Dear Church Family – 

This week’s Best Practices Review is the Armor of God. 

I saw a sign in a gift shop that read: “When you are going through something hard and wonder where God is, remember the teacher is always quiet during a test!”  How many times have we screamed towards heaven – “Where are you God”?? We feel abandoned and alone.  But rest assured He is always with us; He will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8).  It may very well be that we are in the middle of a test and need to trust what He has spoken to us; have faith that we will make it through; and make sure we are doing all we can to stand firm against the enemy.  James 1:3-4 “For you know that the testing of your faith produces patience. And let patience have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”   

So then how do we fight, and how do we protect ourselves?  Ephesians 6:12 “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” .   

The verses before this encourage us, saying: “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil“.  Then in verse 13, it says: “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”  Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose“.  Romans 8:31 “.…If God is for us, who can be against us?“So we see that we are not alone, nor forsaken.  The rest of that scripture says we do not need to be afraid, nor discouraged!  God is on our side and He has given us everything we need to protect ourselves, along with the weapons to fight the enemy.  We see that God works all things together for our good.  It is up to us to make sure we are battle ready.  Then with God’s help, we fight.Whatever kind of battle you are in today, make sure you have your armor on; that you are fighting the proper enemy; and that you ask for help if you need it.  

See also: Hebrews 4:12; Isaiah 59:17; Isaiah 11:5; 2 Corinthians 10:4.

We invite you to worship with us at 10:00 am this Communion Sunday for our in-person live praise and worship team, and a feast from the Father’s table from Pastor Phil.  If you are not able to join us in person, gather your Communion elements and watch us live on our New Facebook Page: “Kings Highway Faith Fellowship-Atlantic Highlands, NJ”  at: https://www.facebook.com/khfful?mibextid=9R9pXO    Or, watch later on our YouTube Channel (as well as past sermons, worship, and Bible Studies – by choosing the Playlist/Date you want to view) at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV21v1LAlhA_IC06qQh5O3A/playlists   

There will be two collections this Sunday.  The first for our covenant tithes and offerings, and the second for our Needy Fund.  Thank you for using Zelle [khfful@yahoo.com], BillPay, or Personal Check (please include any extras – Needy, Missions, Cleaning, etc., all in one check with a note on the bottom left).  Thank you for honoring the Lord with your wealth and the first fruits of your crop… so your barns may be full, according to Proverbs 3:9, God bless you! 

Grab your Bible and join Pastor Phil’s Mid-Week Bible Study in 1 Peter, Wednesdays at 3:00, live on our YouTube Channel at:

Kings Highway Faith Fellowship

From Max Lucado’s book called, “Experiencing the Heart of Jesus For 52 Weeks”.  Week 9:  Fear That Becomes Faith:

“Biographies of bold disciples begin with chapters of honest terror.  Fear of death.  Fear of failure.  Fear of loneliness. Fear of a wasted life.  Faith begins when we see God on the mountain, and we are in the valley, and we know we are too weak to make the climb.  We see what we need and see what we have – and what we have isn’t enough to accomplish anything.  Faith is not born at the negotiating table where we barter our gifts in exchange for God’s goodness.  Faith is not an award given to the most learned.  It’s not a prize given to the most disciplined.  It’s not a title bequeathed to the most religious.  Faith is a desperate dive out of the sinking boat of human effort and a prayer that God will be there to pull us out.  

Paul wrote about this kind of faith in the letter to the Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast”.  Paul is clear.  The supreme force in salvation is God’s grace.  Not our works.  Not our talents.  Not our feelings.  Not our strength.  We like Paul, are aware of two things: we are great sinners and we need a great Savior.  We like Peter, are aware of two facts: we are going down and God is standing up.  So we scramble out.  We leave behind the Titanic of self-righteousness and stand on the solid path of God’s grace.  And surprisingly, we are able to walk on water.  Death is disarmed.  Failures are forgivable.  Life has real purpose. And God is not only within sight; he is within reach.  With precious, wobbly steps we draw closer to him.  For a season of surprising strength, we stand on his promises.  It doesn’t make sense that we are able to do this.  We don’t claim to be worthy of such an incredible gift.  When people ask how in the world we can keep our balance during such stormy times, we don’t boast.. We don’t brag.  We point unabashedly to the one who makes it possible.  Our eyes are on him.  Some of us, like Peter, feel the wind and are afraid.  Maybe we face the wind of pride: “I’m not such a bad sinner after all.  Look at what I can do.”  Most of us, though, face the wind of doubt: “I’m too bad for God to treat me this well.  I don’t deserve such a rescue.”  And downward we plunge.  Gulping and thrashing we fall into a dark, wet world.  We kick and fight our way to the surface.  With our hearts barely about water we have to make a decision.  We know Peter’s choice.  When he saw the wind, he…cried out, Lord save me! Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him”.

Recap – Faith begins when your recognize that you need God’s help.  Even faith that begins with fear will bring you closer to Christ.  You cannot have the peace of God until you have peace with God.  Jesus is there to catch you when you cry out, “Lord save me!”

This month’s Memory Verse: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

Below is an encouraging word from The Passion Translation’s “I Hear His Whisper”, titled “You Will Get Through This”.

UPCOMING EVENTS
                                                                                   ___________________
Wednesday Afternoon Prayer at 12:00-1:00PM and 7:30PM, Wednesdays!  Join us as we pray for revival, for the lost to be found, the backslider to return, the sick to be healed, for the bound to be set free, and for all children – born and unborn. 

March 8 – Women’s Meeting 11:00AM –    Join us for praise and worship, then hear Sister Kathleen Basilicato’s testimony, followed by fellowship over lunch, which will be provided.  Invite a friend to come along, and call of with a headcount – we want to have plenty for everyone!  

March 16-  Brother Kenny Smith will be sharing the morning message.  Mark your calendar, and invite a friend to join you for church so you don’t miss what God is saying to us through our brother!  

July 16-19 – FCM Annual Conference – “Kingdom Authority” at the Holiday Inn Cherry Hill.  See Nancy for registration information.