The Helmet of Salvation
Read: Acts 16:25-34 . . . and take the helmet of salvation. (Eph. 6:17) What’s the most important piece of God’s armor? If I had to pick one, I’d have to say it’s the helmet. We can survive blows to the body but not to an unprotected head. Likewise, in terms of the metaphor, salvation […]
The Shield of Faith
Read: Matthew 17:14-21 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one. (Eph. 6:16) Let’s say we have withstood an initial assault of the enemy. Give God the glory, but don’t be surprised. Our God has well-equipped us. The golfer Lee Trevino, […]
Readiness
Read: Romans 10:14-15 . . . and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. (Eph. 6:15) You don’t wear high heels to the beach or flip-flops to a formal dinner. Footwear appropriate to the occasion is second nature to most of us. But what is this […]
The Breastplate of Righteousness
Read: Matthew 5:17-20 Stand therefore . . . having put on the breastplate of righteousness. (Eph. 6:14) I grew up watching baseball in the fifties, when home plate umpires had huge black inflatable chest protectors stuck up under their chins for protection against foul balls. Technological advances make it possible today for umpires to wear […]
Stand With the Belt of Truth
Read: Ephesians 6:13-17 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth. (v. 14) Brother Lawrence (1614-1691) wrote, “we must do our business faithfully without trouble or disquiet, recalling God to our mind tranquilly as often as we find it wandering from him” (The Practice of the Presence of God). Fear is one of the […]
Reporting for Duty
Read: 2 Timothy 2:1-4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. (v. 4) John Wooden, the legendary basketball coach at UCLA, began the first practice of each new season by teaching his players, freshmen and veterans alike, how to put their socks on correctly. […]
The Armor of God
Read: Ephesians 6:10-12 Put on the whole armor of God. (v. 11) When you got up this morning you probably followed your normal routine: personal hygiene, getting dressed, perhaps private or family devotions, breakfast, and then out the door to begin the day. But you did something else without realizing it: you put on the […]
Grumble in the Wilderness
Read: Exodus 16:1-10 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day . . .” (v. 4) Children learn by imitation. As parents, our words don’t have as much power as our behavior. This […]
Hope Restored
The Words of Hope devotional reaches people in all walks of life—each with their own unique stories of faith and need. One recent thank-you note came to us from a person living in prison. Written on a torn piece of paper towel, it was a reminder of why this ministry exists.