Notice on a slight format change:

Except for July 2012, these are mostly a collection of current devotional notes.

July 2012 is a re-write of old quiet times. My second child was born Nov 11, 1987 with multiple birth defects. I've been re-reading my QT notes from that time in my life, and have included them here. They cover the time before the birth and the few years immediately after the birth. They are tagged "historical." I added new insights and labeled them: ((TODAY, dd mmm yy)).

Monday, April 20, 2020

QT 20 Apr 2020, Eph 6:14, The belt of truth is a belt of integrity with our witness


Ephesians 6:14a (ESV) — Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, …

NOTE: This week I plan to walk through the armor of God. I am getting too far ahead of my bible study (https://rationalstudy.Blogspot.Com ) to continue in 1 Timothy and I need to let the bible study catch up to the QT.

NOTE: Two observations, one is that the belt of truth is the first item and that it follows the primary verb "stand." To stand against the enemy (the context of the chapter) requires equipping ourselves with armor. The first item is the belt of truth. The belt holds things together, particularly the breastplate and the scabbard. Also, when action is required, the tunic, if long, can be pulled up and tucked into the belt giving freedom of action ("gird you loins"). Constable had a very interesting thought that the reference to truth is our character of truth and not the truth of scripture. The sword specifically identifies itself as the word of God, so a belt of truth would double the item, truth. If it is our character, the honesty of our witness is what holds all the armor together. If our walk with God is characterized by lies, we will not stand against the enemy's attack. We need to have a walk that is characterize by truthfulness, honesty, and integrity -- without these, we really can't be involved in the battle. Nothing holds together if our walk with God is a lie. People can see it. Godliness cannot be faked for long. A relationship with God is not real just because you perform
repetitive actions. It has to be real and honest.

PRAYER: Father, we can't fake being a soldier. To some degree, many do fake being a Christian. They attend church. They say the right things. They do good deeds. But they lack the inner presence of a relationship with God. Their lives are externally "different" but a true Christian is changed from the inside out. Help us to see the lie within us. Help us to truly turn to you and to stop "playing" church. I pray we can experience the real transforming power of God within our lives.

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