OUR ARMOR

Good morning Church! I would like to head to the Book of Ephesians, written by Paul, this morning. The whole Book is a powerfully good reading and study guide, but for today I’d like to concentrate on the end of chapter 6 from verses 10-18. The title for these verses in NKJ version is “Put on the Armor of God” a subject so very important in these last days of our “season” here on earth. Every single day things are coming to light that points to the end times for the Gentiles part in God’s Plan for His People and since we are the “grafted in” of His chosen People we need to pay close attention. If you don’t see this---take off your rose colored glasses and look again around you! “War and rumors of war”; Syria, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa even to Israel and Palestine struggling.

The earth we live on is also struggling; earth quakes, tsunamis (killing thousands), extreme weather changes, seasons running into each other, more violent tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, fires eating our forests and land away. Church, even the “heavens” are being affected; sun spots and flair’s interrupting our communications. Asteroids coming far too close to the earth, but most important now are the Blood Moons and the total eclipses of the sun. Jewish and Gentile histories are totally connected with these events. The Blood Moons within the Jewish traditions and calendar is God’s Hand concerning the nation of Israel and the eclipses of the sun for the Gentile nations. Each spelling out to all nations God’s Plan is almost complete. And since no one knows for sure exactly when the Father is going to say, “Son, go get My Children”, we need to prepare ourselves outside as well as inside for Jesus’ coming and taking away.

First and foremost our spirit-man HAS to be in Unity with God, (That’s salvation through Christ!) totally focusing on hearing and obeying His Spirit, (Holy Spirit) “in” us. With that comes the help we are assured to have in these last days; wisdom, knowledge, understanding, discernment but most of all God’s Love are the only things that will give us the end Victory in Christ. TOTAL TRUST IN GOD is the ONLY WAY---Period!

When we put our spiritual-man first, God can communicate directly with us through His Spirit “in” us. Putting self and self interest on the back burner (so to speak) is the only way we will be able to “hear” God’s Voice. With the chaos going on around us we need to be grounded in God’s Love for His People, which is who we are. With that Love and God’s Authority and Power “in” us we CAN do this, Saints. Also with that Power and Authority comes the responsibility to use it for His Glory and His Children. The realization in “how” we are to use that Power and Authority comes from listening to the Spirit “in” us. And in Ephesians chapter 6:10-18 Paul tells us how we are to keep ourselves prepared for any attack from our enemy, Satan. It’s all about knowing who is trying to attack us and how to stand fast in Christ. Listen carefully and ask the Spirit to help with discernment and understanding of the scriptures. I believe I’d like to quote from the Expanded Bible for a clearer understanding for this passage. In the Expanded Bible the words in quotations just help us to understand the full meaning of the verses.

Ephesians 6: 10-18 (E.B.)

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His great (strong, mighty) power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can fight against the devil’s evil tricks (schemes). (For) Our fight (conflict; struggle) is not against people on earth (flesh and blood) but against the rulers and authorities and the powers (or cosmic powers/rulers) of this world’s darkness, against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world (realm; places). That is why you need to (for this reason) put on God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil (persecution generally or end-time tribulation) you will be able to stand strong (keep your ground, resist the enemy). And when you have finished the whole fight (after you have done/accomplished everything) you will still be standing. So stand strong (or ready) with the belt of truth tied around our waist and the body armor (breastplate) of right living (a righteous life; or God’s own righteousness/justice; righteousness). On your feet wear the Good News (Gospel) of peace to help you stand strong (for firm footing; or to be fully prepared). And also (in addition to all this; or in all circumstances) use the shield of faith with which you can stop (extinguish) all the burning arrows (fiery darts) of the evil one. Accept (receive or take) the helmet of salvation, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word (message) of God. Pray in (or in dependence on ) the Spirit at all times with all kinds of prayers (prayers and requests), asking for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready (alert) and never give up (with all perseverance). Always pray for all God’s people (the saints).”

O.K. now, in the first verse Paul is telling us that we, God’s Children, have the Power through Christ our Lord to do what is necessary to complete our mission for God here on earth. Next is how we are to complete our calling for God; by putting on the full armor of God and why we need our armor to stand against the devils evil schemes. Our spirit with God’s Spirit “in us” against the devil’s spirits. That right there is the “KEY” to understanding what is actually going on in the world today.

Really think about this church, we are NOT fighting against evil people, flesh and blood people, but against the rulers and authorities and power of this world’s darkness and against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world (realm) which are motivating the people.

Saints, we “CANNOT” fight in the natural what is in the spiritual! Remember, God is Spirit and the enemy is also spirit. Our fight is: our spirit with God’s Spirit, in unity against the evil spirits from the world and the heavens! So don’t focus on the world’s evil and try to work that way, we need to depend on God’s Spirit “in” us to stand fast in Christ. Yes, the world is ever present with evil but going beyond what we actually “see” in the flesh to depending on the Spirit to help us get beyond the natural and work in the spiritual is how we are in unity with God and His Plan for mankind.

Church, there is so much I have to say about the armor of God, I’ll have to break up this writing into two parts. So in part two of “Our Armor” I will be talking about how God is telling us to stand fast in our armor. So please continue on with God’s Word in part two. Always remembering to:

TRUST AND BELIEVE GOD

All scriptures are from: New King James Version of of ProphecyStudy

General Editor-John C. Hagee unless otherwisestated.

Thomas Nelson, Inc.