References: Cox, Everett. Doing the Supernatural Works of Jesus. Xulon Elite. 2010.
Burke, John. Imagine Heaven. Bker Books. Grand Rapids, Michigan. 2015.
As a background for this writing, originally I had planned to write about the larger big picture of the chaos in the world situation today: the wars, the conflicts, the murders, the greed, the political intrigue, the betrayals, the hunger, the plagues, the terrorism and all the chaos on the world scene. Secular order is interminably unattainable and never has been achieved.
Decided to narrow my focus down to a more personal level. As some of you readers of my blog, begun in 2011, will recall, in Vietnam on June 17, 1967 three days before my 25th birthday, my Green Beret Special Forces camp at Dak To, came under an intense enemy mortar barrage. A round landed just to my left rear and it was required that both my legs be amputated below the knees. By the grace of God I was healed from the major elements of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder within about seven years and have enjoyed a blessed and more ordered life since then, because I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and found increased spiritual and emotional peace from all the chaos I endured.
All that for background sets the scene for a personal and individualized life for each of us for seeking order in our lives amid all the elements of personal chaos. Life is, as one wrote in an autobiography decades ago, "Life is one d___ thing after another." At 84 my life is significantly simpler as I have recognized the shadows are lengthening in my life. On a more basic level of my life, my studies, experiences and Bible study have led me to attain greater order in my life by addressing three elements: confession of sin, forgiveness of all others plus myself and becoming informed about the potential joys and peace in achieving eternity in Heaven with God.
My blog #213: refers to Heaven and the book above by John Burke is an amazing study of individuals relating their episodes in Heaven and back through Near Death Experiences they personally witnessed. Once I read this book (which Linda has read three times), I have achieved a peace about death and I do not fear it. I am assured that my final residence in Heaven will be my release from the chaos of this planet.
Ephesians 6: 10-17 covers "Putting on the Full Armor of God." I pray most mornings that I would arm myself with that Armor. The most important part to me (paraphrased) is "I confess my thoughts, words and deeds, repent in the Name of Jesus and ask for forgiveness. I know that you are faithful and just to forgive me my sins. I know that, if I do not forgive others, that I will not be forgiven." This prayer adds much order to my life. Be aware one cannot confess sins and keep on sinning. Blessings come from adherence to this obedience.
Life Application Study Bible KJV Tyndale House. Wheaton, Illinois.1989/1990. A sidebar entry in this Bible on page 2080 states: "God's Armor For Us. We are engaged in a spiritual battle--all believers find themselves subject to Satan's attacks because they are no longer on Satan's side. Paul tells to use every piece of God's armor to resist Satan's attacks and to stand true to God in the midst of them."
Everett Cox, referenced above, is a dear friend of mine and has been a guest in our home. His book is an absolute treasure! I have read it twice and the background of his Deliverance Ministry (delmin.org) is an absolute complete introduction to addressing many issues in our lives as a result of Spiritual Warfare in our lives and how to be equipped to win over the chaos in so many of our lives.
combatfaith.blogspot.com
