November 6th, 2023
The Upward Look, by Jon Forrest
The Life Saving Difference
In "The Encourager," Charles Mylander writes: "Sunrise was dawning when Los Angeles motorcycle police officer Bob Vernon saw a red pickup truck speed through a stop sign. This guy must be late to work, he thought to himself. He turned on his emergency lights and radioed that he was in pursuit. The pickup pulled over, and the officer approached.
"Meanwhile in the truck, the driver thought, The cops already know He was scared. He rested his hand on the same gun he had used a few moments before to rob a twenty-four-hour market. The sack of stolen money was beside him on the seat.
"The officer said, ’Good morning, sir, may I see your--’ "He never finished the sentence. The driver shoved his gun toward the policeman’s chest and fired from just inches away. The cop was knocked flat seven feet away.
"A few seconds later, to the shock of the criminal, the officer stood up, pulled his service revolver, and fired twice. The first bullet went through the open window and smashed the windshield. The second tore through the door and ripped into the driver’s left leg. "’Don’t shoot’ the thief screamed, throwing the gun and sack of money out the pickup window.
"What saved the policeman’s life was dozens of layers of Kevlar, the super strong fabric used for bulletproof vests. Only three-eighths of an inch thick, Kevlar can stop bullets cold."
Officer Vernon came prepared for such an attack. Without the body armor he would have been dead.
In the same way, our spiritual lives are on the line every day. We never know when the enemy will attack to destroy our walk with the Lord. In the first part of John 10:10 Jesus speaks of our enemy, the thief, The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; he continues with his purpose for us, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
The Apostle Paul tells us how to stand in victory against the enemy’s attacks in Ephesians 6:11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. God has not left us defenseless when our enemy strikes out of nowhere. When you read the following verses about putting on the armor of God, Paul begins with the first 3 pieces of armor indicating that those pieces have already been applied before we add the others. The police officer did not have time to stop the attacker and put on his Kevlar for the event. He had already applied it when he put on his uniform. When you put Christ on as your Savior, you have already applied protection. Then, every day of our lives, we add the rest of the spiritual armor so that we cannot be defeated.
God has given you everything you need if you will put it on. This Sunday we will share a message titled Armed for Battle based on Ephesians 6:10-17. We draw much of our inspiration from the Veterans and active-duty military and first responders who defend our nation and freedom every day and who have been defending us for many years. We will be honoring their service as well. Plan to take part in this very special service.
Armed and ready,
Jon
The Life Saving Difference
In "The Encourager," Charles Mylander writes: "Sunrise was dawning when Los Angeles motorcycle police officer Bob Vernon saw a red pickup truck speed through a stop sign. This guy must be late to work, he thought to himself. He turned on his emergency lights and radioed that he was in pursuit. The pickup pulled over, and the officer approached.
"Meanwhile in the truck, the driver thought, The cops already know He was scared. He rested his hand on the same gun he had used a few moments before to rob a twenty-four-hour market. The sack of stolen money was beside him on the seat.
"The officer said, ’Good morning, sir, may I see your--’ "He never finished the sentence. The driver shoved his gun toward the policeman’s chest and fired from just inches away. The cop was knocked flat seven feet away.
"A few seconds later, to the shock of the criminal, the officer stood up, pulled his service revolver, and fired twice. The first bullet went through the open window and smashed the windshield. The second tore through the door and ripped into the driver’s left leg. "’Don’t shoot’ the thief screamed, throwing the gun and sack of money out the pickup window.
"What saved the policeman’s life was dozens of layers of Kevlar, the super strong fabric used for bulletproof vests. Only three-eighths of an inch thick, Kevlar can stop bullets cold."
Officer Vernon came prepared for such an attack. Without the body armor he would have been dead.
In the same way, our spiritual lives are on the line every day. We never know when the enemy will attack to destroy our walk with the Lord. In the first part of John 10:10 Jesus speaks of our enemy, the thief, The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; he continues with his purpose for us, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
The Apostle Paul tells us how to stand in victory against the enemy’s attacks in Ephesians 6:11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. God has not left us defenseless when our enemy strikes out of nowhere. When you read the following verses about putting on the armor of God, Paul begins with the first 3 pieces of armor indicating that those pieces have already been applied before we add the others. The police officer did not have time to stop the attacker and put on his Kevlar for the event. He had already applied it when he put on his uniform. When you put Christ on as your Savior, you have already applied protection. Then, every day of our lives, we add the rest of the spiritual armor so that we cannot be defeated.
God has given you everything you need if you will put it on. This Sunday we will share a message titled Armed for Battle based on Ephesians 6:10-17. We draw much of our inspiration from the Veterans and active-duty military and first responders who defend our nation and freedom every day and who have been defending us for many years. We will be honoring their service as well. Plan to take part in this very special service.
Armed and ready,
Jon
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