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Stand your ground,
putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of
God's righteousness. (Ephesians 6:14 NLT)
"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you
free." (John 8:32 NKJV)
There was a knock at the door, Paul said, "Come in." In
walked a Roman soldier bringing Paul's meal. Paul thanked
him, and then asked the soldier, "That belt your wearing,
how important is that?"
The soldier
looked down at his belt, then looked at Paul and said,
"Without this belt being securely fastened all my armor
would not stay in place. I would not be free to move
around, let alone run or fight a battle. I would have
nowhere to put my sword. This belt has places to hold
important papers as well as my money. Why do you ask?"
"I was just wondering." Paul said with a twinkle in his
eye.
After the soldier left, Paul ate his meal and then meditated
on the belt and its significance to the
soldier. That night while Paul was sleeping he had a vision
of the Roman soldier’s belt.
I, Paul, found myself standing in a lush green meadow.
Above me was a cloudless light blue sky. All at once a beam
of light surrounded me, and I heard the sweetest voice say,
"Paul, I will explain to you the belt of truth and how it
will secure my children as they walk here on earth.
“My truth is like a series of holy forts which surround each
child of mine. Sanctifying them,
protecting, and defending them from the entrapments and
spiritual dangers in this life. Each fort has a name, a
heavenly principle that labor as one. My truth is what
binds these fortresses together and secures them to the
heart and soul of my children.”
I asked my Lord to please show me the names of these forts
that compose the entirety of His truth.
“Look to your right Paul. You see the fort? It is the fort
of love. It contains the truth of how I yearn that you and
all men love me. Read the inscription above the door.”
You must love the Lord your God with all your heart,
all your soul, and all your mind.
(Matthew 22:37 NLT)
“Look to your left, that fort is the fort of faith. It
contains the truth of the kind of faith I seek from
you and all men. Read its inscription.” It is
impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who
wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and
that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
(Hebrews 11:6 NLT)
“Look behind you Paul. The name of that fort is hope. It
contains the truth of hope. Read its inscription.” O
Lord, you alone are my hope. I have trusted you, O
LORD, from childhood. (Psalms 71:5 NLT)
I ask my Lord, “Are these three the only forts? Will there
be more?" All at once I rose into the air about thirty feet
high. I saw the three forts -- love, faith, and hope.
These three forts surrounded many other forts. "Lord what
are those other forts?"
“Paul, those forts you see are the many other facets of my
truth. There is the fort of: righteousness, salvation,
peace, forgiveness, power, mercy, kindness, grace,
self-control, joy, gentleness, sacrifice, and patience.”
The Lord then gently lowered me down. Puzzled, I looked up,
and said, “Lord how are we to wrap securely around us all
these forts? How do they relate to the Roman soldier's
belt? I beg you Father, help me to see and understand."
“Paul, these forts represent the sum principals of my truth
for all mankind. You must securely wrap them around your
heart and mind and you will be set free to live a life for
me here on earth, and then eternal with me in heaven.”
Paul, “Yes,
Lord."
“In the
morning I want you to write an illustration about the armor
of God, and then send it to my children.”
"Father, I
see now that the first article of armor must be your truth.
Everything about living for you begins with knowing your
truth."
A ray of sunshine gentle stirred me awake. I opened my eyes
and thanked my Father for the vision he gave me. After
splashing water on my face I sat down to finish my letter to
the Ephesian brethren.
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