My Soul My Soul Magnifies The Lord!

Merry Christmas to you and my prayer is that God’s blessing and power be your strength and anchor this season.

There is so much to be thankful and joyful about during the Christmas Season. Mary said it best in Luke 1:46 when she said, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savior.”

How about you? Is your soul glorifying the Lord and is your spirit rejoicing in God your savior?

There is so much to think about in the two questions I just posed and, in your recovery, wholeness and blessings will be the byproduct of saying yes. One more thing to consider; it is available and will be a reality if you choose to think that way.

Yes, you can choose to glorify the Lord and rejoice in God, your savior. And, if you choose to do so, you will be blessed.

These two choices we are faced with unlock the key to God’s healing and blessing on our lives. These choices represent a mindset, or perspective, that is within each of us to choose every day.

This mindset and choice I am talking about is not something we should do just when things are going well but something we must do when the bottom drops out and we enter into a major storm of trouble.

Jesus said in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

So if you think that the Christian life is void of trouble, you are reading the wrong book and have listened to the wrong preacher. Part of the blessed life is to have trouble and allow God to be glorified in your storm.


Greg Laurie recently wrote a devotional entitled, “Safe Passage” about the storms we face in our life:

“Safe Passage”

On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side." Mark 4:35

Jesus once said to His disciples, "Let us cross over to the other side." So they boarded their boat and began cruising across the Sea of Galilee, a very large, freshwater lake known for storms that arrive quickly and without warning. And sure enough, a storm came. This one was a doozy, because even the seasoned sailors were despairing of their lives.

Meanwhile, Jesus was asleep in the boat. So the disciples woke Him and said, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" (Mark 4:38). In other words, "Hey, Lord? Are You paying attention? Don't you care that we are going through this? Wake up and do something!" So Jesus rebuked both the storm and His boys. He turned to the storm and said, "Peace, be still!" and it stopped.

But then He turned to His own disciples and said, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" Or literally, "Why are you so timid and fearful?"

Jesus was essentially saying, "Haven't you learned anything? I said, 'Let's cross over to the other side.' I didn't say, 'Let's go to the middle of the Sea of Galilee and drown.' “Jesus didn't promise smooth sailing, but He did promise a safe passage.




It is better to be in a storm with Jesus than to be anywhere else without Him. I would rather be in a fiery furnace with Jesus than in a palace without Him. I would rather be in a lion's den with Jesus, or in a prison, or even shipwrecked, than to be elsewhere without Him. As long as I know Jesus is there, then I can get through it.

God is with you regardless of what storm, or even shipwreck, you are going through right now. You are not alone.


Some of you may know that my wife Carolynn has just been diagnosed with breast cancer. We just found out yesterday. The news hit us like a ton of bricks and shook us hard. No one finds joy from hearing that you have cancer but somehow there was joy yesterday as we entered into a new storm. A storm of many unknowns as we now have to wait to see how serious the cancer is - which is going to take another 4 days or so.

We experienced something yesterday that I want to share with you. In the middle of being rocked by the news of cancer, we walked out of that doctors office, got in my car and the first words out Carolynn’s mouth before we prayed was exactly what Mary said, paraphrased---Carolynn said; “My Soul My Soul Magnifies The Lord For He has Done Great Things For Me.”

All I can tell you is that as we started to Bless God, Glorify the Lord and Rejoice in Jesus, an overwhelming sense of peace, power and grace came upon us. We know God is in control and even in the storm of cancer God is worthy of our Praise!!

Carolynn chose “bless you” instead of “why me.” She chose joy instead of despair. She chose prayer instead of worry and she chose Jesus instead of cancer!

At this time all we are asking is that you keep Carolynn in your prayers. We are trusting and believing that God is going to heal Carolynn completely and be glorified through it all.


Luke 1:49, “For the Mighty One has done great things for me---holy is his name.”

P.S. Last night God woke Carolynn up and God gave her a scripture to read and she read it. Today Carolynn received an email from one of my best friend’s wife (Shirley) who has been struggling with cancer for the past few years who we are very close to. At the end of Shirley’s email, she shared with Carolynn a passage of scripture that has helped her through her storm. It was the same exact passage that God woke Carolynn up with last night and it was:

Isaiah 30:21, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

Be Blessed and Encouraged,

Bill Rieser

A Christmas Message

I hope this message finds you all blessed and well this Christmas season. I am reminded every year and more this year that I am to take some time and personally reflect on what Christmas really means. Consider this; where would we be without the Birth, Life, Resurrection, and Hope of Jesus Christ?
Imagine what life would be like without Jesus Christ as not only Savior of the world but as the lover of your soul and the Hope that lives in you and I.
It is comforting to know that we serve a God who cares for us and all he wants is for us to acknowledge that through a personal relationship with him that is available for anyone who would simply believe and put their trust in Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is the best gift I ever received, and that is what makes this deal with God so great. We receive Him as a “Gift”
In addition to Jesus Christ being the best “Gift” I ever received, He has been the best “Gift” I have given away. For example, the best thing I ever did for my wife and daughter was to accept Jesus Christ in my heart and then become a fully devoted follower, loving God with all my heart, mind, and soul. In that pursuit of Him, I experienced healing and transformation that enables me to love my family like never before. My family will be the first to tell you that Jesus Christ is the Best Gift you can give and receive this Christmas Season!!!!
How about you? Short on money, too busy to shop, not sure what to buy? Why not give the best “Gift” that is the only “Gift” that truly keeps on giving!!!! Maybe this Christmas you come home with Jesus and you pass out treats of Kindness, Forgiveness, Commitment, Honor, Hope and Love. You might be surprised by the presents you get back!!
At Celebrate Recovery, we want everyone to experience the Hope and Freedom that comes from the “Gift” of Jesus Christ. Reality for you as you are reading this is the fact that circumstances for you and your family are pretty tough and hard. That is why we put no confidence in our ability to change anyone or their circumstances. We encourage people to accept and open up “Gifts” from Jesus so that you can not only enjoy the presents he has for you but that you can rest and find healing in His “Presence” as well!!
Maybe the best “Present” that you will find this Christmas Season will be to rest in His “Presence” where you can experience “Peace” this Christmas.
When I look at the Christmas story in Luke 2:13-14 and the angel of the Lord says: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests, I find comfort knowing that it is God’s desire that we experience His Peace and find that His favor rests on me.
My prayer for you this Christmas is that you will have His favor upon you and as a result—you will find rest in that.

Be Blessed and Encouraged This Christmas Season!!
Bill Rieser

Harvest Show today!!!

I had a blast on the Harvest TV show that aired this morning. I was so humbled to be a part of a great show that is so Christ Centered and Honoring reaching people all over the world for Jesus Christ!!Here it is in case you missed it...http://www.harvest-tv.com/video/dsp_playshow.cfm?showid=551

Bill to appear on the Harvest Show this Monday

I am excited that God opened up a door for me to be a guest on the Harvest Show this Monday morning. The Harvest Show is a Christian program that airs world wide. Here is some information on where to find the show and the massive coverage they have:

Generally speaking, the program airs at 9 AM (ET) then is replayed at 10pm and 2 AM Check your local listings to confirm. We have North American coverage of approx. 46 million homes via DirecTV ch. 367, twelve LeSEA stations, cable, and syndication around the country. Our Middle East Television (METV) satellite reaches 73 million homes in Israel and 15 surrounding nations on channel 24 on cable to Israel. Far East Television (FETV) airs LeSEA Broadcasting to approximately 4.3 billion people in Asia, Australia, all of Europe and Africa. Our European coverage is 78 million homes with the Wonderful Network, and 8 million homes in Argentina on Canal Luz. We also transmit on 5 shortwave stations to 1 billion shortwave radios on the planet.
http://www.harvest-tv.com/

414 New Christians!!

I learned this week that 414 people called the 700 Club last Wednesday to ask Jesus Christ into their lives and became Christians after our story was aired. Praise God!!

700 Club Official Air Date

Here is the message I recieved today from the producer of the 700 Club:

Bill, They loved the story in Virginia Beach! They are planning on airing it on 9/9/09 – Next Wednesday.

I’ve got a few small changes to make, but barring any complications that will be the air date.

Praise the Lord!

Exciting New Updates

I am so jazzed about all the great things God is doing in my life. I just returned from the Celebrate Recovery Summit at Saddleback church in CA and it was awesome.
I was just informed that I will be on the Focus on the Family Radio program on September 4th and on Gary Chapmans Five Love Languages radio program on September 12th. The air date for the 700 Club television show should be between those weeks but I do not have an exact date yet.
Here are the links for all three venues:
http://www.cbn.com/700club/
http://www.garychapman.org/
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/

I am so excited to return to our Celebrate Recovery service this Friday night and celebrate what God did during the Summit.
I had the awesome opportunity to speak at Community Christian Church in Naperville IL Tuesday night at their Celebrate the Journey Recovery kickoff service. I was excited to see a great church have a great ministry with great leadership!!
I will be in Lexington KY this week working on some talks for the fall and I will get to see my daughter who is the greatest!!
Your prayers for me are greatly appreciated and needed as we continue to ask God to open doors so thousands of people can find hope and healing in our story.

Trip to NYC

I am so excited to be going home again this week to see my family. and for those of you that know me, you know where I will be on Tuesday night...at the Brooklyn Tabernacle Prayer Meeting!!!
It has been close to a year since my last visit and I am long overdue. My life has been dramatically impacted in great ways by those Tuesday Night Prayer Meetings and I am so grateful for that church!!!
Be Blessed and Encouraged
Bill Rieser

New 700 Club Update

Just finished taping for 700 Club and we are praying that God will use our testimony to reach thousands of people. The show will air in 4-6 weeks...we will keep you posted. One million viewers is their US audience and we are trusting God to save and set people free!!
We are so humbled by this experience that He has chosen to get His story of redemption out for all to see and hear. We value and need your prayers now more than ever before.

Be Blessed and Encouraged

Bill Rieser

700 Club News

Ministry Updates

Things have been real busy and God is doing great things as usual!
Close to 400 people were baptized this past weekend at Heartland Community Church and 30 were from Celebrate Recovery!!
God continues to open up doors since the release of “They Called Me White Jesus.” We received some great news from the 700 Club that they are planning a trip to Rockford the third week of July to videotape me and Carolynn for one of their shows to talk about our life, our marriage and the book.
I am in awe of how God is using this book to reach and touch people. Please continue to pray for me and Carolynn that God would continue to use us and open up doors for us to share all that God has done in our lives and continues to do all for His Glory!!

Be Blessed and Encouraged

Bill Rieser

Suprise Blessing from Duprey Elementary School

I had the awesome privilege of speaking to the 6th and 7th grade class from Ana Roque De Duprey Elementary School in Chicago this past Wednesday. I have to admit that I went with the intention of inspiring and encouraging the students. What happened taught me a valuable lesson of never underestimating the hope and potential that exists in every young person who has clear set goals with the ability to dream of a better tomorrow.
I listened to so many inspiring stories of hope through the students of Duprey Elementary. So many inspiring aspirations of what they wanted to do in life and I was blown away. I was so impressed with their character, their heart, their passion and most of all their hope that they will make it and be successful. I witnessed character and commitment as basic traits that I know will help them never compromise for anything less than fulfilling the dreams of their hearts.
I walked away as the one who was inspired and encouraged and it will be a day I will not forget. I was hoping to leave a mark on their lives that they would never forget. Instead they marked me and I will always remember the day when two classrooms came together to inspire and encourage this fortunate man.
My thanks go out to the 6th and 7th grade of Duprey and all the awesome teachers that made the day special too!!

Confidence in Prayer

John 41-42 Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me.
Are you confident that when you pray your Father really hears you? On a scale of 1 to 10 what is your confidence level that your prayers are being heard?
Scripture makes it real clear that the key to effective prayer is that we abide in Christ by letting God’s word be our guide that leads us to a life of obedience.
Our motivation to live that way should be out of gratitude for what God has done for us and not what we can do for Him.
Jesus said if you love me you will obey what I command (John 14:15)
I obey God because I love Jesus and it is my natural response for what He has done and continues to do for me.
1 John 3:21-22 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.
John 15:7 says that: If you remain (abide) in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you.
Because of this profound yet simple truth I can start all my prayers by saying: Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me when I pray!!!
Be Blessed and Encouraged

James 5:13 Is anyone one of you in trouble? He should pray.

I find this scripture to be one of the most enlightening scriptures that has changed my perspective on prayer and as a result, has changed my life.
I write in my book (They Called Me White Jesus) that God does not respond to the things we do like He does the things we ask Him for.
One reason for that is that God wants us to pray for everything we need and desire for God to do in our lives. The bible tells us that we do not have because we do not ask (James 4:2).

In this case the bible is instructing us to pray when we are in trouble. Notice that is does not tell us to ask others to pray for you when you are in trouble. It is telling you to pray.

There is nothing wrong with other people praying for you and that will always help but God knew that we would struggle from time to time and He gave us a gift called prayer to tap into His power source to help us when we are in trouble and the only way out of trouble according to James 5:13 is for us to pray.

Notice how we are instructed to ask for prayer when we are sick in James 5:14—Is anyone among you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the person well.
Did you ever wonder why God would instruct us to pray for some things on our own and have others pray for you for other matters?
I know from personal experience that when I pray the way God tells me to pray that I get blessed and something great happens every time I choose to follow the instructional (Bible) manual!
I believe that the bible has a solution for every problem I face and for every time I am in trouble. The solution is found when I activate the power of prayer as a first response instead of a last resort by praying according to James 5:13. When I pray the moment trouble hits, God has a way of showing up, offering His peace until the answer comes, and taking care of 100% of the outcome of every circumstance that I will face as a result of following His instructions.
Psalm 34:17 says: The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
Did you notice the word (all) in that promise?
My hope is that you will cast all cares upon Him first through prayer because He cares for you!! 1 Peter 5:7

Be Blessed and Encouraged

25 Years

There are certain milestones that I thought I would never experience in this life and on April 28th, Carolynn and I will get to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary! God has made the difference in my life and He has made the difference in my marriage. He has blessed my marriage beyond my wildest dreams and He continues to pour out His blessings on us.
I do not deserve to have a marriage like I do and a wife like I have. Because of God’s great grace, we are more in love with each other now more than any other time in our lives. God’s love continues to draw us closer to Him and as a result, He is drawing us closer to each other.
Our goal is to be more in love with each other the last day we see other more than any time in our marriage and because of Jesus Christ we are well on our way!
One of the reasons I am so in love with Carolynn is that I can the see God in and through her every day. She is one of the best examples of God’s grace, God’s nature, God’s attributes, and God’s love that she unconditionally pours out on me every day. I see God in her every day and because of that I get to experience God’s amazing love and favor on a daily basis that gets demonstrated to me through my wife. Jesus said this in John 15:12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. She does that so well!!
Carolynn also has an incredible gift of faith and prayer. I believe that prayer has made us what we are today. Couples that pray together, stay together and I must say that while we are passionately, romantically still in love, the most intimate thing we do on a daily basis is that we pray together. A day never passes by us without Carolynn leading the charge to pray and ask for God’s blessing, leading, favor, protection, wisdom, guidance and miracles to happen in our lives on a daily basis. I am excited to report that because God is still the same yesterday, today and forever, we live a life of miracles!!
The best miracle I have experienced is the miracle of my family being together, fully restored, healed and living for the Glory of God!!!

Be Blessed and Encouraged
Bill Rieser

Repsonses to the Book

I am humbled and blessed to have some letters and notes about how the book has affected some poeple so far. Here is an example of one that was sent to me last week:

April 9, 2009

Dear Bill,

I just wanted to thank you for the copy of your new book – “white jesus!” It really honored me in that you would give me a copy and that you would take the time to even sign it with wonderful words of encouragement.

My heart ached as I began to read the story of your childhood experiences as well as the ray of hope for your future since God had given you some awesome talents that could take you to the heights of success. But what really inspired me was the openness and honesty as to where that success was leading you with such a humble spirit. Let’s face it – you could have become very angry with God for having allowed all these things to take place as well.

With the gentle, open words of humility your words really began to speak to my heart from pages 67-75 where you began to speak of prayer and faith using the scripture about throwing the mountains into the sea. I had always wondered what the “mountains” were in that verse and you gave clarity to that – addictions, bad habits, unforgiveness, fear, selfishness and pride. More pieces of the puzzle were coming together as I followed the 8 principle steps and could now recognize the character defects that need to be removed.

Then you moved into the area of unforgiveness. When you said “to be honest, I think I was trying to cut a deal with God: ‘please, through Your grace and understanding of my deep wounds, let me hang on to this bitterness’” I related 100%. The words that followed – “No, I’m sorry too that this happened to you, BUT YOU MUST FORGIVE” pushed me 100% over to God’s ways. It let me know that I wasn’t the only one who really struggled in this area – but in submitting to God in every area “is” well worth it.

Then, the very next page you talked about forgiving ourselves – “it’s not your fault – yes, you did commit sins – but now you are forgiven.” As Easter approaches I have cried out to God telling Him I just do not understand the significance of the cross – “God has forgiven us – choose to ‘believe’ what God has done for you is ‘true’ – and because it is true – you can extend to yourself that same forgiveness and the lifting of that guilt.”

As you can see there were areas of your book that God wanted to minister “truth” to me. Who knows how many others will be touched by the words on the pages of your book? I personally believe it is because of the “humbleness” of each and every word. The following pages are so inspiring; to see your “child like” faith escalate to new heights followed with fantastic signs and wonders. I’m not finished with your book yet – but know that this book holds a special place in my heart.

I thank our Lord Jesus Christ for a servant who is willing to become “like Him” – where the fruits of the spirit are most evident, to bring the good news to a hurting, dying world with truth and hope. May you always remain “obedient” to the things God wants to do in you and through you.

Respectfully,



Carol Braun

2 for 1 Tuesday

I was so blessed to speak at 2 different venues yesterday. I spoke at the Illinois Department of Corrections Volunteer Luncheon in Springfield at noon. Chaplins and wardens from numerous prisons in the state of Illinois were present. It was refreshing to encourage their volunteers. I then headed back home to Rockford where I had the opportunity to speak to over 100 teenagers at Rosecrance (a treatment center for drug and alcohol addiction) and was so enouraged by the hope I saw in their faces as I was speaking. There is nothing better than seeing HOPE in action!!!

Easter Weekend at Heartland

We has an awesome Easter weekend at Hearltand Community Church. It started with Good Friday services where nearly 4000 people were in attendance. We followed that up with a special Celebrate Recovery service and we had 18 first time decisions for Jesus Christ and over 100 recommitments!! God is so good!!!! Our weekend services had over 10,000 in attendance and Mike Breaux delivered one of the most powerful Easter sermons I have ever heard.
I am still blown away by the experience!!!

New Website for Bill Rieser

We just launched the new website so be sure to check it out!!

Streetball is still good to me!

bouncemag.com got wind of the book and gave me some great press today. My respect for them and the game of basketball especially the "City" game is something I will always be in awe of.
Thanks for the post today bounce!!
Check it out at www.bouncemag.com

The Video Book Trailer

check out the new video book trailer for They Called Me White Jesus

The Greatest Comeback Ever

As a huge sports fan, I just LOVE a good comeback. I can remember, as a kid, listening on the radio to the New York Knicks basketball games.
It was back when Kareem Abdul Jabbar was still known as Lew Alcindor and the Knicks were playing the Milwaukee Bucks. I can still remember that special night in November 1972 when I was 12 years old. I used to listen to all the Knick games on the radio and keep the scorebook for the games. Marv Albert had the call that night and the Knicks were getting killed. But I just kept believing for a miracle and with the Knicks down 19 points with about 5 minutes left in the game what has been called the greatest comeback in Madison Square Garden and with the New York Knicks was about to take place. I could feel it in my bones! It was just me, my scorebook, my transistor radio and 19,000 screaming fans embracing for one of the greatest games in the history of New York Knick basketball!!
Walt Frazier and Earl the Pearl Monroe sparked the comeback. Willis Reed shut down Jabber and every play was a nail biter. I was going CRAZY every time the Knicks scored or Frazier stole the ball. The Knicks won that game 87-86 as Jabbar threw up an air ball in the final second to the roar of 19,000 screaming fans and one 12 year old dedicated Knick fan who for one night found paradise as I was lost in the excitement!!
To me, that’s adrenaline! It look’s like someone is so far down or so far behind that they will never be able to rise above the adversity and come out on top again. Yet with the right focus, there is still hope of victory.

In those great stories like the comeback of the NY Knicks, and even the redemption of my own broken life, I find great hope in the focus that made me rise above and come out on top. No, it wasn’t my basketball career that was resurrected, even though it was my dream to fulfill that destiny. It was my heart and my soul; my very life, that was saved and set on the right track. And the focus for me was a Savior; the one who gave his life for me so that I could have victory in my life and spend an eternity with him.

Now that’s an exciting story for me. Talk about a comeback! I was so far gone in my life of sin that I thought I would never have a chance to be forgiven. But I was wrong. When Jesus’ love and grace picked me up and I was able to focus on him, I began to see hope for life and I began to run the good race for the prize that is ahead. I am victorious and you can be victorious also. Keep your eye on the goal – the Savior. He will turn your life around and we can all celebrate that victory!

Be Blessed and Encouraged

P.S. Be Sure to click on the title of this post "The Greatest Comeback Ever" to check out the comeback at MSG.


Bill Rieser

Bill Rieser Testimony

Celebrate Recovery at Christ Community Church

I was so excited to be able to share my testimony at the Christ Community Church Celebrate Recovery service last Friday night in St. Charles Illinois. It was great to see another awesome CR program in full swing making a huge impact in their community all made possible by the healing power of Jesus Christ!!
I am going to take a short mini vacation and spend some time with some dear friends in Arizona.

Psalm 91:14-16 Devotional

Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."
Psalm 91:14 gives us a great promise to those who love God and acknowledge his name. He promises to rescue us. You might be wondering what is God rescuing us from? Well if you read the entire 91st Psalm you will get a glimpse of what happens to us every day in the spiritual world. It reminds us that we are under a constant attack but God is taking care of those attacks and defeating the enemy thousands of times a day! That is an amazing thought when you take a second to think about what happens to you during the course of a day.
But there is a catch to this whole rescuing, delivering, and protecting thing. The catch is 3 very important things.
The first catch is to Love God. The second is to acknowledge and never be ashamed of his name. The third is to pray in his name.
Prayer is the main thing that initiates God to protect, rescue, and deliver us.
Look at verse 15 again: He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
Did you get the “he will call upon me”? Well the call upon me is when we pray and I love the response from God—and I will answer him and not only will I answer him but he gives us additional promises. The first additional promise is that when we are in trouble, God will be right there with us.
The second additional promise is that God will deliver us and then honor us. God does not say he might, or will consider, or he will pray about it, but he promises to deliver us and then tags another amazing thought that he will honor us.
Have you ever consider the thought that God will honor you? What does that mean? It simply means this; if you honor God with your life and your lips, God will honor you and will do it with additional promises.
Look at the last verse of Psalm 91:16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."
Here is another additional promise that God will give you if you love him, acknowledge his name, and call (Pray) upon him.
God promises us a long life and that long life is eternity which never ends!!!

Be Blesses and Encouraged as you read this today!!!
Bill Rieser

Moody Radio with Chris Fabry

Had a great day talking on Moody Radio on the Chris Fabry show today. I had an opportunity to share some of my testimony, talk about Celebrate Recovery and Chris mentioned the upcoming release of my new book; They Called Me White Jesus.
I had a chance to talk to some people who called in and encourage them but they were the ones who encouraged me!!! If you missed the show, check out this link: http://podcasts.moodyradio.org/ChrisFabryLive/2009-01-13_Chris_Fabry_Live.mp3

The Armor of God

The Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10-18
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

As Paul wraps up another great letter to the church of Ephesus he gives us the ultimate battle plan to sustain the attacks that will occur in our lives.
The first thought that comes to mind when I look at this battle plan is that when I signed up to be on God’s team I came to the realization that my battles and trials along with persecution will not be something that might happen but will happen. It is part of the true Christian life and anyone that is serious about living with God is going to be battle tested against the devils schemes.
This is what Christians refer to as “Spiritual Warfare”
It is important for many of us to be reminded that when the storm hits and the trials come that they are not always a result of something we did that was wrong but because of things that we are now doing right.
It is also important to know that our trials can get worse before they get better.
In verse 10 we see a recovery principle revealed when Paul tells us to be strong not in our strength but in the Lord and not in our power or plans but in His mighty power.

One of the greatest truths from Jesus is that apart from him we can do nothing but with him all things are possible.

In verse 11 Paul tells us to put on the full armor of God so you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
So the first question before you have to ask yourself when the storm hits, when you get tempted, when you get persecuted, when your family disowns you, when you get attacked is—do I have the full armor of God on?
The question is: not is it available because it is. The question is do you have it on?
One question worth exploring about verse 11 is: what are the devils schemes?
Here is his mission statement: Steal-Kill-Destroy—any questions?
He hates you with a sick twisted mind that can never change. He will always hate you and he hates you more now because you have accepted Jesus Christ. He hates your family, he hates your friends and he wants you dead—period!!
One of his schemes is to make you think that the enemy is other people. The devil has tricked you into thinking that the real enemy is your spouse, the person who abused you, the person who left you, the person who persecuted you and so on.
But verse 12 tells us that our battles are not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms.
Did you ever stop and think that you have been fighting against the wrong enemy?
Did you ever stop and think that the people you really care about most are not really your enemy?
Did you ever stop and think God is not who you should be mad at when he loves you and the devil hates you?
Did you ever stop and think that because you did not put on the full armor and were attacked by the devil’s schemes that it is foolish to blame God when he told you how to withstand against those types of attacks?
Did you ever stop and think that it is not God’s job to put on your armor which brings us to verse 13—Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground and after you have done everything, to stand.

I am sure that you can pinpoint when the day of evil was for you.
You can also count on the day of evil coming back to try you again and when that day comes, are you ready to stand your ground?
So what does stand your ground look like?
The answer is in verse 14 starting with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.
Consider this—if the devil can attack you by getting you to believe a lie because one of his titles that Jesus gave him is: “the father of lies” there must be a truth to combat and destroy any and all lies that he will send your way.
Here is a great example—if you are fearful about anything other than God such as the fear of losing your home, all your money, your spouse leaving you and fear grips and controls you—the truth that will destroy and defeat that lie is found in 2 Timothy 1:7 which says that God did not give you a spirit of fear but of love, power, and a sound mind and because you now have this truth as one of the notches on your belt, you can choose truth over the lie, the accusation, even how you actually feel about it and you will have defeated that evil attack.

Be Blessed and Encouraged

The Funniest Day in Heaven

It would not surprise me if News Years Day was the funniest day in Heaven. Have you ever wondered what God's reaction is to all of our New Years Resolutions. He must laugh and chuckle because he knows that most of us can never live out the resolutions we make. Now I am not saying that He laughs at us, he would never do that. I just think He chooses to see past our self-will, our self-determination and our frail ability to live out what we want to do in life. He knows that we stink at keeping promises. I am glad today that God made us as imperfect human beings. He has wired us to fail and that is why we need a Savior. A Savior to save us from ourselves. A Savior to save us from this world. A Savior to save us from the grip of Satan. A Savior to save us from the mistakes and sins we make.



This year, I am leaning into Jesus more and not worrying about what I can and can't do. I am going to meditate on what He did for me and what He currently is doing for me right now. I am going to reflect on the victory at Calvary more this year. The blood that was shed for me more this year. The 7000 promises he has made available to me to lay hold of in prayer and faith this year.



I personally have stopped making resolutions and starting meditating on those promises and I am trying to live my life in a way where I can see those promises fulfilled in my life and in the lives of others I care about.

I am going to do my best to live out God's plan for my life this year and the only way I can live out that plan is to call on God with faith and seek Him with my whole heart (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

I have to give God more of my heart this year because when I consider what God has done for me through Jesus and what He did on that cross--my heart is the place where I can start to live a life of gratitude and service to the One that I could never repay!!!!



Be Blessed and Encouraged