April 1, 2014: Volume 3, Number 11
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MORE WITH
30 60 100 MINISTRIES | |
April 6, 2014
Forest Meadow Church
Yrisari, New Mexico
May 29-31, 2014
FCCI Hispano ConferenceCancun, Mexico
30 60 100 MINISTRIES COACHING
* Interactive Group Planning
* Mission Field Preparation
* Leadership Transition
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|  "My hands are full." It's a phrase you may use when you feel overwhelmed or too busy.
But today's feature, My Hands Are Full -- and That's a Good Thing, explains why filling your hands and your life with the right thing is powerful, rather than detrimental. It is the third part in a series on practical vigilance which explains the visual head-to-toe word picture describing God's armor (Ephesians 6) as we fight the seven sins He despises (Proverbs 6).
 Let us know in an email how you're using this content to cultivate your spiritual health. And always keep growing!
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UKRAINE TRIP POSTPONED
| Many of you have been praying with us for clarity about traveling in April to Ukraine to teach the Spiritually Healthy Leader series in two gospel seminaries. Together with our stateside Team Leader and our contacts in Ukraine, we have decided that now is not the time to travel for ministry to Ukraine.
In-country travel is of major concern for
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Crimea street scene
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both Ukrainians and foreign visitors. We are concerned for the pastors who would leave their families for a week of teaching and travel great distances to get to the seminar locations, as well as the danger of road travel for the visiting team.
The pastors in Ukraine are looking at dates in September for us to consider rescheduling the trip.
Thank you for praying with us for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. We deeply appreciate your prayers and gifts as we lift up our brothers and sisters there. |
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 Feature: TRIED, TRUE, STATE-OF-ART -- ARMOR FOR DAILY BATTLE
PART 3: My Hands Are Full and That's a Good Thing | Third 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.
Then in Ephesians 6:12-18, God provides a set of practical tools we can use to battle those seven sins, which include the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, the shield of faith, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes shod with peace, and the belt of truth.
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Image: My Fantastic Life
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That word picture - the pieces of God's armor - shows that being properly clothed involves more than merely covering your body. A well-dressed Christ-follower's hands are full, not empty. They are occupied with the sword of the Spirit and the shield of faith.
Are Your Hands Idle - or Occupied?
The original word for hand in Proverbs 6:17 ("hands that kill") indicates a hand that is open, rather than closed. Open hands are unoccupied and more apt to find trouble. "Hands that kill" are those that are destructive.
In contrast, hands that are occupied are useful ... provided they are filled with the right tools.
What Is in Your Hands?
Ephesians 6:16-17 tells us to "take the shield of faith ... and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." When your hands are wrapped around God's weapons, you are ready to both attack and defend. Yet your battle is not against people. God clearly tells us that His weapons are to be used against evil forces in the spiritual world (Ephesians 6:12).
The Sword of the Spirit. Without God's Word in your hand, you can face two dangerous problems. You may attack the wrong opponent ... another person, for instance, rather than the enemy. Without discernment, you can shed innocent blood.
Or you may use your own words, thoughts, and beliefs rather than the truth. Human words may not be truth and can bring harm to others. The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. When your hands are occupied with God's Word, He directs you in how to skillfully use His truth to discern your true enemy and to understand specific situations you face. God's Word is a strong, reliable weapon.
The Shield of Faith. The shield of faith, a defensive tool, quenches fiery darts - those tricks, temptations annoyances, and lies that the enemy uses to wound or distract you and put you out of commission, even temporarily. The term used for shield indicates a very large piece of equipment, shaped like a door. Your shield of faith is big enough to cover any situation you face, provided it is in your hand and you use it.
Use What's In Your Hands
When your hands take up a sword and a shield each day, you are not focused on issues that don't matter, nor do you have time to harm others.
Instead, your hands are full. Your eyes are trained on the real enemy. And you are fighting him using no-fail spiritual gear.
Armor for Daily Battle, Part 1: Get Your Gear Ready
Armor for Daily Battle, Part 2: The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Leave Vulnerable
Growth Point
Keep your hands occupied with the Word of God and the shield of faith.
Scripture
Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ... and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:16-17, NIV)
Prayer Points - Think of a time when your words, spoken from the flesh, may have wounded another.
- How does the enemy distract you?
- What is one step you can take today to take up the shield of faith and the Word of God?
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| What People Are Saying ... |
 "We used Dalton as a career coach. To choose only three attributes of Dalton would be too few. He was relaxed yet precise as we funneled through information and worked to understanding personalities. Most of all, Dalton was amazingly insightful. He was not only able to guide and support us but to truly counsel us non-judgmentally. His wife, Vicki, is a true asset. She gives their ministry depth by offering the ability to see things from another perspective. Together their counsel and insight are godly as well as loving. To move forward we needed their insight. We will use their talents and gifts again!" Kim D.
Hear more testimonies from Christians in remote areas served by 30 60 100 MINISTRIES staff here.
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