For those of you who have read the last two entries:

"Since we have such a hope, we are very bold..."

"Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, 'I believed, and so I spoke,' we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence." 2 Corinthians 3:12, 4:13-14

This is hope, and this is faith: that you proclaim the gospel.

Consider this: You are a force to be reckoned with in Him.

Check out this highlight: "Finally, be strong in the LORD and in strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of GOD, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." And again, "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 firm. Stand therefore having [put on the whole armor of GOD]". Ephesians 6:10, 13-17

Your faith is a shield, no doubt, but it's so much more than another piece of The Defense. It is your shield that renders our Adversary ineffective. Amid a deluge of arrows, pouring down like black rain, flames singeing the sky, the grass around your feet screaming until it is choked out by smoke; it is here with your shield up that you plunge through the deluge leaving a trail of light behind each step. You see how strong he makes you!?

Every day you walk around campus, you walk around wal-mart, you walk around the grocery store, you are walking against the dark deluge.

But what of the offensive? James says, "Submit yourselves therefore to GOD." This is what we do when we join His ranks and take up the armor of GOD. Because we don't just fight for anyone, but for the Mighty Creator Himself! Now, "resist the devil, and he will flee from you." But how do we resist? "Take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of GOD" and fight like the One in whose image you were made:

"And the tempter came and said to him, 'If you are the Son of GOD, command these stones to become loaves of bread.' But He answered, 'It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of GOD."'" And again, "Jesus said to him, 'Again it is written, "You shall not put to LORD your GOD to the test."'" And again, "Then Jesus said to him, 'Be gone Satan! For it is written, "You shall worship the LORD your GOD and him only shall you serve."' Then the devil left him." Matthew 4:3-11

But if you do not know your sword, how will you ever wield it!?

Will you resist Satan with your good looks? Certainly not! For your face will get marred by claws. In chapel one morning, the speaker presented lessons on our Adversary. Nicole leaned over to me and asked me what I would do if a lion came out from behind the curtain. What would you do!? No, what do you do? Because every day that same lion prowls up and down that chapel aisle and snares souls. And yet everywhere we walk, we do so casually, letting our shield and our sword slump or even dragging their prestige in the dirt behind us (Do you even carry your Sword? Be quick to write It on your heart!). Do not be foolish, "be sober-minded; be watchful! Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith."

You were made in His image! Fight like He fights. GOD gave you two hands. Take up the shield of Faith and take the sword of the Spirit, because The Scriptures are battle-ready.

"Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written,

"The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me."

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

May the GOD of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the GOD and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of GOD.

...And again Isaiah says, 'The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.'

May the GOD of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." Romans 15:2-7, 13

The Scriptures not only encourage us to do what's right and how to go about it (in this case, following Christ's example by putting others before ourselves, even if we must bear their reproach), but the Scriptures also encourage us by way of reminding us why we want to do what's right to begin with:

Hope.

Have some. And don't forget the Scriptures. Have some of them too! They liven the Spirit.

"and hope does not disappoint, because GOD's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Romans 5:5

My elect mother, having endured a broken marriage, the resulting divorce, age, abuse on the job, a troubled child, and famine when there was no money to satisfy the monthly bills, is enveloped in grace.

"Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect; not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of GOD, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of GOD. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example so that you might follow in his steps." 1 Peter 2:18-21

While postulating in the kitchen, potatoes being shaved and dinner in preparation, she tells me, "I don't feel my age." It's been nearly two years, but a settlement was reached that has allowed her to begin actively seeking a house, her home, away from this apartment complex.

Office depot is rearranging more than the furniture in the front window. My mother's manager, cruel and unjust as he was, has been stamped and extinguished by justice. And more! A new job has opened that pays her more than the current one!

On several occasions, that weren't as casual as they were demanding, money and food and baskets of love have seemingly appeared at her front door.

Perry (my younger brother, 16), troubled as he is, is the one who needs the power of prayer more than ever. He is good at heart. He loves my mother. He simply lacking in self-control, as well as any perspective beyond his own. He does not wear the name of Christ.

And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven."

Christ died to present you holy before the Father.

"Him we proclaim warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love"

Paul struggled to present you mature in Christ.

Neither Paul nor Christ ever saw YOU face to face and yet they spent themselves wholly for YOU, who they had never seen. Do not let their efforts go in vain just because you have not seen THEM face to face.

The day is coming, I assure you. Come, LORD Jesus!