Oh my gosh!  I can buy Instagram followers.  I guess that everything really is for sale for a price. But Instagram followers?  Yes. While I was trying to get some navigational directions on how to create a post, that ad actually popped up.  I had been told by my agent that publishers probably wouldn’t give my book their time if I did not have several thousand Instagram followers. His daughter, a writer, had over a million. Getting ten on only merit seemed to be a challenge, but for a few bucks, I could impress the people I needed to impress by purchasing their names.

Then I thought, how sad!  Even people who have nothing meaningful to share can buy bragging rights to a huge number of followers.  Which potentially could get their book published faster.  I considered it for about a one-Mississippi moment.                                                                         But even I wasn’t that desperate.  I mean, as a writer of a Christian book, it probably wouldn’t be too spiritual to cheat to impress someone, right? How could I expect God to bless my writing if I had to resort to deceiving the publishing community by pretending to have thousands of friends who delighted in my postings?

The desire to be a hot shot is a major theme in my book. For much of my life, I tried to measure up to those who were prettier, funnier, brighter, holier. I’m not alone, for as I talk to my friends, most of them (and I do mean “most”) either had tried to become what they thought made them fit in or had just accepted they didn’t measure up.

Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Comparison is a thief of joy.”  If we desire to honor God, we will accept that He created us the way He wanted.  Psalm 139 reminds us that He “knit us together” in our mother’s womb. He stamped a one-of-a-kind DNA marking in our cells.  David seemed to know that, for in his Psalm he continues. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Notice that David does not desire to be taller or a better warrior or a more revered king.  Instead, he writes this: Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.              

I wonder how often we, like David, thank God for how He designed us versus how many times He hears us complain about how we wish we were gifted differently.  Maybe if we had a voice like Celine Dion or a ministry like Francis Chan or a body like just about anybody else who is thinner or taller, we would be satisfied. Instead, we should credit God for creating us with (what we see as) a few imperfections, recognizing that maybe, just maybe, if we had that voice or that ministry or that body, we would become arrogant and prideful and forget about Him.

Certainly worth considering.

As of today, I have 537 Instagram followers.  Not the million I need, but better than the five I once had.  And every day, I remind myself that if I had those impressive numbers, I might think I’m pretty hot stuff.  This way, I know that I’m not.

The first song I remember about bones was “Dry Bones” recorded by the Delta Rhythm Boys. I enjoyed hearing how all the bones were connected, even though it was a long  drawn-out musical expression. And then Randy Travis had the big country hit “Diggin’ Up Bones.” The Secret Sisters recorded “Rattle My Bones,” and Lauren Daigle recorded “Come Alive (Dry Bones).” As kids we sang the fun lyric, “with a knick-knack paddy- whack, give the dog a bone….” We even talk about bones: bone tired, funny bone, bag of bones, big boned, broken bones, you need backbone, bad to the bone, etc.

On the day that the prophet Elijah knew his ministry was coming to a close and Elisha would take his place, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me” (2 Kings 2:9). Rather than asking for worldly things, what he really desired was a large measure of the Holy Spirit to equip him for the prophetic responsibilities ahead. So as Elisha witnessed Elijah being carried by a whirlwind into heaven in a chariot of fire, the anointing he asked for was immediately transferred to him.

At the end of his obedient ministry, “Elisha died and was buried. Now Moabite raiders used to enter the country every spring. Once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. When the body touched Elisha’s bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet” (2 Kings 13:20,21 NIV). Verse 21 is a one-sentence miracle wrapped around the grave clothes of the prophet Elisha. Assuming the “dead” man had a wife and family, can you imagine the pandemonium when his happy feet walked into the house and he asked his wife, “What’s for supper?” Obviously, the double-portion anointing that Elisha had was alive and well even though he was dead. Death could not stop King Jesus, and death could not stop God’s power from working through the bones of Elisha.

As believers, what we desire and need in the spiritual realm is within our reach. God wants to do great things for us and through us. One of the most-important requirements is simply getting close enough to touch the Great I AM. If we will throw ourselves into God’s presence, He will anoint (empower) us to accomplish what He’s called us to do. The dead man that was thrown on top of Elisha’s bones was at the end of the road — until he came into contact with the anointing of God. If you’re living a broken or spineless existence, simply throw yourself at the feet of Jesus and ask for the miracle you need. Just hold on a little longer, help is on the way. Help won’t help tomorrow if you give up today.

Elisha was still influencing people after he was dead as a doornail. How deep does your influence reach in your part of the world? After you’re long gone, your impact and testimony will live on. Your legacy as a man or woman of God is eternal. You may not have your name and accomplishments recorded in a history book, but heaven knows all about your struggles and triumphs as a Christ follower. I double-dog dare you to leave a godly legacy of loving God and others.

The Key: Make your bones strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Byron Eugene Tillery, age 67, resident of Pittsburg, KS, died Saturday, January 7, 2023, at Pittsburg Health and Rehab.  He was born May 21, 1955, in Nevada, MO, the son of Ivan and Velma Hoover Tillery.  He graduated from Nevada High School.  He married Margaret Ann McHenry on May 22, 1976.  She preceded him in death on September 22, 2008.

Bryon worked for Ennis Inc. in Fort Scott, KS, for over 23 years.  He enjoyed woodworking, working on cars, and was an avid KC Chiefs fan.  He loved spending time with his grandchildren.

Survivors include 2 daughters, Kerri Jo Lawrence (Gary), Fort Scott, KS, and Sarah Tillery, Joplin, MO; 2 brothers, Martin Tillery (Kathy), Vesper, WI, and John Morris (Arlene), Tuttle, OK; 2 sisters, Barbara Bobbett (Don), Ozark, MO, and Elaine David, House Springs, MO; 5 grandchildren, Zachary Cassett, Ryan Cassett, Lucas Cassett, Sven Ash, and Madison Braun; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by 2 sisters, Carmen Pettibon, and Laura Garrison; 2 brothers, Ralph Tillery, and infant Gary Lee Tillery; and is parents.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM Friday, January 20^th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Cremation will follow.  The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:00 Friday prior to the service.

Memorials are suggested to the Byron Tillery Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

In route to visit my son Andy and his wife Kristen, I phoned my husband and asked him to book me a motel about an hour away from where I was on the freeway.  He chose one with excellent reviews and, of course, a cheap price.

Dave hit the jackpot.  The owners had hung a scriptural plaque beside every exterior door, and the lobby was filled with signs of faith.  When I checked in, I noticed 2016, 2017 and 2018 “Platinum” awards had been given.  I questioned the receptionist about them, and she said that for those years, not one complaint had been lodged against their motel.  She proudly shared that one of its perks was coffee “’round the clock.”  Not exactly a spa or pool or cucumbered water, I told myself, but then again, I’ve never seen Scriptures hanging at a Hyatt.

The owners’ hearts for God were obvious.  They did not hide their faith, and I began to wonder what would happen if we all were infused with a little more boldness in our love for Jesus…not in a Bible-thumping sort of way, but in a way that left everyone we meet knowing there was something special about us.

A few years ago, my son Adam and his wife Jenn were invited to a dinner hosted by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.  The topic of faith came up, and Mr. Pompeo shared that when he was invited to speak for a large gathering of Muslims in the Mideast, he added a conclusion that spoke of his Christian faith.  The speechwriters removed his addition.  He deleted their deletion.

When he finished speaking, he told Adam and Jenn, he was shocked at the number of Muslims who approached him to say that, although they did not agree with his faith, they applauded his boldness in professing it. Granted, probably none of us will have an opportunity to address a Mideast conference (I can only dream), but there are other, more common ways we can demonstrate boldness in the ways we represent Christ-likeness:

• Walk away from an argument. (Emily Dickinson: “Saying nothing sometimes says the most.”)
• Honor our family first. (Desmond Tutu: “You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.”)
• Work with excellence, even when no one is watching. (Jimmy Johnson: “The difference between ordinary and extra-ordinary is that little extra.”)
• Don’t fudge on our taxes. (Richelle E. Goodrich: “A liar deceives himself more than anyone, for he believes he can remain a person of good character when he cannot.”)
• Choose purity in language and appearance. (Mandy Hale: “Refuse to lower your standards to accommodate those who refuse to raise theirs.”)

Every day we are given choices to exude boldness in our faith.  I know I need to do better and remember that I’m not alone in this.  God has my back.

Of course, what He wants is my heart.  That’s the jackpot that really counts.

Keys to the Kingdom

My childhood pastor’s wife, Thelma, was an exemplary wife, mother, and friend; a perfect example of the Proverbs 31 woman. Everybody adored her because she loved much, lived well, and laughed often. Thelma inspired other people to laugh also. She told her daughter Christa and I (just young girls at the time) this joke: A mother was concerned that her daughter’s beau  was never going to ask for her hand in marriage. As the daughter was preparing for her date one evening, the mother gave her specific instructions: “When Homer picks you up, don’t say anything — just be quiet all evening. When he finally asks you what you’re thinking about, say, “I’m contemplating on matrimony.” The daughter agreed and the date transpired exactly as the mother predicted. After awhile, Homer said, “I’ve noticed you’ve been awfully quiet and just sitting there with an odd look on your face. What are you thinking about?” With a sigh, she responded, “I’m constipated on macaroni.”

Are you contemplating on wanting a better year in 2023? I suspect all of us would like to come up higher in multiple areas in the new year. I suggest that all of us consider our ways. When the word of the Lord came to Haggai the prophet, he told the Jews who had returned from Babylon, “Consider your ways” (Haggai 1:5 ESV). In the Old Testament book of Haggai, the major problem was that the temple of God was in ruins and the people weren’t doing anything to restore it.

In the New Testament, we know that the believer is literally the temple. “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19,20 NLT).

If you’re a Christ follower, but your life seems to be in ruins, pause and consider your ways. The word “consider” means to think carefully, chew on it, be mindful of, ponder, examine, inspect, scrutinize. One definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. How we do our life is worth the effort to mull it over, which is to analyze and meditate on the possible actions as well as the outcomes. Are we doing everything we can to closely walk in all the light of Jesus?

Let’s consider our ways. The definition of “way” is: a method, style, or manner of doing something; our habit, practice, procedure, routine, conduct, behavior, or nature. If we’re not including Jesus in all areas of our life, we need to seriously consider changing our ways. Jesus wants to be flat-dab in the middle of everything we do. And (if we have any sense) that’s exactly where we should want Him. Jesus desires to be intricately involved, but He has to be invited to do so. He’s not going to bulldoze His way into our lives.

“Jesus once again addressed them: ‘I am the world’s Light. No one who follows Me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in‘” (John 8:12 MSG). If I’m walking in the dark with someone who has a flashlight, I need to stay close enough to  benefit from the beam of light. “Your word is like a lamp that shows me the way. It is like a light that guides me” (Psalm 119:105 NIRV). Today is the day to consider our ways and see if there are behaviors that need to come under the Lordship and light of Jesus. The Key: Mull it over and change whatever rears its ugly head in the light.

“I’ve discovered that if people are not on my heart, they’re on my nerves.”                       Pastor Rick Warren

Struggling to find a New Year’s resolution?  Maybe we could start with Jesus’ suggestion: “Love your enemies and bless those who persecute you.” Of course, it’s not a suggestion.  Seriously hard to do…but no one did it better than Jesus. His capacity for love is infinite. How else could he forgive his crucifiers while hanging in agony on the cross? Still, we make it so hard.  Why can’t we love like he does?                                                                           Saint Augustine said, “Good for good, evil for evil, that is natural. Evil for good, that is devilish. Good for evil, that is divine.”  Dave would say I need a little work in the “divine” department. I told him I’m going to get my Conceal-and-Carry license.  He is concerned.  Not that I won’t pass the test but that I might kill someone.  I’ve given that a lot of thought.  I don’t think I would kill thugs who ransack an Apple store or help themselves to racks of clothing or purses.  But I might wound them.  If they were threatening a loved one, however?  Dave might have reason to be concerned.  Does that make me unloving?                                                                I read about a young couple who went to see their pastor to try and get him to approve their divorce because, as they put it, “There’s no feeling left.” The pastor told the husband to love his wife as Christ loved the church. The husband said, “I can’t do that.” The pastor asked him to love her as he would love himself. Again, the said that ‘I can’t do that’. So the pastor said, “The Bible says to love your enemies. Try starting there.” (Is it possible to love someone you shoot?)                                                                                                                                                  Just how do we love the unlovable?  The first step is remembering God’s love for us when were/are unlovable. Beauty and the Beast illustrates this well, and it certainly represents how we are loved by God.   After all, there’s a little beast in all of us.  Scripture says that none of us are sinless, yet God loves us.  “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) His love is not based on my goodness; nor is it based on my prayer life or my Bible reading or how many cookies I made for the church potluck. I didn’t have to work out my imperfections or do any good deeds for Him to love me.  He loves me, beast that I am.                                                      The second step to loving the unlovable is to recognize that the people we aren’t loving are no different than us.  We have no right to set ourselves in the lofty position of choosing not to follow God’s mandate to love them.  1 Corinthians 13:4-5 tells us how we are to act: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” God loves like that and calls us to do likewise.

The ability to love the unlovable, to hate the sin but to love the sinner, represents God’s divine nature.        In 2023, I’m going to work on loving the unlovely.  I guess I’ll figure out that shooting thing later.

Keys to the Kingdom

I was headed in the right direction, but when I spotted the detour and roadblock signs alongside the highway, I had to turn north and follow the detour route. I was then driving in the wrong direction to get where I needed to go and there were no more signs to direct me. The GPS didn’t have a grip on reality and kept telling me to return to the main highway with a non-existing bridge. It quickly became obvious that I couldn’t trust the GPS to get me to my destination. I was getting nowhere and I needed to talk to a real person who understood my dilemma, knew the countryside, and could direct me to a  sensible route. There was simply no way to get from here to there without human help.

Fortunately, I found a welcoming farmhouse and pulled in under a shade tree. A kindly man wearing denim overalls greeted me in the backyard. Although I was smiling, I’m sure I had a lost look on my face. As I shook his firm and rough farmer’s hand, he pretty-much knew my problem before I told him. Since he knew the area like the back of his hand, he told me how to beat the detour at its own annoying game. He gave me concise directions, which consisted of four turns on gravel roads, and then I was back on the road again. I finally arrived in Parsons after losing 40 minutes of time and fuel — but I got there because someone cared enough to point me in the right direction.

There are occult and false-religion books that offer alternative ways to navigate through life. Some individuals read them because they’re truly searching for answers, and some read them out of sheer curiosity. But dabbling in the evil spiritual abyss is a dangerous detour because it opens the door to demonic influence.

There is a broad divergence of opinions regarding gods, the true God, and living life in general. Earthlings simply can’t follow our own map and expect to get to heaven. The only true authority on spiritual beliefs and life issues is God’s Word. I once heard a pastor say this great one liner: “Whatever the Bible says, that’s my opinion.” God’s Word carries authority, weight, and power. It’s the believer’s foundation for everything on earth and in heaven, and it will be the last Book standing. “Heaven and earth will disappear, but My words will never disappear” (Mark 13:31 NLT).

Christ followers, who’ve found the one and only way to God, need to keep a sharp eye out for lost people who are needing someone to extend a hand of hope to them. The only way to make it to heaven is through Jesus. Many people are wondering, “How do I get to heaven from here?” Some think that “all roads lead to heaven.” But Jesus explicitly said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me. There is more than enough room in My Father’s Home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:6,2 NLT). By reaching out to those who have spiritual and real-life needs, we open a door for God to work in their lives. A genuine love walk with Jesus is a lot more than words on a cool t-shirt. It’s a weighty realization that the only Bible some people ever read is you and me.

The Key:  Jesus is the mercy bridge between here and there. Our job is to lovingly point the lost in the right direction so they can get to the other side.

“Dave, it has to be on your end,” I said, patiently.

“Patty, I want you to turn off your phone and turn it on again.”

“Why would I do that?”

“Because I can call everyone except you.  My calls go directly to your Voicemail.”

“So why couldn’t that be your phone’s fault?  You’re in Mexico.  I’m in the United States.  Chances are, I have better reception than you have. After all, my calls go through to you; yours don’t come through to me.”

This went on for a few days.  In that time, I, a submissive wife, followed Dave’s advice and turned my phone off and back on. No success.  Dave’s email let me know that he couldn’t figure out why I didn’t answer his texts.  “Because I never got them,” I answered

This was not going well.

I called Dave.  “I will visit Verizon to see if this is my phone’s fault,” I said, trying to be a good team player, even though I was positive this problem was his phone, not mine.

“Great. Unless you’ve blocked me, there has to be a problem coming from the carrier.”

“Or you,” I added.

How silly of him to say, “Unless you’ve blocked me.” Who would block their spouse? Just to make sure I wasn’t responsible for this disaster, however, I checked my contact list.

Sure as shootin’, he was blocked.

Desperate measures were needed.  How could I make Dave think that he was responsible?  Was it possible for him to block himself?  I think not.

“Well, what do you know, Honey?  You were blocked. Ha-ha. I have no idea how that happened.”

Dave then reminded me that I had blocked three other friends in the past few months.  Like this was an epidemic or something.

Anyway, we worked it out, but as I thought about how easy it was to block someone unintentionally, I considered how I sometimes do it intentionally, like ignoring a phone call or a text because I just want to be alone.

But what if I block God?  Like when I feel His nudging to do something kind that day, but I’m too tired or too irritable or too insensitive to obey.

Yes, I do that, but my New Year’s resolution is to listen to Him purposefully and do what He says.

This morning, I felt God telling me to be kind to someone I didn’t know.  I was flying from K.C. to Florida, and I had gotten little sleep, but I was determined to obey.

I won’t list here all the things that went wrong, but I still had opportunities to help.

At ticketing, I traded places with a man who was late for his flight.  Going through security, I overheard a mother instructing her teenage son on what to do while traveling alone.  I assured her that I would get her son to the right gate…which I would have, had I not been pulled out of line because I had five ounces of sun screen in my carry bag instead of the three allowed. Ultimately, I caught up with him and assured him he was at the right gate. He looked at me like I was a nut-case.

While boarding, I noticed a young girl standing by herself.  I struck up a conversation with her.  She was “really nervous” as she never had flown alone before, so I told her that I would wait for her when we deplaned and get her to her next flight.  She seemed thankful when I ushered her through the airport, although she seemed to know exactly what she was doing.

Still, not bad for one day. Let’s just hope I can say the same at the end of 2023.

Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

When I was pregnant with our first child, my brother and his wife came for a nice visit. As they prepared to leave, Randy looked me straight in the eyes and said, “A baby will change your life.” I vaguely agreed with him, not truly understanding what he meant but certainly not disagreeing with him since he was the father of three. Like Mary, I pondered his statement in my heart and soon realized exactly what he meant. The birth of a baby rocks everything in your world.

When Jesus hit the stable on planet earth, His boy story rocked the world and turned it upside-down. The arrival of this Holy Boy of Joy was prophesied in the Old Testament. “All right then, the Lord Himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call Him Immanuel (which means God is with us)” (Isaiah 7:14 NLT). Jesus forever bridged the chasm between God and man.

As Joseph secretly considered breaking his engagement to Mary, an angel appeared to him in a dream and said, “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:20-21 NLT). Because the people couldn’t save themselves, God provided the perfect Redeemer through His only Son Jesus. And the King of kings still rocks everyone’s world who personally receives Him as Savior.

As the shepherds guarded their sheep at night, an angel appeared and the Lord’s glory surrounded them. Think of it — the actual glory of God is what suddenly illuminated the countryside. “The angel reassured them, ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people‘” (Luke 2:10 NLT). Reverential fear was an appropriate reaction to witnessing the glory of God, but shouts of joy would have also  been appropriate because this was the best news man had ever heard!

The angel further announced, “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:11-12 NKJV). Born in most-humble circumstances, the Good Shepherd was found by lowly shepherds. What a strange beginning for the Holy Infant who was sent to save the world. But, we find that the Mighty God colored outside the lines. The Bread of Life taught truths and performed miracles that were outside the religious box. The Prince of Peace came to rock the world, set up the kingdom of God, and make a way for those in darkness to have great joy.

Jesus taught His disciples, “I have told you these things so that you will be filled with My joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! (John 15:11 NLT). Joy is an important trademark for believers. The following scripture is one of many ways Christians celebrate the birth of the Christ child at Christmas: “And Nehemiah continued, ‘Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!’” (Nehemiah 8:10 NLT).

The Key: ’Tis the season to be full of the glory and unspeakable joy of the Lord.  

My friend Sherrie told me that she has cut back on Christmas gifts.  At one time, she gave 80 each year, not to relatives but to all the employees at the condominium complex where she lived.  She shared how much she loved shopping for something people wouldn’t buy for themselves.

Sherrie stopped when she realized that only 15 of the 80 ever said thanks, and one asked her to take back the gift and just give him the money it cost.

We all know that it’s no fun to give a present that is not appreciated, and even though we don’t give to be thanked, it is hard to reward ungratefulness year after year after year.

I wonder if that is how Jesus feels. His gift to you and me was about as personal as possible, and it certainly went far beyond the pajamas and gift cards I deliver.

He sacrificed his life for us, yet people get so wrapped up (pun intended) in the shopping and decorating, they can’t find time to even thank him for leaving Heaven to be born in a stinky, wooden trough so he could die on a blood-stained, wooden cross.

I reiterate: For you. And me.

Is Jesus anywhere in your Christmas plans?

A toddler, Spencer, was at the mall with his mother and grandfather when he noticed the long line of families waiting to get their kids’ pictures taken with Santa. Spencer had been taught that Christmas is a celebration of the birth of God’s Son, and with the innocence of a child, he turned to his mom and asked, “Where’s the line to see Jesus?”

 Both his mother and grandfather–Becky Kelly and Steve Haut–were so struck by the profoundness of this little boy’s question (and the message inherent within it) that they collaborated to write and record a song based on that experience. The recording was appropriately titled: “Where’s the Line to See Jesus?”  The words in the song are insightful:

“…Where’s the line to see Jesus?

He was born for me

Santa Claus brought me presents

But Christ gave His life for me.

In the blink of an eye

At the sound of His trump

We’ll all stand in line at His throne

Every knee shall bow down

Every tongue will confess

That Jesus Christ is Lord…”

Please don’t be like my friend’s ungrateful staff who failed to recognize the intent of their gift’s giver.  Take the time to be grateful, especially to the One after whom this holiday is named.  Happy birthday, Jesus!

Keys to the Kingdom

By Carolyn Tucker

Dressed to the Nines

“She looks like she just stepped out of a bandbox.“ Where I come from, that’s a nice compliment. My Mom’s favorite piece of attire was shoes, and so is mine. She taught me the importance of coordinating the appropriate shoes with the style of clothing. She told me, “Shoes make or break the outfit.” About 30 years ago, when the physicians started dressing casual, I was a bit shocked. Being trained by my mother on how to put an outfit together, it was distressing to see the doctor look like my friendly next-door farmer. Because of the relaxed-clothing style, my confidence in his medical skills plummeted to the cellar! I realized I needed to quickly adapt my opinion regarding a physician’s attire. Now I just look at his shoes and that makes everything alright.

God’s Word tells believers how to be properly dressed in order to defeat the devil in the combat zone. “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm“ (Ephesians 6:10-13 NLT).

The military issues tactical gear for the brave men and women who serve in our Armed Forces. The Bible teaches us about warfare in the natural world and in the spiritual realm. I’m  always impressed with the description of David’s three elite warriors in the Old Testament: “Josheb-Basshebeth…fought with his spear against eight hundred men and killed them all in one battle. Eleazar…stood his ground and fought the Philistines until his hand was so cramped that he could not let go of his sword. The Lord won a great victory that day. The Philistines had gathered at Lehi, where there was a field of peas. The Israelites fled from the Philistines, but Shammah stood his ground in the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. The Lord won a great victory that day” (2 Samuel 23:8-11 GNT). These mighty men would have been defenseless without their weapons.

When we leave the house, we wear the appropriate clothing and footwear for the activity  we will be carrying out. In fact, we wouldn’t leave home without it. As Christians, God has outfitted us with the spiritual equipment of a fully-armed soldier that we’re to put on everyday. “Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:14-17 NLT).

Christ followers must make the daily decision to live by faith equipped and empowered to stand firm and defeat the enemy. God has properly outfitted His soldiers to fight victoriously. Even though the devil does his dead-level best to dress us down, he’s a defeated foe because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. “No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us” (Romans 8:37 NLT).

The Key: Be sure to wear all of God’s armor when you fight in the pea patch.