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The Full Armor of God
Ephesians 6:10-20

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."

I found this image on a free stock photo website, here , and all I could think about was this passage. Putting on the full armor of God.
Every day, there is a spiritual battle raging that we can't necessarily physically see happening (Ephesians 6:12), but can certainly see and feel its effects around us in the way of sin. Our battle isn't against flesh and blood, but the spiritual realm. I know for me, the daily attacks of the devil with his fiery darts (v. 16) are always there, trying to pierce me. Sometimes they do, and I fall. Unfortunately, he knows right where to hit me and in what way... The spiritual battle is one that requires endurance, faith, trust, and the good news is there is hope in Jesus who gives us strength to carry on, in whom we can put our faith, our trust to fight this battle. I've been attending a women's Bible study this year, which I'm so thankful I have. I have been very isolated for the past two years, and it's taken a terrible spiritual toll on me. When the opportunity came up for a women's Bible study, I was so excited to join in. We are studying in Isaiah right now, and two weeks ago we were talking about trusting God and what it really takes to do so. One thing I struggle with is fully trusting God, and letting go of the "control" that I desire to have. I feel that's what God has been trying to teach me these past two years where so much has changed in rather rapid fashion. It's still a daily struggle to choose not to be in control, and I think that's just human nature... We have to fight our sinful nature. I know, for me, I'm afraid of what the future holds. But, talking with a friend last night, I realized that no matter what the future holds, God will still be there. He's the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, and no matter where he desires for our family to go, God will still be there with us. And, that thought brought me such peace, and even now it still does, and I can't help but smile. This comes back around to being prepared wherever God sends us next, which comes back to the Armor of God. I'm still learning to put it all on... I've started to commit myself to memory verses, something I'd really like to pass on to my son, so that we may "gird our loins with truth" because, boy, does the devil sure try to seed lies into my head. One of the biggest lies that I struggle to fight is that, when I fail, God doesn't love me anymore, and is so disappointed in me that how could He even look at me? But, I have my reminder in 1 John 4:10 (Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.)
I'm still learning to put on my armor daily, but I know Jesus is with me, God is for me, and I will take up my cross daily and follow Him.

Love to you all, and God bless you.

Description

The Full Armor of God
Ephesians 6:10-20

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."

I found this image on a free stock photo website, here , and all I could think about was this passage. Putting on the full armor of God.
Every day, there is a spiritual battle raging that we can't necessarily physically see happening (Ephesians 6:12), but can certainly see and feel its effects around us in the way of sin. Our battle isn't against flesh and blood, but the spiritual realm. I know for me, the daily attacks of the devil with his fiery darts (v. 16) are always there, trying to pierce me. Sometimes they do, and I fall. Unfortunately, he knows right where to hit me and in what way... The spiritual battle is one that requires endurance, faith, trust, and the good news is there is hope in Jesus who gives us strength to carry on, in whom we can put our faith, our trust to fight this battle. I've been attending a women's Bible study this year, which I'm so thankful I have. I have been very isolated for the past two years, and it's taken a terrible spiritual toll on me. When the opportunity came up for a women's Bible study, I was so excited to join in. We are studying in Isaiah right now, and two weeks ago we were talking about trusting God and what it really takes to do so. One thing I struggle with is fully trusting God, and letting go of the "control" that I desire to have. I feel that's what God has been trying to teach me these past two years where so much has changed in rather rapid fashion. It's still a daily struggle to choose not to be in control, and I think that's just human nature... We have to fight our sinful nature. I know, for me, I'm afraid of what the future holds. But, talking with a friend last night, I realized that no matter what the future holds, God will still be there. He's the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, and no matter where he desires for our family to go, God will still be there with us. And, that thought brought me such peace, and even now it still does, and I can't help but smile. This comes back around to being prepared wherever God sends us next, which comes back to the Armor of God. I'm still learning to put it all on... I've started to commit myself to memory verses, something I'd really like to pass on to my son, so that we may "gird our loins with truth" because, boy, does the devil sure try to seed lies into my head. One of the biggest lies that I struggle to fight is that, when I fail, God doesn't love me anymore, and is so disappointed in me that how could He even look at me? But, I have my reminder in 1 John 4:10 (Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.)
I'm still learning to put on my armor daily, but I know Jesus is with me, God is for me, and I will take up my cross daily and follow Him.

Love to you all, and God bless you.