"The Deep End"

By ROb Bailes

But I Can't Touch!

A couple of years ago, as my youngest daughter and I were getting ready to go swimming, just as we have many times before, we made sure we had everything we needed before heading to the Pullen Aquatic Center. She even thought of the things she needed to wash with after swimming. We guys just use whatever is available or do a quick rinse on the way to the lockers. We had been swimming for a while when Cass wanted to go down to the deep end where the diving boards were. The diving boards being closed for the day allowed us to just swim around at that end of the pool. I have to say that this pool is huge and you can swim quite a ways before you get to a lane rope or the other side of the pool.

At first she didn't want to actually get in and swim as it was 14 feet deep but she gradually ease herself into the deep blue water. She had dove off the diving boards many times but this time it seemed like unfamiliar territory for some reason. When she first got into the water and let go of the side she said, "Eww, it feels like something could swim up under me and bite my foot or leg."
I told her to put on her goggles and look into the water and see how clear it was but she decided she just wasn't ready to actually look at the deep water she was wading in. She might get scared and get out. Gradually we swam out into the middle of this deep area and were doing quite well. She seemed to be really enjoying herself and swimming allot better than I had remembered her swimming in the past. I was even feeling a bit proud of her courage and strength that had developed so quickly.
Then without any notice whatsoever, she got a frightened look on her face and began frantically swimming towards me! It was more of a dog paddle which really slowed her down in reaching her destination. I knew how tired I already was from our swim but I wasn't about to move away from her! I knew I couldn't possibly touch the bottom so I just whispered a prayer and said,"God I really need your strength to get us to the side of this pool."

As she got closer her panic increase and she said in a quick but convincing voice, "Help!" It was then that I saw her little chin going into the water and realized she was really loosing this fight mentally that she could make it. Something had happened in her little mind that caused her to feel a lack of security, enough so that she had lost her confidence in the years of swimming she had experienced before and the strength of her athletic body. Well, she made it and by the strength of God, I made it to the edge of the pool also. Wow! I also believe that those supplements definitely helped as well that I take each day.

Isn't it just like us sometimes to panic when we get into unfamiliar territory? We may have been there for a while but suddenly we get into a panic and satan begins to fill our minds with doubt and fear and the next thing we know, we are struggling just to get back home to our safe place or to a friend as fast as we can that makes us feel safe and protected.

I want to share a couple of verses written by David when he was being chased down by the kings men to be killed. They were waiting outside his door to catch him when he came out, but he had ran to the safety of his home and began crying out to the Lord for help!
Let's use this passage today to remind us of where our help comes from and do as David did when he found himself surrounded; like I did when my girl was swimming to me in the deep, deep, deep waters; like she did when she began to panic and feel she wouldn't make it back to her fathers arms crying, "HELP!" Let's trust in our Lord and make Him our refuge of strength! Let's call out to Him,"Help!" Let's pray often!

Psalms 59:16,17
16 But I will sing of thy power; yes, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.
17 To thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defense, and the God of my mercy.

"Lord Send The Rain"

My Lord, If It Makes Me Grow, Send The Rain!

Not an easy thing to say, but we must rest in the Almighty Hand of God.

Psalm 118:8
It is better to put your trust in God than to put your confidence in man.



Contact Rob Bailes by email: dewforyou@ymail.com or call (919)745-1210

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"How To Win In An Unfair World"

What's Your Perspective?

Our response to unfairness in life, as with other issues, is based on our perspective; the particular vantage point from which we look at life. Basically in this case, we have two perspectives to choose from: the human perspective or the divine.

Our natural human perspective tells us, "Since life isn't fair, I'm going to get my share. I'm going to look out for myself; for number one. I'm going to spend my energy getting my own back or setting things straight or making it right. I'm not going to take it any longer."

Our world is full of books and counselors who will help you carry out this agenda. The problem is that you may get even but you won't get peace. You may feel better for the short term but you won't get lasting satisfaction. You may find a way to channel your anger, but if retaliation is your major goal, you will not glorify God. those who live their lives from this perspective are more likely to end their lives as bitter, cynical, hostile people. Unfortunately this describes allot of the American population today. Have ever looked around at the mall or at the stop light and noticed how sad most people look? It doesn't matter what kind of car, house or toys they have to play with, people are not satisfied if they are bitter and hostile.

Isn't this what we really want? Isn't that what we are all after? Something to make us happy and feel good when we aren't busy working? I can testify to that!

Fortunately we do have another option and we find it defined in 1Peter.

"For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous,
And His ears attend to their prayer,
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
(1Peter 3:12)

The principle that Peter gives us is this; God misses nothing. He's looking out for us. He's listening to our prayers. And He is completely aware of the evil that is happening to us.
Don't ever think that He has missed the evil. He sees, and He remembers. He may be long-suffering, but He doesn't compromise His justice. not only is His eye on the righteous but His face is against evil. Ultimately good will overcome evil. In the end God wins!
But, if this is true, then why doesn't He do something about evil? Why does He let it go on so long? Because God's timeline is infinite. He doesn't close His books at the end of the month. It may take a lifetime-or longer-before justice is served. But in the end, count on it, God will be just. In the end, He will "work everything together for good" and for His glory.

This thought gives us hope beyond bitterness. If we don't believe that and if we don't focus on that, we become the loser.

Now You know HOW TO BE A WINNER!

*Excerpts of today's message taken from "Hope Again" by Chuck Swindoll

Contact Rob by email: dewforyou@ymail.com or call (919)745-1210

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"Here I Am"

Do we have the faith to say "Here I Am"

"Favor In My Father's Sight"

Never Rule Out Our Father's Favor

Has someone mistreated you today? Are you struggling financially? Do you seem to have more trouble than you can handle?
There was a character in the Old Testament that went through one of the most trying times any person could have endured.He lost his family, business, and health all within a years time. He had boils over his entire body and was sure to be in perpetual pain. The thing that stands out to me is that in the middle of that dark time Job said to God, "You have granted me life and favor" (Job 12:10)

What really jumped out to me was that Job had made this statement in chapter ten, but he wasn't delivered, healed and set free until chapter 42! But at the beginning of his darkest moments ever, Job was saying,"God, I don't care what the situation looks like or how badly I feel. You are a good God. your favor is going to turn this situation around."

It's no wonder God restored to Job twice what he had before! You may be in a situation today that looks impossible, but never rule out the favor of God. If you will also maintain an attitude of faith while asking God for favor in his sight, his promise is that He will do whatever he knows is best for your life!

Never give up on believing that God's favor is best and God will give His favor to all who ask!

I invite you to join in as I pray this prayer of faith and ask God for favor today,

My Lord and Savior, I come to you today Father, asking You for favor in your sight for my family, my friends and myself. It is the desire of my heart to lay down my life before you in your sight that you may bless me with your favor;with your preference my Lord. I ask you for the same kind of favor you showed to Noah in the flood; to Ruth when she needed food;and to Joseph in a time of slavery and famine in Egypt. Over and over you have shown your favor in the lives of all who believe in you. I know that you will never leave me or forsake me! You are faithful and I put my trust in you each day Lord. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

Truth that transforms us:

2 Corinthians 1:2-4
(2) Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
(3) Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
(4) Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

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"Possibility Thinking"

If You Believe All Things are Possible!

Have you ever had a problem that seemed so big that you just couldn't see any possible way to get through it? Have you ever had your children sick all at once and you needed to work more than ever to make ends meet? Do you have something going on in your life right now that just seems like it will never end and the struggle is always trying to pull you down?

If you are a single parent you probably could say yes to at least one of the above and probably those of you who are not single parents as well! I'm going to be short and to the point since it's a busy work day and we all have things to get done.

There once was a man who had dealt with a problem all of his parenting life. His child was full of evil spirits and would foam and thrash about on the ground; it would throw him in the fire and into the water to try and drown him! Can you imagine what this child must have looked like? Probably covered with scars; maybe long dirty nails on his hands and feet; maybe hair that looked more like an animals than human. Let's read the verse,

Mark 9:22 And often it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.

In this verse the father was saying,"Lord, if you can; please feel my pain; please understand; please don't run away from us like everyone else does; please "HELP US" and Jesus response was so awesome! Let's read,


Mark 9:23 Jesus said to him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believes.

Need I say anything else? Let's look at what happened next.


Mark 9:24 And immediately the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief!

This man was blown away when Jesus told him that "all things are possible". He came to Jesus asking him if He could help and Jesus sent him away that day knowing that all things are possible for those who will just believe in the power of His name.

Do you want something that to happen in your life today that seems impossible? Do you need help with unbelief?

It's ok! Jesus loves for us to come to him with that. He knows we are human and we have times when our faith grows weak due to the overwhelming circumstances.

Believe today and you too will experience the impossible in Your Life! How do I know this? Because ALL things are possible if you only believe!


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"GOT MEMORY?"

Remember Everything I Have Told you!

That sounds impossible doesn't it? Of course it does! We have seen advertisements since I can remember selling us products and systems that will build our ability to remember. There are times in our lives when we just can't seem to remember where we have put anything. That is usually when our lives have become so busy with activity that we just don't have time to stop and get organized. It is in these times that we can find ourselves flustered and even loosing our cool when we are in a hurry. Have you ever found yourself so frustrated that you actually started blaming other people in your mind for taking something that you couldn't find? I'll be the first to admit that!

Well, we find in today's message that there is an answer to this mad cycle that we may get into at times. Not only is there an answer, we are even promised that we have been given a supernatural help in times when we feel overwhelmed and as though our memory has abandoned us. You see, we are promised a Comforter and not only that but this Comforter is also going to remind us of all that we have been taught by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Let me show you where we are given this promise by our Lord, but first I need to show you how we are to aquire this help that is promised us!

John 14:23-25
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

Do you see what Jesus is saying here? There are a couple of conditions. Many times we hear people in the church today saying that God's love is totally unconditional. They say that you can do anything and God will still be there for you and waiting on you to call out to Him. Is that what Jesus just said in this passage when He was answering the question of how He would manifest himself to those who love Him. Jesus said that He and his Father would come to you who love Him and stay with you. Then the word of His Father is passed on through Jesus that any who do not believe and do not keep His sayings do not love Him. This means that the Lord does not dwell in anyone who does not keep the things that the Lord has told us in His word! Not only that, but that person doesn't even love the Lord if he or she doesn't keep the commandment of God. What is that commandment that God has given us? It is a new commandment that we find if we look back to chapter 13,

John 13:33,34
33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

Jesus wasn't literally talking to children here. He was speaking to His students who were grown men of God. The word children in the Greek is teknion, tek-nee-on, which literally mean "an infant". jesus was placing the apostles in their proper place just as we are all learning about the word as young children starting out in school. It wasn't until they had experienced the tests of life and their love for the Lord that they matured and gained wisdom. This word was also used to mean "converts" of the Lord, indicating the beginning of a new life; not meant as an insult to their intelligence or mental maturity levels as some people may have interpreted it.

Jesus was approaching His crucifixcion and He was explaining that He would soon be leaving then but that He wanted the believers to love one another asa He had loved them. We find examples all through the Bible of His love and many times we say things like, "Jesus love was so awesome and He cared so much for us" but are we following His example with others today? Many years have passed on earth since the writings of the Bible were recorded, but the truths are still alive today and there is no time table for God.

The last part of verse thirty-four says, "as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." How did Jesus love His followers and students? He loved them as His very own children as we found in chapter thirteen when he refers to His "converts" as children.

How does it make you feel when you see a child on the commercials who is hungry and homeless? Does it make a difference in your heart? Don't you long to do something to make a difference? If not, the love of God doesn't dwell in you, because we are told here that those who love others just as Jesus loved us will be loved by God the Father and that both Jesus and the Father would live in that person.

Have you kept the words of God? In verse twenty-three of chapter fourteen we find Jesus saying that we will keep His words if we love Him! If you find yourself unsure of whether you can answer "yes", I hope that you will take time and talk with God about this today. It is the most important decision you will ever make! Read this verse agian and search your heart right now.

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

Once this is settled in our hearts, I have to ask myself, "how I can always remember to always do what the Lord teaches me to do?" and I find my answer to this question right here in chapter fourteen of John.

John 14:26,27
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.
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.

The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, who God the Father will send in Jesus name will teach us all things and bring to our memory whatever the Lord has told us. That is absolutely amazing! The Holy Ghost, which we cannot see will supernatural work in our minds to bring to remembrance all that we will need to know. Not only that but Jesus said that we will also be taught by the Holy Spirit. I believe this means today that when we read His word we have been given the promise that the Holy Spirit will teach us as we study. So now we have no more memory issues to worry about, do we? The most powerful memory system available in the world has just been revealed!

Now that we know we will be taught all that we need to know by God and that we will remember it; how should we be feeling right now? Look at the last verse with me again,

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.

"My Peace I give to You"

Not the peace that the world may promise! Not the peace that the president may promise! Not the peace that your spouse, best friend or parents may promise; but the peace that only our Lord and Savior Jesus Chrsit can give to us!

That quote used in songs and slogans "Don't Worry, Be Happy!" can take on a whole new meaning in the life of the believer who loves the Lord. Jesus tells us not to let our hearts be troubled, which means literally not to be agitated or upset and then He tells us not to be afraid. The word "afraid" in the Greek is "deiliao", pronounced di-lee-ah-o, and this word literally mean to be timid: afraid. Why would Jesus feel it so important to say to the believers that they should not be upset or afraid? What was Jesus message in a nutshell here today?

I believe that there were believers who were experiencing doubts and fears and even lacking the boldness to stand up for what they believed. Would this desribe any of us today? Is there anyone you know that isn't doing all that you feel that they couold do with their life? What do you think is holding them back? Is it possible that one of the things that Jesus addressed in the passage we have studied today could be the very thing that they need help with?

What about you? Do you need God's Comforter to become your teacher? Is the Holy Ghost already teaching you as you read the Word of the Lord? How's your memory when it comes to the truth found in the Bible? Are you experiencing the amazing reminder of the words that Jesus spoke to us in His word? I know I have need of this every day of my life! That's what keeps my heart from becoming troubled and keeps my mind from the effects of fear that will take over and cause me to become timid in my actions towards others; even to the point of holding back expressions of love for others.

If you have not found this love and you realize that the Lord Jesus and God the Father have not been accepted to live in you; I ask you to accept the love of Jesus and choose to love Him right now. This is between you and God, but your life will surely be different from this moment forward!

Let's pray together,

Our Father in Heaven, I ask you to forgive me for not putting my trust in you and for trying to do it all myself, that has caused me to stumble and to fall into the temptations of the world over and over. Lord, I want the peace that you can give me today; not peace like the world promises. I do love you Lord Jesus and accept your love into my life today! From this day forward I want your Holy Spirit to teach me your truths and keep reminding me of all that I learn as I go through this journey we call life. Thank you Lord for being my salvation; my rescuer and my refuge! I receive this salvation that you offer to all who love you in Jesus name, Amen.

If you have accepted the love of God today into your life and have become, as Jesus said, a new "convert" and a child of God; I would love to hear from you so that I can pray for you in the days ahead and share some things that will you as you begin your new life. Let me help you with your journey! Email or call.



Contact Rob Bailes by email: dewforyou@ymail.com or call (919)745-1210

*Send a request if you want to receive messages by email.
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"Healing The Holes"

"Healing the Holes in Your Heart"

Luke 22

The message today has to do with our lives and the things we have been through that have caused us some type of harm or left us hurt in some way and we cannot seem to forget it no matter what! Something that was so degrading or so surprising that it seems as though we will be haunted by the memory of it for the remainder of our lives!

The thing that happens whenever we go through an experience like this is we are left with a hole in our heart that doesn't heal back on it's own. As we go through our lives and experience this over and over we begin to feel as though our life has lost meaning and we can become weak in our spirit. Maybe even feel dead inside as we still go on with our lives totally undetected by those around us!

Let's look at some things that can cause those holes in our heart. It is the equivalent of taking a poker about the size of a finger and sticking right through our heart! Some of you may be thinking about right now, why is it such a big poker for an illustration of our hurt?

The reason I used that is because it doesn't take many of those experiences before we get to the point that we don't feel with our hearts anymore. We may try to imitate others that do or we may try to show feeling to save our relationship but it really isn't possible because there's not enough heart left to feel for anyone else! This is critical for abusers to understand!

There are also smaller pokers that leave smaller holes in between the big holes and we can eventually end up with a heart that is pretty much like a sponge full of thousands of holes. The sponge soaks up everything it touched but it really doesn't serve any other purpose. We can eventually get to the same point in our lives when we continue on leaving the holes unhealed in our hearts!

Let's look at examples of our own experiences that are found right in the last 48 hours of the life of Jesus. That's right! Jesus too had the holes pierced through His heart just as we do. Lets read about the first of these experiences,

Luke 22:2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him: for they feared the people.

The religious leaders of that day were really looking for ways to kill Jesus for doing what was right and threatening the rules that they had set up so that they could gain from the positions they held. Have you ever stood up for the truth in an organization or even your church and found that you were the one being attacked in the end. You couldn't help but wonder how you could be so mistreated to the point of being hated by the people you thought you knew so well when suddenly you became a threat to their world just by standing up for the right thing.
Lets look at another,

Luke 22:15 And he said to them, I have earnestly desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer.

Jesus knew the suffering that was coming and couldn't do anything to stop it because it had been prophesied and it was the will of His father that He go through this that we may be able to be justified and cleansed of our sins! He knew all would be healed by His act of love on the cross.

If you have ever gone through the experience of waiting for the time when you knew the suffering would begin; knowing that the attack would come again; knowing that the abuse would come; knowing that the betrayal of a close friend would happen again; knowing that you would be made fun of; knowing that the one you trusted would use you again; knowing that all your kindness and love was taken for granted; knowing the one you had devoted your life to was making plans to leave you one day; knowing and waiting for that time of suffering was as painful if not worse than the suffering itself. It left a hole in your heart for sure. A small hole every time a threat was made, every time an insult was thrown at you by your teenager, every time your spouse made you feel like a failure, every time your need for love was rejected by someone that you loved with all your heart, every time your coworker went behind your back and caused problems for you at work.

Do any of these problems sound familiar to you? These are the hurts that we experience prior to the actual attacks! These are the small holes in our hearts, but the small holes will cause us allot of damage over the course of our lives and practically kill you if they never heal! Jesus certainly had these experiences leading up to the time of His crucifixion.

Have you ever been out right betrayed by someone you trusted and you confided in? Has the one you trusted turned around and revealed you to those who wanted to see you demoted from that job you had worked so hard for or even to your spouse to try and hurt your relationship. That is so hard to deal with and the holes are very deep when this happens to us! Jesus had this experience too in the garden when he was sold by one of His followers! His follower even used a gesture of love to betray him with! Does that sound familiar to any of you?

Luke 22:47-48

47 And while he was yet speaking, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near to Jesus to kiss him.
48 But Jesus said to him, Judas, Do you betray the Son of man with a kiss?

Then we have the attacks that cause us critical damage and leave large holes in our hearts. Have you ever experienced being rejected for taking a stand by someone that you really counted close. Maybe even your choice friend who you had spent so much time with and built a very close relationship with? Jesus also experienced this as we read the following verses,

Luke 22:54 Then they took him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed at a distance.

Peter wasted no time looking out for his well being by moving back into the shadows so he wasn't noticed! Have you ever had someone close treat you this way before? It was shocking wasn't it?

Luke 22:61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, Before the cock shall crow, thou wilt deny me thrice.
Luke 22:62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

Jesus had told Peter to be strong for the rest of the disciples just a day before and to resist the temptation of the devil. Jesus cared so much for Peter yet he was betrayed by him when the going got tough. Peter was afraid of the possibility of having to suffer the same punishment as Jesus if he stood up and told the people what he believed in, who he loved and even more importantly that Jesus was Innocent of the charges. He hadn't stood up for his closest of friends! That kind of treatment leaves holes in our heart of great size and are very hard to heal on their own!

Have you ever experienced physical injury at the hand of a relative, friend or enemy?

How well did you deal with it?

Maybe your parent was abusive and called you names or mocked you to make you feel bad.

Maybe you had someone attack you in an abusive relationship and really hurt you in a effort to try to control who you talk to or made friends with.

Maybe you were attacked physically as a teen and hurt by someone you thought was a decent person and found that there was no way of escape as they overpowered you and didn't seem to care how much you cried!

They just wouldn't stop until you gave up the fight for your dignity and own protection. They had to be the one in control of everything! Even your mind had to be conquered by filling it with fear! Have you felt the pain of this kind of hurt and the huge holes that are left when the attack is over? The holes that seem to be impossible to heal even after many years! Jesus also felt this pain. Let's read,

Luke 22:63-67

63 And the men that held Jesus, mocked him, and smote him.
64 And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?
65 And many other things blasphemously they spoke against him.
66 And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people, and the chief priests, and the scribes came together, and led him into their council,
67 Saying, Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said to them, If I tell you, ye will not believe.

In this passage Jesus was mocked, hit on, blindfolded and struck in the face over and over as they each told Him to tell them the name of the person who had hit Him. He could have named them and their entire family if He wanted to but He chose to endure the pain and continue with the end in mind!

They continued into the night making fun of His claim to be the Son of man and being sent by God! He was asked if He was the Christ but Jesus knew that they wouldn't believe and told them so. How painful it must have been knowing that it was for these people He would die and it was because of Gods love for these very people that Jesus would give His life!

I know from my own experiences that the troubles of this world and the attacks by those we care about can leave holes and scars that seem to never heal! I know that it doesn't take much to remind us of that pain as the wounds are still festered and sensitive if the holes are not healed!

We will find out tomorrow what it takes for those holes to heal and what Jesus taught us in his final hours about healing!

Let's pray,

Our Father and Savior, we come to you with an open heart today! I long for the healing that will give us freedom from the hurt and the memories of the attacks on my life and all who are here today searching for the healing too. I ask you Lord for a divine message tomorrow that will make clear to all just exactly how you were able to heal those holes pierced through your heart by the ones you cared so much for! I pray for us to come to you with our minds open to your spirits leading and for the Holy Spirit to fill us with the love of our Father as we prepare to reach the place in our lives when we cam turn loose of the past and live fully for you in the future! Each day being a new day to live for you Lord, I ask for your guidance and for the doors to open before me Lord as I seek your guidance in my life because I have learned that it is better to trust in you than to put my confidence in men. Thank you Lord for all your blessings and for the air that I breath! In Jesus name, amen.

Contact Rob Bailes by email: dewforyou@ymail.com or call (919)745-1210

*Send a request if you want to receive messages by email.
*Find new Prayer Partners instantly at my facebook group "Parents Praying on facebook"
*Single Parents on facebook find support at my group "Single Parents Daily"
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Parentless Children & Husbandless Wives"

James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Let's look at the Greek definitions for words used in this verse;

Pure (katharos, pronounced kath-ar-os')
Of uncertain affinity; clean (literally or figuratively): - clean, clear, pure.

religion (thrēskeia, pronounced thrace-ki'-ah)
From a derivative of G2357; ceremonial observance: - religion, worshipping.

undefiled (amiantos, pronounced am-ee'-an-tos)
From G1 (as a negative particle) and a derivative of G3392; unsoiled, that is, (figuratively) pure: - undefiled.


before (para, pronounced par-ah')
A primary preposition; properly near, that is, (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subjectively), (with accusative case) to the proximity with (local [especially beyond or opposed to] or causal [on account of]). In compounds it retains the same variety of application: - above, against, among, at, before, by, contrary to, X friend, from, + give [such things as they], + that [she] had, X his, in, more than, nigh unto, (out) of, past, save, side . . . by, in the sight of, than, [there-] fore, with. In compounds it retains the same variety of application.


To visit (episkeptomai, pronounced ep-ee-skep'-tom-ahee)
Middle voice from G1909 and the base of G4649; to inspect, that is, (by implication) to select; by extension to go to see, relieve: - look out, visit.


the fatherless (orphanos, pronounced or-fan-os')
Of uncertain affinity; bereaved (“orphan”), that is, parentless: - comfortless, fatherless.


widows (chēra, pronounced khay'-rah)
Feminine of a presumed derivation apparently from the base of G5490 through the idea of deficiency; a widow (as lacking a husband), literally or figuratively: - widow.


affliction (thlipsis, pronounced thlip'-sis)
From G2346; pressure (literally or figuratively): - afflicted, (-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble.


to keep (tēreō, pronounced tay-reh'-o)
From τηρός teros (a watch; perhaps akin to G2334); to guard (from loss or injury, properly by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from G5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from G2892, which implies a fortress or full military lines of apparatus), that is, to note (a prophecy; figuratively to fulfil a command); by implication to detain (in custody; figuratively to maintain); by extension to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively to keep unmarried): - hold fast, keep (-er), (ob-, pre-, re) serve, watch.


unspotted (aspilos, pronounced as'-pee-los)
From G1 (as a negative particle) and G4695; unblemished (physically or morally): - without spot, unspotted.


from (apo, pronounced apo')
A primary particle; “off”, that is, away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literally or figuratively): - (X here-) after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for (-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-) on (-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.


world (kosmos, pronounced kos'-mos)
Probably from the base of G2865; orderly arrangement, that is, decoration; by implication the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively [morally]): - adorning, world.

So let's look again at this verse in James 1:27,
Pure worshipping and unsoiled before God and the Father is the man or woman who goes to see and relieve the children who are bereaved because they have parents missing in their life and the women lacking a husband during the time of their anguish and tribulation; and also to maintain themself physically or morally unblemished from the world and its inhabitants.

How pure is our worship to God and the Father?

Do we need to make changes in our lives that we would be unsoiled before God?


Contact Rob Bailes by email: dewforyou@ymail.com or call (919)745-1210

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P-R-A-Y- Part 4 - "Yield Ahead"

"YIELD" To Incoming Traffic

The last thing, in our four part study on praying, is that it is essential that we develop an attitude that is able to yield to the incoming reply. It doesn't do much good to ask if we are gong to delete every reply that we don't totally agree with. Many times we keep asking for the same things and God keeps giving us something different. Why do you think that this happens? Does God not understand what we are asking for? Is it possible that our prayer is getting intercepted by some other force and it comes out scrambled when it gets to God? I have thought about the many ways that my prayer must have been blocked on it's way to God! Then I thought about how so many times I look up into the sky or into the darkness of my bedroom as I prayed and wondered if God heard me; then coming to the realization that He hears every single word we say if He dwells in us. That's right! How can someone live in your house and not hear you? It's impossible unless someone isn't in communion with the other.

What if you had been ignoring someone who lived with you; maybe your spouse, your parent or a friend and suddenly you buddied up to them when you saw that they had something you needed? Do you think that would work out for you? What if it was the other way around and you had been trying to help the other person to do more with their life and they asked you for enough money and things to live out the rest of their life just like they had been living their life up to this point? Would you give it to them if you could and not try to help them improve? If you loved them, I believe you would have to stop and evaluate the situation and do what's best for them. Isn't that how it works sometimes when we ask for the things we want?

If we approach an intersection and we are merging into traffic, there is usually a sign there that says "Yield". Why should we yield to oncoming traffic in the first place? They can see me coming and they know I'm on my way into their lane! The fact is, that when we are moving ahead in life and looking for a change to take place, if we don't yield to God and move ahead when He wants us to move ahead, chances are we are going to find ourselves in a position that we don't really wish to find ourselves. It could even be off the shoulder of the road and stuck there until we can get someone to pull us out. Are you relating what I'm saying to life?

I'm not really talking about cars or roads in this message. What I'm saying is that the best way to stay on the course that God has for your life is to yield to Him when we decide it's time to make that right turn on the journey to reach the goals we have set. My dad always told us to stop, look and listen!

Pretty good advice; don't you think?

Romans 6:13,14
Neither yield you your body parts as instruments of unrighteousness to sin: but yield yourselves to God as though they are alive from the dead, and your body parts as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin will not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law but under grace.

Contact Rob Bailes by email: dewforyou@ymail.com or call (919)745-1210

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P-R-A-Y - Part 3

ASK For What You Need

First we talked about Praising God for the things He has done for us and then yesterday we saw that repenting was the next step in praying that we need in order to go on to the next step. How could we ever ask our father or mother for something extraordinary when ew knew we were guilty of something they had taught us "not to do".

Think about it for a moment! If you parents knew you had done something wrong and you knew that they knew about it, would you be able to approach them as though nothing was wrong? When I was a teenager I remember my father sometimes just hinting that he knew about something I had done wrong, but he was waiting for me to come to him. Oh man, I hated that so much because I had to live with the conviction until I was willing to humble myself and take the punishment that came when I admitted to what I had done. That had to have been some of the most miserable times in anyones life until it was brought out into the open and settled! I could tell that my father was so glad to see me come to him and admit my fault and it was never as bad as I imagined that it would be. Satan had me fooled by my own imagination and guilt.

The really awesome thing about coming to God and repenting is that He is always ready to let us feel his forgiveness and reconciles us to a relationship that allows us to ask for the things that we need in life. You see, it is the believing and forgiven heart that gets it's needs met by our heavenly Father!

Paul said, "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation." 2Corinthians 5:17-18

Jesus said, "Verily I say to you, he that believes on me, the works that I do will he do also; and greater works than these will he do; because I go to my Father. And whatever you will ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you will ask anything in my name, I WILL DO IT." John 14:12-14

Praise, Repent and Ask!
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P-R-A-Y - Part2

Repenting Cultivates the Heart

Yesterday we looked at the first part of a prayer; that is when we praise God. If you missed this, you can scroll down and read it in the post below this one. Today we are going to go to the next step in prayer. This is the step that opens our hearts up to the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit cultivates our hearts we can see the things in our life that don't look like Jesus.

Being raised in the country part of my life, I remember the farmers talking about cultivating the fields. What they were doing was turning the dirt over so they could get the previous growth under the dirt. This not only did away with the plants on top but it also allowed their decomposition to help fertilize and feed the new plants that would be placed in this newly cultivated earth. I'm sure a farmer could add so much more insight into this whole process but that's about all we need to see for now to understand how the Holy Spirit works when we open our hearts to be cutivated and prepared for new growth.

When we repent of our sins we have humbled ourselves and allowed the Holy Spirit to convict us. It is our responsibility to repent. I haven't found anyone else who can do it for me yet; though I really have looked hard for a way to get out of doing this myself at times in my life. There were times when it was so hard to come before God in prayer and to even utter a word. It was in those moments when I felt that I could not come to God and the stress seemed to be unbearable, that God's loving mercy and grace enveloped me and carried me to His bosom in forgiveness.

I remember watching two boys who were being reprimanded by their teacher and the teacher was telling one of the boys to tell the other one he was sorry. Well, the boy just kept pointing at other boys in the room and I couldn't understand why he was doing this. Finally the teacher who had the experience and training to understand this unusual body language said to the boy who kept pointing at the other boys, "Tell me something, who hit Timmy? Did you hit him or did these other boys hit him?". Well, to that he just looked down. He became humble in conviction of his actions. Then she said, "If you hit Timmy then why should I make the other boys tell him that they are sorry?", so the little boy looked over at Timmy with tears in running down his cheeks and said he was sorry. Was it the act of apology that forgave him? Was it the saying, "I'm sorry" that brought tears to his eyes? I believe it was the Holy Spirit along with a persistent teacher bringing conviction that revealed to him that he had done something wrong and that is when this third grader knew he had to make it right.

Conviction is merely a revealing within of what we have become in comparison with the only perfect man, Jesus. It's ok to shed tears in prayer. That is a good sign that we have seen our need for repentance and we are truly sorry for what we have done.

The Lord gave me the following after I had written this message this morning and I felt He meant for me to share it with you today.

When I Could Not Speak
I learned ,when I could not speak a word in prayer, that it was not my words, but in my heart God found repentance there. The Holy Spirit, in my heart did glean and left me with a conscience clean. God forgave me as tears I cried; not one word spoken; but His Holy Spirit could see inside.

Luke 5:31,32
And Jesus answering them said to them, "They that are whole do not need a physician, but those who are sick. I didn't come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Luke 15:7
Jesus said, "I tell you that also joy will be in heaven over one sinner that repents; more than over ninety-nine just people, which do not need repentance."

Contact Rob Bailes by email at: robbailesministries@yahoo.com or call (919)745-1210

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"How To Pray"

P-R-A-Y
Praise God First

Recognizing God in our prayer as our Holy Father is how we glorify Him. I can think of many things to praise God for; His love; His forgiveness; my children; the way God has used me to minister to others; etc...

What is it that you could praise God for right now? I encourage you to call out and praise Him for those things when you bow your head in prayer today. You'll see the difference in your prayer life if you aren't already doing this when you pray. We often get so focused on our needs that we forget to offer to God what He desires from us in thankfully praising Him.

Isaiah 6:1-3
1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.


Contact Rob Bailes by email at: robbailesministries@yahoo.com or call (919)745-1210

"Delivery From Those Who Hate Us"

David Sings About The Power of His LORD's Delivery!

Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

This is from a Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, to the chief Musician. David said to the LORD the words of this song on the day that the LORD had delivered him from all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. You could say that this was a song of triumph! He felt victory over those who were seeking to do him wrong! We could compare it today with allot of things that we experience in our lives. Maybe it's getting free from a abusive relationship. Maybe it's went to court and the final decision was in your favor. It could be, finally getting a new job where your boss is friendly and respectful towards you. Maybe you were being bullied by someone who you couldn't avoid or they were trying to control every decision you made and they finally moved away. This can happen in ministry sometimes too.

Hopefully you haven't found yourself in the shoes of the abuser; the aggressor; the unfair boss or the controller in these examples, but if you have and you wish you weren't like this you ought to look at making some changes in your behavior and search your heart. We have worked for people before that may even be reading this today and might find it offensive, but remember, it is you who will find yourself as the person you really are and only you can make a difference in your heart and actions. God holds us responsible for our actions and other people have to deal with the consequences of your behavior. If we all depended on the LORD as David did in our battles that we face, we probably would find ourselves not loosing our cool in the heat of the battles we face in our lives.

David had found it all in this song that he proclaimed to his LORD. Just the name that he used for God in verse two tells us so much about David. He said, "The LORD" which in the Hebrew means "(the) self Existent or eternal; Jehovah".
Then he says that the LORD is his "rock" which means "literally or figuratively (a fortress): - (ragged) rock, stone (-ny), strong hold".
Next David calls the LORD his "fortress" meaning in the Hebrew "a fastness: - castle, defence, fort (-ress), (strong) hold, be hunted, net, snare, strong place."
He follows this with "my deliverer" which refers to his escaping from the enemies capture. The Hebrew for this is "to deliver: - calve, carry away safe, deliver, (cause to) escape."
Then David addresses the LORD with a different title when he seems to pause for minute and meditate on how majestic his LORD really is and he says, "my God". Many times we say this in prayer but do we really take the time to meditate on it's literal meaning and feel the power as we call out to "God"? The literal Hebrew meaning for the title of God used here is as follows,
The Hebrew word is 'êl
It is pronounced ale
It's meaning is strength; as adjective mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity): - God (god), X goodly, X great, idol, might (-y one), power, strong. Compare names in “-el.”
David starts again with more declaration of the meaning of God in his life as he sings out, "my strength, in whom I will trust". The literal Hebrew would sound like this, "my refuge which is solid as a rock who I can run to and confide in when things seem hopeless". That reminds me of the song that was so popular years ago about someones love being solid as a rock. It meant that it was unmovable. It wouldn't change! That is the message David is singing out in his Psalm. Let us rejoice with him!
Then David goes on to say that his Almighty is his "buckler" meaning a shield or figuratively a protector and is compared to the hide of the crocodile. David was covered from head to toe with the protection of his God!
Next David says that his God is "the horn of his salvation" and this is a bit confusing at first until we look into the Hebrew translation. The word horn is used figuratively in this Psalm meaning power. The word salvation is referring to "liberty,deliverance,prosperity: -safety,salvation,saving." So when we put this together we get "qeren yesha"; "and the power of my deliverance". This is why David was able to remain free! It was through the power of his God Almighty, not his own. David knew this too!

The last of his expressions in this verse are expressed "and my high tower". I'm just going to give you the literal Hebrew definition because I would probably mess it up if I tried to say anything about this part of the verse.
The word in the Hebrew is miśgâb
It is pronounced mis-gawb'
Properly a cliff (or other lofty or inaccessible place); abstractly altitude; figuratively a refuge; misgab; a place in Moab: - defence, high fort (tower), refuge. H4869; Misgab, a place in Moab: - Misgab.

David had truly had grown in his relationship with God through all of the trials and tribulations he had been. Some of his writtings sounded as if he was in total despair but now he is claiming the truth that he had learned. It is so amazing how much we realize when the storm passes, isn't it? Then we see how it was not by our power but by our LORD God Almighty's power that we were delivered and protected in His fortress high upon the cliffs, unreachable aby the enemy. It is then that we realize we aare coated with a hide like the crocodiles that withstands the enemies attacks. We can see how when we were defenceless God was capturing those who meant us no good. Our God is victorious and He calls us to run to him and confide in Him with ALL of our problems.

Many times I have heard it said in the management positions, "There are no problems; only solutions!". What we meant by that was that we could solve every problem if we tried hard enough. The thing that I began to realize over the years was that I was only making my life more stressful and difficult when I believed I could do it all myself. I believe we have abilities but I also believe that as a believer in Christ, we can take everything to God in prayer. Do you believe that God can make a difference in everything you do? Can you say that out loud and believe it yourself? If you answer yes, then do it right now! If your answer was no, then I encourage you to just try it and see what happens. David was not always so brave and seemed to be panicking at times but he kept coming back to God for his help. Each step he took in faith helped David's faith to develope a little bit more.
Remember this principle, faith developes as we step out. Not huge steps or ten steps all at once, but little steps one at a time and each time God works in us to build our faith stronger and stronger every day.

David didn't go out there to fight Goliath as his first step of faith to show God that he trusted in Him! David had been growing in faith as he protected his family's sheep. God had protected David when he killed the lion and David's faith developed a little more. Then God protected David when he fought and killed the bear and his faith developed a little more. You see, we don't have to prove ourselves to God; God wants to prove Himself to us!

I encourage you to write this verse down on a piece of paper and put it on your refrigerator or mirror where you can quote it each morning to remind your self of just how much your LORD is doing for you each day.

Let's say this verse together from the Hebrew translation,
"The self Existent and eternal Jehovah is my fortress and my defence, and my deliverer; my Almighty God, my refuge and strength who I will confide in and find hope; my sheild and defence, and the power of my liberty and safety, and my high fort that is in a high and inaccessible place. I will call upon the self Existent LORD, who is worthy to be celebrated and praised above all others, so will I be free from those who are hating me and wish to do me wrong!"

Contact Rob Bailes by email at: rbailesnc@yahoo.com or call (919)745-1210
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"Through Your Darkest Night"

NO MATTER WHAT YOU YOU'RE GOING THROUGH, YOU'RE NEVER ALONE!

No matter what you or I have done, God is always right there by your side waiting for you to take His hand. Maybe You or your daughter have been through an experience like this girl on the video. She was looking for love and that's all she really knew when she gave herself away or was possibly forced into the act of sex. She was hurt and she felt as though no one else cared. Maybe nobody did really care enough for her but instead were too busy judging her. Then she turned to God with a broken heart and her dreams broken into a million pieces and it was then that God was able to comfort her through His almighty power in the lives of all who knew her.

If you have been through this in your life, I encourage you to share your testimony with other women, young and old. You will encourage them and help them to realize that God is always there. Fathers, we need to tell our girls and wives that we love them no matter what they are experiencing and demonstrate the love of God in our lives towards them. It is so critical in this day and time we live in to do this.

Young ladies, daughters, sisters and moms of all ages, you must remember that no matter what has happened in Your life, you're NOT ALONE! You've search for love and the night may come, but God will find you there where you are hiding. You may have cried yourself to sleep cause the hurt is real and the pain cuts deep. All hope seems lost with heartache your closest friend and everyone else long gone. You've had to face the music on Your own, but there is a sweeter song that calls You home. No, You are not alone for God is here. Let him wipe away your every tear.

God would say to you, "My love, Ive never left your side, I have seen you through the darkest night and I'm the one whose loved you all your life, all your life! Faithful and true forever, my love will carry You. Your not alone for I am here. Let me wipe away your every tear. I'm the One who's loved you all Your life!"

Contact Rob Bailes by email at: robbailesministries@yahoo.com or call (919)745-1210

"Hold Fast, Help Is On The Way"

As I thought about all of the heartache in Haiti this morning while I go about my day, I wanted to write this message to all who are trying to get through a storm of their own and encourage you to Hold Fast. Be strong and of good courage. God will never leave you, nor forsake you.

Will this season ever pass? Can we stop this ride?
Will we see the sun at last? Please do not let go!
I promise you there's HOPE! Hold Fast! Help is on the way!
Hold Fast! He's come to save the day.

You may think your all alone and you don't think there's any way that anyone could know what your going through.

If you only hear one thing, it's that you know we're all the same; just searching for the truth.
One thing I've learned in my life is that what's stronger than my strife is your Love!
Hold Fast! Help is on the way! Hold Fast! He's come to save the day!

One thing I've learned is my life is what's greater than my pain is your grace. Hold Fast.

Today's video is for my incredibly amazing 21 year old daughter who has grown and matured through her many trials and storms in her life over the past five years. I just want to encourage her and all of you who have or possibly still are experiencing hurt, abandonment, disapointment, pain, suffering, tribulations, needs, hopelessness and grief to please NEVER ever, ever, ever give up!

Hold Fast sweety, God's come to save the day! Call out to Him. He's waiting for us to take His hand today. I love you, dad




Contact Rob Bailes by email at: robbailesministries@yahoo.com or call (919)745-1210

"Is Your Courtyard Safe?"

You may be thinking,"But I don't have a courtyard!"

The courtyard is a place that is specifically built and prepared for entertaining special guests and a place where privacy can be maintained while relaxing in the company of those friends and family. In ancient times the courtyard was guarded well when in use because it was a time when those present were not on alert and watching for an attack by the enemy or someone who wanted to do mischief. It was in the courtyard that games were played and the laughing and music was frequently heard. People would share secrets and humor without any inhibition as they were gathered among friends who they trusted. Then there was something else that the courtyard was well known for, as it was privately located within the walls of the yard and secluded from the view of neighbors. The courtyard has been a place where people bathed and where the owners of the residence felt safe to lavish their true love with affection and romance. I'm sure you recall this scenario played out in the movies of the past and how the first kiss was stolen or the proposal was made; where else but in the courtyard. I also remember scenes from movies where there would be a party and someone would slip away from their date to the courtyard. It usually was to meet another man or woman.
Our first response may have been, "How could he?" or "What were they thinking?". It is true that they had broken the trust of their date but they couldn't seem to control themselves when they got into the privacy of the courtyard.

It just makes sense that this place is called the "courtyard". It provided a safe place for people to court each other in the privacy of their own residence. As I think about the courtyard, I also think about a passage I read once in Luke that referred to protecting the courtyard. Let's take a look at this passage,

Luke 11:21-22
21 When a strong man armed keeps his palace, his goods are in peace:
22 But when a stronger man than he attacks him, and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armour that he trusted in, and divides whatever he takes from him.

In this passage, the word palace in the Greek actually means a yard (open to the wind); implying a mansion:-court. It is clear that a courtyard would be the more modern way of describing this word palace used in verse twenty-one. This passage was where Jesus was actually talking to the disciples and those who were gathered was written to warn us all of the vulnerability of our courtyard. The courtyard is open to the elements, yet contains enough privacy to disclose the secrets of the palace! Isn't that how our imaginations work? We are always being told to open our minds to new ideas and new beliefs in today's society. Be careful! Be on guard against the deceit of the world that comes to steal and destroy. If satan can get you tripped up and away from the Word of God, he will take your armor and whatever means the most to you and will divide them among his people. In verse twenty-two where it says a strong man armed, the Greek for the word armed is "fully equipped with armor". How will we be fully equipped with armor that protects our courtyard; our mind and our imagination?

How does anyone know if something is right, wrong, safe or dangerous? It is through knowledge and that is received through either experience or by understanding what we have been taught.

This even holds true for the rodeo clown that makes everyone laugh! I have heard that this job is one of the most dangerous jobs there is on earth! Yet it is by their knowledge and understanding that they are able to survive each show!

How will you and I survive when the world comes in through the recesses of our minds; slipping in through the imagination of our minds; taking us by surprise with a memory of a time when we lived for the flesh and we loved the things of this world? What will we do to be prepared? We can prepare first by covering our heads with the helmet of "belief" in Christ. Secondly by putting on the breastplate of righteousness that protects our hearts and vital organs. This plate only protects us when we receive it in humility from our leader, Jesus Christ. Thirdly we need the truth fastened to our belt as we move forward into action and just as important as the rest of the armor; we must wrap our feet with the gospel of peace. With the gospel of peace we cannot go where the flesh would take us. Our fleshly imaginations and revenge would lead us to ruin or defeat in our battles against satan. We need to always be aware of our steps.

There is the shield of faith that keeps us free of doubt. With this shield, our minds will not be overcome by doubt that we will receive what our Lord has promised us! The Word says that this is the most important piece of our armor in Ephesians.

Ephesians 6:16-17 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

This armor would protect us from the attacks, but we are not able to defeat the attacker without a weapon! How will we ever stop the enemy from trying to defeat us if all we have is armor? That is why we are told in the last part of verse seventeen that we are to take the sword of the Spirit and then it even tells us where to find this sword. The Spirit is of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and we will find this sword in the word of God.

Have you ever been under attack without a weapon?

I remember when I was a young man at a camp retreat and I had heard that some of the boys were going to sneak up on me and my friend Tommy on the way back to the cabins after the evening gathering. So Tommy and I got the idea of going back through the field where everyone had eaten watermelons earlier. Why did we do that? Well, we needed a weapon of some type to fight off these guys when they jumped on us and that was all Tommy and I could think of to use for a weapon! We had gathered about twenty pieces of watermelon rhine all together and we hid in the woods outside of our cabins. When the guys began to look for us, we yelled so they would come into the woods and since it was dark they couldn't see us.

Well, needless to say, we really let them have it with those watermelon rhines and they were totally caught off guard! The thing we hadn't thought about, was what would happen when our weapons were gone and we were highly outnumbered. The next thing we knew, we were surrounded by those guys and they all had watermelon rhines too! Boy did we learn our lesson that night! We were not afraid and we fought our hardest but without a weapon, we lost the fight!

I can promise you this my friend! The Spirit of our Lord will never run low on protection when we keep the word of God in our hearts and our minds. Jesus said to guard your courtyard (stay in the Word) and all that you have(your mind and body) will be at peace.

That's a promise!

Contact Rob Bailes by email at: robbailesministries@yahoo.com or call (919)745-1210