Life Pointe Church Sunday Morning Tossed Salad

It’s the 4TH Sunday of Octubre en 2008 at Life Pointe Church, and if you showed up for one of our three services one hour late this morning then you may have ended Daylight Savings Time one week premature. We fall back by one hour next Sunday morning at 2 AM – the 1ST Sunday of November. Enjoy your extra hour of sleep next Sunday morning, and then be sure to get to Life Pointe Church on time nice and refreshed for any of our 3 services that begin at 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00.

This morning Pastor Travis led us deep into enemy territory. He reminded us that while war is hell we are indeed at war with the enemy. Going to war as Christians is an offensive action. It’s not a defensive posture. We’re not in this war to lose to the enemy. We’re here to win. People fail in their pursuit of Jesus Christ because they only partially invade enemy territory without a winning mindset. They don’t give it their all. They pursue both victory and defeat simultaneously. Deeply invading enemy territory means that you have no way out. It results in great solidarity, total unity, and a better possibility of victory.

One of my most treasured possessions is a really nice bible cover that Anne J. gave to me as a gift during the first couple of months of my journey with Life Pointe Church early on in 2007. Down at the bottom-right-hand corner of my bible cover there’s an inscription of a sword followed by ‘Eph. 6:17’. It’s a single verse of a multi-verse passage that’s entitled ‘The Whole Armor Of God’:

Ephesians 6:10-20 (NLT, 2ND Ed.)
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.
15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.
16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
19 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.
20 I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.