Fully Prepared

I hope you all had a great 4th of July. I know it rained but the rain kept things kind of simple around here and we just sat around the table, talked and watched a movie. We had some quality time with quality people. I hope you all had the same. One of the best parts of my evening was sitting and listening to my brother in law talk about Jesus and his study time with the Lord. He has answered the call to preach and is preaching in various churches in and around Eufaula. He is preaching a revival at the end of the month and he was talking about the messages God has already put together. He is diving into the Word of God on a daily basis and it is obvious. I showed him a couple of videos last night and Jimmy talked about how we have stopped at the helmet of salvation, regarding the armor of God. I have been preaching for quite some time now that salvation is only the beginning but the church treats it like the finish line. I thought it was awesome to look at it through the perspective of the armor of God. We put on the helmet of salvation and cling to it, but we can't stop there. We are pretty much not ready for battle if all we have is the helmet of salvation. Don't get me wrong it is certainly the piece of armor we must have and it is absolutely necessary, without it the other parts really don't work for us. However there is more protection available to us. Let us go to the scripture and see what the whole picture is supposed to look like. 

Ephesians 6:10-20
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness 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. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.


The first thing we need to understand is the armor of God is needed to stand against the wiles of the devil (Verse 11, and 13). Also please understand that we are not struggling against flesh and blood. We are not fighting against the wicked people of this world, our struggle is against evil. Read this scripture several times today and look for opportunites for the armor of God to protect you and keep you safe. Look for ways that the armor of God is necessary. But before you take on this world put on the full armor of God. Don't go into your day half prepared. Right now drop everything and ask God to empower you to be His witness, ask Him to fit you full perfectly with His armor so you are prepared. Then fight the good fight, be kingdom minded, do God's work today.



RAK CHAZAK,


Bother Big Daddy

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