The Shield Of Faith

Selected sermons delivered 1963-1997.

A richly detailed, profoundly engrossing story of how religion has influenced American foreign relations, told through the stories of the men and women—from presidents to preachers—who have plotted the country’s course in the world. Ever since John Winthrop argued that the Puritans’ new home would be “a city upon a hill,” Americans’ role in the world has been shaped by their belief that God has something special in mind for them. But this is a story that historians have mostly ignored. Now, in the first authoritative work on the subject, Andrew Preston explores the major strains of religious fervor—liberal and conservative, pacifist and militant, internationalist and isolationist—that framed American thinking on international issues from the earliest colonial wars to the twenty-first century. He arrives at some startling conclusions, among them: Abraham Lincoln’s use of religion in the Civil War became the model for subsequent wars of humanitarian intervention; nineteenth-century Protestant missionaries made up the first NGO to advance a global human rights agenda; religious liberty was the centerpiece of Franklin Roosevelt’s strategy to bring the United States into World War II. From George Washington to George W. Bush, from the Puritans to the present, from the colonial wars to the Cold War, religion has been one of America’s most powerful sources of ideas about the wider world. When, just days after 9/11, George W. Bush described America as “a prayerful nation, a nation that prays to an almighty God for protection and for peace,” or when Barack Obama spoke of balancing the “just war and the imperatives of a just peace” in his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, they were echoing four hundred years of religious rhetoric. Preston traces this echo back to its source. Sword of the Spirit, Shield of Faith is an unprecedented achievement: no one has yet attempted such a bold synthesis of American history. It is also a remarkable work of balance and fair-mindedness about one of the most fraught subjects in America.

The essence of John MacArthur, Jr.'s worldwide ministry is his preaching and teaching of God's Word through verse-by-verse exposition. Each radio or tape message reaches thousands with the practical, applied Word of God. John MacArthur's Bible studies consist of the study notes from Dr. MacArthur's messages and tapes. Each book in the series coincides with radio and tape messages and is an in-depth look at a particular topic. The apostle Paul says that if you are a Christian and are living as a believer should, you'll run head on into the enemy. So Paul concludes Ephesians with an impressive list of armor to protect us in the battle against Satan. Study Ephesians 6:10-24 in The Believer's Armor for a detailed description of every piece of that armor. - Back cover.

Some Christians believe strongly in the existence of demons and spiritual warfare. Others downplay or even ignore the idea. With such divergent views, how are Christians supposed to know the truth about demonic forces at work in this world? The Invisible War examines what every believer needs to know about Satan, demons, and spiritual warfare, offering a balanced look at this controversial subject. This provocative book will help Christians understand what the Bible says about these threats and will show them how they can safeguard themselves and their families through prayer. Now repackaged for a new generation, The Invisible War offers a balanced look at what is going on in the spiritual realm and what believers can do to defend themselves.

This message from Chuck Pierce and Robert Heidler likens our spiritual defense to that of the children of Israel while in battle. Within the ranks there were those who carried huge shields to protect the bulk of the army. And just as we fight spiritual battles today, there is a mighty shield we can carry to protect us. This shield of faith is one of the main ways we can resist our enemy's attacks. We are fully capable of resisting the enemy's attacks, but we must first be able to recognize how Satan fights. His main weapons are to create fear and doubt in us and to tempt us to become complainers and murmurers. If we succumb, our faith is weakened. The keys to increasing our faith are found in knowing the Word of God, which engenders praise, thankfulness, trust and obedience.

“A battle manual for every Christian.” —Sinclair B. Ferguson The Christian life is a battle. We are in a daily struggle against the world, sin, and Satan. But God didn’t leave us to fend for ourselves. He gave us his own armor—armor that Jesus has already worn on our behalf all the way to the cross. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is now at work inside of us. This book unpacks each of the pieces of spiritual armor Paul describes in Ephesians 6, inviting us to take up the armor each day, all while resting in the finished victory of Christ and the assurance that our strength for the battle comes from him.

"The following pages represent the gist of a series of sermons given on successive Sunday evenings to the congregation of the church of which I am pastor. The fact that these were originally spoken messages accounts for their racy style and for the personal references which occur in them occasionally. Had I been writing the messages I should have exercised greater care in the composition. The subject is, however, so vitally important that I feel sure the reader will pardon the offhand style of the language. The truth is always good even when the vehicle in which it rides is homely and plain."

**BOOK 2 NEW RELEASE! Order Talon's Truth and the Sword of the Spirit now!**#1 Amazon Kindle Bestseller - Teen & Young Adult Christian Science Fiction! (Updated in 2019!)When Darkness Descends... Heroes Must Rise! CHRISTIAN FICTION collides with MILITARY SCIENCE FICTION, FANTASY ADVENTURE, and SPACE OPERA ROMANCE in this epic, faith and family-friendly adventure written to inspire readers of all ages! Frequently ranked as an Amazon Kindle Bestseller among Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy novels, Talon's Test and the Shield of Faith is the first exciting installment of the Talon Trilogy!Despite a checkered past, Knight Centurion Talon Vance has proven himself to be a hero of the highest order. But now an unprecedented challenge lies before him. Crown Princess Naomi, heir to her dying father's throne, has been targeted for assassination by the evil General Mirkham Hesatan. Their desperate flee from persecution will take them from the perils of deep space combat to a desolate world full of exotic locales, treacherous environments, a ferocious flying monstrosity, and hostile natives of both human and alien origin. But the greatest test of all lies within the heart. With the fate of an entire Star Kingdom hanging precariously in the balance, our heroes will be forced to choose... between Duty and Desire.---"An old-fashioned, rollicking, roller-coaster space opera full of battles, plot twists, heroic characters and truly evil villains... Mr. Downing's prose flows smoothly as a mountain stream... The plot is incredibly fast-paced with some twists, turns and surprises that never cheat the reader... a remarkable performance. If you like action and adventure, don't miss this novel." - End Times Tavern"I had trouble putting it down. Here we are introduced to a hero and heroine who are truly inspiring... I'm really looking forward to Book 2." - Radiqx Press "Absolutely Brilliant. Really enjoyed this book, could not put it down. Can not wait for the next book. Best book I've read in ages. Excellent!!" - Miranda, Amazon UK Review"...Hair raising encounters, literal leaps of faith, and enemies within striking distance... Talon's Test and the Shield of Faith is an action-packed science fiction, faith adventure read. With elements of romance, science fiction, Christian truth, and just plain good writing, this is an amazing read." - Woad Writer---Genres: christian, christian science fiction, christian fantasy, teen & young adult christian science fiction, christian speculative fiction, science fiction, space opera, galactic empire, space team, space war, military science fiction, dragons, starship, action, adventure, space fleet, space marines, colonization, space exploration, aliens.