Ephesians 6:10-18 (New International Version)
The Armor of God
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
How wonderful it is that our God has provided easy guidelines to get us through any day.
13Therefore put on THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
BELT OF TRUTH
No matter who or what you have to deal with during the day, if you are reinforced with truth you have no cause to fear. I teach my grandchildren that one of the benefits of a truthful life is that you have no need to remember which lie you told to whom. You can approach everyone with ease of mind and concentrate on the here and now instead of the cumbersome task of weaving a plausible web of deceit. The most lasting problem is that a person, once known a liar, has a very difficult time being believed even when telling an obvious truth.
BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Righteousness means coming to any situation knowing that you are right with God and man. This is in no way that self-centered attitude that some associate with the religious. You can only be right with God with a sense of humility. God teaches us to approach our brothers with gentleness and patience.
2 Timothy 2 (New International Version)
22Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.
24And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
25Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,
THE GOSPEL OF PEACE
15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
There are some folks who are just natural peacemakers. Some of us have to stay prayerful and make an effort to stay in a mode of peacemaker. One of the benefits of being a peacemaker, rather than a peace breaker, is that a peacemaker inspires confidence even in the minds of enemies. How much easier your day will be when you are not met first with an air of suspicion in all of your dealings.
Matthew 5:9 (New International Version)
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
SHIELD OF FAITH
16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
We approach every day armed with a shield of faith. We have faith in the promises of God. We have faith that we can receive the guidance of the Holy Spirit when we stay rooted in the Word of God. Faith provides a sweet assurance in the love, grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior.
“When you have come to the edge
Of all light that you know
And are about to drop off into the darkness
Of the unknown,
Faith is knowing
One of two things will happen:
There will be something solid to stand on or
You will be taught to fly”
Patrick Overton
Hebrews 11:1 (King James Version)
1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
HELMET OF SALVATION AND THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT
17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
We protect our heads, our minds, with the helmet of salvation. We avoid getting tossed about with all the foolishness of the world by staying grounded in the Word of God. We approach every day secure in the knowledge that our salvation is assured.
Ephesians 4:4-6 (New International Version)
4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Father, God, we begin each day first acknowledging all You are in our lives. We give You the first fruits of our day in prayer, meditation and study of Your precious Word. We know that there will be trials, even for the faithful, but that we are ready to face every trial secure in the protection of Your Love.
18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Face this and every new day armed with the BELT OF TRUTH, the BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, the THE GOSPEL OF PEACE, the SHIELD OF FAITH , the HELMET OF SALVATION and the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT.
May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!
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