Today’s Scripture: Ephesians 1-6

So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. – Romans 13:12

Whenever I turn to Ephesians 6:13-18 and read Paul’s description of the whole armor of God, I think back to a day when I went into another kind of battle without mine. I was part of a Marine invasion force in the South Pacific, and our landing craft had just reached the island when it was hit by two enemy shells.

I was not a Christian at the time, and the essence of what I yelled to the other men was, “Let us depart here speedily.” So we ran across the beach and began making our way toward the airfield, which was our objective.

Pretty soon, a sergeant came to check up on us. When he saw me, he said, “Eims, where is your helmet?” “I must have lost it,” I said. He looked again and said, “Eims, where is your duty belt?” My duty belt had my ammo pouches, my first aid kit, my bayonet, and all kinds of other things. “It must be in the landing craft.” And then the sergeant got really exasperated and said, “As a matter of fact, Eims, where is your rifle?”

In my rush to get out of the landing craft, I had left everything behind. There I was, hopping around from tree to tree, from bush to bush, with no equipment, no weapon, absolutely worthless to the cause.

Paul said that if we want to avoid that situation in the Christian life, we are to put on the full armor of God. And we are to pray in the Spirit, on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers and requests. Although God has freely provided this armor, you and I have the responsibility of putting it on. Don’t go into battle without it.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for providing the armor I need to stand firm against the Evil One. Amen.

To Ponder

If the Lord approached you today, would He have to ask, “Christian, where is your helmet? What about your belt, shield, and sword?”

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Today’s Scripture: Acts 21-23

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? – Romans 10:14

In Acts 21-22, Paul was seized by a bloodthirsty mob who tried to kill him. Now how would you view the situation if you were in Paul’s shoes? Amazingly, Paul saw it as a witnessing opportunity and asked the Roman commander who rescued him to allow him to speak to the crowd. Most of our opportunities are more routine.

Some years ago my wife and I were in Christchurch, New Zealand, on a preaching mission. A young man came by our motel to take us to the university for a meeting, and as we headed for the car, he said, “I’ve heard you talk about witnessing, and on the way to the meeting I want to watch you witness to someone.”

“To whom?” I asked.

“Oh, we’ll just stop in some neighborhood, knock on a door, and I’ll watch you witness to the person who answers the door.” I admired his creativity, but it seemed like a faulty plan.

“Okay,” I said, “but first I need to stop at the desk to see if my laundry is done.”

I mentioned to the desk clerk that I was on my way to the university to conduct a Bible study. She seemed interested, so I proceeded to explain how I’d come to Christ, clearly outlining the gospel. Just as I finished, several people came into the lobby, and I couldn’t pursue the matter any further.

Continue reading The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – Taking Every Opportunity →

Today’s Scripture: Ezekiel 20-23

I will listen to what God the Lord will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints–but let them not return to folly. – Psalm 85:8

Although it has been almost forty years, it seems like only yesterday that I heard Dawson Trotman preach to us about God’s search for a certain kind of person. We were at a conference at Lake Iduhapi in Minnesota.

One of Dawson’s recurring themes was the value of one person who is fully committed to God, and he always challenged us to be that person. Dawson’s text there at Lake Iduhapi, and on many other occasions, was Ezekiel 22:30: “I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land, so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.”

Here is the all-knowing, all-seeing God searching the landscape for a person He could trust to intercede and plead for the people, and He searched in vain. Something of the intensity of His search is revealed in a cross-reference to 2 Chronicles 16:9: “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”

As a young man, D. L. Moody once heard a preacher say, “The world has yet to see what God can do with a man who is fully yielded to Him.” So Moody resolved in his heart, “By the grace of God, I will be that man.” In spite of all of Moody’s educational and physical limitations, God used him to bring thousands into the kingdom.

God is still looking for that man or woman with a heart to do His will and with a commitment to His work. Will you tell Him today that you’re available?

Prayer

Lord, I’m available to do Your work and Your will. Amen.

To Ponder

Who does God want you to share the gospel with today?

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