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Due to some technical difficulties (like the mailing of supplies), we are doing a
little juggling this week, so our next piece of armor will be the Gospel of Peace.
When I first heard that phrase I wondered “How in the world can the Gospel of
Peace be armor? Doesn’t that contradict the whole Peace part?”
Let’s start again with our quote from Ephesians, this time from a different version
of the Bible:
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on
the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the
devil.” – Ephesians 6:10-11

I think this wording makes it clear that God will lend us His strength when we need it – not like a superpower, where we say a magic word or a spell and BAM! we get strengthened – but instead, when we start our day “in the knowledge and love of Christ,” as the prayerbook says. Here are a few more verses, which I think will explain the concept of armor a little better:
Ephesians 6:14-18(NIV) ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

In the last lesson, we got a token to remind us of the Shield of Faith – and that’s one powerful shield if it’s able to “extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one.” It reminds me of Wonder Woman’s magic bracelets. Faith is that powerful, and that’s why I thought we should start there. Because our faith in God is the foundation for the other aspects.

In this lesson, we are going to take a look at verse 15 – and with your feet fitted
with the readiness that come from the gospel of peace. 
First off, we can all agree that seems like an odd phrase “with your feet fitted with
the readiness.” Why don’t they just say: Put your shoes on?

Say you are in your room, laying on your bed doodling a picture or reading a book.
You are barefoot, because who wears their shoes when they are flopping in their
room? Your shoes are most likely wherever you took them off – downstairs, by the
door, in the kitchen. Maybe you don’t even remember.

In our town, the local fire department drives Santa around the neighborhoods on
the Sunday before Christmas, giving candy canes to all the kids. But you never
know when. Sometimes you even forget that’s going on today. So when you hear
the sirens on your street, you are caught totally by surprise. You scramble to your
feet and you run to the door – but it’s December so you can’t run across the lawn
barefoot. Where are your shoes? And which shoes do you need? Boots? Sneakers?
Can you get away with slippers? While you are frantically searching and trying to
stuff your feet into the first shoe-like thing you find — forget tying the laces – those
firetrucks just keep rolling down the street.

Remember how the armor is not a superpower because you have to consciously put it on? If you are “fitted with the readiness” you won’t need to stop and search, or jam your feet into last year’s boots that squeeze your toes. You can literally get up and walk outside because you are prepared for anything.

Now, about those shoes.
Depending on the Bible version, you may see them referred to as boots, as shoes,
or as sandals. Sorry, 4MG girls, they do not mention flip flops even though the
word “sandal” might give you the wrong impression.
After all, this was written around 60 A.D., when Rome was in charge. Picture a
Roman soldier—remember, it was pretty hot in that part of the world (and it was
before socks) so wearing actual boots would have been sweaty, smelly and
generally unpleasant. What the soldiers wore were a special type of sandal that had a thick sole, with studs on the bottom to give them traction and stability, and laces that went part of the way up their legs to make sure the sandals were secure and didn’t slide around. Picture what we call “gladiator sandals” crossed with hiking boots and a little of those Doc Marten-types and you begin to get the picture.
My point in describing these? Wearing these sandals, the soldiers could travel for
miles and miles without blisters, over any terrain, in any conditions. Truly ready
for anything, and without having to change into a more suitable shoe.

The Word of God is like that.
It is appropriate for any situation, for any condition in which you might find
yourself, and ready at a moment’s notice (and it doesn’t give you blisters, either).
And once you are familiar with the message that Christ came to save you – the
Gospel of Peace – you know in your heart that God loves you. And that helps you
be prepared for anything.
Here’s a good summary that I found on the internet (and I would attribute it, but I
forgot where it came from):
Therefore, when we acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are given
peace. Jesus provides us peace. Even in the midst of chaos and evil. We have peace when we are fitted and ready with His good news.
With our understanding of who really is our King. The ultimate ruler overall.

But why did Paul connect the shoes with the Gospel of Peace?
Let’s also go back to the concept and purpose of the nob-nailed sandals. To
provide traction and stability. A solid footing and foundation.
Have you ever heard the phrase: walk your talk?
It means to do the things you tell other people to do. It means to live the way you
believe you should – and sometimes that isn’t so easy. If you tell people that
gossiping is bad (and it is), then you turn around and talk bad about someone then
you are NOT walking your talk – not doing what you say, and it essentially makes
your word worthless.

So to walk your talk as a Christian is to know:
The Gospel of Peace is that Jesus came and died on the cross for our sins and then rose from the dead and ascended into Heaven. This means that if we believe in Jesus Christ and ask Him to forgive us of our sins, then we can live a peaceful life. We don’t have to worry because we know we are going to Heaven.

Our job as warriors for God is to let as many people as we can know about the
Gospel. If we say that we love Jesus, we need to act like we love Jesus.  We need
to walk the walk.

During this week’s meeting, let’s discuss some ways we can show that we love
Jesus in our daily lives. If anyone has a favorite Bible verse – please share it in the
chat!

This week’s surprise is a pair of socks to remind you to walk in the Gospel of Peace and help us to remember to follow Jesus. 
Jesus is our traction and stability, our solid footing and foundation.

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Favorite Bible Quotes:

God is within her, she will not fall. – Psalm 46.

Be still, and know that I am God. – Psalm 46.10

Whatever you do, do it with all your heart. – Colossians 3:23

I will walk by faith even when I cannot see. – 2 Corinthians 5:7

With God all things are possible. – Matthew 19:26

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart. – Psalm 9:1

He has made everything beautiful in its time. – Ecclesiastes 3:11

Behold, you are beautiful. – Song of Solomon 4:1

For I know the plans I have for you. – Jeremiah 29:11

Seek peace and pursue it. – Psalm 34:14

Let all that you do be done in love. – 1 Corinthians 16:14

We love because He first loved us. – 1 John 4:19

The joy of the Lord is my strength. – Nehemiah 8:10

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever. – 1 Chronicles 16:34

Where God guides, He provides. – Isaiah 58:11

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. – Psalm 118:24

For with God, all things are possible. – Mark 10:27

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13

He shields all who take refuge in Him. – Psalm 18:30

Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly. – Micah 6:8