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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.
Heart Etchings is a website filled with spiritual devotionals that etch
the word of God on your heart. Take a look.
http://www.geocities.com/heart_etchings/
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