You and I have an enemy.  We did not choose him. When we chose Jesus as our Lord and Savior, His enemy became our enemy. Your enemy wants to defeat you, destroy your testimony, steal your inheritance and take others down with you.

 When you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are saved from the penalty of sin, being saved from the very power of sin and someday will be saved from the very presence of sin!

The next piece of armor is the sandal of peace. The sandals of peace are inner peace and readiness to face every situation with God’s peace.

Ephesians 6

¹⁵ And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

 

How can you have peace when your enemy attacks?

You have peace with God because you are justified by faith – Romans 5:

¹ Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

 

Jesus is your peace – Ephesians 2:

 ¹⁴ For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

 

Jesus gives you His peace – John 14:

²⁷ Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 

Jesus has already overcome your enemy -John 16:

³³ These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

 

Jesus sends you on His assignment – John 20:

²¹ Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

 

Advice from James-James 3:

¹⁷ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

¹⁸ And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Advice from Peter – 1 Peter 3:

¹⁵ But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

 

2 Peter 3:

¹⁰But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

¹¹ Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

¹² Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

¹³ Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

¹⁴ Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Questions for Reflection

1) What does having peace with God mean to you?

 

2) How can you apply that peace to the circumstances of your life?

 

3) What wile of the enemy most often attacks your peace?

What do the above mentioned scriptures say about your defense?

 

4) What did Jesus mean He does not give as the world gives?

 

5) What has the world given you?

 

6) How does that compare to the peace Jesus gives you?

 

He is Our Peace

He is our peace Who has broken down every wall,
He is our peace, He is our peace.
He is our peace Who has broken down every wall,
He is our peace, He is our peace.

Cast all your cares on Him,
For He cares for you,
He is our peace, He is our peace.

He is our peace Who has broken down every wall,
He is our peace, He is our peace.
He is our peace Who has broken down every wall,
He is our peace, He is our peace.

Cast all your cares on Him,
For He cares for you,
He is our peace, He is our peace

Listen to it –http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrdo7e9JJTY

Hebrews 12:

¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

Let us run with patience the race He set before us, looking unto Jesus,

Coach Patti

You and I have an enemy.  We did not choose him. When we chose Jesus as our Lord and Savior, His enemy became our enemy. Your enemy wants to defeat you, destroy your testimony, steal your inheritance and take others down with you.

 

When you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are saved from the penalty of sin, being saved from the very power of sin and someday will be saved from the very presence of sin!

 

The next piece of armor is the breastplate of righteousness. Ephesians 6:

¹⁴ Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

The breastplate protects the heart. The heart pumps blood to every part of the body. The heart is a vital organ.

What does the Bible tell about the heart?

Jeremiah 17:

⁹ The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

¹⁰ I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

Proverbs 23:

⁷ For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:

Jesus, your Lord and Savior, loves you unconditionally. Jesus desires for you to stand in the heat of battle – not to fall or to back down or to be injured. He knows the cunningness of your enemy – his wiles –and the fiery darts he throws at you. The Bible does not indicate your enemy can ready your thoughts. Your enemy is only a creature. But your enemy has had all of history to observe human behavior and craft his attacks.

Jesus has provided the breastplate of righteousness for you to stand and deflect all the fiery darts of your enemy, even in the midst of the battle.

 

Advice form Solomon-Proverbs 4:

²³ Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

 

Advice from David – Psalm 119:

¹¹ Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee

 

Advice to the Romans- Romans 10:

¹⁰ For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

¹¹ For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

 

Romans 5:

¹⁷ For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

 

Advice to the Corinthians-2 Corinthians 5:

²¹ For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

 

Advice to the Philippians-Philippians 3:

⁷ But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

⁸ Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

⁹ And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Advice to the Hebrews-Hebrews 11:

⁷ By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Advice from Peter-1 Peter 2:

²¹ For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

²² Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

²³ Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

²⁴ Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

²⁵ For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Advice from Jesus-Luke 12:

²⁰But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

²¹ So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

²² And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.

²³ The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.

²⁴ Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

²⁵ And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?

²⁶ If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?

²⁷ Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

²⁸ If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

²⁹ And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

³⁰ For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

³¹ But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

³² Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

³³ Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

³⁴ For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Jesus experienced sin for us that you and I might experience His righteousness!

And Can It Be That I Should Gain – Charles Wesley 1707-1788

1. And can it be that I should gain

an interest in the Savior’s blood!

Died he for me? who caused his pain!

For me? who him to death pursued?

Amazing love! How can it be

that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

Amazing love! How can it be

that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

 

2.’Tis mystery all: th’ Immortal dies!

Who can explore his strange design?

In vain the firstborn seraph tries

to sound the depths of love divine.

‘Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;

let angel minds inquire no more.

‘Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;

let angel minds inquire no more.

 

3.He left his Father’s throne above

(so free, so infinite his grace!),

emptied himself of all but love,

and bled for Adam’s helpless race.

‘Tis mercy all, immense and free,

for O my God, it found out me!

‘Tis mercy all, immense and free,

for O my God, it found out me!

 

4.Long my imprisoned spirit lay,

fast bound in sin and nature’s night;

thine eye diffused a quickening ray;

I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;

my chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed thee.

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed thee.

 

5.No condemnation now I dread;

Jesus, and all in him, is mine;

alive in him, my living Head,

and clothed in righteousness divine,

bold I approach th’ eternal throne,

and claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Bold I approach th’ eternal throne,

and claim the crown, through Christ my own.

 

Questions for reflection

1) What keeps you from applying the breastplate of righteousness to your circumstances?

 

2) Are you looking at yourself or Jesus?

 

3) Which of the advice given matters most to you right now?

 

4) Have you received His gift of righteousness?

 

5) What is your understanding of His gift of righteousness and how to receive it?

 

6) What do you want to say to Jesus right now?

Check out “Amazing Love” on

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ6WPwkwaLo

Hebrews 12:

¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He set before us, looking unto Jesus,

Coach Patti

 

You and I have an enemy.  We did not choose him. When we chose Jesus  as our Lord and Savior, His enemy became our enemy. Your enemy wants to defeat you, destroy your testimony, steal your inheritance and take others down with you.

 

 

The first piece of armor is the belt of truth. Ephesians 6:

¹⁴ Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

 

The belt holds all the other garments together enabling you to stand and to move. For the Roman soldiers all attire and equipment was tied together with the belt so they could stand in the heat of battle and move quickly and freely.

 

Jesus is the truth

John 14:

⁶Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 

¹⁶ And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever;

¹⁷ Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

 

²⁶ But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

 

In Jesus, you are a new creation with a new identity. He is making you new and you belong to Him.

2 Corinthians 5:

¹⁷ Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 

Who You are in Jesus Christ

 

1) Alive – Colossians 2:

¹³ And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

 

John 5:

²⁴ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

 

2) Beloved with an everlasting love – Jeremiah 31:

³The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

 

3) Chosen before the foundation of the world-Ephesians 1:

⁴According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

 

4) Created for Him – Colossians 1:

 ¹⁶ For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

 

5) Delivered from the power of darkness –Colossians 1:

¹³ Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

 

6) Forgiven of all trespasses– Col. 2:

¹³ And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

 

Col. 1:

¹² Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

¹³ Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

¹⁴ In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

 

Ephesians.1:7

⁷ In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace

 

7) Healed with His stripes – Isaiah 53:

 ⁵ But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed

 

8) Indwelled by Christ – Colossians 1:27

²⁷ To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

9) Indwelled by the Holy Spirit – John 15:

²⁶ But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

 

John 16:

 ¹³ Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

 

10) Justified – Titus 3:

⁷That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal

 

11) New – Ephesians 2:

 ¹⁵ Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

 

Ephesians 4:

²⁴ And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

 

Colossians 3:10

¹⁰ And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

 

12) Reconciled to God – Colossians 1:

²¹ And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

 

13) Redeemed from the penalty of death and slavery to sin –Galatians 3:

¹³ Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

¹⁴ That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

 

 

Questions for reflection

 

1) What about your new identity in Jesus matters most to you right now?

 

2) What are some practical ways to use the truth of Who Jesus is and Who you are in to overcome your enemy?

 

 

Hebrews 12:

¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

Let us run with patience the race He set before us, looking unto Jesus,

Coach Patti

 

You and I have an enemy.  We did not choose him but he is our enemy. He wants to defeat you, destroy your testimony, steal your inheritance and take others down with you.

But Jesus has a different plan. Remember these words of Jesus? Luke 12:

²⁴ Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

²⁵ And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?

²⁶ If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?

²⁷ Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

²⁸ If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

²⁹ And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

³⁰ For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

³¹ But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

³² Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

 

Our Beloved Jesus has prepared armor for you. In this series we will examine the pieces and identify how you can use this armor for overcoming your enemy.

Why you need His armor

– Ephesians 6:

¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

¹¹ Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

¹⁸ Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

     

Philippians2:

²⁷ Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

²⁸And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

            

2 Corinthians 10:

³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

⁴ (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;

⁵ Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

⁶ And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Remember these Bible examples of the Lord fighting for His people?

1 Samuel 17:

⁴⁷ And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S,

⁵⁰ So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.

2 Chronicles 20:

¹⁵ And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

Meditate on the mentioned Bible verses and the words to this song.

The battle Belongs to the Lord by Jamie Owens-Collins

In heavenly armor we’ll enter the land
The battle belongs to the Lord
No weapon that’s fashioned against us shall stand
The battle belongs to the Lord

Chorus

We sing glory and honor
Power and strength to the Lord
(repeat)

The power of darkness comes in like a flood
The battle belongs to the Lord
He’s raised up a standard, the power of His blood
The battle belongs to the Lord

When your enemy presses in hard do not fear
The battle belongs to the Lord
Take courage my friend, your redemption is near
The battle belongs to the Lord

Check out the song on youtube –http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp_PolBwjEw

Questions for Reflection

1) What do these words ‘The battle is the LORD’s’ mean to you?

Remember LORD in all capital letters indicates Jehovah, the I AM, Yaweh, the Covenant Keeper

 

 

2) Is there a wile of your enemy that is particularly difficult for you?

Talk to Jesus about it. Ask specifically for His victory.

 

3) What does it mean to you that Jesus has prepared armor for you?

 

Hebrews 12:

¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He set before us, looking unto Jesus,

Coach Patti

Although you cannot see Him, Your Bridegroom cometh

He’s preparing your home –John 14

² In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

 

He’s left you a Comforter and a guide to truth-John 14

²⁶ But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

 

There will be a celebration-Revelation 19

⁶And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

⁷ Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

 

You prepare your dress for the Bridegroom-Revelation 19

⁸And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

 

Together with Him forever- 1 Thessalonians 4:

¹⁷ Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

 

Revelation 21:

⁴ And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

 

Strategies for enduring difficulties

 

Remember He has made you free- Song of Solomon 2:

¹⁷ Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn my beloved and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether

Focus on Jesus and think on His fragrance- Song of Solomon 4:

⁶ Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.

 

Remember Jesus loves you, His love is stronger than death!- Song of Solomon 8:

¹⁴ Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices.

 

Roes and young harts roam free among the mountains, leap over the abyss, and have energy

Mountains of Bether-probably not a specific physical location but rather indicating the difficulties are large and hard to overcome

Remember Jesus has made you free

John 8:

³⁴ Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

³⁵ And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

³⁶ If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

 

Galatians 5:

¹ Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

 

Focus on the fragrance of Jesus and times with Him

Mountain of myrrh

Hill of frankincense

Mountains of spices

Most often we hear this verse – repeated three times in the Song of Solomon – as a warning not to have sex until marriage. But let’s look again at the three different situations the maiden is in when this verse is given.

Song of Solomon 2: Response to the world’s allure away from the Beloved

⁷ I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.

 

Song of Solomon 3: Response to her failure to wait for His timing

 ⁵ I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please

 

Song of Solomon 8: The world should stop seeking to divert her love from her Beloved

⁵ I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.

 

How can you use the advice of this verse to keep yourself focused on Jesus?

 

Hebrews 12:

¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

Let us run with patience the race He set before us, looking unto Jesus,

Coach Patti

Song of Solomon is one of the Biblical poetic books and has both a literal and an allegorical interpretation.

This study uses an allegorical rather than literal interpretation.

Characters:

Maiden represents you and me

Solomon/the King represents your enemy using all the pleasures of this world to entice you

away from Jesus your Beloved Shepherd

Daughters of Jerusalem represent people who entice you away from Jesus

Shepherd represents Jesus, your true Beloved

Scenes:

Scene 1 (Chapters 1-2) the maiden is captive in the king’s harem

Scene 2 (Chapter 3)      the maiden devises her own plan

Scene 3 (Chapter 4)  –  mutual love is expressed

Scene 4 (Chapter 5)     the maiden has no time for her Beloved

Scene 5  (Chapters 6-7) Solomon and his 700 wives & 300 concubines try to entice her

Scene 6 (Chapter 8) –  the maiden is freed and with her Beloved

In today’s lesson we examine scene 6

Scene 6 (Chapter 8) – the maiden goes with Her Beloved into eternal freedom

Denied public expression of love for her Beloved

¹O that thou wert as my brother, that sucked the breasts of my mother! when I should find thee without, I would kiss thee; yea, I should not be despised.

² I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother’s house, who would instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate.

³ His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me.

The world taunts about her failures-

 ⁵Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? I raised thee up under the apple tree: there thy mother brought thee forth: there she brought thee forth that bare thee.

⁸ We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts: what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for?

⁹ If she be a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver: and if she be a door, we will inclose her with boards of cedar.

The maiden stands firm in her identity in the Beloved

⁴ I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, until he please

¹⁰ I am a wall, and my breasts like towers: then was I in his eyes as one that found favour.

Jesus accepts us, who else matters?

He will present His church without spot or wrinkle-Ephesians 5:

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

²⁶ That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

²⁷ That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

The Beloved reflects on His presence throughout her life

⁵ Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? I raised thee up under the apple tree: there thy mother brought thee forth: there she brought thee forth that bare thee.

The maiden and the Beloved rejoice in their love –vs. 6-7

Love surpasses death

Fulfillment of their union

Triumph of His love over all enemies, obstacles, uncertainties

⁶ Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.

⁷ Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.

The maiden rejoices over all the obstacles, uncertainties, tricks of the enemy the Beloved enabled her to overcome

¹¹ Solomon had a vineyard at Baalhamon; he let out the vineyard unto keepers; every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand pieces of silver.

¹² My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred.

Baalhamon – lord of the multitude

200 = insufficient as in even 200 denari couldn’t feed the 5,000-John 6:7

Face-to-face the Beloved wants to hear your words vs. 13

¹³ Thou that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken to thy voice: cause me to hear it.

dwellest = abide permanently

Do you see a relationship between the way Song of Solomon ends and the way the Bible ends?

Song of Solomon 8:¹⁴ Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices.

Revelation 22:¹⁷ And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

²⁰ He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

I Shall Know Him – Fanny Crosby

1) When my life work is ended, and I cross the swelling tide,

When the bright and glorious morning I shall see

I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side,

And His smile will be the first to welcome me.

(2) Oh, the soul thrilling rapture when I view His blessed face

And the luster of His kindly beaming eye;

How my full heart will praise Him

for the mercy, love, and grace

That prepared for me a mansion in the sky.

(3) Oh, the dear ones in glory, how they beckon me to come,

And our parting at the river I recall;

To the sweet vales of Eden they will sing my welcome home,

But I long to meet my Saviour first of all.

Chorus: I shall know Him, I shall know Him

And redeemed by His side, I shall stand.

I shall know Him, I shall know Him,

By the print of the nails in His hand.

Scene 6 Questions for reflection

1)  What matters most to you about the lessons from Song of Solomon?

2) What do you remember of the day you were saved?

3) What does this verse repeated 3 times in 3 different settings mean to you?

4) Which of the enemy’s tactics is most difficult for you?

5) What is your strategy to overcome these tactics?

6) What is your strategy to remain ready for your beloved

Our focus – Hebrews 12:¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He set before us, looking unto Jesus,

Coach Patti

Song of Solomon is one of the Biblical poetic books and has both a literal and an allegorical interpretation.

This study uses an allegorical rather than literal interpretation.

Characters:

Maiden represents you and me

Solomon/the King represents your enemy using all the pleasures of this world to entice you

away from Jesus your Beloved Shepherd

Daughters of Jerusalem represent people who entice you away from Jesus

Shepherd represents Jesus, your true Beloved

 

Scenes:

Scene 1 (Chapters 1-2) the maiden is captive in the king’s harem

Scene 2 (Chapter 3)      the maiden devises her own plan

Scene 3 (Chapter 4)  –  mutual love is expressed

Scene 4 (Chapter 5)     the maiden has no time for her Beloved

Scene 5  (Chapters 6-7) Solomon and his 700 wives & 300 concubines try to entice her

Scene 6 (Chapter 8) –  the maiden is freed and with her Beloved

 

In today’s lesson we examine scene 5

 

Scene 5 (Chapters 6-7) Solomon and his 700 wives & 300 concubines try to entice her

 

Wives & concubines strategy

Taunt about the Beloved’s absence

Chapter 6

¹ Whither is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest among women? whither is thy beloved turned aside? that we may seek him with thee.

 

There are many religions in the world but there is only one with a personal relationship.

Chapter 6

⁸ There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number.

⁹ My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.

Maiden’s strategy:

Stand on the knowledge Jesus is in His rightful place and you and He belong to each other

Chapter 6

² My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.

³ I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine: he feedeth among the lilies.

Chapter 7

¹⁰ I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me.

Solomon’s (your enemy) strategy

use flattery to entice your focus to self rather than the Beloved

imitate the Beloved but mis-use His words to  detract away from the Beloved to the self

(your enemy is a creature not the Creator)

put sensual implications into the Beloved’s spiritual words

 

Chapter 4- the Beloved’s words

¹ Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves’ eyes within thy locks: thy hair is as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead

 

Chapter 6  (Solomon’s words)

⁴ Thou art beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as an army with banners.

⁵ Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me: thy hair is as a flock of goats that appear from Gilead.

 

 

Chapter 4- the Beloved’s words

⁴ Thy neck is like the tower of David builded for an armoury, whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men.

 

Chapter 7  (Solomon’s words)

⁴ Thy neck is as a tower of ivory; thine eyes like the fishpools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bathrabbim: thy nose is as the tower of Lebanon which looketh toward Damascus.

 

Tizrah – residence of Israel’s king means ‘delightful’

Ivory -white, pure

Jesus is the son of David

The enemy knows we have power from our Beloved –Chapter 6

⁵ Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me:

The Beloved enables us to see through the enemy’s counterfeit.

Matthew 16:

 ¹⁸ And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

 

The enemy is not allowed to force us so he attempts to entice us.

Chapter 7

⁸ There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number.

⁹ My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.

¹⁰ Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?

¹¹ I went down into the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley, and to see whether the vine flourished, and the pomegranates budded.

¹² Or ever I was aware, my soul made me like the chariots of Amminadib.

¹³ Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, that we may look upon thee. What will ye see in the Shulamite? As it were the company of two armies.

 

Scene #5 Questions for Reflection

1) What steps do you take when you feel Jesus isn’t near?

 

2) What difference does a personal relationship with Jesus mean to you?

 

3) Are you actively memorizing scripture?

 

4) What does belonging to Jesus mean to you?

 

5) How does flattery affect you?

 

6) What causes you to focus on self rather than Jesus?

 

Hebrews 12:

¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

Let us run with patience the race He set before us, looking unto Jesus,

Coach Patti

 

 

Song of Solomon is one of the Biblical poetic books and has both a literal and an allegorical interpretation.

This study uses an allegorical rather than literal interpretation.

Characters:

Maiden represents you and me

Solomon/the King represents your enemy using all the pleasures of this world to entice you

away from Jesus your Beloved Shepherd

Daughters of Jerusalem represent people who entice you away from Jesus

Shepherd represents Jesus, your true Beloved

 

Scenes:

Scene 1 (Chapters 1-2) the maiden is captive in the king’s harem

Scene 2 (Chapter 3)      the maiden devises her own plan

Scene 3 (Chapter 4)  –  mutual love is expressed

Scene 4 (Chapter 5)     the maiden has no time for her Beloved

Scene 5  (Chapters 6-7) Solomon and his 700 wives & 300 concubines try to entice her

Scene 6 (Chapter 8) –  the maiden is freed and with her Beloved

 

In today’s lesson we examine scene 4

 

Scene 4 (Chapter 5)  the maiden has no time for her Beloved

 

The maiden is too busy for her Beloved

Maiden remembers a time she was too busy for Him

² I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.

 

Maiden remembers practical excuses for her busyness

³ I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?

 

Maiden remembers agony of realizing her busyness

⁴ My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him.

⁵ I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock.

⁶ I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.

 

Her actions to make it right hurt/degrade her

⁷ The watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.

 

Daughters of Jerusalem can’t understand such love

⁸ I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick of love.

⁹ What is thy beloved more than another beloved, O thou fairest among women? what is thy beloved more than another beloved, that thou dost so charge us?

 

Portrait of Your Beloved Shepherd 

Jesus is pure, viral, healthy

¹⁰ My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand.

 

Jesus is Sovereign, healthy, ageless

¹¹ His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven.

 

Jesus is Focused on you & your spiritual health, steadfast

¹² His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set.

 

His cheeks are sweet

His lips are fragrant with words of love

¹³ His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh

 

Remember the words of Isaiah 50?

⁶ I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

⁷ For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

 

When we see Him, will there be missing hairs from His beard? Did they pluck out the hair follicles, also?

 

His hands created you and bore the cross for you

He stands ensconced in a human body but glorified

¹⁴ His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.

 

Soft were your hands, Dear Jesus -Geoffrey O’Hara 1936

Soft were your hands, Dear Jesus

So gentle the touch of You

Like a rose that opens at breaking dawn Still gemmed in crystal dew.

Hands that bore the rugged cross and built a faith divine.

Strong were your hands dear Jesus

Ah, would they had touched mine.

Ah, would they had touched mine

 

Jesus stands the storms of time with Sovereignty

¹⁵ His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.

 

His words to you are love

Jesus is your Friend

¹⁶ His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.

 

Shepherd’s strategy

He waits and does not force Himself on you

 

Scene #4 Questions for reflection

) What church activities keep your focus off Jesus?

Why?

2) What busyness gets in your way of time with Jesus?

3) Think on Psalms 139:1-7. How can these verses help?

¹ (To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.) O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

² Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

³ Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

⁴ For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

⁵ Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

⁷ Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence

 

4) Which of the characteristics of your Beloved matter most to you right now? Why?

5) When you encounter family/friends who do not understand your love for Jesus, what do you say?

What do you do?

 

6) What do you most want to tell Jesus right now?

Hebrews 12:

¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

Let us run with patience the race He set before us, looking unto Jesus,

Coach Patti

Song of Solomon is one of the Biblical poetic books and has both a literal and an allegorical interpretation.

This study uses an allegorical rather than literal interpretation.

Characters:

Maiden represents you and me

Solomon/the King represents your enemy using all the pleasures of this world to entice you

away from Jesus your Beloved

Daughters of Jerusalem represent people who entice you away from Jesus

Shepherd represents Jesus, your true Beloved

 

Scenes:

Scene 1 (Chapters 1-2) the maiden is captive in the king’s harem

Scene 2 (Chapter 3)      the maiden devises her own plan

Scene 3 (Chapter 4)  –  mutual love is expressed

Scene 4 (Chapter 5)     the maiden has no time for her Beloved

Scene 5  (Chapters 6-7) Solomon and his 700 wives & 300 concubines try to entice her

Scene 6 (Chapter 8) –  the maiden is freed and with her Beloved

 

In today’s lesson we examine scene 3

 

Scene 3 (Chapter 4) – Mutual love is expressed

 

What Jesus wants to see in you

Focused solely on Him- doves have no peripheral vision

Adorned with His betrothal gifts-wild goats are free

¹ Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves’ eyes within thy locks: thy hair is as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead.

 

Smile flowing from the joy of His gift to you, the Holy Spirit–

² Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which came up from the washing; whereof every one bear twins, and none is barren among them.

 

Expressed love –

Modesty–

³ Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech is comely: thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within thy locks.

 

Feeling connected and safe

⁴ Thy neck is like the tower of David builded for an armoury, whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men

 

Healthy spiritual growth and development–

⁵ Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins, which feed among the lilies.

 

Longing for togetherness with Him –

⁶ Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.

 

Jesus reminds you

He sees you as His spotless, finished product –

⁷ Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee.

 

He knows about the danger around you but your protection comes from remembering Him

You are free in spite of circumstances

⁸ Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions’ dens, from the mountains of the leopards.

 

Lebanon (whiteness), Amana (covenant), Shenir-(bear the lamp) Mt. Hermon is highest

mountain reminding you of the highest goal –pleasing Jesus

 

for the two predators mentioned, here is some information

lion- roar can be heard for 5 miles,

average male weighs 500 lb. and can run 50 miles per hour,

social

leopard- built for hunting, can run up to 35 miles per hour,

excellent climbers, swimmers and can leap and jump long distances;

often leaving their prey up in the tree for days and return only when they are hungry!

the most accomplished stalkers of the big cats,

good agile climbers and can descend from a tree  headfirst

 

The lion symbolizes your enemy’s ability to remind you of the past and to frighten you for the future and about what others think of you.

 

The leopard symbolizes your enemy’s ability to spring at you speedily, to stalk you for vulnerability times, and to torment and wound you over and over.

 

But Jesus invites you to come with Him and focus on Him and trust in Him. He cares and loves you unconditionally!.

 

 

How great is His love for you–

⁹ Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse; thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, with one chain of thy neck.

 

Your relationship should be pure, savored, sensed-

 ¹⁰ How fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse! how much better is thy love than wine! and the smell of thine ointments than all spices!

 

He wants to hear your love for Him expressed– vs.11

¹¹ Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon.

 

He is the husbandman of your garden–

¹² A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.

¹³ Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard,

¹⁴ Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:

¹⁵ A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon.

 

Your expressed love should be sweet and fragrant

Your response should be to be a blessing –

¹⁶ Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.

 

Face to face with Christ, my Savior – Carrie E. Breck (1855-1934)

Face to face with Christ, my Savior,
Face to face—what will it be?
When with rapture I behold Him,
Jesus Christ who died for me.

 

Chorus

Face to face I shall behold Him,
Far beyond the starry sky;
Face to face in all His glory,
I shall see Him by and by!

 

Only faintly now, I see Him,
With the darkling veil between,
But a blessed day is coming,
When His glory shall be seen.

 

What rejoicing in His presence,
When are banished grief and pain;
When the crooked ways are straightened,
And the dark things shall be plain.

 

  Face to face! O blissful moment!
Face to face—to see and know;
Face to face with my Redeemer,
Jesus Christ who loves me so

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH5mHXvEawQ

 

Scene #3 Questions for Reflection

1) What things prevent you from smiling to your beloved?

2) Which problems are repeaters for you?

3) Which of your betrothal gifts is most difficult for you to display right now? Why?

4) Which of your circumstances seem dangerous like a

lion?   Like a leopard?

 

5) How do you respond to the love of Jesus?

6) Which of His betrothal gifts seems most precious to you now? (the Comforter? The Guide to all truth? Earnest of your inheritance? His seal? Freedom?)

 

7) What are some practical ways to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit?

 

Hebrews 12:

¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

Let us run with patience the race He set before us, looking unto Jesus,

Coach Patti

Song of Solomon is one of the Biblical poetic books and has both a literal and an allegorical interpretation.

This study uses an allegorical rather than literal interpretation.

Characters:

Maiden represents you and me

Solomon/the King represents your enemy using all the pleasures of this world to entice you

away from Jesus your Beloved

Daughters of Jerusalem represent people who entice you away from Jesus

Shepherd represents Jesus, your true Beloved

 

Scenes:

Scene 1 (Chapters 1-2) the maiden is captive in the king’s harem

Scene 2 (Chapter 3)      the maiden devises her own plan

Scene 3 (Chapter 4)  –  mutual love is expressed

Scene 4 (Chapter 5)     the maiden has no time for her Beloved

Scene 5  (Chapters 6-7) Solomon and his 700 wives & 300 concubines try to entice her

Scene 6 (Chapter 8) –  the maiden is freed and with her Beloved

 

In today’s lesson we examine scene 2

Scene 2 (Chapter 3) the maiden devises her own plan

 

 

Maiden’s coping strategies –

Forget faith and devise own plan that compromises her testimony

Chapter 3

¹ By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

² I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

³ The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?

 

Realize acting on impulse without seeking the Shepherd’s Word has consequences

Chapter 3

⁵ I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.

 

Shepherd’s strategies

Make His presence in His own time and His own way

Chapter 3:

⁴It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother’s house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.

 

 

Solomon’s (your enemy) strategies

Delight the senses for impulsive action; power, money, extravagance

Focus from the simple to the sophisticated

Your enemy wants you to act on impulse and not seek the Shepherd’s Word

Chapter 3:

⁶ Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?

⁷ Behold his bed, which is Solomon’s; threescore valiant men are about it, of the valiant of Israel.

⁸ They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night.

⁹ King Solomon made himself a chariot of the wood of Lebanon.

¹⁰ He made the pillars thereof of silver, the bottom thereof of gold, the covering of it of purple, the midst thereof being paved with love, for the daughters of Jerusalem.

 

 

 

Daughters of Jerusalem strategies (people)

Entice you away from the Shepherd to the counterfeit

¹¹ Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart.

 

Scene #2 Questions for Reflection

 

1) Identifying potential triggers for your impulsive actions

 

2) Identify 2 or 3 times when you acted impulsively

 

3) What caused that impulsive action? People, emotions, pressure

 

4) Ask the Lord Jesus to help you call on Him when those triggers occur – John 14:

¹³ And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

¹⁴ If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

 

 

5) Journal His help for future reference

 

 

Hebrews 12:

¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

Let us run with patience the race He set before us, looking unto Jesus,

Coach Patti