Respond:

Father as I read today soften my hearts. Make my mind available to hear Your Truth and change my views. Instill in me a desire to continue to read and be transformed to Your image. Help me to not be distracted, but instead intently focus on what You have to say today.

Rejoice:

“Battles behind us, battles ahead God You are for us, so what stand’s against?” We must remember today as we read this passage about peace, God has forgiven everything and covered us in grace. Let’s tune our hearts to God’s grace and sovereignty!

Read:

^6:15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

The shoes of a soldier can either assist them greatly or be their utter demise. While I was in the army (and even now) the leaders ALWAYS stressed having clean socks for field training and making sure you don’t have brand new boots on. When you get a pair of boots there’s this period of breaking in which you may end up irritating your feet. This is ok if you are wearing them for an hour here and there AND you don’t have to be on your feet for hours on end after wearing them. If you wear new boots, ill fitting boots, wet socks, dirty socks, etc and go on field training you will find you develop blisters rather quickly. Additionally, if you don’t address those blisters or wounds you will become infected and not be able to walk at all.

Now good boots, ones you have broken in and are accustom to, can be of great help. They keep your ankles steady to avoid sprained or broken ankles. They keep your feet dry to avoid different injuries. They give you traction so you can climb things, run through areas you otherwise might slip. Ultimately a soldiers boots are one of his most delicate pieces of his fatigue.

The substance behind this is the fact that our shoes can greatly effect us (wether negative or positive) on our missions. In the same way when we build a foundation of the Gospel under all things we will find our ability to move from one position to another is not limited. These shoes which carry us from situation to situation, position to position, are what God honors and lifts high. Our shoes have a supernatural power now. God stands behind these with a massive warranty.

We spoke a few weeks ago about John 14:13 “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” We discussed how this verse is referring to a wartime call for air support and how if you are not on the battle field (in Christ’s name) you will NOT receive the answer. God isn’t promising to answer a request for ANYTHING we want because if that were the case we would essentially be God. We would be able to control Him and make Him do our bidding… which makes Him not God. HOWEVER when we are on mission preaching the Gospel, being attentive to the Spirit, seeking His guidance, we CAN ask for things (in relation to Christ’s character) and God will grant it “so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

A foundation built upon the Gospel, carrying us to and fro, is what will give us access to the promises in John 14:13. We are able to call in air support, move quickly from position to position because we have supernaturally powered boots! If you are basing your movement, progress, and direction on this “gospel of peace” you will experience great gain and reward in eternity. Equip yourself with these boots.

Respond:

Lord I know that I often will become distracted with the world. I will become overly focused on Youtube, social media, work, friends, games, MANY THINGS. I pray You help me to equip myself with the gospel of peace. I pray You help me to focus on sharing Your truth like an ambassador should. Keep me from stepping into the way and allowing the opportunities of my life to overshadow the purpose you have called us to.

Relate:

I can guarantee you know a christian (maybe even yourself) that does not base their life on the Gospel. Share with them, or remind yourself, that when we equip ourselves with these boots we will have a more consistent growth pattern as it is what God has called us to do! You, or them, will access freedom in Christ you never thought was possible. You, or them, will experience God’s power that will BLOW YOUR MIND! That is why I am in ministry. When you observe the world you see there is no hope. Hoards of people attempt suicide daily. The rich, the poor, the famous, no one finds hope or comfort in this world outside of God’s peace. Remind others of this. Share the social post at the top of the page with a caption you feel is significant to spark conversation about this!