The first piece of the Full Armor God that Paul presents is the belt of truth. Belts may not seem like a vital piece of armor, but the belt is what holds the rest of the pieces together. It is what the sword and shield hang on. Truth is what all the parts of our spiritual armor hang on. It is what holds us and our faith together. We need the Belt of Truth to help us stand firm against Satan's scheme to deceive our minds and seduce our hearts.

The first piece of the Full Armor God that Paul presents is the belt of truth. Belts may not seem like a vital piece of armor, but the belt is what holds the rest of the pieces together. It is what the sword and shield hang on. Truth is what all the parts of our spiritual armor hang on. It is what holds us and our faith together. We need the Belt of Truth to help us stand firm against Satan's scheme to deceive our minds and seduce our hearts.

The first piece of the Full Armor God that Paul presents is the belt of truth. Belts may not seem like a vital piece of armor, but the belt is what holds the rest of the pieces together. It is what the sword and shield hang on. Truth is what all the parts of our spiritual armor hang on. It is what holds us and our faith together. We need the Belt of Truth to help us stand firm against Satan's scheme to deceive our minds and seduce our hearts.

The United States Army has four pillars for combat-readiness; four things necessary to be fully prepared for war: Manning, Training, Equipping, and Leader Development. In Ephesians 6:10-13, Paul gives Christians our own Four Pillars of Readiness. As we identify these pillars, let us evaluate ourselves—Are we combat-ready for the spiritual battles we face every day?

The United States Army has four pillars for combat-readiness; four things necessary to be fully prepared for war: Manning, Training, Equipping, and Leader Development. In Ephesians 6:10-13, Paul gives Christians our own Four Pillars of Readiness. As we identify these pillars, let us evaluate ourselves—Are we combat-ready for the spiritual battles we face every day?

The United States Army has four pillars for combat-readiness; four things necessary to be fully prepared for war: Manning, Training, Equipping, and Leader Development. In Ephesians 6:10-13, Paul gives Christians our own Four Pillars of Readiness. As we identify these pillars, let us evaluate ourselves—Are we combat-ready for the spiritual battles we face every day?

From local lowly shepherds to royal wise men from afar, to the heavenly host, as we think about the worshipful response of God’s coming into the world to redeem lost sinners, let’s think this morning about some basic truths of worship. Just as it’s easy for the message of Christ’s birth to get lost amidst the tinsel and trees, the gifts and parties of Christmas…so it is easy for us throughout the year to let the truth about biblical worship to get lost among the musical styles, traditions, and preferences of our worship services.

From local lowly shepherds to royal wise men from afar, to the heavenly host, as we think about the worshipful response of God’s coming into the world to redeem lost sinners, let’s think this morning about some basic truths of worship. Just as it’s easy for the message of Christ’s birth to get lost amidst the tinsel and trees, the gifts and parties of Christmas…so it is easy for us throughout the year to let the truth about biblical worship to get lost among the musical styles, traditions, and preferences of our worship services.

From local lowly shepherds to royal wise men from afar, to the heavenly host, as we think about the worshipful response of God’s coming into the world to redeem lost sinners, let’s think this morning about some basic truths of worship. Just as it’s easy for the message of Christ’s birth to get lost amidst the tinsel and trees, the gifts and parties of Christmas…so it is easy for us throughout the year to let the truth about biblical worship to get lost among the musical styles, traditions, and preferences of our worship services.

Advent is as much about preparing ourselves for Jesus' Second Coming as it is celebrating His first. Peter tells us that "the end of all things is near," and gives us five actions we should embrace to help prepare ourselves for the Second Coming of our King. These are spiritual marks of readiness. Which do you need to focus on this Advent?