Preparing and Filling Your Spiritual Tool Belt

By Ted Saul

The Christian walk can include trials and tests that may affect health, finances and relationships.  As the return of our Lord gets closer, the enemy will step it up to discourage and distract the Christ follower from what they should be doing – spreading the Good News of Christ.  Jesus warned us that trials will happen; tests will come and even persecution.  But He didn't leave us without tools to help us stay strong, fearless and overcome discouragement.

Preparing and Filling your Spiritual Tool Belt examines some of the tools available to every believer and how they can be used to help through whatever is being encountered now or in the future.  Take heart, these tools have been tried and tested through the centuries and will not fail because they are backed by a loving Almighty God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ted Saul
• Release date: Oct 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215212134

Ted Saul

Ted Saul is a writer and musician living in Southern California.  During a health journey of his own, he discovered these tools and learned the sustaining power of each.  Encouraged by a pastor, he decided to write what he has learned in this book.  Ted’s desire is to help, encourage and bless fellow Christians as they face trials of their own.

Book preview

Preparing

And Filling

your Spiritual

Tool Belt

How You Can Be Ready

When Times of Trial Come Your Way

Ted Saul

Copyright © 2022 by Ted Saul

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review. For more information, email: [e-mail].

First paperback edition October 2022

Published in Murrieta California USA by Draft2Digital

Upcoming Books by Ted Saul

Finding Your Way in Christian Music

Find other resources and watch for additional projects at TSAUL.COM

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com.  The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

To my wonderful wife Sheri who has been by my side during this entire journey. And to my daughter Jodi and my sons Jesse and Renn who have also provided Sheri and I with love, support and prayer.  Thank you.  I love you all. 

And thank you to my prayer team that includes family, friends and even people I don’t know. You have continuously brought me before the throne of God interceding in my behalf.  Your prayers have provided me with a peace that only comes from our loving and caring God.  You are an example of what Christ desires the family of God to be like.  Blessings to you.

With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people (Ephesians 6:18)

Contents

Introduction

Packing Your Trial Tool Belt

Prayer Team of Faith

Remember Those Who Have Gone Before

Share with and Encourage Others

Stay Busy for the Lord with Eternal Activity

God Has a Plan for You

Knowledge of God’s Attributes

The Sovereignty of God

A Surrendered Heart

A Teachable Heart

It’s about God’s Strength, Not Ours

The Word of God

Worship and Praise

Thanksgiving

Times Alone with God

Input from Good Books

Buckle Up Your Tool Belt

Appendix

Introduction

Trials and tests. The Bible is clear that we will experience them at some point during our walk with the Lord. They may be deep and long lasting or short but very impactful. They may be brief and just a nuisance that we learn to put up with. James 1:2–3 says to consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds. Peter wrote in chapter four verse 12 of his first book don’t think it strange (also translated don’t be surprised) at the fiery ordeal taking place. I heard one pastor say, If you’re not experiencing a trial right now, don’t worry, you will.

Fortunately, the Bible is also clear why we must experience these difficult times. After confirming that we will face trials, James continues in his letter to tell us that the testing of your faith produces endurance. To run a footrace faster and stronger, endurance needs to be built up and that strengthening will come by stretching muscles of not only the legs but the whole body. Knowledgeable gardeners know that the more a plant has to work and struggle to find water and nutrition, the stronger it will become. In the same way, the Bible says as we struggle and exercise, we will grow in perseverance and maturity. In addition, if we let him, God will become more real to us and we will sense his closeness more than ever before. We might all wish for an easier way to grow in our spiritual walk, but trusting in God our creator will show us his way is best.

The good news in all this is that God in his infinite wisdom and grace has also provided the means to persevere through our trials. I call them tools. Traveling through a difficult health journey, I have discovered some tools available to believers and learned how to pack them in my tool belt to help me endure and keep my joy as I face difficult experiences. The thoughts that have gone into this book began in 2019 when I was asked to speak at the Tentmakers.biz ministry luncheons and share what I’d been experiencing. But rather than talk only about me and my health journey, the Lord led me to speak on the tools he has provided and how they have helped in the past and continually keep on helping me. Later, during a discussion with a pastor regarding my journey, I said, I should write this down in a book. He quickly confirmed, Yes, you should, and I decided to put together this guide to building up your own tool belt. The idea is to prepare the collection and have it available before tests come about. As you read these simple words, I pray that God will show you some additional tools he has in mind just for you.

The key thought I’d like you to take away from reading this book is that God doesn’t just send trials and tests our way but he has also provided the means to be victorious in and through them. The Bible is clear that trials will come and are a necessary part of growing in the faith. Why not be proactive and take some time to develop and pack your own tool belt so it’s ready for you to use? Even if life remains uneventful for a time, you can share your tool belt with someone going through their own tests. Take a look at the tools I discovered and ask God which ones you can develop, have ready and packed away in your spiritual tool belt. Each one has been Ted Tested. And then ask him for any others that he may have just for you. Once your tool best is prepared, it will always be with you, ready to use.

One last thought. If you have never received Jesus as your Savior, these tools will not help you. They are for those who call themselves Christians because they have accepted Jesus’s death on the cross and accepted him as their way of salvation. You can do that now with a simple prayer to God and be assured that Jesus turns no one away. If you have questions, find a Bible-believing church or a friend who you know is a Christian. Either will be able to explain God’s way of salvation and the wonderful life and eternity that awaits you. At that point, these tools and more will be available to you.

Packing Your Trial Tool Belt

Chapter 1

There I was, lying in the emergency room waiting for results from a brain MRI. I didn’t feel all that bad and was looking forward to going home. Up to then, I hadn’t had much experience in hospitals but decided it wasn’t one of my favorite places. I had been sent to the ER by an ophthalmologist—yes, an eye doctor—after having some sporadic double vision. It wasn’t very bad, but the doctor was concerned after finding my optic nerve swollen. Since it connects to the brain, she felt it could be serious and insisted I have some tests done.

Finally, the ER doctor came in with this message, Mr. Saul, I’m sorry to tell you that the MRI shows a tumor. My first thought was OK, Lord, what’s next? And so began a health journey I never expected to take but also a time of learning where I discovered the grace, mercy and power of God as I’d never seen before in my life. I could write for days about how the hand of God, our Great Shepherd, was involved in my life during these times. He worked in what some have called miraculous ways to get me through the complicated health system’s red tape to the right doctors to provide the best care available. If you have ever experienced any type of health journey you may understand the challenges that can be faced.

However, this book isn’t about me but rather the tools that God has provided to sustain