DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE
“And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.” Ephesians 6:10-18 (Message Bible)
DEVOTIONAL
There is a battle raging in the earthly and heavenly realms and it’s a spiritual warfare. We are not battling over carnal things, but we are battling over eternal things. We can see that the spiritual battle has intensified when we look at the tragic news of the recent massive killing in Florida, and even when we reflect on the various battles we are facing in our lives. Do not be surprised or shaken by the intensity of the battles. Jesus paid the complete price for your freedom and for your victory over death. But you have to appropriate or assign everything He did for you. You and I were destined to be great warriors in God’s kingdom and the enemy will be fighting tooth and nail to prevent you from taking possession of your spiritual inheritance. But you mustn’t worry, you win. Our Father intends for the battle for our good and simply uses the enemy in His plan to make us great warriors. Through the various conflicts He makes us strong and spiritually mature. He uses the battle to promote us to elevate us in His Kingdom and to press us into intimacy and dependence on Him alone. He wants us to win and He has provided all the equipment we need to do so. But can you accept that battle is inevitable and lifelong? If you have been whining and complaining and having a pity party over the hard places in your life, stop right now and do something constructive instead. One of your greatest assault weapons for the battle is the armor of God. A good soldier would never enter a battle without proper clothes and equipment and not be fully suited in appropriate battle attire.
The enemy is trying desperately to hold on to every inch of ground, both in your life and on the earth. It is our job as our Father’s warriors to make him give up everything he is holding illegally and establish our Father’s Kingdom everywhere in our life and all over the earth. But before we mount up to do the work, it’s imperative that we suit up! Let’s head over to the biblical outfitting room which is located in Ephesians 6:10-18 to suit up in the full armor of God.
DEVOTIONAL PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I desire to be obedient by being strong in the Lord and the power of Your might. I see that this is Your will and purpose for me. I recognize that it is essential to put on the armor that You have provided, and I do so now with gratitude and praise that You have provided all I need to stand in victory against the adversary and his kingdom. I am pleased and honored to take the armor You have provided and by faith to put it on as effective spiritual protection against the spiritual forces of darkness in heavenly and earthly places. I stand firm with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet fitted with the gospel of peace; while taking up the shield of faith and girding up with the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word. Grant me wisdom to discern the tactics and sneakiness of Satan’s strategy against me. Enable me to wrestle in victory against the princes, powers, rulers, and wicked spirits who carry the battle of darkness against me. All of these petitions, intercessions, and words of praise I offer up before the true and living God in the name of my Lord, Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Contributed by: Pastor Yolanda Douthit
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