Tag: <span>Holy Spirit</span>

Helmet of Salvation
Published March 2, 2019

Helmet of Salvation

“Take the helmet of salvation…” Ephesians 6:17a

I remember as a child trying to figure out why the ‘armor of God’ fit particular parts of the body. Some made sense, like the ‘breastplate of righteousness’ protecting our heart—a metaphor for our soul—as well as the ‘shield of faith’ to ‘extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one’—the image of a shield protecting our whole being against Satan’s schemes. But why a helmet for salvation?

I came to understanding when an acquaintance of mine began doubting his salvation. Before his season of uncertainty he was living fully in God’s ways, serving joyfully in his church, and knowing purpose and peace.

But then he began believing that God judged him, not loved him, and that God withheld forgiveness for his sins. Even when I pointed out scriptures of God’s unfailing love, forgiveness, and empowering, he felt he was doomed. “I just don’t feel God’s peace or joy,” he would say.

John explains that “everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God” as my friend certainly did. John goes on to show the protection of salvation’s ‘helmet’: “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

Knowing in our head that we have salvation and feeling we do are not the same. In time this fella came around and once again believed—and felt—God’s saving love for him. Praise God.

Do you believe Jesus is God’s gift to the world for salvation? You can know your salvation is secure by doing so.

God, I believe Jesus is the Christ, the spiritual Savior of the world and me personally. Thank you for the knowledge that in believing in him I may know my salvation. Amen.

Thought: If you have never prayed for God to forgive you of your sin, but want to make it personal, simply pray the prayer above and expand on it as you feel led. God wants to know your genuine repentance and he wants to enter your life and help make you new.

By Dr. Bill Strom

If you prayed this prayer we would love to hear from you . If you would like to know God deeper we can connect you with an email mentor and/or send you some great links.

Enter Email

Used by Permission  www.thelife.com/dailydevotions

Comments: If you don’t see our response form, please go to https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/bill-strom_helmet-of-salvation/

Learn more about knowing Jesus at: http://thoughts-about-god.com/four-laws/

Follow Us On:

facebooktwitterinstagrampinterestrss

 

___

Thoughts by All thoughts by Bill Strom Thoughts by Men

How to Make a Difference in Someone’s Day
Published March 1, 2019

How to Make a Difference in Someone’s Day

Not long ago, I was reminded again of the pain and heartache in the world.

It’s not that I’d forgotten exactly, but sometimes it’s there — everywhere you look. It becomes hard to miss and impossible to ignore.

That was a week I could see the struggle behind the smiles. I could read the heartache in written words. I could hear the pain in the tears.

Family members struggling.
Loved ones hurting.
Friends grieving.

Strained and broken relationships.
Physical and emotional pain.
Financial hardships.

Everyone has something to deal with, and while our struggles may be different, they are no less real. They are no less significant.

Often, one of the only things we can do for someone is to be there. To listen, without giving advice (unless asked) and to extend compassion, even when we don’t understand.

What else can we do?

3 Things We Can Do to Make a Difference in Someone’s Day

1) Smile
I wonder how often one person’s smile is the best part of someone else’s day. Something so small, and yet so big and important. So easy, but forgotten about when we get busy and rush through the day.

What if, regardless of our mood or how our day is going, we make an effort to smile more—with our families, co-workers, at the grocery store, the bank, the school—wherever we have the opportunity to make a difference? Your smile may be just what someone else needs today.

2) Reach Out
When someone is in your thoughts, let them know. God will bring someone to mind and place them in our hearts for a reason. He knows they need a kind word. They need to feel remembered. They need to know someone is thinking of, and praying for, them.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard from a friend at just the right time. I want to be that friend to another. I’ll admit, I’m working on this one. I have a habit of putting off an email, thinking I’ll get to it later, and then forgetting. But I’m trying to be intentional about reaching out to others.

3) Pray
Something happens when we pray. We draw closer to the One who hears us and sees everything. He not only works in the lives of those we pray for, but He works in our lives.

Prayer changes us from the inside out, in ways we may not even be aware of. Perhaps you’ve been praying for someone, or for a situation, for so long and you’re ready to give up. I know the feeling. But, we can’t give up. Prayer matters! It makes a difference, even if we can’t see it.

We may never know if, or how, our prayers were answered for someone else’s life. But God knows, and that’s what matters.

How can you make a difference in someone’s day today?

‘But the fruit of the Spirit  is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control’
Galatians 5:22-23

By Laura Rath
Used by Permission

We Welcome your comments.

Enter Email
reCAPTCHA

Comments: If you don’t see our response form, please go to https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/laura-rath_make-difference/

Learn more about knowing Jesus at: http://thoughts-about-god.com/four-laws/

Follow Us On:

facebooktwitterinstagrampinterestrss

 

___

Thoughts by All thoughts by Laura Rath Thoughts by Women