Page 136 poses a question.
When have you felt fully equipped for a task?
That’s a great question!
Depending on where you are you may not ever have everything to fully equip you.
But with Christ you have everything.
Page 137 speaks about World War II and how towards the end,
Nazi Germany became so desperate they recruited the peoples army to assist them.
That’s like back in the day when the call came and if you had 2 sons they took one to go out and fight. These babies were unprepared for what was to come.
Being a Christian is a daily battle.
Paul pointed to the spiritual armor that God has provided for the spiritual battles we face.
We have to keep in mind that Satan is busy and always up to something.
But in Christ our victory is sure.
Temptation is everywhere. All day every day, sleep or awake.
This lesson goes back to choices and sometimes we select what we know is incorrect because of our fleshly needs.
Read page 138
Finally, my brethren be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
11 Put onthe whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the
schemes of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
against the
authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness,
against the spiritual forces of evilin the heavenly places.
13 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 firm.
What did Paul mean by principalities against powers?
For Him they represent the sum/total of evil powers that threaten men (heavenly and earthly) Evil spirit forces.
Therefore, he is telling us to trust God, to Cover ourselves and be able to spot the enemy.
God has already equipped us to stand against temptation.
We just have to be strong in the Lord.
Do you feel that substances are temptation?
Why do they call alcohol spirits? (Because it takes us out of our minds into another realm) All drugs do. They suppress our mind making it harder for us to control.
We ourselves are not strong enough to overcome depression, drug use, alcoholism and whatever other ism is out there.
We must depend on God.
Even when you go to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
They have what’s called a Big Book that teaches “came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity”.
We cannot do this Life without God.
Start 139…
What is the Armor?
It is our best line of defense in this spiritual battle.
These powers we do not see.
Page 139 says His arm brought salvation unto him, and his righteousness, it sustained him, for He put on righteousness as a breast plate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head, and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and a clad with zeal as a cloak.
Zeal is a devotion to God and Cloak is a long heavy robe like a coat.
In the old testaments it was a symbol of authority.
Page 140…
What have you been taught about spiritual warfare?
What is it?
It is fighting against evil forces, spirits, and demons.
If we don’t have some type of foundation, we become weak.
When discouraging times arise, I always tell people it’s time to pull up them boot straps and get a bigger umbrella.
We must stand firm in the Lord (In the Armor God Provides)
The Belt of Truth
The word of God, The Good News, The Gospel
Satan is great at deception.
Causing things to be what they are not. Hoovering over our shoulder searching to figure out what buttons to push.
This belt holds everything in place.
It keeps us together.
How do we get the word, by communicating with God, others, this Sunday School, singing, studying and more.
Where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name, I AM there with you!
So the belt is important.
The Breastplate of Righteousness
I am in the right relationship with God.
I am watching what I am doing and how.
I am doing my best to keep my heart right.
And that breastplate helps protect that.
Feet sandals with readiness or Shoes with the Preparation of the gospel of Peace
When you think about today’s time and as we age our feet become more important.
We are always trying and buying new shoes and insoles for comfort and support.
To comfort our body is to comfort our minds and this helps us to feel strong and secure.
Our feet help us to move around and travel a great distance.
When Nixon spent his time in the military he was equipped.
His shoes didn’t have holes in them. They were snug.
We have to become snug in the word.
We are snug with our close friends and family. So we need to become snug with God.
How do we reach others if we are uncomfortable out of our minds and nonbelieving?
God supplies all our needs, if we believe.
You ever been talking to someone blank with no words to say and then out of nowhere you can’t stop talking. That’s God.
The Shield of Faith
Back then and even now soldiers and law enforcement carried large shields and they group together for protection (who in your group, can protect you when trouble come your way? Can they pray you through?)
Our shield of faith… How much do you believe? How much do you trust? This matters in battles.
Faith is our gateway to God. Our faith keeps us sane in the darkest of times. Our faith protects our loved ones. Our faith opens doors for us.
Faith without works is what? Dead?
Don’t fall victim to the enemy. You might step on a mine. All the lies we tend to believe. I’m not good enough. I’m fat. I’m too old. No one will ever hire me. My family is no good.
This causes us to create our own way.
When God wants us to trust, believe and have faith.
The action word is trust
Trust that things are going to work out no matter what they look like.
All in God’s timing.
Page 142….
The Helmet of Salvation
Salvation is free! This is the union with Christ, and all have received the spiritual blessing in Him.
We fight and win by remembering who it is we serve.
By remembering our God is not small. By remembering God never fails.
There are no secrets with God.
Even now we think we are getting away with something. Just like Satan hoovers God sees as well. There is a fight on the inside of us and that fight keeps us connected with God.
Nothing can separate us from the love of the father.
The Sword of the Spirit/ The Word of God
Your word is used in all areas of your life.
It’s knowing who God is.
It’s knowing he is a keeper of his promises.
Have you ever been so sick,
Laying there and can barely move, go to the restroom, put on foot in front of the other and then you cry out to the most High and your strength starts to return.
We must speak that word over and into our lives, our daily interactions.
Apply it to all things and if it’s meant for you God will release it.
Maybe doors need to stay closed until you are done cooking.
If you get the blessing too fast maybe you won’t appreciate it.
God is a protector of all things.
People who speak in tongues are gifted. God gave them to you to use, use them.
Walk in them speak like never before. Those tongues are breaking chains. They are reaching high places.
There are others like you who are afraid to expose themselves because of fear.
The Christian life is not meant to be lived alone. Therefore, we do not fight alone.
We need one another.
This battlefield…
How does the song go?
I’m on the battlefield fighting for the Lord. We have to fight and we may lose some at least in the flesh it appears as a lose, but to God it was a victory. All things have lessons. We need to examine what is going on. Is it causing us to connect with God or are we turning away.
Prayer is important. Always pray. Its communication with God even when He is silent.
Its revelation.
Its guidance.
You can hear, see, and feel God just like you can the things around you.
But you have to believe these things can be done.
Start equipping yourselves daily. Let God be at the forefront of your heavy heart.
Of your smallest battle.
Prepare yourself for when life is overwhelming.
Speak love into yourself.
Get snug with God.
Let him love on you in a way man can’t do.
Trust the Father the creator of the skies.
We must believe these things can be done.
God don’t want us unhappy.
Life was meant to be lived in love.
The love of the Father Amen!
Chatting with Countree 