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Category Archives: Spiritual Walk

Defending and Confirming

23 Aug
Defending and Confirming

I’m continuing with my study through Paul’s letter to the Philippian church. We’ve seen that he commends them for their continued partnership in the Gospel.

It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.

Philippians 1:7 NIV

This verse shows us an important aspect of partnership. There is a power that’s released when I give resources to a ministry. I’m talking about finances, time, and encouragement. Giving is an important part of the Christian walk.

Paul lets them know that they have a special place in his heart. That’s true whether he’s imprisoned somewhere or out proclaiming the Gospel.

He explains that there are two aspects to the Gospel message. Unfortunately, at this point in history, many are complacent with only one.

First, there’s the defense of the Word. That Greek word simply means giving an answer. It’s about sharing the Gospel in a way that’s meaningful to the people who are hearing it. When we say, “Christ is the answer,” we must make sure that we deal with the right questions.

That’s where much of the church leaves off. I’ve heard so many teachings and seminars on how to present the Gospel in different situations. That’s great, but it’s not enough.

The other aspect that Paul talks about is confirming the Gospel. That’s just as important, if not more so. Don’t just take my word for it. I want the Scripture to explain it. Here’s another verse where that word, confirming, is used.

Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

Mark 16:20 NIV

I firmly believe that speaking God’s Word is not enough. If it truly is the Word of the Lord, then there will be signs that accompany it. Along with that, we need to realize, if I’m not hearing from the Holy Spirit, then I cannot preach God’s Word.

As I’ve said before, there are many who use Scripture in their preaching. But that doesn’t make it God’s Word to the hearers. The true Word of God will cut straight to their hearts.

This truth is found throughout the Bible. Paul understood it’s importance in his ministry.

I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done – by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.

Romans 15:18-19

Notice, that Paul fulfilled his ministry by what he SAID and DID. It was through the power of signs and miracles. The difference between a sign and a miracle is that a sign is a miracle that confirms what you say about God.

The key issue is that by operating in this way, Paul fully proclaimed the gospel. I believe that just talking about Christ is not the whole Gospel. The Bible is clear that the kingdom of God is “not a matter of talk but of power.” (I Corinthians 4:20)

In many cases we’ve reduced the Gospel to cliches. “Jesus loves you.” “Jesus wants to bless you.” “God loves you and I do too.” The problem is that there’s no demonstration.

Based upon Scripture, if there’s no demonstration, then there’s no Gospel. Many are ashamed because all they can do is tell about Jesus. Some can’t even see the proof in their own lives because of the lack of power. It makes many believers feel like charlatans when they share the Good News.

It seems we’ve lost the original Good News. We don’t understand the power of God and we don’t understand the Gospel. The two go hand in hand.

Without the Good News, there’s no need for the demonstration of power. Some American Christians want the power without proclaiming the Good News. The fact is, that without the message of the Gospel there’s no need to demonstrate healing, prosperity, joy, freedom from depression, or anything else the Lord has provided for us through the cross. I’m striving to spur the church on to get hungry to experience the full Gospel.

That’s why Paul could say that he had fully proclaimed the Gospel of Christ. Not only did he tell about Christ, but he also demonstrated the love and power of the Lord.

Question: How can we return to the true Gospel?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on August 23, 2023 in Ministry, Missions, Power of God, Revival, Spiritual Walk, The Gospel, Word of God

 

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Partnership With the Word

21 Aug
Partnership With the Word

In my last post, I started looking at the book of Philippians. It was Paul’s letter to a church who had greatly supported his ministry.

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:3-6 NIV

Paul is commending them for their partnership in the Good News of Christ. That word, partnership, means that they have a share in what Word of God, through Paul, is doing.

The credit for every soul that is saved under his ministry is also placed in their heavenly account. That’s the joy of partnership which all believers should be a part of. It’s the evidence of God at work in His people.

The word confident is a word that means persuaded. How persuaded are you, not only that God is doing the work, but that He will complete it in you? It’s not about us. It’s all about what He has accomplished for us. Let the Word of God fully persuade you to put your whole trust in the Lord.

We sometimes tend to treat the things of God very lightly. We say things like, “Of course I’m trusting God.” But are we really? How far would we let our faith take us? That’s the real test of our belief.

The writer of the Book of Hebrews talked about some Old Testament saints who stood their ground in the spirit.

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.

Hebrews 11:13

This Scripture says that they saw the promises of God from a distance. Obviously, Christ had not arrived on the scene yet. They had to wait for the fulfillment. They went to their graves fully trusting God for the outcome He promised.

There’s actually more to it than that. The word saw in the above verse is the same word, persuaded, that Paul used in his letter. These believers become persuaded about God’s power.

How persuaded are you? They were convinced in God’s ability to accomplish what He said He would do. Paul said the same thing. What’s the confession that people hear from your mouth?

It should be: “God can heal.” “God can restore broken homes.” “God can provide for needs.” “God can change people’s lives.”

Not only were these Old Testament people persuaded by God’s abilities, this verse also says that they welcomed His promises. That word welcomed means that they embraced those promises even at a distance.

Are you embracing the Lord’s Word for yourself? It’s not enough just to agree that God is able to do something. You need to make it personal.

“God can heal me.” “God can restore my home.” “God can provide for my needs.” “God can change my life.”

We all have to come to the point where we understand that we serve a very personal God. Christ didn’t just go to the cross for the sins of the world. He went to save ME from MY SIN. I need to see Him as the One who is presently working in my life.

That will lead me to the next thing that these bygone saints were known for. They admitted, literally confessed, that they were aliens and strangers on earth. That word, in Greek, means to speak the same as. I need to speak the same Word that the Lord speaks. That’s partnership with the Word.

I’m an alien here on earth. I’m a part of the heavenly kingdom. I have access to more than our society does. It changes the way I talk.

“God is my Savior.” “God is my Healer.” “God is my Provider.” “God is my Restorer.”

This is where our strength comes from. It’s not from how good I am, but how good my God is.

Question: What are you trusting God to accomplish in you?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on August 21, 2023 in Ministry, Missions, Power of God, Spiritual Walk, The Gospel, Word of God

 

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Philippians Begins

18 Aug
Philippians Begins

I recently finished my series on Paul’s letter to the Ephesian church. I have been systematically going through the New Testament in the order that the Holy Spirit revealed it to the church.

I started with the four foundational books – James, First Thessalonians, Galatians and Mark. The next thing on the Holy Spirit’s agenda was to inspire books that dealt with our personal walk with the Lord. These books include Second Thessalonians, First and Second Corinthians, Romans, and Luke.

After that, the Lord gave us books dealing with our corporate walk. We need to understand life as a church. These epistles are Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.

The end of the book of Acts finds the Apostle Paul standing trial at Rome. This was his first Roman imprisonment. It seems that he had his own apartment while under house arrest.

It was during this time that these books were written. They are also called the prison epistles. It probably gave Paul a lot of time to reflect on what it means for the body of Christ to be a living organism. We are not just a social organization.

We’re now starting Paul’s letter to the Philippian church. It was established by him on his second missionary journey. We’ll find that this is more of a heartfelt letter to a church that has supported him throughout his ministry.

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:1-2 NIV

Paul uses some interesting language in this verse. He calls himself and Timothy servants of Christ Jesus – literally slaves. It’s interesting, because on various occasions Paul made a point of proving his freedom.

Once, he was arrested and he asked the guard why he was being denied his right to a trial as a Roman citizen. The guard explained that he, personally, had to buy his freedom. Paul, on the other hand, said that he was born a free Roman citizen. (Acts 22:25-29)

At that time, if you were born a slave, you were expected to be a slave forever – there was no escaping it. Under Roman law, a slave could find out his “sale price” from his master.

Then, if he saved enough money, he could pay the buying price to his master and have the ownership transferred to one of the many Roman gods. Then, as a slave to that god, could serve as a free man.

I believe this was in the back of Paul’s mind as he penned these words. We’re all born under slavery to sin. That was our unfortunate lot for the rest of our lives.

Jesus Christ paid the “slave price” for us. Now, just as Paul did, we need to transfer the ownership of our lives over to the true God. As God’s slaves we can now serve as free citizens of the kingdom of Heaven.

We have to live under this knowledge if we’re going to have a fulfilling life in Christ. We don’t own our lives.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!

Philippians 2:5-8

Christ, Himself, set the standard of living that we need to follow. He said that He came to live a life of service. That should be our attitude as well.

The Apostle Peter also understood this truth.

Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.

1 Peter 2:16

Once we’ve transferred the ownership of our lives to God, our callings will open up to us. We’re now free to serve Him to the best of our ability. This is the attitude that will push you to do great things in the body of Christ.

Question: How do you view the ownership of your life?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on August 18, 2023 in Ministry, Revival, Spiritual Walk

 

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The Path to Change

16 Aug
The Path to Change

I’ve been posting lately, about our place in society right now. I believe that this is the Moses generation. God’s people should be crying out to God concerning the conditions around us.

When Moses was at the burning bush, that’s what he learned from God.

“…And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

Exodus 3:9-10 NIV

We need to heed this lesson. We can’t remain complacent at this time in history. There’s too much at stake.

Much of the church is simply going along with the winds of our society. We don’t want to be ridiculed or accused of being uneducated. But the fact is – the Word of God stands true, no matter what direction society heads off in.

At the end of my last post, I quoted a verse from the Old Testament that applies to our generation.

…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

We need to follow the guidelines of this verse. It starts with an “if”. This doesn’t say that if my people vote for the right person… if my people join the right political party… if my people would fill the internet with their comments.

None of that is effective in bringing change to society. This only breeds dissension and strife. That’s not what we’re called to do.

We’re called to humble ourselves and pray. But there’s even more to it. There needs to be a spirit of repentance. That means a true sorrow and turning from sin.

“Wait a minute, Pastor Nick! I’m not the one sinning. Why do I need to repent?”

I’m glad you asked that. Think about Daniel. He was in captivity in Babylon because of the sins of the Hebrew people. How did he pray?

I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws.”

Daniel 9:4-5 NIV

Understand this…of all the people alive at that time in history, Daniel had nothing to repent about. He was walking before God in purity and righteousness. He even defied kings in order to please God fully.

And yet, in spite of his righteous life, he still repented of the sins of his people. Those of us who are mature can do no less.

It’s time to stop looking at those around us and commenting about their sin. It’s time to take up the mantle of repentance and stand in the gap for our nation. Along with that we need to be praying for the segment of the church that’s asleep at this time.

Only then will we see the move of God that we so desperately need. God is waiting for us to cry out to Him.

Question: How desperate are you for spiritual change?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on August 16, 2023 in Ministry, Prayer, Revival, Spiritual Walk, The Church

 

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Crying Out

14 Aug
Crying Out

For the past couple of posts, I’ve been comparing our present church environment to that of Israel in Egypt. Whether we know it or not, we’re in a kind of captivity to the world.

For the most part, the church keeps to itself. We don’t want to “rock the boat” of society around us. We want to be able to fit in and enjoy riches of the modern world.

The fact is, we need a move of God. No political vote will ever bring about a spiritual change in our country. But why does God notice and bring about that change? The answer came to Moses at the burning bush.

“…And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

Exodus 3:9-10 NIV

Why did God move to change their situation? The cries of the Israelites had reached Him. The Lord’s people need to cry out to Him.

That begs the question; are we crying out to God? Do we even care about the present situation of the church and society around us?

As I look around, it seems to me that much of the church is simply going along with the flow of our culture. Listening to a good gospel message once a week, then getting back to the business of making money and accumulating stuff.

The problem is that we’re comfortable in the present conditions. How long will it be before we start to see things through God’s eyes? How uncomfortable will it have to become before we cry out to the Lord?

Israel had to experience bitter slavery.

During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them.

Exodus 2:23-25 NIV

It’s interesting that there are four different words being used here for how the Israelites cried out. Two were what they did and two were what God heard.

They sighed and they screamed. They cried out in the bitterness and abuse of slavery. Their lives were at stake. God heard it as a call for help and groaning.

I ask again – why does God move upon the scene? The cry of His people has reached Him. So, the questions remain… Why are God’s people not crying out? Do we even know that the church is in slavery? Are we content to sit around and eat spiritual food yet do nothing? Are we going to allow the enemy’s kingdom to continue to be built up?

More than ever before, we need to be the intercessors for the church and our nation. Take stock of your life. If you’re spiritually asleep – WAKE UP! The time is now for God’s people to arise in the power of the Holy Spirit.

There’s a Scripture that I’ve heard applied to our nation over and over again. We need to finally walk in it.

…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

This should be a wake-up call to the church. God’s people are the only ones with the answers to the ills of society. But we need to rise up and BE the church.

Question: What needs to happen for a majority of the church to wake up?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on August 14, 2023 in Ministry, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Revival, Spiritual Walk, The Church

 

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What Are We Seeing?

11 Aug
What Are We Seeing?

In my last post, I started talking about life in our present society. In many ways it’s like when the children of Israel were captive in Egypt at the time of Moses.

There is great pressure on the church to agree with the world’s goals or stay quietly in the background. All the while, the enemy’s kingdom seems to be strengthening. Many of God’s people are in hiding, afraid to speak up.

Moses ran away from his problems and became a shepherd in Midian. As he was out tending the sheep, he sees a burning bush that isn’t being consumed.

As he checks it out, he hears the voice of God, speaking to him.

“…And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

Exodus 3:9-10 NIV

There are some important truths in this passage that we need to hear in this generation. One of the key statements is this: “I have seen the Egyptians oppressing them – so I am sending you to Pharaoh.”

Moses’ problem was that he thought the enemy was the Egyptians. The Lord set him straight. Pharaoh was where the victory needed to be won.

In the same way, our fight is not against flesh and blood. How do we see spiritual change? It won’t come about by attacking the Egyptians – the people of the world. We need to go against the spiritual “Pharaohs.”

However, there’s something that has to happen first. God said, “The cry of the Israelites has reached me.” That’s the important statement.

Are we crying out to the Lord? Do we even understand that we need the Lord’s help to rescue us? Or, are we happy to go right along with the world’s agenda?

This is the heart of the matter. Much of the church is content right where they are.

This is illustrated powerfully later on the book of Exodus. After the Israelites left Egypt, they were going through the wilderness. At one point they were complaining about the food God was miraculously providing.

The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”

Exodus 16:3 NIV

Their view of the situation was skewed. They don’t seem to remember that they were tasked with building the enemy’s kingdom, brick by brick. They don’t remember the abuse they had to endure – only the pots of meat they had available.

For the most part, the church doesn’t even know they’re in slavery. In the USA we can get a rich spiritual meal anytime we want it. TV, radio, and internet. We can live stream a message from some of the greatest preachers in the world.

Then, once we finish our hefty spiritual “meal”, we run off to continue building the enemy’s kingdom. We chase after the world and all it has to offer us. There is so much available in the way of entertainment, athletics, recreation, and educational opportunities.

We can fill our schedules so full that there’s no room for what God is calling us to do. In many cases, our spiritual life consists of a church meeting (online or in-person) once a week.

Actually, in our generation, what is considered an average committed Christian attends church twice a month. We’re too busy doing other things.

We need the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to the present condition of the church.

Question: What’s your view of the church in this present society?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on August 11, 2023 in Ministry, Prayer, Revival, Spiritual Walk, Spiritual Warfare, The Church

 

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The Moses Generation

09 Aug
The Moses Generation

In my last post, I finished the series through Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. At this point, I feel led to talk about an important subject before going on to the next New Testament book.

Recently, I was out hiking and praying. Usually when I go out for a few days, I hear from God, and this trip was no exception.

God started speaking very clearly to me that we’re entering the “Moses Generation”. He brought me to the book of Exodus. At that point in history, Israel was in slavery in Egypt.

For a little background, in Genesis we see the children of Israel going to Egypt to escape a famine. One of their own, Joseph, was the head of the government. Now, years later, new leadership is in power.

This new Pharaoh begins to fear the Hebrews because of their great numbers. They made the determination to enslave the Israelites as a labor force to build up their cities.

They made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their hard labor the Egyptians used them ruthlessly.

Exodus 1:14 NIV

The Hebrew people were forced to build up the kingdom of Egypt. As I meditated on this, I began to see the parallels with our society. The world is increasing the pressure for the church to conform to their way of doing things.

It’s gotten to the point where many believers refuse to share their beliefs for fear of ridicule or worse. Whether you want to accept it or not, God’s people are in a form of slavery right now to the world system. Were told, “Agree with us, or stay silent.” All the while, the enemy’s kingdom is being built up in the USA.

Back in the book of Exodus, we find that in spite of all this, Israel continued to increase and prosper. It got to the point where Pharaoh ordered that the male babies be killed at birth.

It’s really no different for us. Satan’s agenda rarely ever changes. There is pressure in our society to make the men irrelevant. Look at how men are portrayed on TV and in the movies. Men are either vilified or ridiculed. Even “good” men have an evil, dark side.

When I look at the church, I see men standing on the sidelines. In many places, women are doing most of the ministry.

No, I’m not one of those who believe women can’t be in the ministry. But I do want to see everyone rise to the place God has called them to. Right now, it seems that there is a shortage of Godly men who are willing to stand up for Christ.

We find that in Egypt, the males were either killed or building Pharaoh’s kingdom. Then, along comes Moses. He was raised in Pharaoh’s household. As he matures, he sees the problem.

Just like today, many believers are waking up to the spiritual problems around them. They see God’s people oppressed or in slavery to the world.

What does Moses do? He attacks an Egyptian. We see this all the time, especially on the internet. There are Christians verbally attacking the people of the world. We think we’re making a difference by telling them they’re wrong. THAT’S NOT THE ANSWER!

Then, Moses sees two Hebrews fighting. There was one clearly in the wrong. It makes me think of Christians fighting each other on the internet about politics or social issues. Even if one of the views is clearly anti-biblical, that’s not the place for it.

Look at the response of the one in the wrong.

The man said, “Who made you ruler and judge over us?”

Exodus 2:14 NIV

How many times have we heard that in our generation? Moses’ response – he ran away to the wilderness. Just like us. God’s people are in hiding, afraid to speak up for fear of ridicule or persecution.

The goal of this post was to get us to see the problem. Over the next few posts, I want to share the things that God spoke to me about where we are and where He wants to bring us in this period of history.

Question: How have you seen the pressure of society on the church?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on August 9, 2023 in Ministry, Revival, Spiritual Walk, The Church

 

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Applying the Helmet of Salvation

19 Jul
Applying the Helmet of Salvation

In my last post, we saw that the Helmet of Salvation speaks of the authority we’re given in Christ. If you remember, all of the armor is put on by my choice. This piece is received once I’m trained in its use.

Think about when Jesus entered the Temple courts and overturned the tables of the money-changers. At that point, the priests asked Him, “Who gave you this authority?” (Matthew 21:23)

That’s because authority is like a chain. Each link is connected. Authority must be given and received.

So how does salvation enter into all of this?

Salvation means that we’re safe and defended. When I say that I’m saved, I mean that I’m safe in Christ. However, there are three distinct works that the word, salvation, refers to.

The first took place when I bowed my knee to Christ and prayed for Him to save me. I was saved. I was taken out of the world’s trash heap and placed in God’s house for His use.

Now, in God’s kingdom, I’m experiencing an ongoing cleaning process. All that “stuff” from the world that stuck to me is being removed – sin, sickness, poverty, anxiety, depression, bitterness, etc. I’m in the process of renewal. I am being saved.

Then, someday Christ will return to take physical possession of the earth. At that point, I’ll receive my new resurrected body. I will be saved from decay and death.

The question is; which of these works does the helmet speak of?

But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
1 Thessalonians 5:8

If you read this verse in the original, you’ll see that it’s not saying that we’re hoping for salvation. Instead, it’s the hope, literally the expectation, that comes from our salvation. So it speaks of the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

If I submit to the process of salvation, I am being saved. It’s this ongoing work that protects my authority in Christ.

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
Romans 1:16

This verse makes it clear that salvation requires power. That’s important because, like I said in my last post, authority is the permission to use power. Submitting to this cleaning process allows God’s power to flow through me.

Please understand what I’m saying. You don’t have to be absolutely clean and perfect to walk in God’s power. But you do have to be submitted to the process.

How then do I receive and put on this helmet?

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed — not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence — continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Philippians 2:12-13

It’s obedience to God that works out this salvation in us. The reason Paul tells us to use such respect – fear and trembling – is because it’s the God of the universe who’s working in us. Simply put, obedience is the acceptance of His process at work within us.

I put on the Helmet of Salvation as I submit myself to God’s ongoing work in me. That brings an expectation of the good things to come as a result of this.

Question: How well do you see yourself submitting to God’s process of renewal in your life?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on July 19, 2023 in Ministry, Power of God, Revival, Spiritual Walk, Spiritual Warfare

 

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Salvation as a Helmet

17 Jul
Salvation as a Helmet

I’m continuing to post about the epistle to the Ephesians. We have been going through the section on the Armor of God. In today’s post, we’ll talk about the Helmet of Salvation.

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:17

Before I talk about the helmet, there’s something I need to explain. The Greek text has an interesting and important twist in this verse. Up until this point, every piece of armor was taken with a unique word. For instance, under bind your feet with the shoes or take up the shield.

In this verse, there’s only one action for both pieces of armor. We’re literally told to accept or receive the helmet and sword. That leads me to believe that these two are an all or nothing combination.

In fact, once we understand these pieces, we’ll know why this is true. I’ll talk about why they’re combined together in a future post. For now, I simply want us to get to know them as individual pieces of armor.

So the question is; what is the Helmet of Salvation used for? The obvious thing is that a helmet protects your head. It’s also obvious what the head symbolizes in Scripture.

…and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.
Colossians 2:10

Christ is The Head. He has the final power and authority over all of Creation. But I am also a head under Christ.

First, I need to explain power and authority; they’re not the same thing. Power is the ability to act. We were told in Acts, chapters 2-3, that we would receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on us. Do you have the Holy Spirit? That answer is yes if you’re in Christ. So, you also have power.

Authority is something very different. It is the right or permission to use that power. Now, I need to know where I can get this authority.

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Romans 13:1

All authority is given by God. I can’t take it for myself. There are 4 distinct authority structures ordained by God. They are the church, the government, the home, and the workplace.

As we look at the pieces of armor, we find that there are groupings of items. First, there’s the “standing armor”, which is truth, righteousness, and preparation. Then there’s the “armor of approach”, which is faith so you can get near enough to strike the enemy.

The next two, the helmet and sword, are something else completely. The word, take, in the Ephesians verse, literally means to accept or receive. So these to pieces are the “issued armor”.

In the Roman army, the helmet told your birth country, your rank, what division you were in, and your place in the army. It was the sign of how much authority you had in this army.

The Helmet of Salvation is the same for us. It’s the sign of our authority. That’s important because if I haven’t received authority, then I can’t walk in authority. Without authority, I have no ability to use power.

The key is that I can never take authority. It can only be received when it’s given to me.

He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
Matthew 10:1

Authority can only be given by someone who has it. It flows from the top down. It’s vital that I do what’s necessary to receive God’s authority in my life.

God’s authority is how I accomplish the Lord’s work. It gives me the right to use the power of God against the enemy and his kingdom.

Question: Why is walking in both power and authority important for the church of our generation?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on July 17, 2023 in Ministry, Power of God, Revival, Spiritual Walk, Spiritual Warfare

 

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Your Spiritual Shoes

07 Jul
Your Spiritual Shoes

We’re continuing our study through the book of Ephesians. At this point I’m going through the section known as the Armor of God. In today’s post, I’ll talk about the shoes.

…and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
Ephesians 6:15

It’s obvious that this piece of armor protects our feet. The question is; what are our spiritual feet?

Simply put, we walk with our feet. This includes three aspects. Direction…we point our feet where we want to go. Speed…this could be determined by a number of factors. Endurance…as a hiker I know that I can only walk as long as my feet are able.

So to answer my question I need to understand what it is that determines my direction, speed, and endurance in my spiritual walk. In life, it’s my will that brings all of these things into focus.

It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights.
Psalms 18:32-33

God perfects the way before me, but I still have to set my will to walk it out. My will determines my direction, speed, and endurance. This is important for us to know.

Knowing this, we’re told that something needs to be fitted on our spiritual feet. The word, fitted, in the verse from Ephesians literally means an under binding.

That’s because my will is where I come in contact with the world. It’s just like in the natural; my shoes protect my feet as they contact the earth. When I live for Christ, my will comes in direct opposition to that of the world.

It’s in this place of contact that your endurance can get worn down. If you don’t wear shoes, or don’t wear the right shoes, the earth determines how you walk. With the right shoes, you determine your walk.

Like I’ve said, I’m a hiker. I have a good set of hiking boots. I’ve gone out for day hikes with friends who only had a pair of flimsy sneakers. I laughed as they slowly picked their way so as not to step in mud or on a sharp rock. But I was able to move straight forward because my feet were properly protected.

As I look at the armor, I notice that there’s a specific order to put it on. It starts with the mind (The belt), then moves to the heart (The breastplate), and now we prepare our will.

That answers a question that many ask. How do I know God’s will for my life? Once you protect your mind and your heart, you’re ready to hear God’s will. There’s a divine order to it.

Having said all of this, I think the keyword is readiness, the preparedness to do God’s will. We must realize, even before we know God’s will for us, that it’s going to be the opposite of what the world desires. Unless we’re prepared to protect it, our day to day life will wear it down.

Any believer can start doing God’s will. Only those who can endure to the end can finish what they started. We need the preparation that can only come from the Gospel of Peace.

We sometimes get the idea that everything’s okay. “When something comes up, I’ll do the right thing.” NO! You won’t unless you’ve prepared yourself for that evil day.

The fact is that if you don’t prepare beforehand, you won’t choose God’s will when you’re under extreme pressure. The Lord has provided a way for us to walk in victory, but we have to put the armor on.

At one point in Paul’s ministry, he knew God’s will for him was to go to Jerusalem. All along the way, prophecies came forth warning that he would be arrested. The church people pleaded with him not to go.

Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Acts 21:13

We need that same preparation. No matter what comes our way, we’re ready to follow through and complete God’s will for our lives.

Question: What’s the next step in God’s plan for your life?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on July 7, 2023 in Ministry, Revival, Spiritual Walk, Spiritual Warfare, The Church

 

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