Wearing our Suit of Armor

In this world filled with wickedness,  it's not easy for one who strives to live a virtuous life to fight his way out of this jungle of a world that has turned dismal. Everywhere there are attacks of wicked forces in different forms, whether outright or subtle. The master enemy, Satan the Devil, is preoccupied with setting up schemes to get the virtuous ones veer from their godly course. Because he knows that his time is short, that soon he will be wiped out of existence, he's doing all he can, employing all means that he can think of, to drag all the righteous ones with him to destruction. He is especially aiming his assaults to those who keep their stand in God's side. He never stops until he succeeds in his evil intent.

Nevertheless, no matter how powerful he is and all his machinations, he can never get us if we wear a special suit of armor designed to fight against him and his destructively wicked missiles. Figuratively wearing this all the time can protect us from all his weapons of destruction. We can keep our ground and come out victorious.

The following is the suit of armor that we should put on:

"Stand firm, therefore, with YOUR loins girded about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness,  and with YOUR feet shod with the equipment of the good news of peace.  Above all things, take up the large shield of faith, with which YOU will be able to quench all the wicked one’s burning missiles.  Also, accept the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, that is, God’s word,  while with every form of prayer and supplication YOU carry on prayer on every occasion in spirit." - Ephesians 6:14-18

There Won't Be Any Beggars If...

....Everyone would live a righteous life.

Well, I'm not referring to those who have become rich because they have worked hard or received some inheritance or the likes.

This is about those who may not have the advantage of having a job due to some complicated situations, those who may not have guts and impetus enough to live a better life, or those who have lost hope, feeling that the world conditions are too much for them.

The following quote shows us that the righteous ones will never be left entirely, even their offspring. This is the observation of an ancient king, which is also confirmed by my personal observation and experiences.

"A young man I used to be, I have also grown old,
And yet I have not seen anyone righteous left entirely,
Nor his offspring looking for bread." - Psalm 37:25

Being righteous here means keeping the laws and guidance of our heavenly Father, who is ever loyal to those who completely trust in Him. We can develop such trust by carefully examining His Word and exerting efforts to apply in our lives the righteous principles that we have learned from it. Then our loving Father will always be there to guide us and provide for our spiritual and material needs in different ways.

Assured of Loving Care

 A video based on Psalms 23

What Real Treasure Is

"I saw all the works that were done under the sun, and, look! everything was vanity and a striving after wind."

-Ecclesiastes 1:14

Thus observed the wise King Solomon of old. The same situation goes on even now in these modern times. Many people strive to work so hard  in order to acquire material possessions, prestige and power, but to what end? Do such acquisitions bring them true happiness and satisfaction? Do their hard works extend their lives on earth?

Just like what this adage says, "everything is vanity and a striving after wind." For as soon as man thinks he  has acquired so much, he would start going downhill to the grave. And he hasn't even got to enjoy the fruits of his hard works because he was too busy working the whole time until death has overtaken him. So he worked hard for nothing.

 It's better to have a simple life and enjoy every moment of it with our loved ones. For then, we can truly say that we have lived a good life.

In line with this, here is what the Greatest Teacher wisely taught us:

“Stop storing up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break in and steal. Rather, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

- Matthew 6:19-21

These are spiritual treasures that we would rather store up because they will last forever. By doing good works, serving our Creator and our fellowmen and living a godly life, we store up treasures in heaven which will give us a truly satisfying and successful life now and an eternity of wonderful life in the new world that will come very soon.

A Global Loving Brotherhood Does Exist

A glimpse of a group of people who enjoy a worldwide brotherhood, who truly love one another regardless of their race, and who enjoy living in a spiritual paradise even amidst this trouble-infested world. Here's the link.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/404280/a_global_loving_brotherhood_does_exist.html

Isaiah 2:2-4: "And it must occur in the final part of the days [that] the mountain of the house of Jehovah will become firmly established above the top of the mountains, and it will certainly be lifted up above the hills; and to it all the nations must stream.  And many peoples will certainly go and say: “Come, YOU people, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will instruct us about his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” For out of Zion law will go forth, and the word of Jehovah out of Jerusalem.  And he will certainly render judgment among the nations and set matters straight respecting many peoples. And they will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore."