Matters of Faith
A practical application of the Word of God for everyday issues.
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Reverend J. Loren Russell
Ephesians 6:10–18 (NKJV)
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints…”
Life often feels like a battlefield. Not always with visible enemies, but with unseen pressures—stress, fear, temptation, discouragement, and spiritual opposition. The apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6 that we are not fighting against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces that operate beyond what we can see. He says its spiritual hosts of wickedness in high places. The good news is this: God has not left us defenseless. He has given us a strategic plan.
Paul describes the armor of God—truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word. Each piece is essential. Each one protects, stabilizes, and equips us for the fight. But then Paul closes with something that is often overlooked: prayer.
You can wear armor and still feel overwhelmed. You can know Scripture and still feel under attack. But when you begin to pray—truly pray—you activate everything God has given you. Notice that prayer is not listed as another piece of armor. It is something deeper. Prayer is the strategy.
Prayer aligns your heart with God’s truth. Prayer strengthens your faith.
Prayer steadies your mind. Prayer releases the power of God into your situation. Prayer is not a last resort—it is the battle plan.
Too often, we try to handle spiritual battles with natural solutions. We rely on intellect, resources, or even relationships to fix what is fundamentally spiritual. But Paul teaches us that victory does not come from human strength—it comes from divine connection.
When we pray “in the Spirit,” we are not just speaking words—we are engaging heaven. And when heaven is engaged, everything changes.
My challenge to each of you today is to not just put on the armor, but to engage the strategy. Begin your day with intentional prayer, even if it’s brief. Stay spiritually alert. Pause and pray throughout the day.
When pressure rises, resist reacting—respond in prayer.
Cover not only yourself, but others in consistent intercession. And always remember, you are not fighting alone, and you are not fighting unprepared. You are equipped. You are covered. And through prayer… you are empowered. Walk today in the confidence that God has already given you the strategy.
Be Blessed!
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Reverend J. Loren Russell
1 John 1:8-10 NKJV
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”Most of us know what it feels like to take the trash out of the house. We gather it up, tie the bag, and place it outside so that someone else can carry it away. Once the garbage truck comes, we expect that trash to be gone.
But sometimes in life, the trash of our past doesn’t seem to leave so easily.
Regret, guilt, shame, and memories of poor decisions can linger in our hearts like garbage that never gets picked up. The enemy loves to remind us of what we used to be, what we used to do, and where we once fell short.
Yet God’s Word gives us correct knowledge about sin and forgiveness.
First, the Scripture reminds us that everyone has sinned. The apostle Paul writes in Epistle to the Romans 3:23 that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. None of us are exempt from the human condition of brokenness.
But the good news is that God does not leave us trapped under the weight of our past.
When we confess our sins to Him, God promises two powerful things:
- Forgiveness — He releases us from the guilt of sin.
- Cleansing — He removes the stain and restores our hearts.
God does not merely cover up the trash of our past; He removes it completely. Through Jesus Christ, our past no longer defines us. Instead, we become new creations, just as Paul declares in Second Epistle to the Corinthians 5:17: “Old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
That means the mistakes of yesterday do not determine the possibilities of tomorrow.
When God forgives, He does not leave the trash behind. He cleanses the heart, renews the spirit, and gives us the freedom to walk forward in His grace.
That’s L.U.C.K – Living Under Correct Knowledge!
Be Blessed!
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Romans 5:1-2 NKJV
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God”.
Have you ever stopped and asked yourself what it means to be justified in God’s sight? If by nature we are all under the condemnation of sin just as our common ancestor Adam, will we ever be able to be vindicated or declared innocent from the guilt of our sinfulness?
The Romans text says “yes!”, it is possible to be justified, but it will not be because of the works that we do. It says we are justified by faith. Paul writes to the Galatian church, “knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ…, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified” (Gal. 2:16)
In a previous devotional, I referenced John 5:24 to affirm a promise; “he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life”. But the eternal realm of glory, we refer to as heaven, is reserved for those who are without sin. Since all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), how can sinful people inhabit heaven?
To be justified in God’s sight means that you have been judged and declared not guilty of all charges. It means that although you are guilty of committing every sin you were accused of, because of our faith in Jesus, we receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me [Jesus]” (Acts 26:18).
Our works have always been insufficient, always falling short. We have never been able to be reconciled with God through our works. It is through faith and faith alone that we are justified, treated just-as-if we never sinned. Justified means that “we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God”(Romans 5:2). Always remember that justification in the eyes of our God is through our faith, not our works.
Be Blessed!
Matters of Faith 