Jesus Armor!

This morning has pretty much been awesome!  

I sat down to spend some time reading and praying this morning, and I don't know about you, but sometimes I get in a bit of a funk and end up reading and praying simply out of habit, and other times I am so hungry for the Word that I devour it like it was a piece of steak.  This morning, was shaping up to be one of those times where I was going to be going thru the motions, simply keeping the discipline - and hoping that Jesus would show up... and He did!

I was sitting in my prayer room, and reading Proverbs 10, which is littered with promises and praises for "the righteous".  14 times in this chapter there are exaltations, or encouragement for those whom God would call "righteous".  So, this made me think; who is righteous? What does it mean to be righteous? How can I be righteous?  What else does the Bible say about righteousness?

It turns out - the Bible says a lot, and I by NO MEANS have done a comprehensive study - but God rocked my face off with something, that I have to share!  As I was jumping around reading and researching different place where the word "righteous" is used - I ended up in Isaiah 59.  Many scholars would call Isaiah the 5th gospel, because it is rich with prophecy of Jesus, and so shockingly specific about the person of Jesus, that it is hard to believe it was written hundreds of years before he walked on the earth (it's almost like God had a hand in it or something).

Anyway, I was reading throughout Isaiah 59 and I came to verse 17 - where God has looked down on humanity, seen that no one is righteous, there is no justice - and starting in vs. 16 "He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him.   He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head, he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in seal as a cloak."

If you read that too fast, slow down and read it again!  This is talking about Jesus taking it upon himself to satisfy justice and salvation for humanity because we could not do it ourselves.  AND WHAT DID HE HAVE TO DO?  Put on the breastplate of righteousness and the helmet of salvation!!!!!!!  Does this sound familiar?  Ephesians 6 we are commanded (not suggested) to put on the ARMOR OF GOD.  I have read, prayed and studied that passage a number of times, and NEVER did I see that this was God's Armor, that HE had USED IN BATTLE!  

Jesus, in order to live this life as fully man, and to fulfill God's law and be our perfect sacrifice - used armor.  He then, prompts Paul through the Holy Spirit to command us to use the very armor that He used while here on earth, living as fully man!  Are you freaking kidding me!  If this isn't getting your spirit in a frenzy, you may want to check your pulse... because the Creator of the universe has handed us His Armor to do battle with.  The very armor that He used, He freely gives to us and says "Here, this worked for me, now you go - use it to defend yourself and get through this battle"

And what do I do?  I tell God that I am good.  I don't need it, or even worse - I ignore the battle completely and just walk around not fighting, ignoring the war that wages around me constantly - which in effect gives the enemy a battle-win every time.  

So, this morning, I have decided to take up the armor that Jesus used to get through life - and this armor is beat up from all the blows the devil through at Jesus.  It is dented, scratched, worn in.  There are stains from the demons that threw themselves at Jesus trying to penetrate the perfect Lamb.  There is blood-sweat inside the helmet from Jesus' stress and inner turmoil as he knelt submissively before the Father, urging Him for another way to win the war.  But - the armor is strong!  The armor has been tested by the Christ Himself, it will hold, it will protect, and so - this morning I get dressed for battle, in the very battle dress that Jesus used.  And I am ready, maybe for the first time in my life - to go to battle with the authority of Christ!

Are you?

STOP!

So - it has been really nice to finally feel like I am back on Florida time, and back into the swing of things.  One thing that hit me last night, after dinner at 9:00 at Salute's (the greatest sports grille in Riverview!) - was that I need to get back on the horse of eating healthy and working out.  I got back from Asia, and was in love with everything about America, the food and freedom and everything... so I ate whatever I wanted.  I also was dealing with jetlag - so running or working out wasn't happening.  When you have a metabolism that is stuck in reverse, this is a terrible combination - so I forced myself out of bed this morning at 5:30 - and went for a run.  It felt great, and I really enjoyed watching the sunrise as I gasped for air and struggled to keep pace.

As I was walking my dog after my run, I was thanking God for the intricacy of our planet, and how we depend on Him for so much - without even knowing it.  I was thanking Him for a beautiful sunrise - that most people miss out on, because it takes place so early in the morning - and the only reason it is beautiful - to bring Him glory.  We never doubt that the sun will rise, or that there will be air to breathe, or that the earth will spin on its axis perfectly to keep us held to earth and aligned with the sun.  This world is so perfectly designed and dare I say Intelligently put together that this morning - as I walked and prayed - I got frustrated with the ignorance of humanity!  How on earth could we argue that this was not put together by a Creator.  I guess I could understand saying it wasn't Jehovah God, YHWH.  I mean, your still missing it, and one day - you will realize and bow before Jesus!  But, to say that the COSMOS sneezed and here we are - what a dumb argument.  I felt myself get agitated with everyone and no one all at the same time.  Does this ever happen to anyone else?  Very frustrating...

So, I was praying and getting worked up - when I felt that whisper in my spirit (wonder who that was?) telling me that the Truth is hidden from some, and that your eyes and ears have to opened to hear and see the Truth.  In an instant God smacked me off of my righteous high horse!  He showed me that THE ONLY REASON that I am able to appreciate it - is because of Him.  Because He has decided to open my eyes, and unclog my ears (that's kinda gross).  Immediately, I began to praise God and worship Him for who He is... my savior.  It was really awesome, to have all of this happen in a matter of minutes.  

One last thing - and then I am off to pour into my son (another recent conviction) - God is telling me that I need to pursue and "get" wisdom and insight.  Which I am totally down with, so my pursuit right now, is to dive into God - and to become wise.  It feels like a lofty goal - and an arrogant one, but I really feel like God wants me to know (head and heart and experience) more than I do.  I have no clue yet as to what that looks like, but I know that I am going to pursue wisdom and insight, whatever that looks like.

Okay, I lied, one more thing - I was in the shower a week or so ago, and I have been praying for God to reveal more about my new name - and he spoke to me, and actually gave me a name!  It was interesting, and I am reluctant to share too much - but I believe the entire meaning behind changing my name, is coming to fulfillment here soon.  I still don't think I will be changing my name legally or anything, but I know what I am to do now, which is cool!  For now, the name is suppose to stay private between me and God, but I am excited to be hearing more on that promise and wanted to share.