Doesn’t our God of Life speak through His Word? Certainly He does, so we need to keep listening to what He says and not what the enemy is saying and doing in the name of freedom. Freedom only comes from being set free from the power of sin whereby we are set free and empowered to love Truth and all that it brings to those who will hear IT and act upon It. Let us remember that it is only in dying to self that we live in Him and for Him!
May we consider these verses and the edification, the encouragement and the empowerment that they bring us….from Ephesians 6:10-19… and may we read it as if our Lord is speaking to us in a very personal manner……..
Ephesians 6:10 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,
My dear child, consider putting on My armor, one piece at a time. Beginning with your heart and mind turned up to Me in a spirit of prayer, first wrap around yourself the belt of truth onto which all other parts of My armor will be fastened. This is where reading, praying and meditating upon my Word comes in, my beloved, for that is like putting on the belt of truth each day. Vow to walk in truth as you begin each new day in Me.
Then consider putting on the breastplate of righteousness, which means that you are covered by the righteousness of My Son, Jesus Christ. Do not forget, dear one, that My Son was tempted in all points by sin, but He never sinned. Through your believing in Him, His perfection is your perfection, never never forget that, for your entire existence is based upon this truth. That is why I invite you to first put on the belt of truth, for all of your beliefs and convictions must be connected to My Word of Truth, Jesus Christ as He is revealed through the Bible.
As you stand in Me in My Word, you may be tempted to believe that your identity as a person is based on what others are thinking about you or saying about you as you stand with Me, about your accomplishments or about the lack of them, about your relationships and so on. But that is not how I place value upon you, for you are priceless in my sight because I created you in My image. Even though you fell into sin along with the entire human race, My Son has given you a new identity by dying in your place for your sin, experiencing death for you, and then arising from the dead on Easter morning. You died in Him and were also raised in Him. You now exist in Him and through Him you are a new creation in Him through His Spirit. Never, never, never forget that!! You do not belong to the world, to the Deceiver or to your own estimation of yourself. You are Mine and I am yours.
As you slip into the shoes of peace, know that they will be able to keep your feet firmly planted on My promises as you began to walk the new day in Me. They will not only keep you from slipping, but they will also give you a sense of peace as you live in the peace that I give you and a peace that the world cannot ever take away from you. It is a peace that you will be able to demonstrate before others and a peace that you will at times speak of to those who come across your path. You will be able to tell them that Jesus is your peace and safety in all the storms of life and as a result of Him being your peace, you will be able to invite them to learn of and to experience His peace.
Then grasp the shield of faith in one of your hands by which you are able to move from position to position to ward off the darts of accusation that you know the devil will throw at you in the new day as he tries to rob you of your true identity, and to try to take away the peace that you have, my dear one. The Deceiver does not want to you believe that forgiveness is a gift, that life is for everyone, but that it is something that you have to earn or something which you deserve. That is not right, for I have given you the greatest gift ever, for My Son took your sin and guilt and gave you forgiveness and life through the Gospel. Always believe that message, always believe it and never doubt it!
As you place the helmet of salvation over your head so that your mind would be protected from thoughts that are not edifying, encouraging or empowering, know that by thinking on the things of God your mind will be protected as well as it will be transformed and disciplined to grow to be more like the mind of Christ, the Author of Life. This helmet also keeps your hope and joy burning in the midst of the difficulties that you may find yourself in as you go through life on your way to heaven.
Lastly before you head out the door to face the new day, I ask you to pick up one of the two offensive weapons of your armor, My Word. With this sword of the Spirit you will be able to stand firmly in my Truth, which will enable and empower you to address any questions, challenges, or attacks that would come before you in your day. You will be able to ward off any spiritual attack that might come against you. As you leave your home, do so with the other offensive weapon, prayer, by being continually in prayer as you step into the light of a new day. For having put on My entire armor, you are now prepared to walk in my truth in love and to demonstrate through your attitudes, words and actions of who you are in My Son, Jesus Christ.
Stand fast in the Lord and in the power of His might!!!!
Pastor Orval