Sword… Have you noticed all the pieces of the armor we’ve looked at are for protection? Did you notice there’s nothing for the back side? We are to stand, not run. (see Armor / Feb.4th) Stand…that implies a continued action. We are called to face the assault. We have protection, and we have one weapon to fight with.
‘Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get….Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You will need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon.’ (Eph. 6”13-17 The Message)
We are not to fight with our idea of what is right, (truth), but His. We can’t fight armed in our own good behavior (righteousness), but His. We don’t overcome what we face while sitting on our hands, simply on the strength of faith. ‘faith without deeds? Can such faith save?‘(James 2:14) We have to act on what we say we believe. We are provided what is necessary to secure ourselves, but we are still vulnerable and will never take out the enemy without this one weapon He provides for our armor. The Sword of the Spirit…God’s Word.
God’s Word. Communication from the Almighty. What God has said has been recorded for us by a host of different writers, in 3 different languages, under all sorts of circumstances, from every social rank, kings to peasants, highly educated to absolutely no education, Jews and Gentiles, most of them completely unknown to each other, living over the space of some 1600 years, all telling the same story…. the relationship between God and man, how it started, what went wrong, and God’s rescue…the redemption story.
What God says IS. Period. He said ‘let there be….’(Gen.1) and there WAS. He is the same God, what He says packs a powerful punch…and the opposing forces can NOT over-rule His say-so. What satan can and does do, is deceive us about what God has in fact said. (we make it easy when we haven’t a clue what He said in the first place!)
The first sin was a result of not being sure of what God had said. Satan asked Eve, “Did God really say,’You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” (Gen.3:1 NIV) Read the complete story for yourself, see how that happened. Learn the tactic the serpent used. He uses it still. Look for God’s Word in that story, what DID He say?
Satan’s agenda is to keep us ignorant of what God has said or make us believe his version (lies) of what God has said. That devil will try to make us question and doubt God’s character and intent about what He has said and why. God has a reason for what He has said, always always a good reason, and for our ultimate good.
You can’t fight without something to fight with. You’ll get slaughtered standing against an enemy with no weapon to take that enemy down. You may manage to stand a short while…but you’ll not stand long, the enemy will USE his weapons. His weapons are a distortion of God’s Word. You are wise to find out the truth of what He says.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Helmet...
Helmet… We just had Superbowl Sunday. If you know me very well, you will know I have issues with football. I’m not a big fan.
Today, I have to smile at God’s timing, He is so cool, so good at what He does. I’ve spent all this time reflecting on armor, the equipment He tells us to use… to defend ourselves against the very real attacks of our very real opposition. The last piece of protective armor is ‘the helmet of salvation.’
‘ …let us ..put on…the hope of salvation as a helmet.’ (1Thes. 5:8) ’Take the helmet of salvation…’ (Eph. 6:17) ‘ press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 3:14) …(listen to all this football language! Doesn’t God have a sense of humor?!).. ‘make it my goal to please Him’ (2 Cor. 5:9) ‘receiving the goal of my faith, the salvation of my soul..’ (1 Peter 1:9)
Let’s clear up our thinking about this hope thing though. Hope = ‘elpis’ in the original language of scripture and it means to anticipate with pleasure, to expect with confidence, desire something good with the expectation of obtaining it while not yet an actuality.
It is difficult to stay in a battle when there is no hope of victory. This is not a big ‘what if’. This is not an impossiblity. But ‘thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (1 Cor. 15:57)
Daily putting on this helmet of salvation protects my mind. This hope protects me when my understanding is being assaulted. The enemy wants me to have poor or no understanding, and he will twist truth so that I MISunderstand. He wants me to have poor judgment. He wants me to be confused and uncertain. He would have me live in fear and insecurity, or horribly misuse and misapply the grace that God has extended. But..
I have received… ‘the Spirit Who is from God’ (1Cor. 2:12) I have possession… ‘the promised Holy Spirit….gaurantees my inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession..’ (Eph. 1:13,14) HE is ‘the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him.’ (Heb.5:9)
The opposing side plays rough and dirty. I have protective gear to wear because the opposition wants to take me down any way possible. The helmet is a vital part.
It is crucial to protect my mind…and God Himself provides that protection.
I have possession, and I have the promises of God. I am assured victory. How about you? Are you on God’s team? Are you suited up?…protected with His gear, or relying on your own? Your apt to be injured without it. Are you in the game, or on the bench? He needs all players on the field, He really wants to run the scoreboard up. ‘..look at the fields, they are ripe for harvest.’(John 4:25)
Today, I have to smile at God’s timing, He is so cool, so good at what He does. I’ve spent all this time reflecting on armor, the equipment He tells us to use… to defend ourselves against the very real attacks of our very real opposition. The last piece of protective armor is ‘the helmet of salvation.’
‘ …let us ..put on…the hope of salvation as a helmet.’ (1Thes. 5:8) ’Take the helmet of salvation…’ (Eph. 6:17) ‘ press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 3:14) …(listen to all this football language! Doesn’t God have a sense of humor?!).. ‘make it my goal to please Him’ (2 Cor. 5:9) ‘receiving the goal of my faith, the salvation of my soul..’ (1 Peter 1:9)
Let’s clear up our thinking about this hope thing though. Hope = ‘elpis’ in the original language of scripture and it means to anticipate with pleasure, to expect with confidence, desire something good with the expectation of obtaining it while not yet an actuality.
It is difficult to stay in a battle when there is no hope of victory. This is not a big ‘what if’. This is not an impossiblity. But ‘thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (1 Cor. 15:57)
Daily putting on this helmet of salvation protects my mind. This hope protects me when my understanding is being assaulted. The enemy wants me to have poor or no understanding, and he will twist truth so that I MISunderstand. He wants me to have poor judgment. He wants me to be confused and uncertain. He would have me live in fear and insecurity, or horribly misuse and misapply the grace that God has extended. But..
I have received… ‘the Spirit Who is from God’ (1Cor. 2:12) I have possession… ‘the promised Holy Spirit….gaurantees my inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession..’ (Eph. 1:13,14) HE is ‘the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him.’ (Heb.5:9)
The opposing side plays rough and dirty. I have protective gear to wear because the opposition wants to take me down any way possible. The helmet is a vital part.
It is crucial to protect my mind…and God Himself provides that protection.
I have possession, and I have the promises of God. I am assured victory. How about you? Are you on God’s team? Are you suited up?…protected with His gear, or relying on your own? Your apt to be injured without it. Are you in the game, or on the bench? He needs all players on the field, He really wants to run the scoreboard up. ‘..look at the fields, they are ripe for harvest.’(John 4:25)
Shield...
Shield….I’ve been wearing a raincoat a lot lately. It is my shield against falling drops of water. It keeps my clothes dry, therefore keeping me warm instead of chilled to the bone. I have a plastic shield I use in my microwave. I put it over the food to keep it from splattering. Shields…of water-proof material…of microwave safe plastic. What about the shield in this armor of God…
‘take the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.’ (Eph. 6:16) Don’t get off the point here…don’t zoom in on that faith word yet. (I’m not sure I can tackle that one!) We need to understand why we have a need for a shield, and what we use it for.
We are being told in this scripture that there are ‘flaming arrows’ from ‘the evil one’ …that we ARE in harm’s way, and we need a shield between us and these methods of attack. We have to have a way to put out these ‘flaming arrows’. (I have images of Calvary forts and Indians, on the western movies that often play in our living room.)The Indians’ flaming arrows may or may not have been real…but the ones our enemy uses are very real.
The wrong thoughts that pass thru my mind, but get caught and thrown out as I use my shield.
The opportunities to do what I know I should not…I use my shield of faith to turn them down.
The occasions when I want to lash out and return the attack..I raise my shield to protect myself, refusing to hurt another person unnecessarily.
The fear that plagues me…I raise up my shield to keep it from penetrating my heart.
The burning questions I struggle with, I raise up my shield to put out the fire of doubt and unbelief that my enemy would like to see steal my joy and destroy me.
All the ‘what if’s…I raise my shield to knock them down, remembering the promises of God.
I must on purpose raise up my shield. It’s up to me. It doesn’t raise itself.
The shield used in Biblical times was usually made of light wood covered with several layers of leather hides with a rim of brass. Some shields were covered in metal, making them heavier and harder to use for long periods of time. The wood was vulnerable to fire but lighter and easier to maneuver in battle. Leathers were kept rubbed with oil to protect them and help keep the surface smooth so that arrows or darts would not penetrate easily. ( anointed with oil ! )
Our shield is made of faith. That’s a really big word. The writer of Hebrews says it is ‘being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.’ (Heb. 11:1) My faith is not in my faith. My faith is in the God of the universe, the Creator of everything in my reality and beyond. HE, my friend, shields me from any flaming arrow my enemy hurls.
‘Thou O Lord, are a shield around me.’ (Ps. 3:3)
‘take the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.’ (Eph. 6:16) Don’t get off the point here…don’t zoom in on that faith word yet. (I’m not sure I can tackle that one!) We need to understand why we have a need for a shield, and what we use it for.
We are being told in this scripture that there are ‘flaming arrows’ from ‘the evil one’ …that we ARE in harm’s way, and we need a shield between us and these methods of attack. We have to have a way to put out these ‘flaming arrows’. (I have images of Calvary forts and Indians, on the western movies that often play in our living room.)The Indians’ flaming arrows may or may not have been real…but the ones our enemy uses are very real.
The wrong thoughts that pass thru my mind, but get caught and thrown out as I use my shield.
The opportunities to do what I know I should not…I use my shield of faith to turn them down.
The occasions when I want to lash out and return the attack..I raise my shield to protect myself, refusing to hurt another person unnecessarily.
The fear that plagues me…I raise up my shield to keep it from penetrating my heart.
The burning questions I struggle with, I raise up my shield to put out the fire of doubt and unbelief that my enemy would like to see steal my joy and destroy me.
All the ‘what if’s…I raise my shield to knock them down, remembering the promises of God.
I must on purpose raise up my shield. It’s up to me. It doesn’t raise itself.
The shield used in Biblical times was usually made of light wood covered with several layers of leather hides with a rim of brass. Some shields were covered in metal, making them heavier and harder to use for long periods of time. The wood was vulnerable to fire but lighter and easier to maneuver in battle. Leathers were kept rubbed with oil to protect them and help keep the surface smooth so that arrows or darts would not penetrate easily. ( anointed with oil ! )
Our shield is made of faith. That’s a really big word. The writer of Hebrews says it is ‘being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.’ (Heb. 11:1) My faith is not in my faith. My faith is in the God of the universe, the Creator of everything in my reality and beyond. HE, my friend, shields me from any flaming arrow my enemy hurls.
‘Thou O Lord, are a shield around me.’ (Ps. 3:3)
Shod...
Shod… People with horses know that term well. I’m not a horse, but I like being well shod. Most people do, especially us girls…we like shoes.
There is a purpose for being shod…to cover the feet and make us able to take steps without subjecting our tender flesh to the bare ground. The older I’ve gotten, my choices have changed…the emphasis becomes more on comfort and purpose rather than style and appearance.
When I go on a day’s shopping trip, I take in consideration the amount of walking, and I make sure I’m shod accordingly. Every Christian should make similar considerations daily, we should be ‘shod’ appropriately, for we are shopping with Jesus, looking for others who will choose His offer. ‘He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.’ (1 Peter 3:9)
He has already bought me…paid the price, I’m just waiting to go home with Him. Meanwhile, He is within me, with me every moment of every day. He’s not walking around in flesh anymore…He is RE-presented to the world now thru the flesh of His children. ‘Christ is in you..’ (Col. 1:27) That’s me… and you, if you‘re His.So what about the foot-gear in the armor we’ve been discussing? ‘..your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace..’(Eph. 6:15) The common soldiers of that day were shod with a type of sandal or ‘caligae’. They were strapped around the instep and ankle, with thick soles studded with protruding nails that kept them standing firmly in the sandy ground.
In the very real spiritual war that is going on all around you and I, we must be shod. But not with a spiked heel. We are to be shod and prepared with ‘the gospel of peace’ We can’t achieve any victory without this important basic piece of equipment. (shoes DO make the outfit !)
The gospel/good news/message….IS peace. Peace with God instead of conflict with Him. He is perfect, we are not. FAR from it in fact ! Conflicts (sin) exist in our relationships with each other. There is conflict between us and God. Conflict destroys personal peace and peace with others…family, friends, spouses, neighbors, strangers, other nations…. It gets to be a really awful mess. Painful. Hurtful. Damaging. There is a solution to the problem…reconciliation has been made possible. Peace with God will bring personal peace and peace with one another.
Ephesians 2 has a lot to say about this.. ‘In Christ Jesus, you who were far away, have been brought near… He Himself is our peace, Who has… destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility…making peace, …, to reconcile ….them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility.’ (selected verses)
How you are shod will tell off on you. Is the gospel of peace what keeps you grounded, standing firmly, able to stand against enemy assault? Or is it your flesh….your tender , vulnerable, bare feet?
There is a purpose for being shod…to cover the feet and make us able to take steps without subjecting our tender flesh to the bare ground. The older I’ve gotten, my choices have changed…the emphasis becomes more on comfort and purpose rather than style and appearance.
When I go on a day’s shopping trip, I take in consideration the amount of walking, and I make sure I’m shod accordingly. Every Christian should make similar considerations daily, we should be ‘shod’ appropriately, for we are shopping with Jesus, looking for others who will choose His offer. ‘He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.’ (1 Peter 3:9)
He has already bought me…paid the price, I’m just waiting to go home with Him. Meanwhile, He is within me, with me every moment of every day. He’s not walking around in flesh anymore…He is RE-presented to the world now thru the flesh of His children. ‘Christ is in you..’ (Col. 1:27) That’s me… and you, if you‘re His.So what about the foot-gear in the armor we’ve been discussing? ‘..your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace..’(Eph. 6:15) The common soldiers of that day were shod with a type of sandal or ‘caligae’. They were strapped around the instep and ankle, with thick soles studded with protruding nails that kept them standing firmly in the sandy ground.
In the very real spiritual war that is going on all around you and I, we must be shod. But not with a spiked heel. We are to be shod and prepared with ‘the gospel of peace’ We can’t achieve any victory without this important basic piece of equipment. (shoes DO make the outfit !)
The gospel/good news/message….IS peace. Peace with God instead of conflict with Him. He is perfect, we are not. FAR from it in fact ! Conflicts (sin) exist in our relationships with each other. There is conflict between us and God. Conflict destroys personal peace and peace with others…family, friends, spouses, neighbors, strangers, other nations…. It gets to be a really awful mess. Painful. Hurtful. Damaging. There is a solution to the problem…reconciliation has been made possible. Peace with God will bring personal peace and peace with one another.
Ephesians 2 has a lot to say about this.. ‘In Christ Jesus, you who were far away, have been brought near… He Himself is our peace, Who has… destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility…making peace, …, to reconcile ….them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility.’ (selected verses)
How you are shod will tell off on you. Is the gospel of peace what keeps you grounded, standing firmly, able to stand against enemy assault? Or is it your flesh….your tender , vulnerable, bare feet?
Breastplate...
Breastplate… Batman wore one with six-pack abs made into it. Remember? My breastplate doesn’t give me abs…but it protects the vital parts of me…my heart.
We’re still talking about this armor thing remember? We thought about the belt of truth previously. Now to this breastplate thing….get out your Sword (Bible) and look for yourself. There’s a table of contents in the front of your Bible to help you locate the books, Ephesians is in the New Testament section. Look at chapter 6, verse 14.
‘ ..with the breastplate of righteousness in place…’ Why does scripture use this picture to illustrate something to us? Just what IS righteousness anyway? And a breastplate?? Come on…
Batman’s breastplate turned bullets and protected him from blows to his ribs. (Fictional) Police have garments that serve as breastplates, they call them bullet-proof vests. They offer protection from attacks helping to slow down or stop a piece of lead screaming thru space, shot from a gun. I think it’s made of something called ‘Kevlar’. (Reality)
Dikaiosune = righteousness in the original language of scripture. The word dikaiosune has to do with character. Innocent, holy, absolute rightness. It was once spelled ‘rightwiseness’. So we are to ‘put on’ this thing to protect us…this thing called righteousness. Think you can fill that description? I can’t !! I am not innocent, far from holy, and absolutely never absolutely right !!
So how can I wear something I don’t have ?!!? Here’s The Good News, the absolute best news you’ll ever hear. I quote it from The Message translation…‘…anyone united with The Messiah gets a fresh start, …God settled the relationship between us and Him…He put the world square with Himself through the Messiah Jesus… God put the wrong on Him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God. ’ (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)
There my friend is my rightwisesness. There is the only absolute right character you’ll find in me. My only innocence. Nothing holy in me except from Him. I want it firmly in place every single day. I have never accomplished it, try as I might…HE accomplished it. And HE continues the work in me to rid me of the stains and residues of sin…the stuff that keeps me from being innocent, holy, and right. It is an on-going process, will be until I draw my last breath in this body.
My breastplate of righteousness is always on. My heart is not just set right with God, but was changed. I want what He wants. And even when I don’t really…I WANT to want what He wants. He protects me in that way…drawing me to Him rather than letting me be content out of His perfect will.
My breastplate doesn’t give me six-pack abs. But it makes me look perfect to God. He sees perfection…the perfection of Christ. And knowing THAT….protects my heart.
We’re still talking about this armor thing remember? We thought about the belt of truth previously. Now to this breastplate thing….get out your Sword (Bible) and look for yourself. There’s a table of contents in the front of your Bible to help you locate the books, Ephesians is in the New Testament section. Look at chapter 6, verse 14.
‘ ..with the breastplate of righteousness in place…’ Why does scripture use this picture to illustrate something to us? Just what IS righteousness anyway? And a breastplate?? Come on…
Batman’s breastplate turned bullets and protected him from blows to his ribs. (Fictional) Police have garments that serve as breastplates, they call them bullet-proof vests. They offer protection from attacks helping to slow down or stop a piece of lead screaming thru space, shot from a gun. I think it’s made of something called ‘Kevlar’. (Reality)
Dikaiosune = righteousness in the original language of scripture. The word dikaiosune has to do with character. Innocent, holy, absolute rightness. It was once spelled ‘rightwiseness’. So we are to ‘put on’ this thing to protect us…this thing called righteousness. Think you can fill that description? I can’t !! I am not innocent, far from holy, and absolutely never absolutely right !!
So how can I wear something I don’t have ?!!? Here’s The Good News, the absolute best news you’ll ever hear. I quote it from The Message translation…‘…anyone united with The Messiah gets a fresh start, …God settled the relationship between us and Him…He put the world square with Himself through the Messiah Jesus… God put the wrong on Him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God. ’ (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)
There my friend is my rightwisesness. There is the only absolute right character you’ll find in me. My only innocence. Nothing holy in me except from Him. I want it firmly in place every single day. I have never accomplished it, try as I might…HE accomplished it. And HE continues the work in me to rid me of the stains and residues of sin…the stuff that keeps me from being innocent, holy, and right. It is an on-going process, will be until I draw my last breath in this body.
My breastplate of righteousness is always on. My heart is not just set right with God, but was changed. I want what He wants. And even when I don’t really…I WANT to want what He wants. He protects me in that way…drawing me to Him rather than letting me be content out of His perfect will.
My breastplate doesn’t give me six-pack abs. But it makes me look perfect to God. He sees perfection…the perfection of Christ. And knowing THAT….protects my heart.
Armor...
Armor… Do you have pictures of King Arthur in your head? (He’s a myth, by the way.) A handsome knight in shining armor? (A righteous vigilante, putting down evil-doers for his queen?) Romantic huh?
Armor looks uncomfortable to me. Heavy. Bulky. Restrictive. David would not wear Saul’s armor when he went out to meet Goliath. Why? You tell me…1 Samuel 17 tells the story. Take up your Sword of The Spirit (Bible) and see for yourself.
Ephesians 6:11 advises me to ‘put on the whole armor of God’. Not part of it…the whole thing. And it doesn’t advise me to come up with my own outfit. It tells me to put on God’s armor. Why? ‘SO I may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.’ (verse 11) OK….so what is this armor?
Eph. 6:14 begins to tell us about it. Don’t take my word for it. Open up that Sword of The Spirit and see for yourself.
First….STAND. Decide you’re going to in fact PUT this armor ON. We can talk about what a good idea it is. That doesn’t give us a tiny little bit of protection. So…will you decide? Begin to arm yourself against the very real enemy?
Then, we must ‘ have the belt of truth buckled around our waist..’ There IS absolute truth. If you have no consistent views of truth, you are an easy target for the adversary to successfully attack. Ask God right NOW, to help you to see. Ask Him to remove the scales from your eyes, that you are not deceived or blinded by the enemy’s lies. What God says….IS. Period. Absolute.
In the time period this scripture was written, people wore long flowing garments, men and women alike. It was vital, when battle came, those garments must not be a hindrance. A belt, sometimes called a girdle, would be worn to secure all the garments in place. The loose parts would be gathered up and fastened inside a belt.
Truth keeps all of our ‘self’ grounded and in place. Truth keeps us from being tangled up in the ‘stuff’ that surrounds us on every side, the struggles, skirmishes, and outright war that we face. Truth keeps the fleshly/human part of us standing firmly, supporting us, so that we all fight on the same ground, for the same side. The enemy wants us divided, wants us confused about what IS true and right. That’s one of his best tactics. I detest him for it.
Armor. God had one tailor made for me. He has one for you…if you’ll wear it.
Armor looks uncomfortable to me. Heavy. Bulky. Restrictive. David would not wear Saul’s armor when he went out to meet Goliath. Why? You tell me…1 Samuel 17 tells the story. Take up your Sword of The Spirit (Bible) and see for yourself.
Ephesians 6:11 advises me to ‘put on the whole armor of God’. Not part of it…the whole thing. And it doesn’t advise me to come up with my own outfit. It tells me to put on God’s armor. Why? ‘SO I may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.’ (verse 11) OK….so what is this armor?
Eph. 6:14 begins to tell us about it. Don’t take my word for it. Open up that Sword of The Spirit and see for yourself.
First….STAND. Decide you’re going to in fact PUT this armor ON. We can talk about what a good idea it is. That doesn’t give us a tiny little bit of protection. So…will you decide? Begin to arm yourself against the very real enemy?
Then, we must ‘ have the belt of truth buckled around our waist..’ There IS absolute truth. If you have no consistent views of truth, you are an easy target for the adversary to successfully attack. Ask God right NOW, to help you to see. Ask Him to remove the scales from your eyes, that you are not deceived or blinded by the enemy’s lies. What God says….IS. Period. Absolute.
In the time period this scripture was written, people wore long flowing garments, men and women alike. It was vital, when battle came, those garments must not be a hindrance. A belt, sometimes called a girdle, would be worn to secure all the garments in place. The loose parts would be gathered up and fastened inside a belt.
Truth keeps all of our ‘self’ grounded and in place. Truth keeps us from being tangled up in the ‘stuff’ that surrounds us on every side, the struggles, skirmishes, and outright war that we face. Truth keeps the fleshly/human part of us standing firmly, supporting us, so that we all fight on the same ground, for the same side. The enemy wants us divided, wants us confused about what IS true and right. That’s one of his best tactics. I detest him for it.
Armor. God had one tailor made for me. He has one for you…if you’ll wear it.
War...
War…It is real. It is here. You and I are IN it. ‘This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the devil and all his angels.’ (Eph. 6:12 The Message)
‘Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting, you’ll still be on your feet.’ (Eph. 6:13 The Message)
Are you prepared? Do you make it your business to stay prepared? The enemy has no shame, he will surely notice if you are not…and he will take advantage of the opportunity. He will attack when you are most vulnerable. There is no honor found in him. He ‘prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour’…so ‘be self-controlled and alert’ (1 Peter 5:8)
The natural response to the awareness of danger is to seek protection. We will never succeed in protecting ourSELF from this enemy. He has the upper-hand, he won it in The Garden incident. It’s that curse. Death…and we can’t defeat death, remember? I have been saved from that curse…but the war goes on. The attacks still come. Daily. And I need protection. ‘Give me aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless.’ (Ps.60:11)
There are many battlefields. The frustration and anger that shows up in the workplace. The behavior we display when a neighbor annoys us. The addictions that hold us captive. The attitudes of disrespect and dishonor to other people. The self-righteousness and pride in our hearts. Dishonesty. Gossip. Neglect. Putting ANY thing or ANY one above God. There is no place, no moment…that we are not standing on a battle ground.
Are you fighting? Or are you surrendered?
I want to fight. I have protection, and I have One weapon. ‘Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes….take up the Sword of the Spirit..’ (Eph. 6:11,17)
Get your Sword, and let’s look at this armor a little closer….
‘Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting, you’ll still be on your feet.’ (Eph. 6:13 The Message)
Are you prepared? Do you make it your business to stay prepared? The enemy has no shame, he will surely notice if you are not…and he will take advantage of the opportunity. He will attack when you are most vulnerable. There is no honor found in him. He ‘prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour’…so ‘be self-controlled and alert’ (1 Peter 5:8)
The natural response to the awareness of danger is to seek protection. We will never succeed in protecting ourSELF from this enemy. He has the upper-hand, he won it in The Garden incident. It’s that curse. Death…and we can’t defeat death, remember? I have been saved from that curse…but the war goes on. The attacks still come. Daily. And I need protection. ‘Give me aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless.’ (Ps.60:11)
There are many battlefields. The frustration and anger that shows up in the workplace. The behavior we display when a neighbor annoys us. The addictions that hold us captive. The attitudes of disrespect and dishonor to other people. The self-righteousness and pride in our hearts. Dishonesty. Gossip. Neglect. Putting ANY thing or ANY one above God. There is no place, no moment…that we are not standing on a battle ground.
Are you fighting? Or are you surrendered?
I want to fight. I have protection, and I have One weapon. ‘Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes….take up the Sword of the Spirit..’ (Eph. 6:11,17)
Get your Sword, and let’s look at this armor a little closer….
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