When you think of a helmet, what comes to mind as the thing you are trying to protect? The Helmet of Salvation seems to protect our minds, eyes, ears, and mouth.

The Prayer:

Father, I take the helmet of salvation. I want to think your thoughts after you and take every other thought captive. Give me your eyes that I might see with an eternal perspective. I choose to speak your word to myself and to others. Give me ears to hear what you are saying to me and to your people. I will think and meditate on You- and on whatever is noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report; Lord you are all these and you are virtuous and worthy of praise.

Among the rest of the armor, the shield may be the most clanky piece that seems to get in your way the most when you're just trying to enjoy life. How much does your faith interfere with your daily life? Are you forced to interact with it constantly?

A constant awareness of who Christ is in every circumstance we face exercises and activates our faith.

Some of the pieces of armor suggest protection, or fighting, but this one suggests traveling. Going somewhere. Are your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace so that you can walk into every situation knowing that your God is fighting for you?

The Breastplate of Righteousness is positioned to protect our heart- the origin of our belief. What are you doing to protect your believer?

Many times we echo Pilate's question, "What is truth?' Hoping that the truth will exonerate us and not convict us. However, we often think of truth as logic and reason that can be printed on a page, instead of a person. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." When you consider Truth, have you ever asked, "Who is Truth"?

We are all in the battle. It is not an option. The world, the flesh, and the devil are waging warfare against everything that God wants to do in your life. When the Apostle Paul writes about the armor of God, he isn't just inviting you to come join a battle, he is inviting you to win through the power of Christ. Are you actively winning in this battle?

The Sunday after Christmas is technically not part of Advent, but in this series this message deals with walking forward from Christmas. Specifically, the high point of the message of Christmas is for all seasons of the year. How well do you walk with God in the space between hearing His voice?

There are several different kinds of peace we enjoy. We find external peace when our surroundings are peaceful, such as a mountain lake on an autumn day. We enjoy being with people when we are at peace in our relationship, and we have experienced the bitterness of not being at peace in a relationship. But there is one peace that is worth more than all the other types of peace- and that is peace with our Creator.

What cost are you willing to pay to have peace with your Creator?

One of the greatest revelations many of us will ever have is the realization that while we are searching for God, He is walking with us. The Christmas miracle of Emmanuel, God with us, is cause for joy no matter the circumstances! What is the context from which you are looking to Jesus for your audacious joy?

Faith has something to do with responding to God's Word like Mary did, like John the Baptist did, and like the widow in the Temple did. But sometimes walking in faith takes years. Do you have the stamina to show up again and again with an expectant heart of faith?