Welcome
You're invited to join us as we build growing communities of worshippers,
who are becoming like Christ, empowered to do His work.
Join us as Pastor Ron shares God's plan for us to fight and win our spiritual battles together.
If you would like to partner with us in this season, you can find out more about Christ's work in our community at Gracevcf.org
The Belt of Truth
Our Primary text today is Ephesians 6:10-18:
(New International Version and New Living Translation)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
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. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Exposing the Devil’s Schemes
Not everything you think is true, so think about what you think about.
Not all of your thoughts come from your own mind – your thoughts can also come from God speaking, and even from demons. This is why we must know the Truth of God’s Word in order to discern the truth of our thoughts.
Acts 8:26-27
26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road — the desert road — that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." 27 So he started out...
The devil will use unhealed past offenses and wounds to deceive you about present circumstances
Loving confrontation and forgiveness (giving up the right to get paid back for what was done to me) can bring powerful healing for both the offended and the offender
Triangulation – telling a third party about the offense – can spread the deception 3 ways, and none of those involved walk in freedom
Luke 17:1-4 NKJV
17 Then He said to the disciples, "It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! … 3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him."
The Protection of Seeing Things as They Really Are
Truth can be defined as that which conforms to reality; to the way things really are.
The only One who can fully see things in our lives as they really are is the One who is outside, above, and beyond our world: the triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
John 14:6-10
6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. ...
John 17:15-22 Jesus praying to the Father for us
15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
20 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
John 16:12-13
12 "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes,
