The Plumbline

God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect. You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping. (Psalm 18:30-32, 36 NLT) I have to ask - what 'way' have you chosen in life? Has it always been the 'right' way? Or have you been like me, choosing the 'right' way most of the time, but still finding the 'wrong' way kind of like a menacing 'pusher of buttons' on occasion? You do everything you can to avoid having those buttons pushed, but there are just times when there is no resisting in your own power and that is what you have been leaning on way too much. God's protection is there for us, but we choose to lean on our own resistance way too frequently. We think we have it 'handled', but don't even realize how futile that self-determi...

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. (Ephesians 6:12-13 NLT) Principalities and powers - there is an unseen realm behind every one of our battles, my friends. We don't even know they exist, but we can feel and see their influence, can't we? Their principal purpose is to make war against God's people. Their mission is to oppose everything and everyone in God's family. Our values, the boundaries we set for our lives, the mission we engage in - all are under their attack. The closer you get to Jesus, the more you can count on these 'unseen realms' acting against our forward progress. It should not come as a surprise that a 'lukewarm,...

God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no weekend war that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. (Ephesians 6:12) We all know someone who thinks they have it all together, but we know differently because their actions speak a whole lot louder than their words, don't they? The more they attempt to convince others that they are doing okay, the worse it gets for them. To be unwilling to admit we are weak in certain areas of our lives is foolishness. No one is without some area of weakness that plagues them from time to time, or perhaps way too often. We need all the help we can get to combat those desires tha...

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. (Ephesians 6:12-13) If you haven't realized the innumerable forces standing against you, it is likely you've 'felt' their influence all around you. Unseen, in the periphery, and right there in front of you - the forces exist, are at work, and are constantly looking for any opportunity to call into question your faith and trust in God. Why? They don't like your determination to follow Jesus. You are a threat to them, so they want to make you think they are a threat to you! Every piece of armor has been provided so we stand stronger than any attack they bring. Everything we think they have to use 'ag...