Ephesians 6

My wife and daughters are in their Bible group are in a study of putting on the "Full Armor of God."  Hearing her talk about it, prompted me this morning to just spend time again in Ephesians.  A few months ago I went through Ephesians 6:10-20 inserted supporting passages from other parts of the Bible into it to enforce Paul's call to each of us to daily seek to completely cover ourselves in the power and presence of God. So that is were I camped this morning.  

Everything below is taken from Scripture.  Read through it and may these inspired words from God strengthen and encourage you today.  Please share any reflections or revelations of the Holy Spirit from your time spent in God's Word in the comments box below.

Ephesians 6:10-20 (in italics) with corresponding Scriptures inserted.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

“No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.” Romans 4:20-21

“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus” 2Tim 2:1

“I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.” 1 John 2:14

Put on

“I put on righteousness, and it clothed me;

my justice was like a robe and a turban.” Job 29:14

“The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” Rom. 13:12

the whole armor of God,

“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.” 2 Cor.10:4

that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  

“so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” Eph 4:14

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood,

“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son” Col. 1:13

but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 

“When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” Luke 22:53

in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience” Eph 2:2

Therefore take up the whole armor of God,

“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin” 1 Pe 4:1

that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

“making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Eph. 5:16-19

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth,

“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” 1 Pet. 1:13

“Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist,

and faithfulness the belt of his loins.” Isa. 11:5

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;

my soul shall exult in my God,

for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;

he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,” Isa 61:10

“He put on righteousness as a breastplate,

and a helmet of salvation on his head;

he put on garments of vengeance for clothing,

and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.” Isa 59:17

and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

“How beautiful upon the mountains

are the feet of him who brings good news,

who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,

who publishes salvation,” Isa 52:7

“And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Rom 10:15

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith,

“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” 1Joh 5:4

with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;  and take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.“ Heb 4:12

“He made my mouth like a sharp sword;

in the shadow of his hand he hid me;

he made me a polished arrow;

in his quiver he hid me away.” Isa 49:2

praying at all times

"And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart" Lk. 18:1

 in the Spirit,

But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit" Jude 1:20.  "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words."  Romans 8:26

 with all prayer and supplication.

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak" Col 4:2-4

To that end keep alert with all perseverance,

"But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake." Mark 13:32-34

 making supplication for all the saints,

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people," 1 Tim 2:1

 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth

"At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—" Col. 4:3.  "Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you," 2Th. 3:1

boldly to proclaim

"And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness," Acts 4:29

 the mystery of the gospel, 

"how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly." Eph. 3:3

for which I am an ambassador

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God" 2Cor. 5:20

 in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak."

"For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.” Acts 28:20

Ephesians 6:10-20

Good morning!  Yesterday we finished our 30 Day Challenge.  Please contact me or post a comment of your experience from going through the challenge and share any tangible impact on your walk with Christ.  I am praying over what subject, Scriptures to next seen time in.  Let me know if you have any requests.  This morning in my time in the Word I finished time spent in Ephesians 6:10-20 enforcing with Scripture Paul's exhortation to cover ourselves in Christ in our battle against Satan and his demons. Take seriously Paul's call to put on the full armor of God and arm yourself with the sword of the spirit. Press into Jesus who's battle it is and who's victory it is.  So when the evil spirits look at you, with terrified eyes they will see Jesus, and tremble with fear. Take time today to read these Scriptures over your self, your family, and your ministry.

Ephesians 6:10-20 (in bold italics) with corresponding Scriptures inserted.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

“No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.” Romans 4:20-21

“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus” 2Tim 2:1

“I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.” 1 John 2:14

Put on

“I put on righteousness, and it clothed me;

my justice was like a robe and a turban.” Job 29:14

“The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” Rom. 13:12

the whole armor of God,

“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.” 2 Cor.10:4

that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  

“so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” Eph 4:14

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood,

“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son” Col. 1:13

but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 

“When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” Luke 22:53

in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience” Eph 2:2

Therefore take up the whole armor of God,

“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin” 1 Pe 4:1

that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

“making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Eph. 5:16-19

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth,

“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” 1 Pet. 1:13

“Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist,

and faithfulness the belt of his loins.” Isa. 11:5

and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;

my soul shall exult in my God,

for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;

he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,” Isa 61:10

“He put on righteousness as a breastplate,

and a helmet of salvation on his head;

he put on garments of vengeance for clothing,

and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.” Isa 59:17

and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

“How beautiful upon the mountains

are the feet of him who brings good news,

who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,

who publishes salvation,” Isa 52:7

“And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Rom 10:15

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith,

“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” 1Joh 5:4

with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;  and take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.“ Heb 4:12

“He made my mouth like a sharp sword;

in the shadow of his hand he hid me;

he made me a polished arrow;

in his quiver he hid me away.” Isa 49:2

praying at all times

"And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart" Lk. 18:1

 in the Spirit,

But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit" Jude 1:20.  "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words."  Romans 8:26

 with all prayer and supplication.

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak" Col 4:2-4 

To that end keep alert with all perseverance,

"But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake." Mark 13:32-34

 making supplication for all the saints,

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people," 1 Tim 2:1

 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth

"At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—" Col. 4:3.  "Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you," 2Th. 3:1

boldly to proclaim

"And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness," Acts 4:29

 the mystery of the gospel, 

"how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly." Eph. 3:3

for which I am an ambassador

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God" 2Cor. 5:20

 in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak."

"For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.” Acts 28:20

30 Day Challenge: Day 3

How do you make a disciple?

First and for most in my desire to make disciples is to personally answer this question, “Am I a disciple worth multiplying?” God does not desire to multiply mediocrity.  He desires to multiply those who exhibit immediate, radical, costly, obedience.  Discipleship is the act and process of modeling and conforming yourself to Christ.  I have come to understand that there is no “easy button” to achieve this; to become or make a disciple.  It requires reading Scripture more than I ever have before, praying more than I ever have before, and being openly accountable to others in the body more than I ever have been before.  How I become or “make” a disciple is simple, but it is not easy.  If I am not willing to consistently embrace and model this, then I cannot effectively lead others to become disciples.  I cannot lead them to a place I myself am not willing to go.  And no program, training, technique or tool, including this 30 day Challenge, I try to use alone can replace lack of obedience.  Am I a disciple worth multiplying?

Day 3 Challenge:  Day 3: Real Disciples

Posts any questions or comments to my thoughts above or in today's challenge as a comment below.  If you want to contact me privately, my email is garyl@odcmadison.com

30 Day Challenge: Day 2

In day two of our challenge we are asked to invite someone to join in taking this challenge with us.   Making Disciples is about making relationships.  For most people who attend a traditionally structured church, wether it is in fact a traditional or contemporary service, they are used to and conditioned to invite people "to" something: They invite people TO their church, TO meet their pastor, TO a worship service, TO an event.  Discipleship however is about about inviting people "INTO" something, a relationship with you.  The goal is not to get them walking into a service or pastor's office, but walking in a relationship with you where you can disciple and hold each other accountable.  Big difference.  However that is not what we have been conditioned or called by the church to do. But a study of the life of Jesus reveals it is what he calls us to do.

Here is the link to day 2:  Day 2: Recruit Another

post your comments below

30 day Challenge: Day 1

One Direction Community is spending the month of August taking a 30 day challenge. We would love for you to spend the time together with us!  Invite your circle of friends to join you!  You can sign up at:  http://moredisciples.com/sign-up-odc/  This will give you a direct access to daily links.

For the challenge: Daily:  Go to link for that day of challenge, read daily Bible passage and commentary, watch the 3-4 minute video, and spend time in prayer.

Weekly: spend one day a week fasting in prayer overcoming a deeper disciple of Christ.

30 Day Challenge: Day 1

Today is the first day of the challenge.  You are asked to reach out and ask another person with the gift of prayer to prayer you daily to keep you on track daily in the challenge.  The video explains the basis of discipleship, the resistance of Satan to you completing this challenge of becoming a disciple, and House Churches.  The video calls House Churches, Disciple Bible Studies. 

Here is the link to today's challenge: http://moredisciples.com/partner/  

Please post any reflections you have during this process as a comment on this conversations blog page for all to discuss.

Morning Encounter with Christ

Good morning everyone,

Yesterday morning I had to go give blood for tests as part of my annual health check-up.  I went to Quest Diagnostics off of Governors Drive.  I went in, signed my name at the window and went and sat down in the waiting room.  It had a large glass window facing the street , and there where about 15 people in the waiting room.   I was there about 5 minutes when outside the window, a woman he was apparently homeless pushing a shopping cart of stuff walked up to the window.  She was dressed sweat pants, a jacket, and winter hat, far more clothes than was needed on a 100 degree day.  She parked her cart in front and came in the door.  Everyone’s eyes in the lobby was looking at her.  She signed in and handed the nurse some kind of if Medicaid form, then turned around looking for a seat to sit in.  Every ones eyes in the waiting room dropped or turned away from her, hoping that she would not sit next to them.  As fate would have it she walked and sat down next to me.

It was apparent to me and others, by the strong smell of body odor that was filling the air around us she had not bathed in awhile.  After she sat down, she bent over and started digging through a large beach-bag type bag she brought in with her filled with items.  She pulled something out and when I looked over I noticed it was a Bible.  I looked over and saw she had turned to 1 John chapter 4.  Her eyes caught mine looking at the Bible and she asked me if I read the Bible.  I said yes mam and I love 1 John.  She said God has been convicting me that I am not loving others like I should.  That I am becoming judgmental and I need to love others more freely.  I said mam, thank you so much for that.  It is a sermon myself and everyone in the waiting room needs to hear. My name was called by the receptionist and I got up and went into the office.

I encountered Christ this yesterday morning, and he smelled and looked like nothing I expected or preferred him to look like.  But then again, I have found he never does.

“Dear friends, if God so loved us, then we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God resides in us, and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we reside in God and he in us: in that he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world…If anyone confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God resides in him and he in If anyone says “I love God” and yet hates his fellow Christian, he is a liar, because the one who does not love his fellow Christian whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And the commandment we have from him is this: that the one who loves God should love his fellow Christian too.” 1 John 4:15-16, 21-22.

Isaiah 55

Isaiah 55

“..they will be a monument to the Lord,

a permanent reminder that will remain.” V.13

This chapter is one full of encouragement and hope!  Something has happened that has completely changed the picture.  If they will, God’s people can see the face of God, one that is welcoming!  What has happened to account for this change?  One thing only: Isaiah’s announcement of the work of the Servant.  Because of what he has done, God’s face towards his people is no longer stormy L but sunny J! The only thing they must do, is only thing we must do as well: accept the sin offering that the Servant has made and receive the mercy of God and all that that offering contains.

And as verse 13 states, if they do this, they, and we as well, will be able to be the servants of God in the world, a position the book has been hoping for and looking to at least since chapter 2.  Fulfilling God’s plan for us as his disciples to be his servants of hope in the world.  It is the same plan God had for designing and creating you.

Isaiah chapter 53

"Who would have believed what we just heard?

When was the Lord’s power revealed through him?" V.1

The nations will be shocked because they have never heard of a deliver who would be willing to fall so low in order to deliver them.  Who could have believed that when the “arm of the Lord” was made known and came to deliver his people it would look like this? The shocking essence of the Servant is expanded to include the entire unexpected nature of his ministry.

This man does not fit our picture of God’s deliverer at all.  We are not drawn to him or his plans, “He was treated harshly and afflicted, but he did not even open his mouth.  Like a lamb led to the slaughtering block.” V.7,  rather we are repulsed by him and them.

Jesus’ birth did not shake the Roman Empire, he was born in some back stable of a village in.  The revelation of him to the world was simply that of a man quietly coming to the great preacher of the day and asking to be baptized.  We were expecting s costumed drum major to lead a triumphal parade.  Our eyes get caught up in and love superficial spendor.  This man, says Isaiah, will have none of that.

“He was despised and rejected by people….v3” He was considered someone worthless, unworthy of attention.  In the eyes of the world, He is not one of the winners, he is one of the losers. And losers can not deliver other losers.  Thus the revelation of the Servant of the Lord who will deliver the Lord’s people is net with shock, astonishment, distaste, avoidance, and dismissed.

Yet in this Servant, God has found a way to both gratify his love and satisfy his justice.

Isaiah 53 is an amazing revelation of the both the extreme love and the extreme justice that is at the heart of God’s desire to save his people, and the instrument through which he will save his people, the Servant,  Jesus Christ. 

I have spent time in “church” today.  This chapter has drawn me to read it over and over.  And I could write pages of thoughts on it that are filling my heart and head.  I shared just a little of them.  I would love to hear your thoughts and revelations from this chapter.

Isaiah 48

Isaiah 48

“I did this because I know how stubborn you are.

Your neck muscles are like iron

and your forehead like bronze. “ v.4

Isaiah points out the central crisis of the Israelites faith not only in the exile in Babylon, but as far back as the Exodus was, Who is God?  Because of nations like Assyria and Babylon, powers in 750-550bc that seemed to dominate the events of the world they questioned, Who controls History?  The transparent, transcendent Lord that can not be seen, or the gods represented by nations, leaders, and materials with physical attributes that could be seen and touched and where on display all around them?  We wrestle with those same questions today, Who is God?  Who controls history? People get confused and mislead by theconstant and “in-your-face” presence of gods of finance, nationalism, governments, materialism, that appear to control everything in life.

The cry of Isaiah is, Will you trust God? Israel cried out they could not trust God to protect them from Assyria.  They cried out could not trust god to deliver them from Babylon.  Yet he did do both. 

Isaiah’s cry is to us today as well, Will humanity today respond and trust God?  Will you in whatever crisis you find yourself trust in God to deliver you?  God’s trustworthiness has been demonstrated over and over, his grace has been offered over and over, but it is for nothing unless we choose to trust in him and receive it. 

We are today of the same mold as the Israelites.  We have “iron necks and bronze foreheads” and we fight with pride to surrender to the trust of God because it does not come naturally to us who are also children of Adam and Eve. Our flesh is tainted with their sin of pride.  Thank God for Christ Jesus and his Holy Spirit in which all things are possible and only in daily reliance in him can we overcome our flesh, trust in God, and receive his grace and delivereance.

Trust and obey

For there’s no other way,

To be happy in Jesus,

Than to trust and obey. 

Go to "Church" today

“and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest parts of the earth.”” (Acts 1:8)

One of the reasons ODC left Sunday mornings open was so we could spend time out in our community with those who do not attend church. This morning left my house and prayed God would lead me to people needing to hear the Gospel. Went by the Publix grocery store where I pick up the unsold baked goods, loaded them in my truck and headed out. I drove down to the Waffle House by Jordan Lane and spent 30 minutes there. I sat at the counter and started a conversation with a waitress. In our conversation she told me 2 weeks ago she lost her 2 month old daughter to S.I.D.S. She found he'd dead in her crib.She was broken. I got to spend time ministering and praying with her.

I went then to the WH on University by the boardwalk for 30 minutes. In another conversation with a waitress she told me she had a 3 month old daughter she wanted to be baptized. We talked and prayed over it and are going to do it next month.

I then went to the WH by Hughes for 30 minutes. I sat at counter between 2 men that did not know each other. After introducing myself to them. We discovered that all three of us who randomly sat there were from Cleveland and Browns fans, God is good! We had a great conversation about life and I invited them to our Thursday night mens group, Boithers, Bibles, and Beer. At all three Waffle Houses, I handed out bread and baked goods to the waitresses and cooks who worked at them.

This morning I attended amazing 1 1/2 hour of "church" services, at 3 different campuses. It did not look anything like what you picture “church”, but it felt more like than ever.

Missionaries Urgently Needed!

Nancy and I were both saddened by the death of two friends with whom we went to high school.  Their names have been changed in this post.    I got the news today that a friend of mine David, died last night when his heart stopped from drug use.  David and I both used to deal drugs in high school.  We ran in two different gangs and were always at war with each other.  One night we got in a fight in a bar and bloodily beat each other. The police came and several of us were taken to jail.  That night in the cell David and I became friends, and we formed an “unholy” alliance of dealing, and selfishly using people.  By the grace of God, I was delivered from that life into a holy union with Christ.  David never chose that union with Christ. He stayed in the selfish lifestyle and self-pleasure of drugging and thugging, and it took him out. 

Nancy lost her friend Linda.  Her and Nancy went to high school together and used drugs together as well.  Linda continued in her lifestyle.  When I came to Guntersville, I spent  3 months doing a large renovation and addition project to Linda and her husbands home.  Linda, again because of a selfish lifestyle and for self-pleasure, abandoned her husband and two children, ran off with a “man” half her age who used drugs, was about self pleasure as well, and they formed an “unholy union.” Nancy found out this morning that yesterday Linda took a gun and committed suicide. 

Selfishness and the pursuit of self-pleasure leads to destruction.  Whether you seek it in drugs, alcohol, materialism and possessions, employment, relationships, power, it is an unholy union that is a “seductive trap”, a deceptive lie, a false hope, that has no power to deliver you, but immense power to destroy you.

I hate this and it makes me angry that they died!  There are “Davids and Lindas” all around us: they are our neighbors, co-workers, persons in front of us in line at a store...ect.  Yesterday at our House Church we discussed the need for us to share the gospel. To not be lights under a basket; lights gathered and hid only in prayer closets, house churches, and church buildings (Matt. 5:13-16).  There are Davids and Lindas that are trapped in darkness desperate for light.  We need to have a sense of urgency and desperately abandoned our comfort and complacency to be missionaries of the gospel.  Missionaries defined as: Someone who is willing to forsake everything except the Gospel, for the sake of the Gospel.  I want you to please motivate me to become more of a missionary, as I motivate you.