"The Shoes of Peace" (preparation of Gospel of peace)
Our Prayer: Let's Pray
Heavenly Father, Your warrior prepares for battle. Today I claim victory over Satan by putting on the whole armor of God! I put on the girdle of truth! May I stand firm in the truth of Your Word so I will not be a victim of Satan's lies. I put on the breastplate of righteousness! May it guard my heart from evil so I will remain pure and holy, protected under the blood of Jesus Christ. I put on the shoes of peace! May I stand firm in the Good News of the Gospel so Your peace will shine through me and be a light to all I encounter. I take the shield of faith! May I be ready for Satan's fiery darts of doubt, denial, and deceit so I will not be vulnerable to spiritual defeat. I take the Sword of the Spirit! May the two-edged sword of Your Word be ready in my hands so I can expose the tempting words of Satan. By faith we warriors have put on the whole armor of God! We are prepared to live this day, this week in spiritual victory! In Jesus' name, AMEN.
Our Scripture: Let's Read: Ephesians 6:10-18
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 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. 13 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. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
Ephesians 6:11–17 instructs believers in Christ to "put on the whole armor of God" as a defense against Satan's attacks. This armor includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Verse 15 says, "And with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace." The New Living Translation words it this way: "For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared." The gospel of peace is the message that Jesus gave to those who trust in Him (John 14:27; Romans 10:15). It comes with the assurance from God that we are His children and nothing can snatch us out of His hands (John 10:29; 1 John 5:13). It outlines clearly what is required to become a child of God (1 Corinthians 15:1–6; John 1:12; Romans 10:8–10). Any other message is a false gospel.
The word readiness implies constant vigilance. A victorious soldier had to be prepared for battle. He had to have studied his enemy's strategy, be confident in his own strategy, and have his feet firmly planted so that he could hold his ground when the attacks came. A soldier's battle shoes were studded with nails or spikes, like cleats, to help him keep his balance in combat. He knew that, if he lost his footing and went down, it wouldn't matter how great the rest of his armor was; the enemy had him. When we are ready with the gospel of peace, we live with the understanding that we are continually under attack from Satan. Second Timothy 4:2 says to "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season."
The "peace shoes" that God supplies His soldiers have two purposes: defensive and offensive. In order to defend ourselves against the "flaming arrows of the evil one" (Ephesians 6:16), we must have confidence of our position in Christ. We must stand firm in the truth of God's Word, regardless of how terrifying the circumstances may be (1 John 5:14). We must understand grace without abusing it (Romans 6:1–6), remember that our position in Christ is not based on our own abilities or worthiness (Titus 3:5), and keep our belt of truth and breastplate of righteousness securely fastened (2 Timothy 1:12).
When Satan attacks with a flaming missile of doubt, such as "If God really loved you, He wouldn't have let this happen," we dig our peace shoes into the turf of God's Word and reply, "It is written: All things work together for the good to them who love God and are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). When Satan stabs from behind with "Remember what you did?" we dig in more deeply and reply, "It is written: If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
In addition to standing our ground, shoes are also for moving. God expects us to go on the offensive and take the gospel of peace to others. First Peter 3:15 says, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." Sharing our faith is one of the best ways to maintain our own sure footing. God knows that, when we are active in speaking of Him to others, we not only charge into Satan's territory, but we dig our shoes more deeply into truth and will be much harder to dislodge. When we have "studied to show ourselves approved unto God" (2 Timothy 2:15), we are ready to stand firm in the gospel of peace no matter what the enemy brings against us (2 Thessalonians 2:15).
Let's look at our study books now!
Day 1 My Father's Shoes
This week you and I are going to put on our Father's shoes. And by the Spirit's power, we are going to start seeing the tracks of peace he can make, not only in our own hearts, but also in our relationships and experiences with others. Perhaps the current status of things in your life makes you think no mere change of shoes can do anything to counteract the chaos and angst you're feeling and facing. But, yes-when those shoes are God's shoes, His footprints will start showing up everywhere you step. Hallelujah!!!
Anywhere peace is lacking, the enemy is at work! Please read pages for week # 4
Day 2 "Digging In"
In Paul's letter to the Ephesians, he pointed to this relationship as proof of the extraordinary power of God's peace-not just in theory, but in personal practice. It was strong enough to establish stability and harmony then, and it is powerful enough to do it now. Amen! There is so much to read in this study book; please read pages 101-103.
Day 3 "The Hole in my Heart"
These shoes of peace can do a lot of walking (if we'll wear them) and take us to places we never thoughts we'd see in our lifetimes.
Only God's peace can dig in deep enough to offer the kind of anchoring, grounding, and security we need, keeping us from being knocked over and undone by a potent enemy who's always on the loose, and who specifically targets us in those areas where we're the weakest or most tender. False alternatives and cheap substitutes have never been and will never be sufficient replacements. Please read pages 106-112.
Day 4 "Go Shoes"
We need fewer dress shoes and more go shoes-the kind that make us ready and prepared for battle. Having your feet fitted with the peace that the gospel brings, and that the Spirit utilizes to guide you onward, make you ready for anything the enemy tries to send your way. Hallelujah!
Standing firm is not only about digging in. It's about moving forward too. Please read pages 113-117.
Day 5 "Strategy Session"
Please read pages 118-121, and you will find that prayer is the strategy for most everything in life itself. I read it and it is just what I do when I need a person that is a powerful prayer warrior. I call and ask them to pray with me concerning the situation in my life at the time. For instant, just a week ago I call/text my sisters and had them stand in prayer with me concerning my job. It is so important to have peace in our life, and if we don't we can call someone to pray for us to get our peace back. In the shoes of the gospel of peace we can stand firm.
On page 118, it says, our peace is our instructor, guiding us, keeping us steady, assured, unwavering, even capable of smiling when everything in our environment says we should be screaming for dear life. This is our spiritual confidence, our peace from God (John 14:27), the legacy of peace.
Each Week Study "Overcomers" by Dr. David Jeremiah
Week # 4 "Peace overcomes Anxiety"
Week # 4 Nuggets: Suit up Cards
Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7,
AKA: The Shoes; the Boots.
Characteristic: Preparedness
Usage: Grips/Holds Firm Ground
Armor of Location: Feet
Arch Enemy: Anxiety
Enemies: Worry, Doubt, Fear, Hesitation, Uncertainty, Troubles
Charge: When we have made peace with God and have the peace of God in our lives, we can hold our ground and overcome any assault by our enemy.
Questions:
1). Look at the typical shoes of the Roman soldier on back cover. Write down the distinctive features that you notice.
2). Why do we put on the gospel of peace?
3). What is required to become a child of God?
4). What understanding we have when we have on the gospel of peace?
5). Concerning the peace shoes; what are the two purposes God supplies His soldiers?
6). Read Romans 6:1-6 and explain it.
7). How do we keep our belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness fasten?
8). When Satan stabs us from behind, what should we remember?
9). Explain how you would share your hope and faith.
10). Read 2 Thessalonians 2:15, explain please.
11). What happens when we put on our Father's shoes?
12). With these shoes how do we dig in deeper?
13). Explain the two types of peace.
14). Explain to the best of your knowledge, "Go Shoes."
15). Standing firm is not only about digging in, but about what else according to day four?
16). Using the strategy session on day five, how do you prepare yourself with the Gospel of peace?
17). Read very carefully the suit up card for peace overcomes anxiety.
Remember This. . . .(Isaiah 54:17)
"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord."
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