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March 17, 2014: Volume 3, Number 10
In This Issue
PRAY FOR OUR UKRAINIAN FRIENDS
Feature: TRIED, TRUE, STATE-OF-ART -- ARMOR FOR DAILY BATTLE
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
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MARCH 24-28, 2014
Three Springs Ministries
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APRIL 3-23, 2014
30 60 100 MINISTRIES in the Ukraine

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Greetings!
d_and_v-mountain-background "A mind is a terrible thing to waste." That slogan became popular in a  public service commercial pointing out the value of education.

Today's feature, A Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Leave Vulnerable, points about the value of protecting your mind. This second part in a series on practical vigilance launches the visual head-to-toe word picture describing God's armor (Ephesians 6) as we fight the seven sins He despises (Proverbs 6) ... starting with our minds.

combined-signatures As you read about God's armor during this series, email us. We want to know how you're cultivating in your spiritual health.  Always keep growing!  

PRAY FOR OUR UKRAINIAN FRIENDS 
The changes over the past few weeks in Ukraine have led many to ask us, "Are you still going in April?"

This week is decision-week; by week's end we expect the confirmation of GO/NO GO - considering several factors:
  • The major factor is whether the pastors in country are able to leave their families for a week of training away from home or not because of the unrest in their cities and towns. (Some of the pastors live in parts of the country that are under tremendous pressure.)
  • We also are watching the geopolitical changes going on in country, and asking the Lord for discernment.
  • We continue preparing for the trip as if it were a GO, but have received some optional dates from our contacts if we need to postpone due to the unstable situation.
    Mar. 16 2014
    Prayer Meeting in Maidan Square, Kiev
"First time in the history of Ukraine about 15.000 people were standing on their knees and praying..." Pastor Alexander wrote to us this past weekend. "This is amazing!"

God is moving among the people in this nation.


Please Continue Praying With Us

Please pray with us for the brethren in Ukraine, for those in Ukraine who need to hear about Jesus, and for God's PEACE to REIGN in this country. We continue asking Jesus to use this difficult situation to open opportunities for the Gospel to become real in the hearts of many.

We are praying that the Word of life touch these Ukrainian leaders at such a time as this. We deeply appreciate your prayers and gifts! Thank you.
featureFeature: TRIED, TRUE, STATE-OF-ART -- ARMOR FOR DAILY BATTLE
PART 2: THE MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING TO LEAVE VULNERABLE 
Second in a series about personal vigilance

In Proverbs 6, God describes seven sins He hates, starting at the top of the human body and moving down: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill, a conniving heart, feet that rush into evil, a false witness, and a man who stirs up discord.

In Ephesians 6:12-18, God provides another head-to-toe word picture in the pieces of His armor, a set of practical tools we can use to battle those seven sins: the helmet of salvation, the sword of the spirit, shield of faith, breastplate of righteousness, shoes shod with peace, and the belt of truth.

This series explains how you can use each piece of armor daily to learn to resist the seven sins God hates, starting at the top of the human body and moving down. (Read the introduction to the series.)

helmet of salvation
Image: Good News Broadcasting Media
What is a "Helmet of Salvation"?

This piece of armor has two components to consider: 1) the helmet itself and 2) why it is closely associated with salvation. A helmet is a hard, sometimes padded hat that fits tightly around your head, encircling it and protecting it. Think of a bike helmet, military helmet, or football helmet.

Likewise, a spiritual helmet is God's way of protecting the parts of your head: your mind (what you think and believe, as revealed in your thought life), your eyes (what you think, as revealed in how you look at yourself and others), and your tongue (what you think, as revealed in what you say.) Note the common theme. The helmet protects what you think.

Salvation is God's gift to you through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It rescues you from your sin and its consequences. Put another way, salvation delivers you from believing and embracing lies, revealing the truth to your mind.

Connecting the two together, the helmet of salvation serves to protect and rescue your mind - and consequently your eyes and tongue - from the lies of sin and their consequences.

How Do the Eyes and Tongue Get In So Much Trouble?

Haughty eyes are a reflection of pride ... those inner thoughts that believe in and rely on your superior accomplishments, abilities, position, possessions, talents, and resources. A lying tongue, on the other hand, is one that deceives, disappoints, or betrays - not just others, but often yourself, too. Your words reveal lies that are disguised as thoughts.

A haughty look and a lying tongue are two separate modes of operation, yet both reveal what you think. Proud looks and deceptive words originate in your mind - as thoughts. They are placed there by the enemy. If you choose to listen to thoughts spoken by the enemy, he can fill your mind with lies and direct your emotions, controlling your point of view and your words.

Take the Helmet Each Day

Many of us only think of salvation as a one-time event, as in the day we accepted Christ as our Savior. But its ongoing process is one of regeneration.

Ephesians 6:17 says, "Take the helmet of salvation." The term take means to receive; to accept. When you take the helmet of salvation and place it on your head, you receive and accept God's protection for your mind - and thus your eyes and tongue.

God knows that the helmet of salvation is a piece of armor that will protect your mind from lies. thereby keeping your eyes and tongue from evil. He offers you the helmet of salvation each day.

But in order to have that protection, you must choose to put it on.

Each day.

Armor for Daily Battle, Part 1: Get Your Gear Ready

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Growth Point
 

Proud looks and deceptive words originate in your mind - as thoughts.

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Scripture

Take the helmet of salvation. (Ephesians 6:17, NIV)  

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Prayer Points
  • Examine your thoughts and ask God to show you how you may inadvertently give place to pride in your abilities, position, or possessions.
  • Consider a time when your thoughts may have led you to deceive another person or yourself.
  • Who is your salvation - and what has that salvation done for you in your life?
  • What can you do to remember to put on your helmet of salvation each day?
whatpeoplearesaying   What People Are Saying ...
Ron Henry
Ron Henry
"I have participated in many strategic planning sessions where the one facilitating had a well-structured approach, but none like the one that I attended with Dalton. Besides successfully working us through a strategic plan that empowers our vision and mission, we had the opportunity to really address issues from a Biblical worldview. This is a distinctive. Dalton leverages his years as a missionary with real-life experiences through a process that is Biblically based. It was powerful!"

leaf iconHear more testimonies from Christians in remote areas served by 30 60 100 MINISTRIES staff here.