n$ inthe %ower o# His ight' 0ut on the whole !ror o# Go$*th!t &ou !& be !ble to st!n$ !g!inst the wiles o# the$e"il' For we $o not wrestle !g!inst #lesh !n$ bloo$* but!g!inst %rin(i%!lities* !g!inst %owers* !g!inst the rulers

o# the $!rkness o# this !ge* !g!inst s%iritu!l hosts o#wi(ke$ness in the he!"enl& %l!(es' There#ore t!ke u% thewhole !ror o# Go$* th!t &ou !& be !ble to withst!n$in the e"il $!&* !n$ h!"ing $one !ll* to st!n$'

St!n$ there#ore* h!"ing gir$e$ &our w!ist withtruth* h!"ing %ut on the bre!st%l!te o# righteousness*!n$ h!"ing sho$ &our #eet with the %re%!r!tion o# thegos%el o# %e!(e !bo"e !ll* t!king the shiel$ o# #!ith with

whi(h &ou will be !ble to 1uen(h all the #ier& $!rts o# thewi(ke$ one' An$ t!ke the helet o# s!l"!tion* !n$ theswor$ o# the S%irit* whi(h is the wor$ o# Go$ %r!&ing!lw!&s with !ll %r!&er !n$ su%%li(!tion in the S%irit*being w!t(h#ul to this en$ with !ll %erse"er!n(e !n$su%%li(!tion #or !ll the s!ints KE%h' >68-67* e%h!sis!$$e$'


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THE)HOLEAR2OROFGOD 6666* we ust %ut on thewhole !ror' )e h!"e $es(ribe$ the shiel$* but the shiel$ !lonewill not %ro"i$e the %rote(tion we nee$ #or "i(tor&' The shiel$ isonl& one %!rt o# our $e#ensi"e !ror* whi(h !lso in(lu$es !helet !n$ ! bre!st%l!te'

The helet se(ures our thoughts !n$ %rote(ts our in$' )eust (!%ture e!(h thought !n$ bring it un$er the obe$ien(e o#,hrist'

The bre!st%l!te w!s ! %ie(e o# el!bor!te ebroi$er& !boutnine in(hes s1u!re !n$ worn b& the high %riest u%on his bre!st!s he inistere$ in the T!bern!(le or Te%le' It w!s set with 6=stones with the n!e o# 6 o# the 6= tribes o# Isr!el engr!"e$ one!(h stone' 2!$e like ! %urse* the bre!st%l!te w!s (onstru(te$ o#gol$ et!l blue* %ur%le !n$ s(!rlet &!rn !n$ #ine linen' It w!sse(urel& tie$ to the e%ho$' Insi$e the bre!st%l!te were two

unknown stonesthe Uri !n$ Thuiworn o"er thehe!rt Ksee Le"' 77' The bre!st%l!te w!s (!lle$ the bre!st%l!te o#4u$gent* be(!use these stones were the e!ns o# !king$e(isions Ksee Eo$' =7=*6?*=7-C8' The %ur%ose o# thebre!st%l!te w!s K6 to show the glor& !n$ be!ut& o# the Lor$ Ksee"' = K= to be ! (ontinuing eori!l be#ore the Lor$ Ksee "' =;!n$ KC to be ! e!ns o# !king $e(isions Ksee "' C8'

Then there were o##ensi"e we!%ons* o# whi(h the swor$ isthe ost #re1uentl& entione$ in the .ible' The e!rliest swor$sin the !n(ient worl$ were usu!ll& str!ight !n$ $ouble-e$ge$*!kin to $!ggers* !n$ use$ #or st!bbing Ksee Heb' 96=' In thetie o# the Eg&%ti!n new king$o* the longer-bl!$e$ swor$beg!n to be use$ wi$el&' )ith the !rri"!l o# the se! %eo%les* thelong str!ight swor$ beg!n to en4o& %o%ul!rit&' It usu!ll& w!s(!rrie$ in ! she!th* sus%en$e$ #ro ! belt Ksee = S!' =87' To4u$ge #ro the "!rious !rti#!(ts #oun$ in Eg&%t !n$2eso%ot!i!* hilts were o#ten orn!ente$' The swor$ is use$ !s! s&bol #or the )or$ o# Go$ Ksee E5ek' =6; E%h' >6


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667 ,HA0TER7

th&sel# !%%ro"e$J K= Ti' =6?* !"4%

)E ARE TO GIRD OURSELBES)ITH TRUTH' THIS )EA0ON ISTHAT )HI,H IS RELIA.LE AND,AN.ETRUSTED'

)e !re to gir$ oursel"es with truth' This we!%on is th!t

whi(h is reli!ble !n$ (!n be truste$' The .ible uses truth in thegener!l #!(tu!l sense' Truth !& $esign!te the !(tu!l #!(t o"er!%%e!r!n(e* %retense or !ssertion' In @e(h!ri!h 76> ?NRS"4, theLor$ o# hosts $e(l!re$

These !re the things th!t &ou sh!ll $o S%e!k thetruth to one !nother* ren$er in &our g!tes 4u$gents th!t!re true !n$ !ke #or %e!(e'

)hen esus !ske$* J)ho tou(he$ 2& (lothes3J K2!rk ?C8*the wo!n who h!$ been he!le$ through tou(hing esus/g!rents J#ell $own be#ore hi* !n$ tol$ hi the whole truthJK"' CC' In 6 Tioth& !n$ = Tioth&* truth is (orre(t knowle$geor $o(trine' ,ert!in in$i"i$u!ls h!$ $e%!rte$ #ro %ro%er$o(trine' Soe J#orbi$ !rri!ge !n$ $e!n$ !bstinen(e #ro#oo$s* whi(h Go$ (re!te$ to be re(ei"e$ with th!nksgi"ing b&those who belie"e !n$ know the truthJ K6 Ti' 9C* NRS"4%Others Jswer"e$ #ro the truth b& (l!iing th!t the resurre(tionh!s !lre!$& t!ken %l!(eJ K= Ti' =67* NRS"4%

Another ke& %ie(e o# the !ror is our #eet#igur!ti"el& we!re to we!r %e!(e on the like we woul$ we!r .irkensto(ks'0e!(e is not si%l& ! we!%onit is better un$erstoo$ !s ! senseo# well-being !n$ #ul#illent th!t (oes #ro Go$ !n$ is$e%en$ent on Go$/s %resen(e' As we !(ti"!te our #!ith* !s(en$ in

worshi% !n$ (oe bol$l& be#ore the Lor$ in the Throne Roo*not onl& $oes our shiel$ be(oe %ower#ul enough to 1uen(h the#ier& $!rts o# hell* but we !lso begin to h!"e tot!l (on#i$en(e too"e #orw!r$' On(e we h!"e %e!(e on our #eet !n$ in our!rsen!l* we (!n w!lk #orw!r$ on the %!th th!t Go$ h!s set be#oreus'

The (on(e%t o# s%iritu!l %e!(e is ost o#ten re%resente$ b&


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THE)HOLEAR2OROFGOD 66;

the Hebrew root slm !n$ its $eri"!ti"esthe ost #!ili!r beingthe noun shalom% It b!si(!ll& e!ns wholeness* or well-being' )e

#in$ the Lor$ !ni#esting Hisel# to Gi$eon !s !eho+ah ShalomKsee u$g' >=C-=9' Go$ g!"e Gi$eon %e!(e to o"e #orw!r$!g!inst his eneies' 0e!(e is ! gi#t #ro Go$* #or onl& Go$ (!ngi"e %er#e(t %e!(e Ksee 0s' 97 0ro"' C6


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6=8 ,HA0TER7

9' Ri(k o&ner* JDe"elo%ing !n$ Growing Your Shiel$ o# F!ith*J li>ah List30rophetic .ords and 0rophecies, une =

restoring your shield of faith

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