Keep the altar of private prayer burning

The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.”Leviticus 6:13

With my last post addressing, "All Prayer" I thought it fitting to place this post concerning prayer, by Charles Spurgeon. It blessed me very much, and I pray it will bless you as well:

Keep the altar of private prayer burning. This is the very life of all piety. The sanctuary and family altars borrow their fires here, therefore let this burn well. Secret devotion is the very essence, evidence, and barometer, of vital and experimental religion.
Burn here the fat of your sacrifices. Let your closet seasons be, if possible, regular, frequent, and undisturbed. Effectual prayer availeth much. Have you nothing to pray for? Let us suggest the Church, the ministry, your own soul, your children, your relations, your neighbours, your country, and the cause of God and truth throughout the world. Let us examine ourselves on this important matter. Do we engage with lukewarmness in private devotion? Is the fire of devotion burning dimly in our hearts? Do the chariot wheels drag heavily? If so, let us be alarmed at this sign of decay. Let us go with weeping, and ask for the Spirit of grace and of supplications. Let us set apart special seasons for extraordinary prayer. For if this fire should be smothered beneath the ashes of a worldly conformity, it will dim the fire on the family altar, and lessen our influence both in the Church and in the world.
The text will also apply to the altar of the heart. This is a golden altar indeed. God loves to see the hearts of his people glowing towards himself. Let us give to God our hearts, all blazing with love, and seek his grace, that the fire may never be quenched; for it will not burn if the Lord does not keep it burning. Many foes will attempt to extinguish it; but if the unseen hand behind the wall pour thereon the sacred oil, it will blaze higher and higher. Let us use texts of Scripture as fuel for our heart’s fire, they are live coals; let us attend sermons, but above all, let us be much alone with Jesus.


C.H. Spurgeon - 1834-1892

Are Your Children Putting On The Whole Armor Of God Daily? Part 7- All Prayer

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thus with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
(Ephesians 6:18)


Please see: Introduction

Part 1- Girdle of Truth

Part 2- Breastplate of Righteousness

Part 3- Preperation of the Gospel of Peace

Part 4- Shield of Faith

Part 5- Helmet of Salvation

Part 6- Sword of the Spirit


PART 7 - All Prayer

Here we are at the final Part in the Series: Putting on the Whole Armor of God. This is Part 7- All Prayer. I have already addressed the subject of prayer in a previous blog, "Are Your Children Learning to Pray?" But I would like to add just a few more points about this.

Are you praying daily and continually? Are you teaching your children to do so?
We are in a fierce spiritual battle, the spiritual armor is needed! An essential part of the armor is prayer.

Prayer is work! Are we aware of the importance of prayer in the spiritual battle that we are in?

Here is a link from BibleHelp.org that has a great encouragement for prayer:

http://www.biblehelp.org/unsung.htm ---- please take some time to read this, I think it will help and encourage you.

Here is something taken from a section of the link I just posted, it is a wonderful thought that puts a good prospective on the battle we are in concerning prayer:

"Satan understands the power of prayer, and I believe he is fighting fiercely to reduce its impact. An obvious military strategy is to concentrate attacks on the targets, which are the greatest threats. For example, in war, primary targets are radar installations, ammunition depots and weapons factories. Limited military resources are not used on non-strategic targets such as the officers’ dining hall (although many soldiers would probably welcome the relief from military food). It is my conviction that Satan knows the biggest spiritual battles are won or lost because of our prayers. Therefore, why would Satan not try to blind our eyes to the need and urgency of prayer?"
(Section 7: The Incredible Power of Prayer) Copyright © Michael Bronson 1997, 1999, and 2000 BibleHelp.org


In conclusion to this series I would like to say, My Husband and I have been blessed by God in that we have been very sober in raising our two youngest children. We have felt the weight of responsibility before God to seek Him in raising godly children that would have a passion for the Lord Jesus Christ and a desire to serve Him. Putting on the whole armor of God has been a huge part of that training. I have spent a great deal of time on this blog in communicating how we went about training our children to understand the concept of the spiritual battle we are in and the wonderful defense we have against the evil spiritual foe. My youngest daughter, Leah and youngest son, Michael have benefited from this training. They are adults now, and are serving the Lord with all their hearts with great fervor and passion for the Lord Jesus Christ. Even before they were adults, at the ages of 16 and 15 they were involved in Pro-Life/Gospel work with my husband and I. They would not have been able to stand the horrible attacks from the wicked if they had not learned how to put on the armor of God and stand in this evil day. They stand because they are saved people of God through the Lord Jesus Christ and they obey Scripture that says to be equipped with His armor.

God has instructed us to train up our children in the way that they should go. Oh mothers! Do you want children with a passion for God? Train them! Pray for them! Pray with them! Teach them God's Word! Protect them! Let God do the rest!


Let us teach our children to put on the whole armor of God daily!

Are Your Children Putting On the Whole Armor Of God Daily? Part 6-The Sword of The Spirit.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
(Ephesians 6:10-17)

Please see:

Introduction

Part 1- Truth

Part 2-The Breastplate of Righteousness

Part 3- The Gospel of Peace

Part 4- The Shield of Faith

Part 5- The Helmet of Salvation



Part 6- Taking up the Sword of The Spirit Which is the Word of God:

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)


Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand; To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute upon them the judgment written: this honor have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD. (Psalms 149:5-9)

The Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit which we are to take up! From the Word of God we learn the great benefits of knowing and learning the Word of God and how to use it as a Spiritual Sword!

Here are a few points that tell us how the Bible is a Spiritual Sword:

We are blessed if we meditate on His Word... He promises that those who meditate on His Word day and night will be prosperous and useful to God!

Blessed is the man that walked not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (Psalms 1:1-3)

We have victory over the enemy if we look unto the Lord and His Word and wait on Him:

Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me. (Micah 7:7-8)

The Lord will fight for us with His Sword:

See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever. If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me. (Deuteronomy 32:39-41

He guides us in the right path as we live this life, as we keep reading His Word:

Psa 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

His Word helps us not to sin:

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psalms 119:11) Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. (Psalms 119:9)



Have you read Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan? We discovered "Little Pilgrims Progress" when my children were yet small, it has been one of our favorite books to read and learn from.
Pilgrims Progress is written in allegory to teach spiritual lessons. To learn more about Pilgrims Progress and John Bunyan go here..also go here.



This section taken from Part 2 of Pilgrims Progress gives a wonderful allegory for using the Sword of the Spirit :




Valiant-For-Truth


Then they went on; and just at the place where LITTLE-FAITH formerly was robbed, there stood a man with his sword drawn, and his face all bloody. Then said Mr. GREAT-HEART, "What art thou?" The man made answer, saying, "I am one whose name is VALIANT-FOR-TRUTH. I am a pilgrim, and am going to the Celestial City. Now as I was in my way, there three men did beset me, and propounded unto me these three things:


1. Whether I would become one of them?

2. Or go back from whence I came?

3. Or die upon the place? To the first I answered, I had been a true man a long season; and therefore it could not be expected that I now should cast in my lot with thieves.

"My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:"
~ Proverbs 1:10-14 ~

Then they demanded what I would say to the second. So I told them that the place from whence I came, had I not found incommodity there, I had not forsaken it at all; but finding it altogether unsuitable to me, and very unprofitable for me, I forsook it for this way. Then they asked me what I said to the third; and I told them my life cost more dear far, than that I should lightly give it away. Besides, you have nothing to do thus to put things to my choice; wherefore at your peril be it if you meddle. Then these three, to wit, WILD-HEAD, INCONSIDERATE, and PRAGMATIC, drew upon me; and I also drew upon them.


"So we fell to it, one against three, for the space of above three hours. They have left upon me, as you see, some of the marks of their valour; and have also carried away with them some of mine. They are but just now gone. I suppose they might, as the saying is, hear your horse dash; and so they betook them to flight."


Great-heart. But here were great odds, three against one!


Valiant. "'Tis true; but little and more are nothing to him that has the truth on his side. 'Though a host should encamp against me,' said one, 'my heart shall not fear. Though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident,' etc.

"Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident."
~ Psalms 27:3 ~


Besides," said he, "I have read in some records, that one man has fought an army; and how many did Samson slay with the jawbone of an ass?"


Great-heart. Then said the guide, "Why did you not cry out, that some might have come in for your succour."


Valiant. So I did, to my King,--who I knew could hear, and afford invisible help; and that was sufficient for me.


Great-heart. Then said GREAT-HEART to Mr. VALIANT-FOR-TRUTH, "Thou hast worthily behaved thyself: let me see thy sword." So he showed it him.


When he had taken it in his hand, and looked thereon awhile, he said, "Ah, it is a right Jerusalem blade!"


Valiant. It is so, Let a man have one of these blades, with a hand to wield it, and skill to use it, and he may venture upon an angel with it. He need not fear its holding, if he can but tell how to lay on. Its edges will never blunt. It will cut flesh, and bones, and soul, and spirit, and all.


"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:"
~ Ephesians 6:12-17 ~


"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
~ Hebrews 4:12 ~


Great-heart. But you fought a great while, I wonder you were not weary.


Valiant. I fought till my sword did cleave to my hand;

"He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil."
~ 2 Samuel 23:10 ~


and when they were joined together, as if a sword grew out of my arm, and when the blood ran through my fingers, then I fought with most courage.


Great-heart. Thou hast done well; thou hast resisted unto blood, striving against sin. Thou shall abide by us: come in, and go out with us; for we are thy companions.




Valiant for truth used the Sword which represents the Word Of God.... this has been written as an allegory for our spiritual life, for us to apply to the battles in life. When the flesh, the devil, or the World tempts us to sin, we should call to mind the Word of God, which truly is a sharp sword to defeat the enemy of our souls!

After my children and I put on the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the preparation of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation, we took up the Sword of the Spirit and I prayed something like this, "Dear Lord Jesus, I take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Please help me to meditate on your word, let it be in my thoughts day and night, and work as a two edged sword to fight against the enemy of my soul. Help me think on you all the day long." then my children would pray and take up the Sword..

Taking up the sword of the Spirit has helped to equip us for this evil day. My youngest children understand the importance of learning and reading God's Word. Now that they are adults they continue to read and meditate on the Word of God, it shows in their daily lives and our families discussions are predominantly on the Word of God, our favorite Book of all.


For more on the Sword of the Spirit, please go to this post: Are Your Children Filled With God's Holy Word? Let us teach our children to fill their minds with the Word of God!



Here is the commentary from Albert Barns about the Sword of the Spirit:



And the sword - The sword was an essential part of the armor of an ancient soldier. His other weapons were the bow, the spear, or the battle-axe. But, without a sword, no soldier would have regarded himself as well armed. The ancient sword was short, and usually two-edged, and resembled very much a dagger.

Of the Spirit - Which the Holy Spirit furnishes; the truth which he has revealed. Which is the word of God - What God has spoken - his truth and promises; see the notes on Heb_4:12. It was with this weapon that the Saviour met the tempter in the wilderness; Matt. 4. It is only by this that Satan can now be met. Error and falsehood will not put back temptation; nor can we hope for victory, unless we are armed with truth. Learn, hence:
(1) That we should study the Bible, that we may understand what the truth is.
(2) we should have texts of Scripture at command, as the Saviour did, to meet the various forms of temptation.
(3) we should not depend on our own reason, or rely on our own wisdom.
A single text of Scripture is better to meet a temptation, than all the philosophy which the world contains. The tempter can reason, and reason plausibly too. But he cannot resist a direct and positive command of the Almighty. Had Eve adhered simply to the Word of God, and urged his command, without attempting to “reason” about it, sire would have been safe.
The Saviour Mat_4:4, Mat_4:7,Mat_4:10, met the tempter with the Word of God, and he was foiled. So we shah be safe if we adhere to the simple declarations of the Bible, and oppose a temptation by a positive command of God. But, the moment we leave that, and begin to parley with sin, that moment we are gone. It is as if a man should throw away his sword, and use his naked hands only in meeting an adversary. Hence,
(4) we may seethe importance of training up the young in the accurate study of the Bible. There is nothing which will furnish a better security to them in future life, when temptation comes upon them, than to have a pertinent text of Scripture at command. Temptation often assails us so suddenly that it checks all “reasoning;” but a text of Scripture will suffice to drive the tempter from us.



Let us teach our children to put on the Whole Armor of God Daily!

And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. (Revelation 1:16)

Are Your Children Putting On the Whole Armor Of God Daily? Part -5 Salvation

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God": (Ephesians 6:13-17)


Please see:

Introduction of Seven Parts for The Armor of God

Part One - Truth

Part Two- Righteousness

Part Three- Gospel of Peace

Part Four- Shield of Faith


Part Five- The Hemet of Salvation

John Gill's commentary on the Helmet of Salvation:

.....and such an hope of salvation by Christ is a defence of the head against false doctrines; for the helmet is a piece of armour for the head; and it is an erecter of the head in times of difficulty, affliction, and distress; and it covers the head in the day of battle, when engaged with Satan, the enemy of souls.


The helmet of salvation is the 5th piece of armor in the scriptures that we are to put on or take up. Since the helmet protects the head, and we are talking about spiritual armor for spiritual battle then we can see that the helmet protects the mind. There are so many scriptures that talk about the mind that it would take too long to mention each one, but I would like to point to several:

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. (Matthew 22:37)


Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (1 Peter 1:13)


For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)


Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Romans 8:7)


For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16)


And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; (Ephesians 4:23)


And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2)


Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (Philippians 2:5)


And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled (Colossians 1:21)


Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8)



After reading these scriptures about the mind, you might get the idea that the mind is very important to God. The mind controls our behavior, our way of talking and thinking.

A true godly mother has the desire in her heart to have a pure mind and to follow what God says in His Word about the mind. She desires her children to have a pure mind as well. We often blame the environment we live in or other people when we find impurity in our thinking, or notice it in our children. However, God says we wrestle not against flesh and blood, we need to realize who the true enemy is and how to have victory over this evil fiend ... have you noticed the verses in Ephesians that describe who are true enemy is?

Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:11-13)

As you can read, our enemy is satan and his hosts and they are after the minds of people!


I have been talking about putting on the Armor of God and how my children and I put on the individual pieces of armor; The girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the preparation of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith Now we have come to the helmet of salvation. We took the cardboard helmet and put it on the soldier and then pretended to place the helmet on our heads, I would pray something like this;" Dear Lord Jesus I place the helmet of salvation on my head. Thank you for salvation and allowing me to be your child. Please help my mind to think right thoughts, protect me from evil coming into my eyes, ears, or mind. I ask for the wisdom that is from above. Let the mediation of my heart and the words of my mouth please you." after I prayed, my children took turns and prayed putting on the helmet of salvation.

This may seem simple and silly to some people, but since God says to put on His armor, I found it a very effective way in helping my children to get the concept of spiritual warfare and the armor that God has provided.

When we put on the helmet of salvation to protect our minds, I taught my children that we must keep the helmet on during the day! I found that it is very easy to remove the helmet if I am not careful and then suffer the consequences of that action!

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. (Psalms 101:3)

God has so much to say to us about how we should live, He has provided the helmet of salvation for us for those unsuspected attacks of the enemy that come to us daily. However, if we deliberately place wickedness before our eyes, we are inviting satan's realms into our lives, consciously or unconsciously. It is like saying "Here, the door is open, I will chance that nothing wicked will come in, but if it does, I can handle it." We exchange temporal excitement and relaxation for purity and holiness. We exchange silver and gold and riches, for hay, wood, muck and stubble, and then we cry out to God for deliverance as we feel ourselves slipping away from Him. We are weak and feeble and have not the spiritual strength that would be ours if we obeyed God's Word and refused to set that wickedness before our eyes. In order to have the strength to teach our children these truths we must be very careful to obey God ourselves!

Of course television is a major concern for purity for our eyes, but also movies and video games, radio, CD's and stories on tape...

Oh mothers beware! Fear God! For if we allow ourselves to be so busy that we place our dear precious children before the "t.v. babysitter" or movies ... what kind of wicked things are they being exposed to? We have to answer to God for the things we do... our children are precious and so vulnerable! Would we allow others to teach our children corruption and ungodly content? Oh! their little minds are so fragile, so influenced! Whatever they view when young will be burned into their memory for their entire lives! Let us involve them in all godliness that they might have the mind of God and hunger for the things of God!

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)

Let us teach our children diligently the commandments of God. This is a sober day... let us stop careless behavior and take God's Word seriously!

When I put on the helmet of salvation, I always ask God for His wisdom, since He has invited us to do so. Here are some verses concerning wisdom from God:


If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord."(James 1:5-7)



For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs 2:6)


The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. (Psalms 111:10)


The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)


The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)


If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (James 1:5)


Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. (James 3:13-18)


Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her. (Proverbs 3:13-18)

My children have learned this song and love it:

Be Thou my Vision

Be thou my vision, oh Lord of my heart.
Nought be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought by day or by night.
Waking or sleeping, Thy Presence, my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me Lord
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son:
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one.

Riches I heed not nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my treasure thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heavens joys, O bright heaven's Sun!
Heart of my own heart, what ever befall,
Still be my vision, O ruler of all.
By: Mary Byrne

Commentary of the Helmet of Salvation by Albert Barnes

Eph 6:17 ... And take the helmet - The helmet was a cap made of thick leather, or brass, fitted to the head, and was usually crowned with a plume, or crest, as an ornament. Its use was to guard the head from a blow by a sword, or war-club, or battle-axe. The cuts will show its usual form.


Of salvation - That is, "of the hope of salvation;" for so it is expressed in the parallel place in 1Thessalonians 5:8: "But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation." The idea is, that a well-founded hope of salvation will preserve us in the day of spiritual conflict, and will guard us from the blows which an enemy would strike. The helmet defended the head, a vital part; and so the hope of salvation will defend the soul, and keep it from the blows of the enemy. A soldier would not fight well without a hope of victory. A Christian could not contend with his foes, without the hope of final salvation; but, sustained by this, what has he to dread?

Let us teach our children to take up the whole armor of God!

Please go to part 6-"The Sword of the Spirit"

Be Strong!

Be Strong!


We are not here to play, to dream, to drift;

We have hard work to do, and loads to lift;

Shun not the struggle -face it; ' tis God's gift.

Be Strong!

Say not, "The days are evil. Who's to blame?"

And fold the hands and acquiesce* --oh shame!

Stand up, speak out, and bravely, in God's name.

Be Strong!

It matters not how deep intrenched the wrong,

How hard the battle goes, the day long;

Faint not--fight on! Tomorrow comes the song.

By --- Maltbie Davenport Babcock 1858-1901

*To consent or comply passively or without protest.

Are Your Children Putting On The Whole Armor Of God Daily? Part 4 - The Shield Of Faith

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
(Ephesians 6:10-16)

If you have not yet read the previous parts of the armor of God, please see:

INTRODUCTION OF SEVEN PARTS

Part-1 Truth

Part -2 Righteousness

Part-3 Gospel of Peace

Part-4 The Shield Of Faith

Holding up the Shield of Faith works! I have taught my children to practice holding up the wonderful shield of faith and God has proven, (as He always shows us) that He is faithful and MOST Powerful against the attacks of the enemy of our souls. Our precious children need to know this powerful spiritual defensive weapon of war; Faith...

God has provided us with a shield call "Faith" and as He shows us in Ephesians, it is to "quench all the fiery darts of the wicked"... I had to wonder, just what are those fiery darts? Considering it, I remembered the story of "Pilgrims Progress" written by John Bunyan, Of Christian facing the fierce, Apollyon:




What a picture this creates, the wicked one hurling fiery arrows and the shield stopping them from piercing the flesh, in this case; the mind, soul, and spirit. What are those arrows or darts? and why fiery?

Doubt is the opposite of faith, God says to: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5) The enemy of our soul says, as in the Garden of Eden to Eve,"Yeah, hath God said?"(or, is it really true what God said?") and so this fierce enemy shoots the arrow of doubt into our minds to make us question God's faithfulness and righteousness. Holding up the shield of faith will quench that dart of doubt. Oh how many countless times I have used the shield of faith against an arrow of doubt. The shield literally quenches and repels doubt from me. How exciting it is to experience victory over doubting God's goodness and His faithful love in everything and in all situations and to teach this to my own dear children!
Oh but there are so many other arrows the enemy shoots at us and... Yes, Fiery!

I so appreciate Albert Barnes commentary about the Shield Of Faith:

"By the “fiery darts of the wicked,” Paul here refers, probably, to the temptations of the great adversary, which are like fiery darts; or those furious suggestions of evil, and excitements to sin, which he may throw into the mind like fiery darts. They are - blasphemous thoughts, unbelief, sudden temptation to do wrong, or thoughts that wound and torment the soul. In regard to them, we may observe:
(1) that they come suddenly, like arrows sped from a bow;
(2) they come from unexpected quarters, like arrows shot suddenly from an enemy in ambush;
(3) they pierce, and penetrate, and torment the soul, as arrows would that are on fire;
(4) they set the soul on fire, and enkindle the worst passions, as fiery darts do a ship or camp against which they are sent.
The only way to meet them is by the “shield of faith;” by confidence in God, and by relying on his gracious promises and aid. It is not by our own strength; and, if we have not faith in God, we are wholly defenseless. We should have a shield that we can turn in any direction, on which we may receive the arrow, and by which it may be put out."

We are given multiple opportunities through-out the days, months and years to point our dear children to the faithfulness of God and use Scripture to help them understand what God wants... "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Rom 10:17



Here are a few examples of how we taught our children Scripture for lessons of faith in God:


We were planning a Birthday Party in the park for Leah who was turning 6 years old. That morning the wind became very dangerous outside and we had to cancel until next week. Now we had the wonderful opportunity to tell Leah again to, "Trust the Lord Jesus Christ, His plan is perfect and He knows what is best for us. Let us thank Him for loving us and taking care of us. Sometimes these things happen because He knows it's best for us, but let's ask Him to give us faith in Him about it." We prayed and reminded Leah to keep up the shield of faith. Leah was given the precious opportunity to learn faith and patience. It was a great lesson for her!


We were able to point Leah to God and His Word! We often showed Scripture to the children that applied to the need:

We said to Leah, "Trust the Lord Jesus Christ, His plan is perfect and He knows what is best for us." "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil." (Proverbs 3:5-7)

"Let us thank Him for loving us and taking care of us", "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

"Sometimes these things happen because He knows it's best for us, but let's ask Him to give us faith in Him about it". Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. It was a good time to remind Leah to hold up the shield of faith and teach her!

Another example:

Leah was invited to a skating Birthday Party for a friend, she was very, very excited about going, but when we learned about the kind of music they were going to play there, we told her she couldn't go.

We said, "Leah, trust the Lord Jesus Christ that He has given Daddy and Mommy wisdom to know what is best for you." "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."(Ephesians 6:1-3)

"Listening to that kind of music does not honor God and might draw you away from God."
"Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths: (Proverbs 2:11-15) Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. (Proverbs 4:14-15)


"Remember that we are a peculiar people, God's chosen treasure." "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." (1 Peter 2:9-10)

Leah was willing to submit to God with a peaceful heart. Leah learned what God says and she was willing to obey. God did the work in her heart by His Spirit. It was another wonderful opportunity to hold up the shield of faith!


Michael had longed to go on a special trip with his Daddy. Two of his sisters had already had the chance and now it was his turn. A situation came up and the trip was canceled, he never had his turn granted to him.

We said,"Michael even though you're disappointed, trust the Lord Jesus Christ that He knows what is best for you." "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones." (Proverbs 3:5-8)

"Give your disappointment to the Lord" "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."
(1 Peter 5:7)


How wonderful it is to show to our children that God cares for the daily things in life and use Scripture to teach them every lesson there is! We can teach them to involve God in their thoughts and reasoning. We can never make them truly understand the deep things of the Spirit of God, but that is not our job. It is our job to communicate to them the truths of God's Word, it is up to God to do what He chooses to do with it in their lives.......

A fun trip denied, someone being unfair, something cherished suddenly lost forever, a friend that turns and becomes an enemy and will not explain why, loneliness for lack of godly friends, a move from a larger house to a much smaller house, siblings that need understanding... the list is endless. Each situation is a wonderful opportunity to teach our children to have faith in our Faithful Savior!


After we put on the Girdle of Truth, the Breastplate of Righteousness, the Gospel of Peace, my children would place the Shield of Faith in the hand of our cardboard soldier, and we would imagine taking the shield in our hands and I would pray, (not exactly the same each time to avoid vain repetition), something like this; "Dear Lord Jesus, I take up Your Shield of Faith, thank you for it. Please help me have faith in You in all things. Help me to take up the shield of faith to quench the fiery darts of the wicked. Cause my faith to grow stronger each day. Let me believe You and trust You that everything that happens will work out for good in our lives. Let Your Name be glorified through me"

God says to put on the spiritual armor for the battle, if we obey, He does the rest. This is spiritual thinking, although we cannot explain these things sufficiently to our children, we can teach them as God leads us and as stated before, let Him bring the understanding.



Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Shield of Faith:

This is more necessary than any of them. Faith is all in all to us in an hour of temptation. The breast-plate secures the vitals; but with the shield we turn every way. This is the victory over the world, even our faith. We are to be fully persuaded of the truth of all God's promises and threatenings, such a faith being of great use against temptations. Consider faith as it is the evidence of things not seen and the substance of things hoped for, and it will appear to be of admirable use for this purpose. Faith, as receiving Christ and the benefits of redemption, so deriving grace from him, is like a shield, a sort of universal defence. Our enemy the devil is here called the wicked one. He is wicked himself, and he endeavours to make us wicked. His temptations are called darts, because of their swift and undiscerned flight, and the deep wounds that they give to the soul; fiery darts, by way of allusion to the poisonous darts which were wont to inflame the parts which were wounded with them, and therefore were so called, as the serpents with poisonous stings are called fiery serpents. Violent temptations, by which the soul is set on fire of hell, are the darts which Satan shoots at us. Faith is the shield with which we must quench these fiery darts, wherein we should receive them, and so render them ineffectual, that they may not hit us, or at least that they may not hurt us. Observe, Faith, acted upon the word of God and applying that, acted upon the grace of Christ and improving that, quenches the darts of temptation.


John Gill's Commentary about the Shield Of Faith:

Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith,.... Which may be understood either of the grace of faith, which is like a golden shield, precious, solid, and substantial; and like a shield of mighty men, by which mighty things are done, and by which the believer not only repels, but conquers the enemy. The Jews say (n), that repentance and good works are as a shield against divine vengeance: or rather of the object of faith, that which faith makes use of as a shield; so God himself is a shield, Gen_15:1; his divine perfections, as his power, faithfulness, truth, and immutability, which encompass the saints as a shield, and are opposed by faith to the temptations of Satan; also the love and favour of God, Psa_5:12; and particularly God in his word, Pro_30:5, which is a shield against false doctrines, and the wiles of Satan. Moreover, Christ is a shield, Psa_84:11; and faith makes rise of him as a shield, his person, blood, righteousness, and sacrifice; which it holds up and opposes to all the charges and objections of Satan; and who is the saints' protection, and security from the wrath of God, divine justice, and eternal death. The disciples of the wise men are said to be (o) תריסון, "shielded men", who, as the gloss says fight in the war of the law; but they are not like Christ's disciples, who have on the shield, and fight the fight of faith: and this is "above all" to be taken, as being the most useful part of the Christian armour; or "with all", with the rest, this is to be taken, and by no means to be neglected; and it is to be used "in all"; in every temptation of Satan, in every conflict with that enemy, or any other.

Wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked; of the wicked one, Satan; who was the first wicked one, and the tempter of others to wickedness; and is emphatically the wicked one, being wickedness itself; and his temptations are "fiery darts": they may be compared to "darts", because they sometimes come suddenly and swiftly and thick and fast, are very numerous, and where they stick are very troublesome and grieving; see Gen_49:23. And they may be said to be "fiery", because they serve to inflame the mind, and excite to sin, as lust, anger, revenge, and the like; and were they not repelled, would be the occasion of bringing into everlasting burnings. The allusion is to βελεσι πεπυρωμενοις, "the fiery darts", cast by enemies into towns, and upon houses, in order to burn them (p). Mention is also made of גירי דאשא, "fiery darts", with the Jews (q), and of Satan's casting a dart at David (r): from these customs, and ways of speaking, the apostle borrows his phrases; and suggests, that the shield of faith is of use to quench the fiery darts of Satan's temptations; so that they may not have the malignant influence they are designed for; which is chiefly done by faith's dealing with the blood of Christ. And there were ways of quenching the fiery darts alluded to; which was done by skins and hides of beasts made wet, or anointed with alum (s).



Let us teach our children to take up the whole armor of God!

Please go to part-5 the Helmet of Salvation

Obstinate Youth

A fool despiseth his father's instruction, but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. --Proverbs 15:5

Alas! we cannot wonder at this folly. Remember the birth of the fool, "as a wild ass's colt" (Job 11:12), despising discipline and restraint. Yet subjection to parents is the law of nature, recognized by the most uncivilized nations. Much more is it the law of God. The authority of parents is the authority of God. 'The wayward resistance of the ungodly will be fearfully scourged.' (1 Sam. 2:22-25.) And even the Christian penitent has felt the smart of the rod to the end of life. If example would put this folly to shame, do we not read of the One child, able to teach, yea to command, his parents, who yet exhibited the lovely pattern of filial subjection? But pride must be broken down, and the "clothing of humility" worn (1 Pet. 5:5), before the child will see that his parents know better than himself, and that to count their word law--to "bear the yoke in his youth" (Lam. 3:27),--and to regard reproof, is the path of prudence (Proverbs 15:31-32; 19:20), no less than of honour. (Proverbs 13:18.) Solomon's wisdom, though the special gift of God, was doubtless connected with his filial regard to his father's instruction. (1 Chron. 22:11-13; 28:9,20.) Will those, who despise their earthly father's instruction, listen to their Heavenly Father? How surely therefore will this untractable spirit exclude from the Kingdom of God!

-- Charles Bridges, Proverbs, 1846