Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks. We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.
Be ready! Let the truth be like a belt around your waist, and let God’s justice protect you like armor. Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet. Let your faith be like a shield, and you will be able to stop all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Let God’s saving power be like a helmet, and for a sword use God’s message that comes from the Spirit.
Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God’s people. Ephesians 6:10-18 (CEV)
Every morning I wash my face. When I was a child, my mother would have to stand over me to make sure I did it. She even had to threaten me to get me to take a bath once or twice a week! Now, I can’t imagine starting my day without a shower. Gross! Yuk!
Prayer, spending time with the Lord, listening and learning from Him – that should be more important than a shower! My day should feel ‘WAY out of alignment if I do not spend time with God. I love that commercial for V-8 juice that shows people getting hit in the back of the head when they don’t choose V-8 juice over fast food. Sometimes I treat God like He’s a fast food drive-thru! A quick “Hi†and “Gimme ______†and I’m out the door. “Oh, yeah, thanks for ______!â€
Many Christians PRAY this Ephesians passage every day. They ‘pray on’ the armor of God. There’s an empowerment that does come when I think about the act of putting on these gifts from God like pieces of mighty armor!
-The helmet of salvation that reminds me that I BELONG to God because of Jesus Christ.
-The breastplate of righteousness that is like an emblem across my chest that says, “Jesus’ righteousness†and covers MY unrighteousness and allows me into the Holy of Holies to talk to my Father.
-The belt of truth that I ask God to SEAL around my waist that I would know God’s truth because He promised that it would set me free!!! (John 8:32)
-The shoes of peace – I wear them because I know the peace of the Good News of Jesus Christ and Him crucified and I walk it to a chaotic and confused world – bringing peace.
-The shield of faith – I want a BIG, HUGE shield that covers me front and back and over my head! I want MORE faith every day!
-And the sword of the Holy Spirit – that is God’s Words, living and active in my life. They are not words for 2000 years ago. They are words for me, right now.
I always add a cloak of humility over my armor. I began that after reading the visions that Rick Joyner shared in his book, The Final Quest. I need a cloak of humility to keep me looking at God and not at how ‘shiny-holy’ I think I am!
Every day is a new day with God. Yesterday is only for His lessons well-learned. There is no room for yesterday’s failures or weaknesses. They are under His Blood. Tomorrow is also in God’s hands and will come on His timing. Today is where He will provide all that I need for the tasks He has for me.
You must encourage one another each day. And you must keep on while there is still a time that can be called “todayâ€. If you don’t, then sin may fool some of you and make you stubborn. We were sure about Christ when we first became his people. So let’s hold tightly to our faith until the end. Hebrews 3:13-14 (CEV)
