SHOES OF PEACE

What kind of shoes are you wearing today?  Sandals, boots, tennis shoes? Me?  Right now, I have some work shoes on, shoes I wear when I work outside, usually in the flower beds.

BUT –

Let’s continue talking about putting on the Armor of God.

We have discussed the Belt of Truth – Claiming who I am because You live within me.

The Breastplate of Righteousness – That I may be controlled by Your Spirit and not my own self.

 

SHOES OF PEACE

Today we will talk about wearing the shoes of peace.

These shoes really don’t look very peaceful, but they were extremely important for the roman soldier.

What does “wearing shoes of peace” mean to you?

To me, it means wherever I walk, wherever my feet take you, do it in peace. Bring the peace of Jesus with me. The peace which helps me to “begin each day with a grateful heart”. In fact, my son gave me a plaque to hang, that says – Begin each day with a grateful heart.  I now have it hanging where I do my reading and studies each morning. So it is a great reminder that to have peace, and bring peace with me I want to begin the day with a grateful heart.

If you are filled with peace, you will bring it with you. Be an instrument of His peace.

 

HOW DO WE “WALK” SPIRITUALLY”?

What impact do we have on those around us by the “shoes” we put on?

As Priscilla Shirer explains in her Armor of God Bible Study –

“Perhaps the current status of things in your life makes you think no mere change of shoes can do anything to counteract the chaos you’re feeling and facing. BUT, yes – when those shoes are God’s shoes, His footprints will start showing up everywhere you step!”

So……………. in the chaos, confusion and conflict of life we are often plagued with things that put a wedge between us and our prayer life – us and our intimate relationship with Christ – our standing strong and walking with peace for Jesus.

 

Priscilla Shirer refers to “God’s shoes as “Go Shoes”

The kind of shoes that make us ready and prepared for battle.

Fitting our feet with the peace that the gospel brings!

OUR GO SHOES

As Betsy St. Amant says in her book – Sandals or Blue Suede? Shod Your Feet with Spiritual Shoes –

“We are commanded to wear good shoes in Christ. We are instructed to slip on the sandals of salvation, the boots of benevolence, the flip-flops of faith, the loafers of light…and MOVE IT!” 

 

DO WE HURRY THROUGH OUR CHRISTIAN WALK?

Today – what if you have boots on?

When we think of “boots” many times we think of mud, water, barn stuff… like making our way through the dirtiness maybe?

To stay “clean” we must put our boots on?  Do we hurry through to get the “job” done?

Are we hurrying through in our Christian life to get the job done?    Are we spending enough time with God? Are we spending enough time with the people that need us? That need Jesus…

Or do we hurry to get the job done?

1 Corinthians 13:11 – Finally, brothers and sister, rejoice, set things right, be encouraged, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.

So…if you have boots on – wear them with big heart!

 

QUALITY CONTROL – AT WORK AND IN OUR CHRISTIAN LIFE

Maybe it is work shoes –

When you are at work – Quality counts!

If we did not have some type of quality control would we have – integrity, confidence, organization, motivation or even team spirit?

When we put on our “work shoes”, no matter where they are steel toed boots or high heels, we put them on and go – are these your Go shoes?

Are you working and doing all you can do for God’s glory?

Quality counts in all aspects of life.

Put those words that are so often heard in our workplaces – integrity, confidence, organization, motivation, team spirit – and put them in your Christian walk –

John 15:8 – “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”

When a “vine” you and I – bear much fruit – God is glorified!

If we are following Him and obeying His Word, we will bear much fruit for Him.

When I worked for a large company in Jacksonville, Florida, quality was the top priority. As a manager I was responsible for their quality each day. On Friday’s, the company had “dress down day”.  Oh, and it was “dress down” not only in dress, but also in quality. It seemed like, even though the public contact we had was through the telephone, we were expected to dress like we had contact – this was in the 1990’s. They would slouch in their seats, use verbiage that was not quality, etc. It was amazing to witness what they had on – on the outside – came through in what they said.  It was a struggle to get through the day and keep our quality up.

Quality should always be an important part of not only our workplace but our work for God.

 

THE ISRAELITE’S SHOES LAST FORTY YEARS!

Remember reading how God preserved the Israelite’s shoes from wearing out during their forty years in the desert?

You know He had to restore them over and over.

What could you do to restore your excitement in your Christian walk?

One way we can be restored is to confess sin.

For me, when I confess my sin, peace is so often restored.

God wants your excitement to be restored and preserved!

Psalm 51:12  –  “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

 

DO WE SLIP OUR CHRISTIAN WALK ON AND OFF LIKE A PAIR OF SANDALS?

Oh, maybe you have sandals on

As we “slip” our sandals on and off, usually easily, think about the way we may find it easy to slip our Christian walk on and off.

Would anyone ever have to ask you if you are a Christian?

1 Corinthians 9:24 – “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize?  Run in such a way that you may obtain it!”

Sometimes it’s easy to get comfortable with what we’re doing and not really do all that we have the potential and ability to do.

The Christian life takes hard work, self-denial, and grueling preparation.  As Christians, we are running toward our heavenly reward and want others to join us!

 

PUT ON YOUR “GO” SHOES!

Our shoes, no matter what kind they are, give us the opportunity to wear GO SHOES – our attitude about our life with God is what drives the peace in us.

Bring peace and be an encourager and a comforter.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 –  “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.”

We all have times when we need encouragement so think how important it is to give it as well as receive it.

James 1:22 – “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

When you feel that peace that passes all understanding, you know it is Jesus working in you. Share it. Put your GO shoes on.

So put on the shoes you need to scatter God’s peace no matter where you are or what you are doing.

 

Thank You, God, for the peace you give us. Let us take it and share it. Let us wear our GO shoes and be disciples for You. In Jesus name Amen