Christian Living

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We all will face adversity in this life. No matter who you are; big or small, strong or weak, talented or inept, mentally acute or below average, emotionally stable or feeling feeble, you will have to fight some battles that come your way. No one is exempt from the struggles of life.

Some of these battles will make you feel like you’re a superpower on top of the world, while others will cause the pendulum to swing back and you’ll feel like the whole world is on top of you. While that is the process simply called “life”, the thing is most of the time, you will never know what’s coming your way and what the next battle will be like. Therefore, it is vitally important to be ready – always ready – always alert – always. It’s at the moment when our guard drops, that the battle seems to get the best of us, so again I would say that the importance lies in being ready.

How do you know if you’re ready? Well, have you done the things that any true soldier would do to get ready for the battle? Have you dressed appropriately, have you checked your equipment and do you have your weapon handy? This is the advice the great apostle Paul gave to the Ephesians to be sure that they were ready for the battles of life and it just might help us out also:

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” (Ephesians 6:11-18 KJV)

Wow – There is a wealth of information provided in this one small paragraph and believe you me, it spoke volumes to the ancient Ephesians. How so, you ask? Well, I’m glad you did. I would like us to embark on a Battle-Plan series to break down this paragraph in order to get spiritually combat ready. I will separate this paragraph out into the following sections to help us digest the information and be sure we have the understanding necessary to put it into practice in our lives:

1) Ready For Battle – Identifying the Enemy.

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

2) The Purpose of Being Wholly Armoured.

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

3) Cover Your Loins – The belt of truth.

“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth…”

4) Righteousness as a Breastplate.

“…and having on the breastplate of righteousness;”

5) The Proper Footwear – the Gospel of Peace.

“And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;”

6) Sticks, Stones and Fiery Darts – the Shield of Faith.

“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”

7) Concussion Proof – the Helmet of Salvation.

“And take the helmet of salvation…”

8) Sharper Still – the Sword of the Spirit.

“…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,…”

9) Standing Guard.

“…and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”

If you will give me a chance and read through this series, you may find some answers that can help you overcome the blows of life. I trust that with God as our drill sergeant we can be fully and properly equipped not to endure but to be more than conquerors in this life.

God Bless – Rick

http://www.LivingThePromiseMinistries.com

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