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Thank you so much for your thoughtful- and though-provoking -answer Dinah. I truly appreciate it. The Jr. pastor at my church told me to study the character of God (which search brought me here), that that would help me understand the armor. His thinking was that the armor is also God's attributes. Makes sense to me.

I have been through quite a bit of the "people and situations" brought "into [my] life" to "test... teach.... hurt.... [and] encourage" me. This is how I learned what I call my "Job Lessons"- nevertheless, I will yet praise the Lord! It hurt; it was hard; I didn't wanna; but it was all very necessary for my spiritual growth and I'm very glad now (looking back) that I've gone through it. It has indeed taught me that "...no matter what happens, go forward, trusting in God to bring [me] safely home". And I am fully aware that it ain't over yet!

I have only just begun to be able to study my Bible again. I come from a background of spiritual abuse and it can be difficult for me to read scripture sometimes. I do, however, have a lot of memorized favorite verses, and I do speak with Jesus and the Holy Spirit (harder with "Father-God") daily, most times almost continuously. Since I have re-started my studies, I have found sites like this one very, very helpful. Thank you for suggesting I take a look at the courses offered. I will. I have also found the articles listed to be of great interest and very non-triggering. You have no idea how refreshing it is to read something about God that doesn't smack of "cultish- sounding" wording! So far I have enjoyed everything I have read and have also found much of it quite thought-provoking.

Anyway, I think I may be rambling (need to eat something!), so I'll stop after one additional question: What is "2c"?

Thanks so much for your encouragement and guidance Dinah.
RCG

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Jesus said, "This is the work that God asks of you: that you Believe in the one whom he has sent." John 6:29

God accompanies me at each stage of my struggle, present with me even as I flee from him.
Philip Yancey, Rumors of Another World

2c - section 2, part c, of the Forum - Christian Training/ Spiritual Development. Here:

viewforum.php?f=167

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Avid Reader

“Lord, in my zeal for love of truth, let me not forget the truth about love.” - Thomas Aquinas
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Ah! Thank you Avid Reader. I did actually go there last night and looked around. I really like this site. Everything I've read here has buoyed me up and made me even more eager to study and read read more.

I looked at the Science section of the forums and was tremendously surprised as well as elated to read nothing condemning there. Positions were clearly spelled out and respectful answers where given. I loved it! I may even get bold enough to post my own theory there, one given to me over the course of many years of thinking and pondering and questioning.

This is the Best Christian site I have run across by far!! I think it will become my new favorite and I'll put it at the top of the list! A big THANK YOU to whomever it was that started this site!

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Jesus said, "This is the work that God asks of you: that you Believe in the one whom he has sent." John 6:29

God accompanies me at each stage of my struggle, present with me even as I flee from him.
Philip Yancey, Rumors of Another World

Hi, I would like to refer you to a Book in 3 volumes. " The Christian in Complete Armour" by William Gurnall I bought it off the internet from AbeBooks. This was my first and todate, only purchase from the internet. I used a debit visa card. The service by AbeBooks is fantastic, and you pay the money to them and they send the order to the book store of your choice. The largest collection of new and second hand books ever is their claim. I believe them. The provide a tracking service internally as well. I was very comfortable throughout the process.
About the books. They were first published in 1655. I highly recommend the abridged version. The sentences are so profound that they require for me complete concentration. I would not be able to wade my way through if I had to battle old english style as well.
Commendations. " If I might read only one book beside the Bible,I would choose The Christian in Complete Armour"
John Newton (1725-1807)
Converted slave trader who wrote Amazing Grace.

Gurnall's work is peerless and priceless, every line is full of wisdom, every sentence is suggestive. The whole book has been preached over scores of times, and is, in our judgement, the best thought-breeder in all our library.
C H Spurgeon.

I believe The Christian in Complete Armour, either this abridgement or the full version which the Banner of Truth Trust also keeps in print, should be in the library of every man and woman of God. NO Christian leader, teacher, pastor, evangelist, or Christian worker should be without it. It breathes of holiness, purity and provokes one to prayer and fuller dedication to Jesus Christ. Of all the Puritan writers, I believe William Gurnall speaks directly to this generation. I will forever bless the day it was placed in my hands.

David WIlkerson.

Back to me. The only problem I have with this set of books is the binding. I am not a well versed person and the books to me are absolutely outstanding, but not like a book you read and then put away. Like the bible, I keep going back and back to them. But the only theme is Jesus , Jesus , Jesus. It is amazing how Gurnalls complaints echo those we have today.
walk in love
edwinG

Belt of truth, holds up the pants, but more importantly holds the weapons. the weapons of our faith are the truth, the truth is Christ, and love. But the belt of truth, ties Christ, the WORD to the person. So you have two factors there, the weapon itself, which isn't what we use but HIM using us, and that which ties us to the weapon.

Breastplate protects the heart, righteousness is an act of love. Isn't it interesting that the love we have in our faith requires demonstration to become righteousness?

Shoes / gospel of peace? we aren't to go to war to convert people we are to go to them in Love?

Last time someone in a life group I was in brought this up I got in trouble.

Hi XianCatalyst, I can not claim credit for the quote you attributed to me. I believe "songladyjenn" deserves the credit.
I just mentioned the author of a great book by William Gurnall.

walk in love
edwinG

i would like to thank you all so very much for your replies. it is all very thought-provoking and i know i will ponder these answers for quite some time.

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Helloo! everybody, I wish to expandsiate more about Whoe Armor of God.
I will first them us the Meaning of Armour.
Armour: - is a defend cloth I which someone can use to protect himselve or herselve from been attack.
Whole: - Is to put in totally or without excluding anything.
When we are now talking about "The Whole Armor of God" Meaning that, We should protect ourselve with God word which is highling crucial in one life. That is the only thing that can make us to be escape from the range of devil.
Bye! See you tommorow.

Welcome to the forum, Bayus! I'm not sure that we've had other active forum members from Nigeria. I hope you will find this ministry edifying and helpful to you in your Christian walk. Be sure to check out The NET Bible Learning Environment as well as the thousands of scholarly articles and more that are made freely available on Bible.org.

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Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!

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Just a thought
Only the "Sword of the Spirit" is an offensive weapond; all the rest were used for defence.
No armor protects the back and rear; Paul made no provision for running away from spiritual battles. Eph 6:17

Peter informs us 1Peter 3:13-15, Paul, 1Timothy 2:14-15 what a workman approved look like.
Charles H. Spurgeon said. "God is with us, and His power is around us."

Satan is conspiring to keep us in darkness to hurt us to make us stumble,and to undo whatever God is doing in our lives.
Paul set up a plan of defence for the battles we fight in Ephesiand 6:10-18,where there is a power of darkness battling against the Light.

Christianity is not something we empower ourrself to do---we stay in the presence of God, and God empowers us to live the life.
Good news for those who feel abandoned and unloved. Eph 2:19
The shadows are behind you if you walk toward the light.