"Call to me and I will answer you, and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. " Jeremiah 33:3

Monday, March 19, 2012

"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." Ephesians 6:11 MSG

My mother always laid out my father's clothes for him, not because he was incapable of putting together an ensemble, she just liked doing things for him. My parents were married 58 years before the Lord called my father home. My aunt still does the same thing for her man and they in three weeks will celebrate 63 years of marriage! Hum, makes you wonder if laying out your husbands clothes has anything to do with longevity in marriage!

One of the ladies that attends my church does the same thing for her husband. And several years ago a tsunami hit Indonesia and medical personnel from many countries went to help in the relief efforts, my friends husband was among those that went. She shared that while he was away she obviously could not lay out his clothes so she dressed him every day in the armor of God! And God returned her husband to her.

We put so much effort in choosing what we should wear everyday and yet many neglect the armor that God has supplied to each one of His children. Why do we need armor? Isn't that for soldiers going into battle? Yes, it is for soldiers and that is precisely why we need it! Yet our battle is not with some nation or even flesh and blood...

"For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12 NLT.

"We are human, but we don't wage war as humans do. We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NLT.

What is this armor that God has supplied it consists of a helmet, a breastplate, a belt, shoes, a shield and a sword. These are figurative, but what they represent is very real!

"Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." Ephesians 6:13-17 NLT.

Note there is only one offensive weapon, and that is because it is so powerful we don't need another, the sword which the Word of God! What is the condition of your sword is it sharp, is it ready to use, or is it still in the scabbard? Jesus used the sword against Satan when He was tempted in the wilderness, Jesus said; "it is written" each time using God's Word to soundly defeat the enemy.

You may think it's a little silly to lay out your husbands clothes, besides you have your children's clothes to pick out and get yourself dressed, but please dress your family in the armor of God by faith in prayer everyday. The world is evil, so dress for the battle and don't kid yourself, if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ you are in a battle, that is becoming more and more visible everyday.

"Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." 1 John 4:4 ESV.

No comments:

Post a Comment