The Elephant in the Room
First things first …
We go to New York. Most everyone has been looking there this week. Pastor Mark is no exception. He gives a great analysis on the Trump Verdict and how it applies to end times prophecy. Fascinating!
Click HERE for the video.
Next … and more importantly … we’re headed to the Word of God and to prayer!
How do we fight against all this nonsensical evil and injustice in a world gone mad? We take up what God has given us: His Armor!
Let’s take just a moment to read what He says about it.
The Armor of God
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and the power of His might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
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, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”
Ephesians 6:10-18
There are FIVE DEFENSIVE positions in this exhortation from Paul. They are Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Faith and Salvation.
There is only ONE OFFENSIVE position and it is the Sword of the Lord which is the Word of God.
So what’s the very first thing we do before we take up these positions or things? We STAND! Stand strong. Stand steady. Stand secure.
So when the enemy comes in like a flood, we are sure footed. Not easily swayed or knocked down. Not caught off guard.
The Bible talks a lot about standing. Here are just a few verses …
“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.” I Corinthians 16:13
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”
Galatians 5:1
“Thus says the Lord: “Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”
Jeremiah 6:16
Everything but the sword is protective! The helmet protects. The breastplate protects. The shoes protect. The shield protects. Isn’t that amazing!
The sword of the spirit which is the Word of God is our only offensive weapon of warfare.
We don’t need to take things into our own hands. We pick up the Word to discover the way to go, the path to take and how to fight each battle.
Let’s pray …
O Father!
Help us to apply these truths as we come against evil. Help us to be strong and empowered by the power of your might.
We gird, surround and entrench our selves with the DEFENSIVE POSITION OF TRUTH.
Jesus! You are truth! You are the way. You are the life. Your truth will set us free! Your truth will keep us on the right path. Your truth will shine the light and dispel the darkness.
We put on the DEFENSIVE POSITION OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
And we ask you, O Lord, to make us righteous and holy. Make us more like you. Break our hearts for what breaks yours. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear. We are not worthy but by your blood we have been redeemed. Help us to forgive as you have forgiven us.
We take up the DEFENSIVE POSITION OF FAITH.
Father. Protect our hearts from the darts of the enemy. Quench them. Put them out before they ever strike. Increase our faith and dispel the gloomy clouds of doubt.
We put on the DEEENSIVE POSITION of the shoes of the gospel of peace. Jesus! Help us to walk in your ways. Help us to be more like you.
Help us to share the good news that Jesus saves, heals and delivers. Give us the peace that passes all understanding in every daily situation that we face.
We put on the DEFENSIVE POSITION OF SALVATION.
We cry out! Heavenly Father, come and save us. Save us from our sins. Save us from ourselves. Save our minds from the lies of the enemy. Save our families and children and grandchildren.
Thank you Jesus for being our Saviour. Nothing can compare to what you have given us. This wonderful amazing gift that saves us from our sins, gives us freedom and a life without condemnation.
We take up the only OFFENSIVE POSITION with the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.
We wield it against the enemy. We cast down all of his vain imaginations and attempts to draw us away from the Lord. We cast down the principalities and powers and rulers in high places that come against us.
We stand on the Word. We need the Word. We long for the Word. It is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.
The Word has every answer to every situation. It is our hope and our help in time of need.
It is our sure foundation. It tells us the story from the beginning to the end. Thank you for the Word! By it and through it, we will never be shaken!
And we end all this in prayer and supplication. Asking and believing that your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We make our requests known to you.
We praise you and we worship you. Knowing that you are the author and the finisher of it all.
In Jesus name, we pray.
Amen.
Maranatha!
Cheryl
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