Blessed Labor Day to you all!

Before I get into the first of four consecutive messages for this month, I want to announce the launching of the 2KM website!  It was launched this past Friday.  www.2kingdomsministry.org

Now for the subject matter at hand.  I think we can agree on a couple of matters: One – we’re engaged in on-going spiritual warfare (Eph. 6:12); and Two – we are to put on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:11).  I’m also assuming (always a dangerous thing to do) that most of us are quite familiar with the pieces of this armor.  But did you know that the soldier never placed his “armor” on his naked body?  He always wore some kind of underwear.  Beneath his outer armor was his “under armor.”  It is this “under armor” I want to address this month.

The prophet Nahum tells us to “dress for [the day of] battle” (Nah. 2:1, ESV).  Besides our outer armor, what does our under armor consist of?  Let me suggest five items, the first of which is that we be strong – strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might (Eph. 6:10).  Such an item of clothing is made of three fabrics, one of which is the body – that we take time to be healthy; that we be well-disciplined in our eating habits and exercise.  Proper diet and exercise rewards us with increased bodily strength and stamina, endurance and flexibility.  A strong body also helps ward off illness, reduces the severity and length of illness, and speeds up recovery time, all of which makes us a more fit, effective and efficient soldier in the Lord’s army.  Take to heart Paul’s words to young Timothy, that bodily training is of some value (1 Tim. 4:8).

Secondly, the mind – that we be strong in body and mind…  Remember the old computer (programming) adage: Garbage in, garbage out?!  Henry David Thoreau once said, “We should treat our minds, that is, ourselves, as innocent and ingenious children, whose guardians we are, and be careful what objects and what subjects we thrust on their attention.”  Since we are and do what we think, we ought to exercise extreme caution with what we feed our minds.  Is it any wonder, then, that Paul exhorts us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:2), and to have the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:5)?  Taking the time and effort to feed our minds with wholesome food – food that will widen and strengthen our mental capacity – will pay great dividends.

Lastly, spirit – that we take time to be holy.  Paul told Timothy that “godliness [training himself in it] is of value in every way” (1 Tim. 4:8).  Developing the discipline of a daily devotional life, spending time daily in the Word and in prayer strengthens our spirit, equipping us like nothing else to “stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:11).  So, take time to be holy.

Dressing for the day of battle.  Before we slip on the “armor of God,” let’s make sure we clothe ourselves with God’s “under armor,” the first item of which is that we be strong in the Lord – that we take time to be healthy in body, mind and spirit.

Blessings,

Pastor Greg Schram, Pointman

2KM Steering Committee