When David took off Saul's armor, he put on something so much more effective: the glory garment, the armor of light. God's glory is a shield around us that protects us from every fiery dart the enemy might try to send our way. When we learn to abide in His presence, even curses bounce off and fall to the ground, never to land on us.

Young David knew that he had to take off Saul's armor in order to walk in what God had for him. When he did so, he slew Goliath Saul's physical armor represented false spiritual armor: that of trusting in men instead of in God. In today's episode, we talk about getting free of the fear of man and learning instead to be in amazed by the Lord of Hosts. When we learn to live off His affirmation, we will not be trapped by dependency on human praises.

The Word teaches us not to put our trust in those things that are passing away: wealth, titles, accolades of this world, and so many other unreliable sources of stability and protection. Instead, we are to put our trust and hope exclusively in God. Today He wants to help us throw away worn out defense mechanisms and find our safety in Him alone.

In God, we often need to take something off in order to put on something better. In today's episode, we explore some ways we might be trusting in faulty protection mechanisms that He never intended for us. We discuss what it looks like to strip off false armor in order to put on the true protection which Holy Spirit provides.

When shame comes calling our name, we tend to do like Adam and Eve: we try to hide. Just as they fabricated an inadequate covering for their deep feelings of shame (out of fig leaves), we try to cover over our own shame with insufficient defense mechanisms. Jesus wants to show us a MUCH better way.

Before Jesus came into our lives, we were wrapped in shame as with a cloak. He gives us the breathtaking gift of removing our filthy garments and dressing us in His very own righteousness. This gift obliterates shame at our very core.

Shame is one of the most painful effects of the Fall of Man. On the cross, Jesus endured the anguish of our shame. He took it for us so we could be entirely free of it. He allowed Himself to be exposed so our sins could be covered.

"Shame off you!" That is the heart of God for you and me. Today, we begin a brand new series on the podcast, "Dress for Success!" In the first few episodes, we will be exploring the origins of shame and God's stunning solution for it. Join me as we discuss our need for the richest of garments, the robe of righeousness.

Today is an unusual episode. We talk about a very painful topic, suicide. Even in the most anguished of circumstances, Jesus has a plan for redemption. In the darkest night, there is hope in Him.

Grace is your permanent process, your permanent position, and your permanent present. It's where you are seated and where you are standing. For all of eternity, you get to go deeper and deeper into His wonderful grace!