If you have read any of my previous blogs, you may be under the impression that I think I have all the answers. But I don't . That is why I strive to read His Word everyday, and seek His guidance through prayer and application of His Word in my life. I can say, speaking from experience, that the more involved I am in church and church events, the more I find myself wanting to read my Bible, and pray, and help people, and think about Jesus and strive to make my life something more resembling to His example in my life outside of church.
If you would have asked me a year ago, or even a couple months ago to attend the prayer coffee I would have said it's too early. Or women's Bible study Thursday evenings? Nope, too busy, always working, never know my schedule week to week, etc. All the excuses in the book, I have used them. But now, now that I have made the effort and point to attend some of these weekly events, well now they might have become my excuse to get out of doing other things! They are always highlights of my week, the fuel to my spirit, and most of the reasons behind my smiles these days. And oddly enough, after adding things to my weekly schedules, I seem to find more and more free time, though I am attending more events. Amazing how God can open my eyes and mind to things when I am trying to live my life the way He wishes me to.
If you look at me, and see anything remotely resembling perfection, look again. If you look at me and see anything remotely resembling a person with their life together, definitely look again. I am a sinner, and I sin daily. I hurt others, I bottle up emotions, I build trust, and then crush it. I am a sinner, and I need God, every hour, every minute. I need Him. It's a daily prayer to God to prepare me and assist me in defeating the devil in his every attack on my life. Maybe it is the same battle as yesterday, because maybe I just can't let something or someone go, or I won't let my mind be at ease and let God take care of the things that are out of my control. But satan will also come up with new ways to attack us, and we have to be ready to face that with God.
And God has given us the tools, but victory requires putting them on and using them. Football players don't get their equipment from the coach, and then step out on the field without it with hopes that they will not have an injury on the way to their win. No, they don the equipment their coach has instructed them that they need, and prepare with guidance and instruction from their coach and practice out on the field for game day. It is the same with God, and our daily battles with the devil. He has more than given us the armor and the weapons to conquer the devil over and over. But He also tells us to put on the full armor. If a football player donned his shoulder pads, but doesn't wear his helmet, how safe do you think he would be? First tackle, he'd probably be seeing stars and unable to perform the rest of the game, or worse get a concussion (or even worse: coma or death) and be out for the rest of the season. In order to fight these battles with satan and his temptations until victory, we much utilize all of the armor and weapons that Christ has laid out for us.
The full armour of God
Ephesians 6:10-18
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints:
No comments:
Post a Comment