Truth and Righteousness

                       Hello and welcome to My Little House of Prayer. I am your host Dayla Smith. I am so very glad that you could join me today. So far, we have discussed Ephesians 6:10-13 and 18 in the series on 

Ephesians 6:10-18. Verses 10-11, discussed how vitally important our need is for the full armor of God. That when we join this Christian walk, we are in a battle that belongs to the Lord. Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. In verse 12, we learned what and where the battle lies. That we need a personal relationship with the Lord  Jesus Christ of Nazareth. We need to know to whom we are and to whom we belong. 2 Chronicles 20:15-17

15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.16 To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you.Then, in verse 13, we learned about our need to endure to the end. That we are to totally trust in Him who is able to save to the utmost. That after we have done all we know to do, we are to put our trust in Him. Exodus 14:13-14  13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.14 The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

Matthew 24:1-15 24 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) This sounds like what is going on in the world today, doesn’t it? Last week, because of a question, we jumped to verse 18 and learned about leading a prayerful life verse 18 of chapter 6 in Ephesians, our desperate need to read the word of God on a daily basis and how to read it Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God., and our need for living a fasted lifestyle and how, according to Isaiah 58. Now we are discussing Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness. But before we get into this, I want to take time to testify of His almighty greatness!!!!!

                   For those of you who have heard me talk about the warfare I have been in that is on a personal level, the fight is to stop the message. And, yes there is a Jezebel Spirit at work. But, not from the direction that some have heard. My dad raised me up with this saying, “Believe none of what you hear and half what you see.” My heavenly Father taught me not to listen to gossip. Especially if the person is not there to defend themselves. When the person is not there to defend themselves, it is gossip, according to Romans 14:17-19  17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

           Last Week, I was working in my yard, talking to Jesus Christ of Nazareth. As I was talking to Him, I was asking Him about the question of the Jezebel spirit that has been one area of warfare. That is when He began to talk about how we are snared by the words of our lips according to Proverbs 6:1-4  My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.3 Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.

           The incredible part about this revelation is that same night my Pastor said the same exact thing! How powerful is that! And, he was teaching about Ahab, Jezebel, and Elijah. He taught on 1 Kings chapter 18. How powerful is this?! I thank God for confirmation.

                     It was so powerful. Another testimony. This is to help my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. My pastor felt it was personal, but yet led to share it with the church. He went into prayer as he usually did. Praying for the brethren. As he was praying he said, “in the name of Jesus.” That’s when the Lord spoke up and said, “That’s not right.” 

Pastor: Huh. In the name of Jesus Christ. 

The Lord: That’s not my name.

                So, my pastor went on a word study, and realized that in the Lord’s day they did not go by surnames. In the Lord’s day it was Jesus of Nazareth. But, then you finished with His title. Christ. So then the Lord told Him that when you call on His name it goes like this. Jesus of Nazareth the Christ. Since he shared this and I have applied it to my prayer time, miracles have been happening. This is not a formula.

 You just have to use His whole name, because even in His day, there were so many Jesus’ and the enemy is so legalistic that you could be talking to any Jesus.  Remember this also, miracles are for the lost. They are to speak to the lost. 

               Now, on to the message at hand. Ephesians 6:14. Our loins speak of the procreative power the Lord has given us. There is no greater procreative power the Lord has given us than that of birthing lost souls in the spirit realm.  And, He says to have it girt about with truth. Pontius Pilate asked the question the world is asking even today. “What is truth?” According to John 18:38.

                        In the Webster’s dictionary, girt means moored so taught by 2 cables as not to swing to the wind or tide. Gird means to encircle or fasten with a belt, to surround, to prepare oneself for action. So, we are to prepare ourselves for action by surrounding ourselves with the belt of truth, so that we are not able to sway with the wind or tide. These scriptures come to mind. John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

James 1:1-8  1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.5 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.6 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.7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

                  So, temptations will come. Why? To try our faith. But, if we take action by having our loins girt about with Truth (Jesus Christ of Nazareth), we have His truth to keep us stable and focused. The belt is 2 cords. According to Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. and

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12  9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. So in His wonderful mighty name, we are prepared to fight. In His name we are surrounded in His truth. His Name. And, His truth will keep us stable. When the enemy comes with temptation and lies, you will find in His truth (the word of God) a way of escape. 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

               Next, we are to put on the breastplate of righteousness. We are to protect our hearts. To guard and keep it in the paths of righteousness. Proverbs 4 :23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. Why? Because  of Jeremiah 17:9-10  9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?10 I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

                 You see, our heart controls what comes out of our mouths. This is why I was led to go on a no speaking fast. I didn’t have control over what came out of my mouth. My heart needed to come in line with the word of God. So, for three days my food was the word of God. I prayed. I could not speak. When it was important I could write what I had to say down. When you have to write and not speak, you take more thought in what you are about to speak. Hahahaha.   Matthew 12: 34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

                      Now, I see why I gave that testimony. Remember, the enemy is always trying to get us to fight him on his terms and on his turf. Why? Because we are no match for him in the arm of our flesh. Remember, our flesh is under the curse of this world due to sin. 1 Corinthians 15:50-55  50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

              We have to allow His Word to mold and change us until the day of His glorious coming. We have to gird our loins with His truth. The Name of the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth. We have to protect our hearts with His Righteousness by surrounding with the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth. By applying the Word of God in our daily walk with the Lord. By allowing the Word of God to change our choice making decisions. 

            So, how do we put on the breastplate of righteousness? By putting on Jesus Christ of Nazareth. How do we protect our hearts, Through his blood sacrifice and reading the Word of God. That is our road map Home. Psalm 37:23  23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. How does the Lord order our steps? Through His precious Word. The Bible. Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

I depend on His beautiful Word to continue to mold and change me. And boy, has it ever. I’ve not arrived at where I want to be, eternally united with my Lord and King. But, through the power of His awesome love letter, the bible and my relationship with Him through the power of His precious Holy Spirit, I’m not who I used to be. That old man is definitely dead.

                So after hearing all of this, If you do not know the Lord Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. Let me introduce you to Him. It is real simple. First you must acknowledge that you are a sinner in need of a savior. Ask Him for His forgiveness for all of your sins and call them out to Him. Thank Him for His forgiveness. Then, forgive those who have sinned or transgressed against you. Then, repent. Repent means to change your mind concerning sinful habits. Change your choice making. Let Him influence your choice making decisions as you get in His Holy Word. Ask Him to be Lord over your life. I want to pray this prayer with you. But, this is just another outline. The real work begins after I pray with you. 

                    Lord Jesus, I confess my sins and ask for your forgiveness. Please come into my heart as my Lord and Savior. Take complete control of my life and help me to walk in Your footsteps daily by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you Lord for saving me and for answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

               I want to welcome you to the family of God. I am so excited over your decision to take up the cross of Christ and follow Him. Please let me know of your decision so that I can pray for you. Also, let me know of any prayer requests you may have by emailing me at my1littleafmp@aol.com I want to pray with you. Feel free to follow, share and like the blog (hopundertheblood.blogspot.com), the bible study on facebook (My Little House of Prayer), and/or the podcast on podbean (Dayla Smith/ My Little House of Prayer). You can also tune in, follow, like and share the podcast on iheart radio and/or fm player (My Little House of Prayer). 

             I am so glad that you chose to join me at My Little House of Prayer. Please be sure to join me next week as we study Ephesians 6:10-18.

Prayer, the Word of God, and Fasting

  Prayer,the Word of God, and Fasting

                    Hello and welcome to My Little House of Prayer. I am your host Dayla Smith. I have been presented with a great question. For those of us who are new to this walk with Christ, how do we apply fasting, prayer, and the Word of God. So this will be revisited throughout this series on Ephesians 6:10-18. But, since this great question has arisen, I want to discuss verse 18 with you. Now, I will tell you how I have applied it to my life. The way the Lord showed me to address these points. But, you are not me. You must seek the Lord out for yourself. I can not walk your walk for you. You can not walk my walk for me. If the Lord wanted us all alike, He would have made an assembly line. And if you ask me, it would be a pretty boring place to live. He made each one of us to be very unique. This is why we can not be so quick to judge one another, or think ourselves to ever be better than another person. 

1. Prayer

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

Psalm 63 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.8 My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. 

                     I was so blessed when I first became a Christian. I was immediately surrounded by pastors that trained me up right. I allowed them to teach me. And in so doing, obtained many spiritual gifts from the Lord. Precious gems that helped me stay grounded and anchored in my walk with the Lord. Only when I was disobedient, did my walk stop. The Lord never left me. Through my choices is when I would get away from Him and His covering of protection over me. I’m a quick learner though. 

              One of the things my first pastor taught me was that we are to start our day early seeking His face. How, as soon as my eyes open, I tell Him good morning. That I love Him. Then, I make myself a cup of coffee. I ask Him to sit and visit with me. He always does. I sit with my cup of coffee in one hand and my bible in the other. At the beginning of my Christian walk, until I was able to quote the Word of God inside and out, my first pastors and I always opened to the scriptures we would pray. (Ex. Ephesians 6:10-18, Philippians 4:8, Psalms 1) Then, we would list all of our prayer requests to call before the Lord. We would pray in the gift of tongues obtained through the baptism of the Holy Ghost. As well as in our native tongue.  After we finished praying we always found a chapter to read. He always left it open for discussion. And the Holy Spirit was and is always faithful to show up. It seemed like at every turn in the beginning I was being chiseled on. I had so many rough edges. Because of growing up in a family that did not have a healthy relationship with the Lord and abuse, I had no love in my walk. My edges were very rough. 1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us. And man! Did the Lord chisel on me. He still is. If I ever sound rough, I’m not angry. I’m intense. You know, before we allow Jesus Christ of Nazareth to rule and reign in our hearts and lives, we love incorrectly. It takes His love to change how we love one another. We need Him to teach us daily how to love one another. 1 John 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. The changes the Lord has done in me so far could only happen through a life of prayer and reading His beautiful love letter. 

               The apostle Paul says praying ALWAYS WITH ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION.  The definition of supplication in the Miriam Webster Dictionary is  : to make a humble entreaty

especially : to pray to God

transitive verb

1: to ask humbly and earnestly of

2: to ask for earnestly and humbly

          So, we are to humbly and earnestly pray to God. Paul says we are always, in other words, at all times. All day and everyday, pray and seek His face. Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. How do we obtain Mercy and grace to help in time of need? Matthew 5:3-11  3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

                  Right here, Jesus Christ of Nazareth is telling us that our prayers and way of life return to our own bosoms. You know, what you sow, you will also reap. I hope that this is helping. You don’t know the people who have argued about this. What Paul is saying is to stay in a continual state of prayer. If Christ is with us wherever we go, we should act like it. Treat Him as such. I tell you the truth. This mindset will change you inside and out. Because then, you will lead a prayer filled life. Especially for other saints of God. Watching out in the spirit realm for all of our brothers and sisters and Christ. Because discernment is God’s call to intercession. Not judgment. 

                    II.Reading the Word of God

                  Deuteronomy 11:18-28  18 Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.19 And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.20 And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates:21 That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.22 For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him;23 Then will the Lord drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves.24 Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the uttermost sea shall your coast be.25 There shall no man be able to stand before you: for the Lord your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon, as he hath said unto you.26 Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse;27 A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day:28 And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.

Proverbs 7 My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.2 Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.3 Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.

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

                    According to the Word of God, we are to not only read the Holy Bible. We are to meditate on it. Meditate in the Merriam Webster Dictionary is : to engage in contemplation or reflection. So, according to this definition, we are to contemplate and/or reflect over the Word of God that we read. We are commanded by God to not only read the bible, but to apply it to our daily lives. How do we do this? As we read the Word of God and pray over the Word of God to speak to our hearts, we allow it to be a mirror to our soul. We are to allow the Word to Show us our secret unrepentant sins. So that we can repent. Hebrews 4:12 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. When I wake up in the morning, I immediately reach for my bible to read it. Most people follow the lists that help you to read the bible in a year. At the very beginning of my walk with the Lord, I opened to the gospel of John and began reading. I’d stop when I got tired. But, now I’ve read the bible front to back, or should I say,

back to front five times already. This is my suggestion, Get a translation that you find easy to understand. Even if it is on tape, C.D., recorded, or on the computer. Read it at your own pace. Rome was not built in a day. So, you do not need to read the whole thing in one day. If you read the whole thing in one day, but gain nothing from it, what have you accomplished? Read at your pace. Ponder and think about what you have read. Put it into action in your daily life.

     

                     So, when you engage in a life of Prayer and reading the Word of God, the Spirit of God will begin to lead you into fasting. Isaiah 58:6-11 describes why we are to fast. Matthew 6 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.11 Give us this day our daily bread.12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

                         I love this passage in Matthew. What are you passionate about? Those are your treasures. Well, we are living in a world of lost, hurting, dying people. The redemption of those people through the Lord’s message of great hope should be what we are passionate about. Our light should so shine before men and women. Are we letting our light shine? Fasting improves this ability. It helps tune our hearing of the Spirit of God.   

                         Here are some reasons for fasting:

• Commemorating special occasions.  Zechariah 8:19 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.

• Repenting of and grieving for disobedience and sin against the Lord. Judges 20:26; 1 Samuel 7:6

• Expressing humility before God. Leviticus 16:29; Psalm 69: 10

• Seeking guidance from the Lord by clearing out the senses and focusing on Him. Exodus 34:28; 2 Chronicles 20: 3-4

 Things to do or Things to Avoid When Fasting and Praying

• Be clear in your purpose of fasting before you start. Your sacrifices become a powerful tool to fulfill your purpose if you are clear in your intention.

• Make up your mind to spend as much time as you can spend in the remembrance of God. An empty stomach helps enhance your focus and go closer to God’s higher power.

• Make sure not to neglect your physical well-being while fasting. If you are going through any health challenges, include your intake ingredients accordingly.

• During fasting, try to listen more instead of talking, as speaking drains your energy while listening increases it.

• Don’t do overeating before and after fasting sessions as it can harm your digestive system and affect your fasting results.

• Fasting or praying is a very personal thing between you and God. Make sure you don’t include anyone else in your prayers if you have any intention for yourself.

             This is just the outline. Sometimes the Holy Spirit will speak to you about what to fast. In the beginning of my walk, I was led to fast food. It was a major love of mine. I experienced many miracles during those fasts. I was led when and for how long. In the beginning of my walk, I was led to go on a fast often. Remember when I said that this is just an outline. Well, later on in my walk, I have been led to fast my 1 cup of coffee. The greatest one is where I could not speak. At work I could only speak business. Everywhere else I could not speak. My English completely changed when I came off of those fasts. Again, this is just my testimony. Your walk is not my walk. Your walk is personal with Him. Your fasts are a personal thing. It is personal only between you and the Lord. And, NO ONE ELSE is to know that you are fasting. Not even me! If you let anyone know, then you already have your reward.

                       If you do not know the Lord Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. Let me introduce you to Him. It is real simple. First you must acknowledge that you are a sinner in need of a savior. Ask Him for His forgiveness for all of your sins and call them out to Him. Thank Him for His forgiveness. Then, forgive those who have sinned or transgressed against you. Then, repent. Repent means to change your mind concerning sinful habits. Change your choice making. Let Him influence your choice making decisions as you get in His Holy Word. Ask Him to be Lord over your life. I want to pray this prayer with you. But, this is just another outline. The real work begins after I pray with you. 

                    Lord Jesus, I confess my sins and ask for your forgiveness. Please come into my heart as my Lord and Savior. Take complete control of my life and help me to walk in Your footsteps daily by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you Lord for saving me and for answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

                            I sure hope this answered most of your questions. Thank you so much for asking. For those of you who have decided to walk this Christian walk, please let me know of your decision and your prayer requests. I truly want to pray for you. Welcome to the family of God. Thank you again for joining me at My Little House of Prayer. May you have a blessed week.

When there's Nothing Left to Do, Stand

 When There’s Nothing Left to Do, Stand

                  Hello and welcome to My Little House of Prayer. I am so glad that you could join me today. I am your host Dayla Smith. Today we are looking at Ephesians 6:13 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.  If I could only begin to explain to you all the warfare the enemy has been putting in my way, due to this series. But, Christians are like the cream in the milk. The more you stir  the milk, the more the cream that rises to the top. So it is with His people, children of God. The more His Spirit stirs us up together, the more we just keep rising to the top. That is the reason for this series. To help us, in these last days, to rise to the top at all times. The apostle Paul says it best right here.  Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. We have to walk in His strength and power.That is the reason for assembling together. Especially in Church. You see Satan does not want us to gather together. Why, because there is power in numbers.  And, if we pray in one accord together, He is immediately defeated. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12  9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day appropaching. See that? Everything I just said. 

                 Satan will do everything in His power to keep the people of God divided. When we are fellowshiping with fellow believers, we need to be prayed up. So that we can hear correctly. So that we can respond to each other correctly. And most importantly, recognize when the enemy is at work. This is not the topic. But, I felt the Lord say we need this information. Too many of my Christian brother’s and sister’s are falling away because of getting injured in the church. They get offended by people, but people are being puppeteered by the enemy. Remember, hurting people hurt people. Just because we are saved by Christ, does not mean we are always walking Christ-like. None of us have arrived. So, forgive. Yes. I said forgive. Because right now, you are holding unforgiveness. How can I say this? Because you are letting that person change who you are and how you behave. Forgiveness will keep you from God. Is it really worth your salvation? 

                          So, back to the topic at hand. So far, we have discussed Ephesians 6:10 Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. We have to know to whom we are and to whom we belong. We have to know where all power and might comes from. That our strength is in the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Have you ever been believing in the Lord for so long, that you become exacerbated? Frustrated? I know that I have. I believe this is what the apostle Paul is talking about. Even Daniel had this moment. He prayed for 21 days before he got his answer.  Daniel 10:13-21  13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.14 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.15 And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.16 And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.17 For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.18 Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,19 And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.20 Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.21 But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.                          

                   Then, we looked at Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. We must be prepared for war. How? By putting on our spiritual armor. Why? To defend ourselves against the cunningness of our enemy, Satan. I believe that the only best way to stay alert is to live a life of prayer and fasting. Isaiah 58:6-7 6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

   Matthew 17: 14-21 14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? 20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.You see, fasting improves your spiritual senses. It takes faith to fast and pray. Fasting helps remove fear, doubt and unbelief. 

                      Next, we looked at Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spritual wickedness in high place. We need to know where the battle lies. What the battle is about. How to discern the battle correctly. We can’t fight if you don’t know what the fight is about. We can’t fight if you don’t know who you are fighting. We can’t fight properly if you don’t know how our adversary is attacking us and from which direction.

                      Now, we are looking at Ephesians 6:13  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. First it says to take unto us the full armour of God. The definition of take from the Webster’s Dictionary is 1. To lay hold of.  2. To grasp or seize. 3. To gain or win. 4. To choose, select. 5. To adopt. 6 To understand. 7. To consume. 8. To accept or agree to. There are many more definitions, but these are the pertinent ones. When we look at these definitions, I believe it gives us a clear picture of what we are to do everyday all day. We are to:

• Lay hold of the full armor of God.

We are to lay hold of our armor for our protection.

• Grasp or seize the full armor of God.

We are to grasp or seize our armor of God. In other words reach for it avidly, with great zeal. Because it is our divine protection from the Lord.

• To gain and/or win the full armor of God.

How do we gain and/or win the full armor? Through Jesus Christ of Nazareth, our Lord and Savior. His ultimate, divine sacrifice fully paid for this.

• Choose or select the full armor of God.

This should always be the first choice we make as soon as our eyes open up to start our day. The Armor of God should be our first selection.

• Adopt the full armor of God. 

We should adopt all that our armor affords us. Which means we desperately need to search out the Word of God to learn in finite detail how to apply each piece to our lives. 

• Understand the full armor of God.

We need to understand what each piece is used for, and how to apply them in our lives.

• Consume the full armor of God.

The Word of God is our Spiritual food. The armor of God is in the Word of God. Therefore we are to digest what each piece is for in our lives.

• To accept or agree to the full armor of God.  

Then, we are to accept the full armor of God as our daily aparrell. And, agree to walk in it.

             Here is a picture of a soldier dressed in all of His armor. 

                    Paul says to take up all of the armor. Not some of it. If the soldier is missing even one piece, no matter how minor, it could mean him losing his life. So it is with us. We need to apply the full armor all day, every day. My pastor preached on the full armor of God a couple of Sundays before. I loved a picture he painted about the soldier. It was so powerful. I will discuss this in greater detail later. 

                     Knowing why we need the full armor of God is oh so important. It is our defense. You know, the Lord created bodies to defend itself. Our skin is our first defense. Our nerve endings are another defense. Then, we have our white and red blood cells to protect and heal us. I believe this speaks of the loving care of the Father to protect us at all costs. Psalm 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Fearfully and wonderfully made here means carefully knitted together. So, if our natural bodies are carefully knitted together, how much more so our spiritual bodies. Why am I talking about our bodies being carefully knitted together? Because, our armor should be knit together properly. The only way that can happen is that we are living a fasted and prayerful life. That we are allowing the Word of God to change and mold us all day every day. This is how we put on the full armor of God all day and every day.

                        So, why do we need the full armor of God? Why is it so vitally important that we reach for this, and apply it to our days immediately. Because our walk is based on faith. It takes faith to pray. It takes faith to believe in the power of God. It takes faith to believe in His Word. It takes faith to believe that everything you need is Him. Even more so as the evil days approach. And, as you can tell, they are not getting any better. The Lord promises us things will not get any better. Especially in a sin cursed world. We need all of God to withstand these days. To be able to endure to the end. In Revelations 1:17-3:22, the Lord says what  is good then, corrects. But after each correction, He finishes with he who endures to the end. Our walk is very personal. I can not walk your walk for you. Our pastor can not walk our walk for us. Only we can walk our walk. 

                   Then, Paul says, “and having done all, to stand.” When you have done all you know to do, stand in complete trust in the one who can do anything. Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. 

Isaiah 7:9 And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.

                                You see we need to know to whom we are and to whom we belong. That can only happen if we live a life of fasting and prayer. That we search out His Word inside and out. That we apply His Word at every turn. The prophets of God literally ate the word of God. We are to do the same spiritually. Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Here is a spiritual picture for us. A cow has 4 stomachs. When he goes to graze, he lets it go down to the first stomach to digest. Then, he pulls the food back up to chew some more. This is called chewing the cud. The cow does this with his food 4 times. Well, like the cow we are to do the same thing with the Lord’s Word. We are to chew and digest His Word, our spiritual food until we have gotten all we can out of it. The great part about His Word is that you can never reach the end. It is enduring, everlasting. Because it proceeds from Him. And just like if we do not feed ourselves naturally, we can not grow and live; spiritually we can not grow and live. Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: As you get understanding, wisdom, and knowledge to make prudent choices according to the Word of God, you will grow.

                     So now we see our need for the full armor of God. The many ways to take it up. That we are to emphatically take it up. We are to adopt its rules and regulations in our lives. To apply it in our walk with the Lord. It is left to us to choose whether we put it on or not. And, the importance of putting it on. 

                      If you do not know the Lord Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. Let me introduce you to Him. It is really simple. First you must acknowledge that you are a sinner in need of a savior. Ask Him for His forgiveness for all of your sins and call them out to Him. Thank Him for His forgiveness. Then, forgive those who have sinned or transgressed against you. Then, repent. Repent means to change your mind concerning sinful habits. Change your choice making. Let Him influence your choice making decisions as you get in His Holy Word. Ask Him to be Lord over your life. I want to pray this prayer with you. But, this is just another outline. The real work begins after I pray with you. 

                    Lord Jesus, I confess my sins and ask for your forgiveness. Please come into my heart as my Lord and Savior. Take complete control of my life and help me to walk in Your footsteps daily by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you Lord for saving me and for answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

                            Welcome to the family of God. Please let me know of your decision today so that I can continue to pray for you.  Thank you so much for joining me today at My Little House of Prayer Ministry. I sure hope you are enjoying these messages. Be sure to let me know by liking, sharing, and commenting. This encourages me. Be sure to tune in next week as we continue to discuss Ephesians 6:10-18 in detail.