This is a continuing study. Scroll down for previous lessons.
Dear Partner in Prayer,
To you who call daily upon the name of the Lord:
The grace and peace of God be multiplied to you. May you be fully equipped and fulfilled in the knowledge and demonstration of the scriptures. May you experience the power of His abiding love every day. In Jesus’ name.
Our study on Matthew 16:13-20 has led us to focus on the keys of Heaven that Jesus has given to His Church: keys that bind and keys that loose. You and I have made a list of what we think those keys are.
My list of the Keys of Heaven previously discussed:
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”
Ephesians 6:10
Where is your strength?
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11
What is the armor of God? How do we put the armor on? Why do we need it?
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:10-12
The accuser and condemner is a thief, a destroyer, and a murderer. If he can steal the word from you through lack of study and diligence to do what it says, he will gain ascendancy over you to leave you naked, vulnerable and weak…open to further attack.
“But I have come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly!” See John 10:10
“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit and they are life.” John 6:63
Putting on the Armor
Seek first the Kingdom of God every day. Study to show yourself approved by God, rightly dividing the word of truth, that you may be mature and skillful in the word of righteousness, having your senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.”
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Where are your weapons?
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace…” Ephesians 6:13-15
Recap of the Armor
God’s armor cannot be seen in the natural realm. His armor works from the inside out. The scripture is specifically describing different pieces of armor to cover and protect different body parts…working from the inward man to the outer man. Why should we protect these parts? Because these are the areas the enemy attacks. They need to be reinforced with Kingdom power.
The Belt, The Breastplate, and Gospel Shoes
“Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” Ephesians 6:16
What two things are we to do with the shield?
Definition of quench: Extinguish, annihilate, crush, suppress; to quench things on fire.
Sometimes on the news we hear of missiles being fired on Israel from her enemies. The Israelis can detect an incoming missile and counteract the attack immediately with their impressive Iron Dome Missile Defense System. Israel is always on alert. A senior Israeli military official said: "You have to be hands-on, ready to operate, if and when necessary."
Our weapons of warfare are much more powerful, effective and destructive for they work in the spirit. When used properly they have the power to extinguish ALL fiery darts. They can change circumstances immediately for the entire Kingdom of God stands behind them. Praise the Lord!
Of course, the enemy will try to steal the mighty shield with doubt and unbelief. Some of his strategies are sneaky…launched “under the radar.”
Thoughts like:
Be alert. Stand fast on God’s Word even when it supposedly looks like it’s not working. That is precisely when faith is needed and exactly what the Shield of Faith is designed for: to dominate and extinguish lies and threats.
Take action! How? Cast down every high thing that exalts itself against the truth of God, bringing every thought captive to obedience of the Word. Fight the GOOD fight of faith!
If you’re feeling weak, read and do Proverbs 4:20-27.
Go to the Medicine Cabinet for further information.
This is the victory that has overcome the world—even our faith!
Jesus said, “Have faith in God.”
Faith operates in the unseen. It is the substance that connects to what God has spoken to create it and manifest it in this realm.
Jesus said, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Mark 9:23
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
Keep that shield in operation 24/7…”Now the just shall live by faith.”
Hebrews 10:38 - Put God’s Word first place in your life!
There are 247 verses in the New Covenant on faith. This would make a wonderful and rewarding subject for you to study.
Next Lesson: The Helmet of Salvation and The Sword of the Spirit
Pray For: The Church—The Lost—Elected Leaders
“The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available (dynamic in its working). Elijah was a human being with a nature such as we have (with feelings, affections, and a constitution like ours): and he prayed earnestly for it not to rain, and no rain fell on the earth for three years and six months. And (then) he prayed again and the heavens supplied rain and the land produced its crops (as usual).
James 5:17-18 AMP
Dear Partner in Prayer,
To you who call daily upon the name of the Lord:
The grace and peace of God be multiplied to you. May you be fully equipped and fulfilled in the knowledge and demonstration of the scriptures. May you experience the power of His abiding love every day. In Jesus’ name.
Our study on Matthew 16:13-20 has led us to focus on the keys of Heaven that Jesus has given to His Church: keys that bind and keys that loose. You and I have made a list of what we think those keys are.
My list of the Keys of Heaven previously discussed:
- The Word of God
- The Name of Jesus
- The Holy Spirit
- Weapons
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”
Ephesians 6:10
Where is your strength?
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11
What is the armor of God? How do we put the armor on? Why do we need it?
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:10-12
The accuser and condemner is a thief, a destroyer, and a murderer. If he can steal the word from you through lack of study and diligence to do what it says, he will gain ascendancy over you to leave you naked, vulnerable and weak…open to further attack.
“But I have come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly!” See John 10:10
“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit and they are life.” John 6:63
Putting on the Armor
Seek first the Kingdom of God every day. Study to show yourself approved by God, rightly dividing the word of truth, that you may be mature and skillful in the word of righteousness, having your senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.”
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Where are your weapons?
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace…” Ephesians 6:13-15
Recap of the Armor
God’s armor cannot be seen in the natural realm. His armor works from the inside out. The scripture is specifically describing different pieces of armor to cover and protect different body parts…working from the inward man to the outer man. Why should we protect these parts? Because these are the areas the enemy attacks. They need to be reinforced with Kingdom power.
The Belt, The Breastplate, and Gospel Shoes
- The Belt: Knowledge of the Truth, or what God’s Word says, will cause you to be courageous. Truth will help to gird and support you to stand boldly on solid, firm ground without backing down from satanic lies and deception. David ran toward Goliath and his lies with the tenacity of strength and courage that was founded on truth.
- The Breastplate: This is your right to stand boldly before God, as His beloved child, without any guilt, shame or condemnation, knowing you have been transferred out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God’s dear Son! It also empowers you to stand boldly with authority against the accuser, who desires to take captive those who don’t know their Blood bought rights and benefits. Those who stand boldly before their God stand boldly before their enemy!
- The Gospel Shoes: The Gospel of Peace protects your walk in the Spirit. It empowers you to keep on moving forward in our Gospel Mission to proclaim the love and peace of God to the world: the ministry of reconciliation.
“Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” Ephesians 6:16
What two things are we to do with the shield?
Definition of quench: Extinguish, annihilate, crush, suppress; to quench things on fire.
Sometimes on the news we hear of missiles being fired on Israel from her enemies. The Israelis can detect an incoming missile and counteract the attack immediately with their impressive Iron Dome Missile Defense System. Israel is always on alert. A senior Israeli military official said: "You have to be hands-on, ready to operate, if and when necessary."
Our weapons of warfare are much more powerful, effective and destructive for they work in the spirit. When used properly they have the power to extinguish ALL fiery darts. They can change circumstances immediately for the entire Kingdom of God stands behind them. Praise the Lord!
Of course, the enemy will try to steal the mighty shield with doubt and unbelief. Some of his strategies are sneaky…launched “under the radar.”
Thoughts like:
- This faith stuff just isn’t working for me.
- When will this ever change?
- I just don’t see how this can happen.
- God doesn’t love me.
- Why aren’t You doing anything for me?
Be alert. Stand fast on God’s Word even when it supposedly looks like it’s not working. That is precisely when faith is needed and exactly what the Shield of Faith is designed for: to dominate and extinguish lies and threats.
Take action! How? Cast down every high thing that exalts itself against the truth of God, bringing every thought captive to obedience of the Word. Fight the GOOD fight of faith!
If you’re feeling weak, read and do Proverbs 4:20-27.
Go to the Medicine Cabinet for further information.
This is the victory that has overcome the world—even our faith!
- Faith comes by hearing and hearing by God’s Word.
- It is by grace through faith that we were born again.
- Faith framed the worlds.
- Faith is THE substance of things you hope for.
- Faith moves mountains…
- Without faith we cannot please God.
- Faith is the substance of the word of God.
- The just shall live by faith.
- We walk by faith and not by sight.
Jesus said, “Have faith in God.”
Faith operates in the unseen. It is the substance that connects to what God has spoken to create it and manifest it in this realm.
Jesus said, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Mark 9:23
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
Keep that shield in operation 24/7…”Now the just shall live by faith.”
Hebrews 10:38 - Put God’s Word first place in your life!
There are 247 verses in the New Covenant on faith. This would make a wonderful and rewarding subject for you to study.
Next Lesson: The Helmet of Salvation and The Sword of the Spirit
Pray For: The Church—The Lost—Elected Leaders
“The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available (dynamic in its working). Elijah was a human being with a nature such as we have (with feelings, affections, and a constitution like ours): and he prayed earnestly for it not to rain, and no rain fell on the earth for three years and six months. And (then) he prayed again and the heavens supplied rain and the land produced its crops (as usual).
James 5:17-18 AMP