Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Stand firm when the world seems to disagree with you serving others whom they think do not deserve it. Be alert to the ways that God wants you to love your neighbor, your enemy or the hungry homeless when your mind says that it will not really help.
Put on the full armor of God so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil … and you will be able to resist. After the battle, you will still be standing firm. Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth and having put on the breastplate of righteousness and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace. In addition, take up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take up the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit and be alert with all perseverance. Ephesians 6: 10-11, 13-17
Armor covers us and protects us from the enemy. The armor of God covers us and protects us from the evil one. But let’s face it, I doubt many of us have actually worn armor! Maybe some of us have gone to a shooting range and worn some protective equipment. Maybe we are into modern fencing, using the foil, the epee or the sabre and we have donned the protective jacket, breeches and mask which are required. Taikwondo, MMA or boxing definitely require protective equipment. I play pickleball and you can wear protective glasses to shield from a ball hitting your eyes. I also wear protective shoes to minimize my tender Achilles.
What sport or play are you into, and what kind of protective equipment do you wear?
As a Christian, we are asked to put on God’s armor, our warfare wardrobe, as Asheritah Ciuciu describes it! We hopefully aren’t going to have to defend our faith in the arena, like a gladiator, but we live in a world where we must be armed against its evil influences. The world and the evil one in it seek to control, dominate and impact our flesh, our hearts and our minds. Our protective equipment will allow us to be strong, to resist and to stand firm, to stand firm and to stand firm. Yes, it’s in the verse three times, it must be important!
What might God want you to stand firm for this season?
The belt of truth holds our ammunition, which is always His rightness.
The breastplate of righteousness covers our heart to know His purity.
The sandals of peace make sure our feet are prepared for a journey to reconcile and bring peace, even to the stronghold of the enemy.
The shield of faith must be wielded actively wherever doubt might show.
The helmet of salvation covers our mind and strengthens commitment.
The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, is the offensive weapon with which we engage the enemy. No bible-beating, please, but we do know the power of every word that comes from God. His concepts can cut through the junk the world thinks it believes.
Prayer in the Spirit keeps us alert, ready and persevering.
This is how He will protect us, keep us strong and standing firm.
Which piece of your warfare wardrobe might need strengthening for your battle ahead?
God, my Armorer, none of this works without Your support and Your command in my life. I am so thankful that You have the big picture of the battle in mind and the outcome in hand. Use me in the lives of my neighbor, my enemy and the homeless poor as You will. Amen.
happy hunger 
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