The Shield of Faith: Trust Under Fire (part 2)

 Expanding on The Shield of Faith: Trust Under Fire

I. The Military Reality Behind the Metaphor

Gotquestions teaches the Roman shield (thureos) Paul references wasn't a small buckler. It was a full-body shield, approximately 4 feet tall and 2.5 feet wide, capable of protecting the entire body. Roman soldiers would link shields in formation, creating an impenetrable wall.

Spiritual Application:

• Faith doesn't just protect one area of life; it covers our entire being: mind, emotions, will, relationships, and purpose. Romans 12:1-4
• Faith is both individual and communal; we stand stronger when our shields overlap with other believers. Faith overcomes the world. “Everyone born of God overcomes the world” because Jesus is the victory that secures our endurance (1 John 5:4–5; John 16:33).
• The shield was held, not strapped. Faith requires active engagement, not passive possession. “...Take up the shield of faith” because it extinguishes every flaming arrow aimed at you (Ephesians 6:16).

Reference: "Above all, taking the shield of faith" (Ephesians 6:16a, emphasis added). The phrase "above all" can mean "in addition to" or "most importantly." Faith either integrates all other armor pieces or ranks as the most critical defense.

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II. The Anatomy of Flaming Arrows: Understanding the Attack

The Delivery System

Ancient flaming arrows were designed for maximum psychological and physical impact:

• Wrapped in oil-soaked cloth
• Designed to ignite panic as much as to injure
• Effective at long range, giving no time to trace the source
• Multiple arrows could be launched simultaneously

Modern Spiritual Equivalents

Accusatory Arrows:

• "You're not good enough for God to use"
• "You've sinned too much to be forgiven"
• "Your prayers don't matter"

Reference: Romans 8:1, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Faith quenches accusation with truth about our position in Christ.

Comparative Arrows:

• "Your ministry is smaller than theirs"
• "Everyone else has it together"
• "You're falling behind"

Reference: Galatians 6:4, "Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else."

Circumstantial Arrows:

• Financial pressure timed with ministry opportunity
• Health crisis coinciding with major decisions
• Relational conflict during spiritual breakthrough

Reference: Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Doctrinal Arrows:

• Subtle theological distortions: "if you are the son of God..." (Matthew 4:3, 3:17)
• Half-truths mixed with lies ("ism's" instead of following Jesus Christ)
• Questions designed to create doubt: "Did God really say...?" (Genesis 3:1)

Reference: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

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III. How Faith Specifically Extinguishes Each Type of Arrow

Faith Counters Accusation with Identity

When the accuser whispers "You are your sin," faith declares:

• "I am crucified with Christ" (Galatians 2:20)
• "I am a new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17)
• "I am being transformed" (Romans 12:2)

Faith Counters Fear with Sovereignty

When panic rises, faith remembers:

• "God has not given us a spirit of fear" (2 Timothy 1:7)
• "Perfect love drives out fear" (1 John 4:18)
• "He who began a good work will carry it to completion" (Philippians 1:6)

Faith Counters Doubt with Evidence

When questions flood, faith reviews:

• Past deliverances: "Thus far the LORD has helped us" (1 Samuel 7:12)
• Present promises: "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5)
• Future certainty: "He who promised is faithful" (Hebrews 10:23)

Faith Counters Temptation with Alternative Satisfaction

When desire whispers, faith responds:

• "I have learned the secret of being content" (Philippians 4:12)
• "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy" (Psalm 16:11)
• "What does it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul?" (Mark 8:36)

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IV. Faith Formation: How the Shield is Forged

Through the Word (Romans 10:17)

Faith doesn't grow through experience alone. It grows through exposure to God's promises:

• Reading: Taking in Scripture systematically
• Hearing: Sitting under sound teaching
• Memorizing: Storing truth for instant access
• Meditating: Letting truth reshape thinking patterns

Practical Application: When a flaming arrow hits, the shield's effectiveness depends on how much Scripture has been absorbed. A shield without substance cannot protect.

Through Testing (James 1:2-4)

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."

Each attack we survive strengthens the shield:

• Previous victories build confidence for current battles
• Tested faith becomes proven faith
• Perseverance develops maturity

Reference: 1 Peter 1:6-7, "These [trials] have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith (of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire) may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

Through Community (Hebrews 10:24-25)

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Isolated faith is vulnerable faith:

• We need others to hold up our shield when we're wounded (Exodus 17:12, Aaron and Hur holding Moses' arms)
• We strengthen others' faith through testimony
• Corporate worship reminds us of God's worthiness

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V. Faith Integration: How the Shield Works With Other Armor

The shield of faith doesn't stand alone. It protects and enhances every other piece:

With the Belt of Truth (Ephesians 6:14a):

• Faith believes truth even when feelings contradict it
• Truth gives faith its content and direction
• Without truth, faith becomes wishful thinking

With the Breastplate of Righteousness (Ephesians 6:14b):

• Faith receives Christ's righteousness (Romans 3:22)
• Righteousness gives us confidence to approach God (Hebrews 10:19-22)
• The shield protects the heart that righteousness guards

With the Gospel of Peace (Ephesians 6:15):

• Faith stands on reconciliation with God
• Peace gives stability under pressure
• We can advance (feet ready) because faith secures our position

With the Helmet of Salvation (Ephesians 6:17a):

• Faith protects our assurance of salvation
• Doubt about salvation is a primary target of flaming arrows
• Settled confidence in our eternal security frees us to fight effectively

With the Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17b):

• Faith wields the Word offensively
• Jesus modeled this: "It is written..." (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10)
• The shield protects while the sword strikes

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VI. The Faith Crisis: When the Shield Feels Heavy

Honest Biblical Examples of Faith Under Strain

Job's Lament:

• "Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in?" (Job 3:23)
• Yet: "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him" (Job 13:15)

David's Desperation:

• "How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever?" (Psalm 13:1)
• Yet: "But I trust in your unfailing love" (Psalm 13:5)

Habakkuk's Confusion:

• "How long, LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen?" (Habakkuk 1:2)
• Yet: "Though the fig tree does not bud... yet I will rejoice in the LORD" (Habakkuk 3:17-18)

Key Insight: Faith doesn't mean absence of questions or emotions. It means bringing those questions and emotions to God rather than letting them drive us from Him.

Reference: Mark 9:24, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" This paradoxical prayer is perfectly valid.

When Faith Feels Inadequate

The Mustard Seed Principle:

• "Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move." (Matthew 17:20)

The issue isn't the amount of faith. It's the object of faith:

• Small faith in a great God moves mountains
• Great faith in a small god accomplishes nothing
• The shield's power comes from God, not from our grip strength

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VII. Faith in the Dark: When God Seems Silent

The Valley Experience

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me" (Psalm 23:4)

Notice:

• Through not "stuck in." Valleys are passages, not destinations
• Walk. Keep moving even when you can't see the path
• For you are with me. God's presence, not His explanation, sustains us

The Silence of God

Sometimes the greatest test of faith is God's apparent silence:

• No answered prayers
• No clear direction
• No emotional confirmation

Reference: Psalm 22:1-2, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest."

Yet David continues praying. Faith persists in prayer even when answers don't come.

Historical Example: Horatio Spafford wrote "It Is Well With My Soul" after losing his four daughters in a shipwreck. Faith doesn't deny the pain. It anchors through the pain.

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VIII. Corporate Faith: The Shield Wall Formation

The Power of Collective Faith

When Roman soldiers locked shields, the formation became nearly impenetrable. Similarly:

Reference: Ecclesiastes 4:12, "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

Practical Applications:

• Prayer partnerships for specific battles
• Accountability relationships for recurring temptations
• Small groups for mutual encouragement during trial
• Church family for sustained support through prolonged difficulty

Reference: Galatians 6:2, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

Faith Declarations in Community

• Corporate worship declares God's character when individual faith wavers
• Others' testimonies strengthen our confidence
• Shared Scripture memory becomes collective ammunition

Reference: Hebrews 3:13, "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'Today,' so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness."

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IX. Faith and Prayer: The Shield in Motion

Mark 11 Expanded: The Prayer of Faith

Context: Jesus curses the fig tree (Mark 11:12-14, 20-25)

• Disciples are amazed it withered
• Jesus responds: "Have faith in God"

The Connection: Faith and prayer are inseparable:

• Prayer without faith is mere words
• Faith without prayer is passive belief
• Faith-filled prayer moves mountains

Critical Verse Unpacked: "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." (Mark 11:24)

This is not blank-check theology. It's relational theology:

• "Whatever you ask" is filtered through relationship with God
• "Believe that you have received it" means trusting God's wisdom and timing
• "It will be yours" acknowledges God's sovereign choice in how/when to answer

Qualifying Verses:

• "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." (1 John 5:14)
• "You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives." (James 4:2-3)

The Forgiveness Component (Mark 11:25)

"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

Unforgiveness creates a breach in the shield:

• Bitterness is a slow-burning arrow we shoot at ourselves
• Holding grudges gives the enemy a foothold
• Forgiveness isn't excusing. It's releasing the debt to God

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X. Offensive Faith: Beyond Defense

While the shield is primarily defensive, faith also enables offensive action:

Faith Advances

Reference: Joshua 1:9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Faith doesn't just block attacks. It moves forward into enemy territory:

• Evangelism requires faith that God will work
• Obedience to difficult calls requires faith in God's provision
• Risk-taking for the Kingdom requires faith in God's plan

Faith Claims Promises

Reference: 2 Corinthians 1:20, "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God."

Faith doesn't passively wait. It actively claims what God has promised:

• Healing (James 5:15)
• Provision (Philippians 4:19)
• Wisdom (James 1:5-6)
• Peace (John 14:27)
• Strength (Isaiah 40:31)

Faith Confronts

Hebrews 11 Examples:

• Moses confronted Pharaoh (11:27)
• David confronted Goliath (implied in 11:32-34)
• Prophets confronted kingdoms (11:32-33)

Faith gives courage to speak truth to power, challenge injustice, and stand against cultural compromise.

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XI. The Ultimate Example: Jesus and Faith

Jesus as the Author and Perfecter of Faith (Hebrews 12:2)

"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."

Jesus modeled perfect faith:

• In the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11): wielded Scripture against temptation
• In Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39): submitted will to Father even in agony
• On the cross (Luke 23:46): trusted Father even in abandonment

Jesus' Trust in the Father's Plan

Every flaming arrow Satan could design hit Jesus:

• Physical suffering
• Emotional isolation
• Spiritual darkness ("My God, why have you forsaken me?")
• Temptation to escape ("Come down from the cross")
• Mockery and accusation

Yet Jesus' faith never wavered. He is both our example and our empowerment.

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XII. Practical Faith Exercises: Strengthening Your Shield

Daily Disciplines

1. Morning Declaration: Speak truth before lies arrive
   • "This is the day the LORD has made" (Psalm 118:24)
   • Personalize promises: "God works ALL things for my good" (Romans 8:28)
2. Scripture Saturation: Memorize verses for specific vulnerabilities
   • Anxiety: Philippians 4:6-7
   • Inadequacy: 2 Corinthians 12:9
   • Temptation: 1 Corinthians 10:13
3. Testimony Review: Keep a record of God's faithfulness
   • Journal answered prayers
   • Note coincidences that reveal God's hand
   • Remember deliverances
4. Gratitude Practice: Thanksgiving neutralizes arrows
   • "Give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
   • Gratitude shifts focus from problem to Provider

In-Battle Responses

When a flaming arrow hits:

1. Identify the lie: Name the specific accusation/fear/temptation
2. Counter with truth: Speak Scripture that directly addresses it
3. Pray immediately: "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief"
4. Reach out: Contact someone who can pray with/for you
5. Worship: Declare God's character regardless of feelings

Example:

• Arrow: "You're a failure as a parent"
• Truth: "God's grace is sufficient; His power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9)
• Prayer: "Father, I feel inadequate, but I trust You're working in my children's lives"
• Action: Text a trusted friend for prayer support
• Worship: "You are faithful even when I am faithless" (2 Timothy 2:13)

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XIII. Faith's Ultimate Victory

The Guarantee

"Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." (1 John 5:4-5)

Faith wins. Not because we're strong, but because:

• Christ already defeated the enemy (Colossians 2:15)
• We're sealed until redemption (Ephesians 1:13-14)
• Nothing can separate us from God's love (Romans 8:38-39)

The Present Reality

We fight from victory, not for victory:

• The war is won (Revelation 12:11)
• Battles remain (1 Peter 5:8)
• The outcome is certain (Revelation 21:4)

Reference: 1 Corinthians 15:57, "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

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Closing Application: What This Means Monday Morning

Faith isn't just Sunday theology. It's Monday reality:

• At work: When pressure mounts, remember "God has not given me a spirit of fear"
• In relationships: When conflict erupts, remember "Love keeps no record of wrongs"
• In finances: When lack threatens, remember "My God will meet all your needs"
• In health: When diagnosis comes, remember "By His wounds we are healed"
• In calling: When obstacles appear, remember "If God is for us, who can be against us?"

The shield of faith is raised daily, moment by moment, arrow by arrow.

It is not perfection. It is direction. It is not arrival. It is movement. It is not absence of struggle. It is presence of hope.

Faith trusts that God is working even when we can't see it, that He is good even when circumstances aren't, and that He is faithful even when we are faithless.

The shield stands because the One behind it never falls.

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Prayer as Spiritual Command and Control

We've been exploring prayercourse.org with Teen Challenge that goes over the Lord's Prayer.  The Lord's Prayer (or "Our Father") is a central Christian prayer taught by Jesus in the Gospels of Matthew (6:9-13) and Luke (11:2-4), emphasizing praise, dependence on God for daily needs, and forgiveness. It focuses on hallowing God's name, the kingdom coming, and deliverance from evil. I was amazed to discover Pete Craig doesn't handle forgiveness, so we created our own set of videos  that expands the important topic of forgiveness.  

Hallowing God’s name means treating God's name as holy, sacred, and set apart, acknowledging Him with supreme reverence and honor. Jesus gives new power to walk differently - Mark 2:11 when we come to him in worship. Jesus told us the father is seeking people (not worship) who worship in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:24). Jesus explains our disposition is to be an The angry, stay at home brother of the prodigal (Luke 15)

Persistent, Spirit-led prayer is fueled by joy in the Lord. Joy in the Lord is fueled by seeing the future joy set before us. Christ endured the cross because of the joy beyond it. Paul endures imprisonment because of the joy ahead. Believers endure daily pressures through prayer because the Lord is near, the resurrection is certain, and the kingdom is coming.

Ephesians 6:10–20 establishes the battlefield. Verse 18 is not an add-on. It is the command-and-control system that activates every piece of armor. Paul shifts from equipment to communication. Armor without communication leaves the soldier isolated.

Ephesians 6:18 says, “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” The context begins in verse 10. “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” Verses 11–17 describe defensive and offensive readiness. Verse 18 commands the continual connection that keeps the soldier aligned with the Commander.

Persistent, Spirit-led Prayer
Spirit-led prayer is relational dependence rather than ritual repetition. Romans 8:26–27 teaches that the Spirit intercedes “according to the will of God” when our weakness limits our understanding. Jude 20 calls believers to “pray in the Holy Spirit” as the means of building themselves up. Colossians 4:2 adds, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” Persistent prayer is the discipline that keeps the soldier awake and aligned.

Persistent, Spirit-led prayer is a central theme in Philippians. Paul teaches it not as a technique but as a posture formed by rejoicing in the Lord, remembering Christ’s endurance, and living with eschatological confidence. Philippians 1–4 frames prayer as a continual, joyful dependence on God in the middle of suffering, uncertainty, and conflict.

Persistent, Spirit-led Prayer in Philippians
Philippians opens with prayer. Paul says in Philippians 1:3–4, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you… always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy.” The persistence is visible in “always” and “every.” The Spirit’s work is visible in verse 6. The One who began the good work is the One sustaining prayer, faith, and perseverance.

In Philippians 1:19, Paul links prayer and the Spirit explicitly: “I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance.” His circumstances (chains, trial, and an uncertain verdict) become a laboratory for Spirit-enabled endurance. The Spirit uses the prayers of the church to sustain him.

Philippians 2:12–13 ties perseverance to divine empowerment. Believers “work out” their salvation because God is “at work” in them to will and act for His pleasure. Persistent prayer is the channel through which this cooperation takes place. The Spirit works while we pray.

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, Ephesians 3:20

Philippians 3 centers the believer on Christ Himself. Paul rejects self-confidence and presses toward knowing Christ, gaining Christ, and becoming like Christ in His death and resurrection (Philippians 3:7–11). Persistent prayer grows out of this ambition. It is the forward lean of a life that wants Christ above comfort.

As Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field." Matthew 13:44-46

Rejoice in the Lord
“Rejoice in the Lord” is not sentiment. It is spiritual orientation. Paul says it three times:

• Philippians 3:1: “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord.”
• Philippians 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”
• Philippians 4:10: “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly.”

The location matters. Joy is “in the Lord,” not in circumstance. Paul is in prison, uncertain of life or death. Yet he sees the advance of the gospel (1:12–18), the partnership of believers (1:5), the hope of resurrection (3:20–21), and the presence of the Lord who is “near” (4:5). This vision produces joy that does not depend on outcomes.

Rejoicing anchors prayer. Philippians 4:6–7 commands, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Thanksgiving is joy expressed. Joy and prayer work together to replace anxiety with peace that “guards” the heart and mind. Persistent, Spirit-led prayer becomes the ongoing practice of rejoicing in the Lord instead of rehearsing fear.

Practicing the presence of God (Philippians 4:6-8)

Rejoice in the Lord and Hebrews 12

• Hebrews 12:1–2 describes Jesus “for the joy set before him” enduring the cross, scorning its shame, and sitting at the right hand of God. Paul echoes this pattern throughout Philippians.
• Philippians 2:5–11 presents Christ’s humility and obedience unto death, followed by His exaltation. This is the same movement Hebrews 12 describes. Christ endured suffering because He saw the joy ahead. (as does everyone is Hebrews 11, "By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen." Heb 11:3)
• Philippians 3:10–14 shows Paul living the same pattern. He wants to know Christ, the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings. He presses on “for the prize” set before him. His persistence mirrors Christ’s endurance.
• Philippians 4:13 reinforces this dependence. Paul can endure all circumstances “through him who strengthens me.” The same Spirit who empowered Christ’s endurance empowers the believer’s persistence.

Prayer as Frontline Communication
Prayer is not retreat. It is battlefield communication with the Commander who directs movements, supplies strength, and gives timely intelligence. Psalm 18:6 says, “In my distress I called upon the Lord… my cry reached His ears,” which reflects direct, immediate access. Hebrews 4:16 commands bold approach to the throne of grace for “help in time of need.” First Thessalonians 5:17’s “pray without ceasing” mirrors a radio kept open in active combat. This prevents spiritual isolation and enables real-time response under fire.

“Someone is Home” Theology of Prayer
Prayer rests on the truth that God is attentive, present, and responsive. Psalm 34:15 says, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry.” Isaiah 65:24 reinforces, “Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.” Jesus models this confidence in John 11:41–42: “Father, I thank You that You have heard me. I knew that You always hear me.” First Peter 5:7 adds the invitation, “Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.” Prayer assumes Someone is listening and ready to act.

Biblical Prayer Warriors and Results

Epaphras: The Prayer Warrior (Colossians 4:12) and Results (Colossians 1:3-8)

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The Shield of Faith: Trust Under Fire

 Faith is a protective posture that absorbs impact when life hits hard. Paul pictures faith as a shield that stops attacks before they wound.

Reference: “Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” (Ephesians 6:16)

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Faith as Defense Against Active Attacks

Attacks are not theoretical. They are ongoing, intentional, and often well-timed. Faith blocks lies, fear, doubt, shame, and temptation by replacing them with truth.
Reference: “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8–9)
Key phrase: “Resist him, standing firm in the faith.”

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The Nature of Flaming Arrows

Flaming arrows are thoughts, accusations, and emotional triggers that spread quickly if left unchecked. They inflame anxiety, anger, pride, or despair.
Reference:
• Satan as the accuser (Revelation 12:10)
• Schemes meant to deceive (2 Corinthians 2:11)
• Temptation designed to mislead (James 1:13–15)

Arrows are meant to burn. Faith is meant to extinguish.

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Faith Rooted in God’s Promises

Faith is not optimism. It is trust anchored in what God said and who He is.
Reference: “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17)
Confidence comes from God’s character, not our circumstances.

Hebrews 11 reinforces this:
• “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)
• Every hero acted because they trusted God’s promises, not outcomes they could see.

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Faith as a Response to God’s Faithfulness

Faith grows when we remember how God has acted before.
Reference:
• “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23)
• God rewards those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6)

Faith responds to proven faithfulness.

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Hebrews 11: Faith in Action

Hebrews 11 shows faith as:
• Obedience under uncertainty (Abraham)
• Endurance under suffering (Moses)
• Courage under threat (David, prophets)

These stories illustrate the shield working in real life.
Reference: Hebrews 11:32–34 describes believers who “quenched the fury of the flames.”

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Romans 10: Faith Grounded in the Word

Faith does not appear on its own. It grows through immersion in Scripture.
Reference: Romans 10:8–11 emphasizes:
• The closeness of God’s word
• Belief in the heart
• Confession with the mouth
• Trust in Christ as the foundation

Faith is formed by truth. Truth is formed by hearing Christ.

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Mark 11: Faith That Acts and Asks

Jesus teaches faith that prays boldly and expects God to move.
Reference:
• “Have faith in God.” (Mark 11:22)
• “Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)

This is not name-it-claim-it. It is trust that God hears and acts according to His will and goodness.

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Summary: What the Shield of Faith Enables

• Discernment when lies hit.
• Courage when pressure intensifies.
• Endurance when suffering deepens.
• Hope when situations look impossible.
• Peace when anxiety flares.
• Strength when the enemy tries to intimidate or accuse.

Faith is not passive belief. It is active trust in a faithful God.

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Jesus gives new power to walk differently - Mark 2:11

“Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” Mark 2:11

I had a wonderful time at Vertical Endeavors Prayer Summit this weekend. Yesterday I got to share my testimony with the world via the Vertical Endeavor Men’s Choir  

Setting aside intentional, uninterrupted time with the Lord deepens our relationship with Him and aligns our hearts with His will. God invites us to draw near, promising that when we seek Him, He will meet us and speak to us personally (James 4:8; Jeremiah 29:13). In pure worship without agenda or time pressure, we respond to His worthiness and experience renewal as He creates a clean heart and restores our spirit (Psalm 51:10; John 4:23–24). These moments are not confined to a place or event but can be carried back into daily life and the local church, as God desires ongoing communion with His people (Psalm 27:4). Shared worship with other believers strengthens unity and joy in His presence (Hebrews 10:24–25; Psalm 133:1). Above all, God longs for us to love Him, receive His love, and give Him our time and devotion, for He alone is worthy in these days (Mark 12:30; Revelation 4:11).

Grace Church Chapel shared a powerful service centered on worship, testimony, and truth.
The music set the tone. The orchestra opened with “God of Our Fathers,” followed by the Vertical Endeavor Men’s Choir, born from a gathering of 426 men seeking God together in prayer, Scripture, and worship. The congregation joined in classic hymns celebrating God’s greatness and power.

A testimony grounded the moment. Jesse shared how God met men who came with burdens and left with freedom in Christ. The message connected his story to Mark 2, reminding us that Jesus gives new power to walk differently:

This past weekend, I had the privilege of joining over 400 employees men behind me from across our area for a time of worship that was uniquely powerful and transformative.

We gather together with no agenda. Other than to be guided by the Holy Spirit. Our worship alternating between scripture, prayer, and song with no instruments, just our voices as you heard in the video. Right here in the chapel. From there, we scattered throughout the campus and spent about an hour individually in silence.

It gave me the space to ask God. For more information about the convictions, the Holy Spirit had been placing on my heart during our time of corporate worship. It was a time of deep personal reflection. And preparation for our small group breakouts. In Mark 2, we read about a crippled man on a mat. 

Whose friends were so determined to get him to Jesus that they dug through a roof to lower him down. This weekend, we did exactly that for our brothers. We carried our mat for the for our brothers, lifting each man before the Lord. In our small groups, we chose to be vulnerable. 

Laying down our pride to share the heavy burdens we've been carrying. Whether a man needed physical healing encouragement in their faith. Needed to confess in or just ask for strength to keep going. We each lifted him up before the Lord together. I want you to know that God worked powerfully in each room, each small group. 

We saw men find freedom from long-standing struggles. Receive healing for broken Spirits. And exchange their heavy burdens for the peace that only Jesus provides. We didn't just talk about our faith. We experienced victory in Christ. Amen. 

The sermon then widened the lens. Troy addressed Minnesota’s cultural tensions with clarity and compassion. He urged people to think clearly, not react emotionally, and to pray for leaders while remembering our ultimate hope rests in Jesus... this was on my heart coming into the weekend. 

Stephen’s story in Acts 6 offered a sobering reminder. He was full of faith, grace, and power, yet still faced false accusations and fierce opposition. His life teaches three truths: speak with the Spirit’s wisdom, expect resistance to godliness, and keep the bigger picture in view. Stephen’s suffering helped spark Saul’s transformation.

The call was clear. Faithfulness is not measured by easy outcomes. It is measured by courage, grace, and a life that reflects Jesus: God’s call is always present-tense

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Christ’s Ambassadors Behind Enemy Lines

And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should. Ephesians 6:19–20

Paul describes himself as an ambassador in chains. This is diplomatic language set inside spiritual warfare. Ambassadors do not choose the territory. They are sent. They carry authority that is not their own. They speak on behalf of a King while standing in contested ground. 

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Representing Christ in Hostile Territory

Believers are not tourists in the world. We are envoys stationed where allegiance to Christ is resisted.

• Jesus prays not for removal, but for protection and faithfulness in the world

  I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. John 17:15–18

• The Church advances in a kingdom that collides with darkness

  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:5

  Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Matthew 10:16-20

• Our citizenship is elsewhere, yet our assignment is here

  But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. Philippians 3:20
  So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 2 Corinthians 5:20

This reframes suffering. Resistance does not mean failure. It often confirms placement.

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Speaking with Boldness and Wisdom

Paul asks for prayer not for safety, but for clarity and courage. Boldness is not volume, it's faithfulness under pressure.

• The Spirit supplies words when opposition rises

  “And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.” Luke 12:11–12

• Boldness flows from intimacy, not personality

  And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

  After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:29–31

• Wisdom governs timing, tone, and method

  Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. Colossians 4:5–6
  

  A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.Proverbs 15:1

Ambassadors speak truth without compromise and love without fear.

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The Mission Never Pauses During Conflict

Chains did not suspend Paul’s calling. Prison became a pulpit. Conflict often becomes the platform.

• The gospel advances through adversity

  And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear. Philippians 1:12–14

• Warfare clarifies purpose rather than cancels it

  Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them...Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things. 

  Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. 2 Timothy 2:3–4,7-9

• Faithfulness is measured in endurance, not ease

  It has come at last, salvation and power, and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ.

  For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth the one who accuses them before our God day and night.

  And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony.

  And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.

  Therefore, rejoice, O heavens! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice!

  But terror will come on the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time.Revelation 12:10-12

  But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 24:13

God does not wait for peace to act. He reveals His power in the middle of the battle.

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Core Truth

Christ’s ambassadors do not retreat when opposition increases.
They stand, speak, and advance.
Not because conditions are favorable.
But because the King has already won.

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The Enemy Is Not Who You Think

Ephesians 6:12 rightly interpreted

Paul is explicit. “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6:12). The enemy is not people, personalities, cultures, or institutions. Flesh and blood are never the final cause. When believers treat people as the enemy, they misdiagnose the battle and misapply their weapons.

Jesus modeled this clearly. On the cross He did not curse His persecutors. He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Paul echoes this posture in 2 Timothy 2:24–26, warning that opponents may be “captured by the devil to do his will.” The problem is captivity, not character.

To fight people is to fight the wrong enemy.

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“Do Not Give Place to the Devil”

The battlefield of the renewed mind

Paul warns believers not to “give opportunity” or “place” to the devil (Ephesians 4:27). This implies access, not ownership. The enemy gains influence when space is yielded.

Romans 12:2 defines that space clearly. The mind. “Be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” Unrenewed thinking creates agreement with deception. Renewed thinking shuts doors.

Paul clarifies our responsibility in 2 Corinthians 10:3–6. Though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to it. The war targets arguments, lofty opinions, and thoughts that rise against the knowledge of God. Patterns of thinking become a realm of safety for the enemy to operate from when they go unchallenged.

James reinforces this sequence. Desire gives birth to sin, and sin brings death (James 1:14–15). The battle begins long before behavior. It begins with belief.

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The Reality of Spiritual Rulers, Authorities, and Deception

Scripture does not minimize the reality of spiritual powers. Paul names rulers, authorities, cosmic powers, and spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12). These forces traffic primarily in deception.

Fear is one of their most common tools. “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7). Fear is not neutral. It is a spiritual influence that weakens clarity, courage, and obedience.

Paul contrasts fear with sound judgment. Deception clouds discernment. Truth restores it (John 8:31–32). Where fear dominates, faith erodes. Where truth is embraced, authority is regained.

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The Danger of Fighting the Wrong Enemy

Wounding the bruised reed

When believers misidentify the enemy, they often harm the very people God intends to heal.

Isaiah prophesies of the Messiah. “A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench” (Isaiah 42:3). Jesus applies this to His own ministry (Matthew 12:20). He protects the weak. He restores the wounded.

Fighting the wrong enemy leads to spiritual friendly fire. The bruised reed is broken. The smoldering wick is extinguished. Paul warns against this when he calls believers to restore others “in a spirit of gentleness” (Galatians 6:1).

God’s scepter, His skepal, represents righteous authority exercised with justice and mercy (Hebrews 1:8, 4:12, Psalm 110:2). Kingdom authority is never harsh, reactionary, or fear-driven. It is discerning, redemptive, and truth-centered.

King of Kings, resurrection and the Kingdom of Heaven (part 1)

Revelation of the church, a kingdom of priests (Rev 1:6, 5:10, 22:5-6)

Carefully determine what pleases the Lord (Eph 5:10,Romans 12:1-2)

The Only Kingdom That Prevails The Doctrine of the Kingdom of God

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Closing Emphasis

The enemy thrives in misdirection. When believers attack people instead of lies, symptoms instead of roots, or behavior instead of belief, the real enemy advances quietly.

Scripture calls us to clarity. Renew the mind. Discern the spirits. Refuse fear. Protect the wounded. Pull down strongholds. And stand firm in truth.

Victory begins when the enemy is correctly identified and rightly resisted.

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Spirit of heaviness and other "spiritual ailments"

Listening to How Demons Can Cause Negative Thinking - Derek Prince and looking at, What Does the Bible Say About Spirit Of Heaviness?

I can see how modern preachers recycle the classics and make them their own. Robert Morris (Free Indeed) appears to have been influenced heavily by Derek Prince (Pulling Down Strongholds) and John Bevere (Bate of Satan) by Warren Wiersbe (Strategy of Satan). 

Derek Prince highlights that we can be given over to torment by lack of forgives. Matthew 18:33-35, "…Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should repay all that he owed. That is how My heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

Notes from how demons can cause Negative Thinking: 

• Compelling to bite nails. Cutting self, self harm. 
• Enslave.  People can sin and stop sinning. Enslaved can’t stop
• Compel + enslave = addiction
• Addition can be respectable. 90% demons.
• Defile, dirty unclean, evil impure images and thoughts in our minds.
• Anything to keep you from worshiping God is demonic
• Deception: deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.
• Week, sick, tired or killed. You spirit of tiredness come out of her… they make us go to sleep, spirit of slumber…

Remedy is found in God's promise delivered in Jesus Christ

Isaiah 61:1-3 ESV 

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

Luke 4:14-21 Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power...taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone...he stood up to read...the prophet Isaiah...“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor...Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 

Grateful to share these truths with my brother yesterday as we watched Tim Mackie - What Many Christians Misunderstand About The Bible. We talked about what it means to be a child of God who wanders away from God, rejects God. Is it right to kidnap them and force them into heaven or allow a door for them to walk through? I was able to accept Jesus into my life after rejecting him in my foolish youth because I learned the principles of healthy spiritual and mental functioning. From insecurity to peace of mind (Serenity Principle)

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Listening helps people discover where they want to be

Being lost is funny because you know where you are but don't know how to get where you want to be. Sometimes we can be so distraught about the current situation we can't even describe where we want to be. I enjoy Bible study in BSF because we bridge scripture into our lives and see miraculous breakthroughs. 

This week we studied Lamentations and how to respond to difficult people and life situations. The big idea of Lamentations is that when we cry out to God about specific hurts, he responds with specific healing. Similar to when we confess specific sin, he gives specific grace to overcome sin. We can learn through Biblical poetry that grieving with God, brings us to hope and ultimately worship to him. We see Jesus on the cross praying Psalm 22 going from despair to hope. Lamentations doesn't end on a "happy note," and we got to discuss this question: "Describe a situation in which you are waiting on God to fulfill His promises. What are you learning about yourself? About God?"

I thought about someone with whom I've been sharing the good news about Jesus weekly for several years. Every week we land in a good place of clarity, and then it seems to fade until we meet again. So we prayed for him, and I got to experience a miraculous breakthrough less than 24 hours later. 

We drove around for a few hours, and I listened to him talk through what was on his heart and mind. We have a unique friendship and trust each other. While he was distraught and down about where he was in life, I shared what I saw as being good things in him and areas of accomplishment that were his. 

He tends to drudge up the past, and I encouraged him with a word from Earl Nightingale, "Don't water last year's crop," instead think about the person you want to become and focus on your ideal self.

I had the good news from Lamentations 3:22-24 on my mind, "Great is thy Faithfulness."

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father

There is no shadow of turning with Thee

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not

As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be

Great is Thy faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness

Morning by morning new mercies I see

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love

Great is Thy faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness

Morning by morning new mercies I see

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow

Blessings all mine with 10,000 beside

Great is Thy faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness

Morning by morning new mercies I see

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

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Rescued, kept.. so now I can walk in your presence, O God, in your life-giving light (Psalm 56:13 Coram Deo))

I found Psalm 56:13 while thinking about what coram deo means. In my study of People of Promise part 2 kingdom divided, I'm seeing how kings did evil in the sight of the Lord. 

• The Lord is omnipresent and perceives our every action and thought (Psalm 139:1–4, 7–10)
• The purpose of God's people: created and formed by God for his glory (Isaiah 43:7), not to us but to your name be the glory (Psalm 115:1). 
• God is who we live for; not for others (Galatians 1:10) because God alone is the One who redeemed us from our sin, He alone deserves all the glory and praise (Acts 4:12; Titus 3:5)

God's purpose in rescuing people is eternal life after death

• to bring back his soul from the Pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of life. (Job 33:30)
• to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. (Psalm 33:19)
• But God will redeem my life from Sheol, for He will surely take me to Himself. Selah....(while unrighteous) will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of day. (Psalm 49:15,19)
• Our God is a God of deliverance; the Lord GOD is our rescuer from death. (Psalm 68:20)
• For great is Your loving devotion to me; You have delivered me from the depths of Sheol. (Psalm 86:13)
• He sent forth His word and healed them; He rescued them from the Pit. (Psalm 107:20)

What's it like to not live in God's purpose?

• Making idols of any kind (Deut 4:25)
• Serve other gods or worship the sun, the moon, or any of the stars—the forces of heaven (Deut 17:3), deserves the death penalty to purge evil among you. 
• Application: purge evil among you in a modern sense is to throw away your American Idols. Tear down pillars of Baal (2 Kings 3:2)
• Served the images of Baal...They abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They went after other gods, worshiping the gods of the people around them (Judges 2:11-12) - result Lord fought against them, and people were in great distress (Judges 2:15), hand them over to oppressors (Judges 13:1)
• Forgot about the Lord their God, and they served the images of Baal and the Asherah poles (Judges 3:7)

Baal, god worshipped in many ancient Middle Eastern communities, especially among the Canaanites, who apparently considered him a fertility deity and one of the most important gods in the pantheon. As a Semitic common noun baal (Hebrew baʿal) meant “owner” or “lord,” although it could be used more generally; for example, a baal of wings was a winged creature, and, in the plural, baalim of arrows indicated archers.Aug 24, 2022 - britannica.com/topic/Baal-ancient-deity

Looking at Baal in the Bible I came across Baal of Peor. Got Questions had this interesting insight: Balaam...could not curse Israel, he found another way to fulfill the wishes of Balaak, who was paying him. Balaam knew if the Israelite men could be seduced into idol worship, God Himself would curse them.

• This is the evil of pornography in our day. We are "worse than our ancestors" (1 Kings 14:22), leading a whole nation into sin (1 Kings 22:52)
• Application: don't refuse to turn from the sins handed down to us. Live as foreigners in reverent fear, the blood of Christ redeemed us from the empty way of life we inherited (1 Peter 1:17-19). It's through Jesus we believe in God who raised him from the dead, glorified Him so our faith and hope are in God. 
• I'm cleansed from my sins when I obeyed the truth, able to show sincere love to others, born again through the living and enduring word of God (1 Peter 1:20-23)
• Trinity: according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by His blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance. (1 Peter 1:2)

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How God heals the mind of those under a powerful delusion (Isaiah 28:15, Romans 1:28, Isaiah 30:28, 2 Thessalonians 2:11)

I saw a question on Twitter this morning. "Can you be a part-time Christian?" the comments had 100s of "no" and a thoughtful reference to lukewarm-vomit from the mouth of God in Revelation. But a motorcycle evangelist from northern California (Chaplain Ken) had a truly insightful comment, "God doesn't want weekend visits, he wants full-time custody." Intrigued I followed him and saw this picture from previous tweets:

Isaiah 26:3-4) You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself is the Rock eternal.

Chaplain Ken also had a promotion to a bad called Sound Doctrine and their song "John 3:16" - that kept repeating only John 3:16. The idea in John 3:16 is to start there and keep reading... John wrote so you would believe in Jesus, Son of God

So rather than grumble in my heart, I started in Isaiah 26 and kept reading...Isaiah talks about the nature of people and the nature of God. How God's sovereign plans and human free will play out together. 

What happens when people reject God is described in Romans 1:28: "Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done."

Isaiah 28:15-18: For you said, "We have made a covenant with death; we have fashioned an agreement with Sheol. When the overwhelming scourge passes through it will not touch us, because we have made lies our refuge and falsehood our hiding place."

So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic. I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line; hail will sweep away your refuge, the lie, and water will overflow your hiding place. Your covenant with death will be annulled; your agreement with the realm of the dead will not stand.

Peter uses the language of a building (1 Peter 2:6-8), a nation (1 Peter 2:9-10) pulling from Isaiah 8:14, 28:16, Psalm 118:22, Exodus 19:5-6, Hosea 2:23 (SLU). From Luke 24:44-45, how was Peter able to make these connections?

Isaiah 30:6, 18) This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength...the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!

Isaiah 30:28: His breath is like a rushing torrent, rising up to the neck. He shakes the nations in the sieve of destruction; he places in the jaws of the peoples a bit that leads them astray. (NIV)

His hot breath pours out like a flood up to the neck of his enemies. He will sift out the proud nations for destruction. He will bridle them and lead them away to ruin. (NLT)

And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to err. (KJV)

Connects with 2 Thessalonians 2:11: ...with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. 11 For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness

Peter's letters explain how faith, grace, and hope work in our lives 

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Faith and repentance are made possible by Elijah's dedication to God (1 Kings 17-18)

 1 Kings 17-18

AIM: Being faithful with the small things, leads to faithfulness with the large things

Focus verse:

Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent. - 1 Kings 18:21 

A) God gives prophetic revelation and miracles to bring faith to those he calls

17:1) Elijah to Ahab, God of Israel lives, God I serve, no dew or rain for few years

 - Specific yet general revelation

2-7) LORD to Elijah, go east, hide water enter Jordan, drink, ravens bring food (bread and meat)

8-16) Go, live in a village Zarephath, Sidon, widow instructed yet called by Elijah for food and promised blessing

17-24) widow's son dies and blames Elijah, a man of God, he cries out to God, revived son, which results in faith

 - Specific personal revelation, instruction for faith

Personal testimony: I've encountered specific personal revelation and instruction that has helped many come to faith. 

B) Elijah and his friends obey God, helping Israel see the folly of false Gods and come to repentance

18:1-2) Lord to Elijah 3rd year of drought, present self to Ahab and he did

 - 2b-6) famine severe, Ahab to Obadiah find grass to save livestock, (Obadiah devoted follower of LORD, protected 100 prophets from Jezebel)

7-14) Obadiah sees Elijah, recognized him, and is troubled by the command to tell Ahab, fearing abandonment and death

15-21) Elijah under oath, confronts Ahab - you are the trouble maker, bring 850 false prophets and all Israel to Carmel, to people choose between God or Baal but they were silent

 - Application: Silence comes from ignorance which breeds indecision, which makes us susceptible to falling into the trap of evil people.  

22-40) One man of God outperforms all false prophets in a stunning turnaround. Israel comes to faith in God, face down, and cried out LORD is God.

41-46) Elijah to Ahab might rainstorm coming, seven times Go, look toward the sea a small cloud appears and Lord gave special strength to Elijah going ahead of Ahab to Jezreel

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