Ten Essentials #1 Navigation

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. [2 Timothy 3:16]

Every time you read the scriptures you will take something different from it depending on where you are in your spiritual journey. So even if you have read certain scriptures or heard a similar message before, you would be surprised at what else the Lord has to show you! This is what I love about the Word of God, there is never-ending learning, and we can gain new revelations every day!

Ok, we are hopping right into the first lesson of our Ten Essentials. This is going to be a mini bible study with some questions to think about! So, for those of you listening to the podcast at some point, you may want to go to the blog and grab the questions, if you don’t get them all while listening.

This is intended to help you develop the habit of spending time in the Word, listening to the lord and his guidance, and thinking intentionally about what the Lord is teaching you at this moment.

Ten Essentials #1
Navigation (Map and Compass)
Every Piece of God’s Armor

 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 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. 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. [Ephesians 6:10-13]

Most likely, on a day hike, you would use only a few of the ten essential items. At times we never fully appreciate the value of these ten essentials until we need one of them and it’s not in our pack. I think it’s the same with some believers and the way that they casually read the Word or don’t at all. Or they skip over verses that they are familiar with thinking they already know it.

A map and compass are two of the most vital items to have whenever you venture into the backcountry, even on a day hike. Not only do you need to carry it, but you also need to know how to use a compass and read the map. For backcountry purposes, the maps used are called topographical maps.

A topographical map, also known as a topo map, is a detailed and accurate representation of the Earth’s surface, showing the physical features of a region. It uses contour lines to depict the elevation and shape of the terrain, indicating mountains, valleys, rivers, roads, railroads, rivers, streams, lakes, boundaries, and elevations.

The purpose of this particular type of map is so that you can determine exactly where you are at any given moment, even without a compass. However, the compass is important because if there is zero visibility and you have lost your bearings the compass can get you orientated to where you actually are on that map. You can know where you are on the map yet still go in the wrong direction if you are not sure which way is north, south, east, or west.

So spiritually speaking, the Word of God is our map, and the Holy Spirit is our compass. We are totally in the dark and lost without the Word and the guiding of the Holy Spirit. These are a critical part of ten Biblical Essentials for a solid foundation to be able to not only live out our lives but also stand firm. To be honest we really CAN NOT walk our spiritual journey without either one of them.

Make no mistake about it my dear friends, we are in a battle. We are expected to withstand incredible pressures and not be defeated; we are to stand up against everything the world has to throw at us and emerge victorious; we are not to waiver from one side to the other but to stand… and keep standing.

Just as the Roman soldiers required physical armor to fight their wars, we need spiritual armor and our Biblical Ten Essentials to successfully fight our daily battles.

Ephesians 6:10-13 tells us in detail exactly what we are up against and how to protect and defend ourselves.

• We need to be strong in the mighty power of the Lord.
• We need to put on the full armor of God. (all ten essentials)
• We are told to stand against the devil’s schemes.
• We are told to continue to stand no matter what happens.

So what does this mean? Putting on the full armor of God? I believe what Paul is trying to tell us is we need to be ready and prepared for things that might make us stumble. Each piece of armor is essential to fight the spiritual battle and to protect us. Just like the Wilderness Ten Essentials we may not think these items are important until we face a situation and are left without them. Girlfriend, you don’t want to go into battle naked. So we are going to put on the full armor of God!

Because I want to give you time to work on these questions, we will go over the answers next week!

• According to Ephesians 6:10-13, what are the 4 things we need to do?
• Based on 2 Timothy 3:16 what are 4 things that the Word will do for us?

Study the following scriptures and answer a few questions to understand more about spiritual battles:

We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient. [2 Corinthians 10:3-6]

• How do we do battle as believers?
• What and who are we battling with?
• Our spiritual weapons have what kind of power, what can they do?

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. [1 Peter 5:8-9]

• How should we act at all times?
• After answering the first question – answer why.
• What should we do when the enemy tries to attack us?
• How do you think you can do this?

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. [John 10:10].

• What is the entire goal of the devil?
• What is the goal of Jesus?
• What are your thoughts about fighting a spiritual battle?
• Do you believe that we are in a battle?
• What is one of your current battles?
• How are you fighting against it?

Ten Essentials #1 is the map (Word) and compass (Holy Spirit), it’s also every piece of God’s armor. Without the Word and the Holy Spirit, none of the other essentials will be effective.