Author: Davelewis

Ephesians 6:14 NLT
[14] Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.

https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.6.14.NLT

When I think of the belt of truth, the practical use of a belt comes to mind, which is to hold my pants up.

To be “caught with your pants down” is an idiom meaning to be caught in a lie or an embarrassing position.

The belt of truth holds my pants up, while at the same time, holding me to the truth about myself, my life and how I live it. I can walk in truth,which is honestly, integrity, trustworthiness, a man of my word, etc. or I can walk the opposite way, which is foolishness and folly, walking in the manners and customs of this world. Being a friend of the world

James 4:4 NLT
[4] You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.

https://bible.com/bible/116/jas.4.4.NLT

The belt of Truth holds my loins together as I walk in the Kingdom of God daily. I cannot escape this world physically before I die, but I can walk as a Kingdom citizen, having my loins girded with the belt of Truth.

The belt of truth holds the armor of God’s righteousness in place. Having my loins girded means holding my heart, mind, soul and strength together in honor and integrity and in the truth of God’s word.

Sexual immorality is the outcome of walking about with my loins ungirded, open to anything that my flesh desires. Proverbs often characterizes foolishness and folly as a seductress, whore or promiscuous woman.

The belt of Truth brings Christ into the mix, because He is the Truth (John 14:6). In Him we have freedom, forgiveness and victory over sin and death. I no longer have to obey my flesh with its demands, which are guided by the lust of my eyes, lust of my flesh and the pride of life.

Pride of life equals Edging God Out: EGO!

Having my loins girded with the belt of Truth pushes my pride and ego aside, giving Christ, His Kingdom, and His righteousness first priority, the front and center focus of my life; heart, mind, soul, and strength.

Having my loins girded with the belt of Truth keeps from the immoral woman, the seductress of foolishness and folly that so often leads the world astray, both literally, as men practice sexual immorality of all kinds, as well as figuratively, as individuals chase after worldliness and the false promises of this world.

The belt of Truth: walking in honor, integrity and transparency. I am who and what you see. There’s no difference or shadow of turning. Walking in Christ, walking as a citizen of His Kingdom, walking in His word and His truth

You will know the truth and the truth will set you free!

Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood!

III John 1:11 NKJV
[11] Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.
https://bible.com/bible/114/3jn.1.11.NKJV

Imitate: to behave in a similar way to someone or something else, or to copy the speech or behavior, etc. of someone or something.

Psalms 37:27 NLT
[27] Turn from evil and do good, and you will live in the land forever.

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.37.27.NLT

Psalms 34:14 NLT
[14] Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.34.14.NLT

1 John 3:7-10 NLT
[7] Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. [8] But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. [9] Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God. [10] So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.

https://bible.com/bible/116/1jn.3.7-10.NLT

Isaiah 1:16-18 NLT
[16] Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways. [17] Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. [18] “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.

https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.1.16-18.NLT

We are able to live a life of pursuing what is good and right because Christ died for the sins of the world. We once imitated the behaviors, customs and attitudes of this world because that was what our sinful nature inherited through Adam. But when Christ came and took on flesh and became the propitiation for our sin (our atoning sacrifice) he nailed our sin to the cross, returning to Man what was lost through Adam. He redeemed us so that we might become children of God. And because we are now children of God; adopted into the family of God, we no longer have to live as sons of the devil. We’ve inherited a new nature, born again of the Holy Spirit. We now have the Spirit of God living in us; those who have received Christ as Lord and Savior.

Our sins were like scarlet but have been made white as snow. Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood!

Psalms 119:129-136 NLT
[129] Your laws are wonderful. No wonder I obey them! [130] The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand. [131] I pant with expectation, longing for your commands. [132] Come and show me your mercy, as you do for all who love your name.

[133] Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.

[134] Ransom me from the oppression of evil people; then I can obey your commandments. [135] Look upon me with love; teach me your decrees. [136] Rivers of tears gush from my eyes because people disobey your instructions.

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.119.129-136.NLT

The heart of the Psalmist is the produce of a life and heart surrendered to God. We’re already born to live as everyone else in this world, but born again of the Spirit so that we might put that sinner to death, nailing to the cross every day as we deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Christ

The Lord is our Peace

We have peace with God through Jesus Christ

Romans 5:1-2 NLT
[1] Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. [2] Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.5.1-2.NLT

He is our Peace having reconciled us to God

Ephesians 2:14-18 NKJV
[14] For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, [15] having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, [16] and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. [17] And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. [18] For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

https://bible.com/bible/114/eph.2.14-18.NKJV

The peace of God has separated us from our old sinful nature, which was at enmity with God, and has reconciled us to Him. While we were still sinners and enemies of God, Christ reconciled us to God through the cross.

II Corinthians 5:17-21 NKJV
[17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. [18] Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, [19] that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. [20] Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. [21] For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
https://bible.com/bible/114/2co.5.17-21.NKJV

The peace of God is the good news; that God has reconciled the world to Himself through Jesus Christ. When an angel appeared to the shepherds in the field, announcing the birth of the Savior, they brought “good tidings of great joy”, which was the birth of the Savior, Christ the Lord

Luke 2:9-11 NLT
[9] Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, [10] but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. [11] The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!

https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.2.9-11.NLT

Acts 10:36 ESV
[36] As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all),

https://bible.com/bible/59/act.10.36.ESV

His peace gives us joy and hope. Joy in the place sadness and grief, hope in the place of darkness and despair.

Romans 15:13 NLT
[13] I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.15.13.NLT

Peace = reconciliation with God and deliverance from internal chaos and strife. Peace with God is the absence of fear brought by the guilt and shame of our iniquity and sins.

God’s peace is a reuniting of enemies or opposing forces. They are no longer at odds with one another.

His peace, which surpasses all understanding, guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, as we pray to Him, bringing all of our anxieties and fears before Him, and as we bring to Him all our prayers, supplications and intentions, with thanksgiving

https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.2.9-11.NLT

(Philippians 4:6&7)

My healing journey is a part of my life’s journey. My left below knee amputation is forever incorporated with my story and my testimony. It’s a part of my “thorn in the flesh” a messenger of Satan to keep me grounded and from boasting about my accomplishments. I cannot take credit for what God alone, through His grace and mercy has done in my life. When others prayed for me, I was filled with strength and encouragement. My Helper and Comforter came along side of me and lifted me up.

Making the decision to cut off my lower left leg and foot was very hard, perhaps the most difficult personal health decision I’ve ever had to consider. But when I was faced with the reality of infection after infection (four in total) eating away more and more of my inner foot along with the potential of spreading up into my ankle and leg; MRSA and sepsis were very real possibilities, potentially spreading into my bloodstream, my heart, kidneys, etc. Yeah, a jaw dropping, eye opening experience for sure. These are the times and moments that my faith led me through.

I can do all things through Him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13)

Sometimes it’s good to take a step back and evaluate my life, to make sure I’m standing on solid ground and continue to build on the firm foundation Christ has laid down for me. That foundation was built on the faith He has established within me over the past 61 years of life.

I’ve gone through some breaking, some pruning and refining, and I’m still standing by His grace. I had made great progress in my physical health; going to the gym, working out and, exercising, losing a lot of weight, managing my diabetes, etc. Even in the midst of loosing my left lower leg and foot through infections and below knee amputation, I’ve been able to quickly bounce back and recover.  My life now includes a healing journey which has been incorporated into the daily mix of my life’s journey.

My walk with the living God is my daily hope and surrender. I’m still learning that it’s okay to stop, take a step back, reevaluate, reassess and wait upon the Lord to renew my strength. Then I will be able to run again and not grow weary, walk and not faint.

We can only go so far and so long before we need to slow down, rest in Him (who is our Sabbath) and trust Him in the ongoing process of preparing us for what’s next.

I know that the plans He has for me are for my good, to give me a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Not only has my physical health taken a priority, but my overall health; physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health; all of me, heart, mind, soul and strength. I must daily surrender all of me to the One who holds me in the palm of His hand, as the apple of His eye.

I’m finding myself, at the age of 61, still searching for significance; for titles and positions of influence. But when I’m alone in my prayer closet, in my quiet time with the Lord, He’s telling me He already has a title and position of influence for me, which is “servant of the Lord.”

I need to get back to that servant mindset, which the Lord had developed within me, the whole time I was in Troy and for a dozen years prior to that when I served on staff at City Mission. Now I believe I’m about to enter my next season of life. Not just ministry. Ministry flows out of a life that is surrendered to the Master for His use.

And so I find myself now, needing to go back to that place in my heart where God first said “FOLLOW ME!”

Every day I want it to be my goal to deny myself, take up my cross and follow Him; to offer myself as a living sacrifice. Ready, willing and able (enabled by the Holy Spirit) to go wherever He leads and do whatever He calls me to do. I don’t have to understand it all or wrap my mind around the details. It’s a place of total abandonment of my will and my ways for the purpose of serving glorifying Him.

So give me an undivided heart, O Lord, that I might be 100% yours, committed to your good will and purpose, so that I might walk in it.

My love and service to God will be demonstrated as I love and serve other people in my calling and spiritual gifting.

I hate the double minded (those with divided hearts) but I love your law.

You are my hiding place. I hope in your word.

Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God (Psalms 119:113-115)

Psalms 32:6-7 NKJV
[6] For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You In a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters They shall not come near him. [7] You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.32.6-7.NKJV

Hiding place; a place of safety, refuge and protection from the enemy. When we pray to God to deliver us from evil, He responds by hiding us under the shadow of His wings; like an owl, covering it’s young with its feathers to hide them from beasts and birds of prey. So our God hides those who desire to obey and take heed according to His word. There is a living power to scripture that gets into the heart and mind of those who listen intently and put it into practice.

God is my hiding place. His word gives me hope. He feeds my soul and spirit, that I might worship Him in spirit and in truth.

The enemy wants me to have a divided heart; halfway in the world and halfway in the Kingdom of God. But it doesn’t work that way.

Psalm 119 is a poetic declaration and testimony of the excellencies of living in God’s word; His laws, commandments, statutes, testimonies, precepts, instructions, decrees, etc

When I turn to God in faith, hoping to hear His word, what I receive in response is His voice. God speaks to my inner man, at the core/center of my being. It’s a still small voice that only I can hear. Not audibly as when someone is talking to me on the outside, nor like an inner sound system. No, it’s an inaudible voice that only my heart, mind, soul and strength can receive, hear and put into practice. When God speaks to me this way, He has opened the eyes of my heart. He gives me eyes to see, ears to hear, and heart that is prepared to turn to Him in repentance and receive His word, and the living power of His word leads me further along the path of righteousness and sets me free from the power of death and destruction.

This is place I need to be hidden from; where my sinful human man with it’s lusts and desires collide with my born again spiritual man. The battlefield where my heart and mind engage in spiritual warfare.

In this hiding place, he gives me the full armor of God to protect me from the enemy. When I put it on daily, I’m protected from the wiles of the devil. And the fruit of the Spirit is the produce of walking in the Spirit as He hides me under the shadow of His wings.

The hope of His word is my strength and my song. He surround me with songs of deliverance.

Where do you go in times of great temptation, tests and trials? Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and He will protect you. He will be your shield, your stronghold, your Rock, your solid foundation, your deliverer!

I hate the double minded (those with divided hearts) but I love your law. You are my hiding place. I hope in your word. Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God (Psalms 119:113-115)

Psalms 119:114 NKJV
[114] You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.119.114.NKJV

Psalms 32:7 NLT
[7] For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.32.7.NLT

Psalm 3:3 ESV
[3] But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.

https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.3.3.ESV

Psalms 32:6-7 NKJV
[6] For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You In a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters They shall not come near him. [7] You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.32.6-7.NKJV

“You are my hiding place.”

It is a place of inner peace and comfort from the world that surrounds me and from evil and wickedness that abounds.

Formation of ‘a servant of the Lord.”

From the introduction of Psalm 36, David refers to himself as “a servant of the Lord.”

This is not some title or position he grabbed for himself, but one that God revealed to him as he continually surrendered to God through humble sacrifice and submission to the lover of his soul.

David’s life was laid open and bare before the living triune God. He was so aware of His nakedness before God. Psalm 139 is a great example of this.
But David didn’t just wake up one day and decide, “I’m a servant of the Lord.” No, it was a place that God alone brought him to, within himself, at the core of his being.
When the light of God’s word shines within, our entire life is exposed. He sees us as we really are, beneath the masks and facades we hide behind .

David’s revelation of himself as a “servant of the Lord” came through many trials and tribulations. He encountered the truth of God’s word, as God brought certain people into his life who spoke the truth as God gave them utterance.

Do you desire to be a servant of the Lord? You can’t desire such things in the flesh. Rest assured the Spirit of the living God is drawing you.

Be prepared for the spiritual warfare that will come with the calling! One day God will let you know your status. Keep surrendering, humbling yourself before Him; keep denying yourself, taking up your cross daily and following Him!

Sometimes, in between the seasons of life, God is busy pruning and refining us, even when we don’t see it. Rest assured He’s working out the details, preparing you for the next season. Everything you go through is preparing you.

In such times it can seem like God is silent and inactive, but when the new time and season comes, you will spring forth, with renewed strength and a sense of purpose.

I’m personally going through this right now. I know that God has a plan for me; to prosper and not harm me, plans to give me a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).  He has not turned His back on me nor cast me aside. I’m at the center of His will; the apple of His eye. He will not leave nor forsake me.

As I step out in faith, He will go before me. I can try to understand the next steps, but He tells me to let go of my understanding and trust Him the direct my paths (Proverbs 3:5&6)

Psalms 119:105 NKJV
[105] Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

It’s imperative to continue daily on His word, because it’s the light of His word that gives me the faith to step out and trust Him. Through the scriptures He helps me, comforts me, teaches me and counsels me.

His Holy Spirit resides in me. This is how I know I belong to Him, because His Spirit bears witness. I have the testimony of three; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

His plans are the best, bigger and more than anything I could ask for or a imagine, according to His power at work in me (Ephesians 3:20)