Good Morning Armored-Up Warriors! God thing as I was deep in praying about an urgency and something that I see as troubling. BUT GOD. What I am sensing in my spirit is not of God (or at least I am pretty sure it's not) Sarah's prayers are being answered as God reminds us to armor up, stand firm in Him and on His promises and allow Him to batlle the principalities and powers rampaging behind the scenes. Pray on that aromor and prepare for battle and ask God to bring His Truth and Justice alive as we do and for wisdom for your part and courage to stand firm in Him. Amen!
Since I had a late start (slept in--PTL) I'm just leaving you with the teacings and prayers of Our Daily Bread devo and Connection blogs. They are treaded together by God for you and us . He is calling you by name and askking you to open the door to His love, wisdom, protection, provision and direction. Cry out and receive it all! God is for you and longing for you to choose His best. He's knocking! Will you open, invite Him in and sit at His feet a bit ? I did and it was very profitable so far! PTL! So armor up and be still as you prepare for the day and the battles ahead. He is with you and for you--always! Amen!
Two quick stories (I'm not sharing these to blow my own horn but to glorify God and share some examples of His faithfulness when we say yes to Him): , God woke me early and stirred me to go feed the bread recipients with leftover soups from and hotdogs and some desserts and chips. We had limited bread. But due to rationing we had more than enough and were able to send two boxes to the Macungie pantry. People were so thankful for some warm soup and lunch. Many that come have great needs and were blessed and praising God! PTL! I'm thanking God for stirring me to this. was another great night of feasting, fellowship and study. God sent another new bread person ( we had 6 plus a new grandchild). Moral=God speaks and blesses our faithfulness and uses us when we respond well. What's He asking of you ?
The other story is from a few days ago. Have you ever gotten yourself in trouble and then got trapped and could see no way out? This is exactly why we need to armor up as Satan and our own foolish choices often trap us with no way out...BUT GOD! He sees, cares, responds and even takes care of the sparrows. We have a heated bird bath and a sparrow must have stepped in and then landed on our metal fence. His feet froze fast. When I went out to feed them, my dog was acting weird and led me to the bird. God reminded me of a sollution and respponse. I poured some tap water on his claws and he released and flew away. he has given us and almost seemed dead...BUT GOD! Maggie was like the Holy Spirit, leading me to help and the Holy Spirit did bring me insight to a sollution. Moral= Trust God always--even when all seems hopeless. His Spirit is working on rescue and a sollution. Stand firm and keep focused and crying out in hope. God hears and will help and free you on the day of trouble. Amen! Keep your eyes open for His nudgings to be the help needed too.
Man I love God and how He works. It's a mystery but trusting and obeying are used by God and release His answers and help. So armor up, stay focused on Him and prepare for . I already prayed for you all! Shalom shalom!
Open your heart and the door to Jesus! He's knocking and calling you by name! Receive His love, wisdom and direction ! Knock knock! "Whose here?" Jireh--ALL you need. Please open the door____ (Insert your name here.) I love you! Come to me, weary one and armor up for the journey!
Our Daily Bread:
Standing Strong in Christ
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:11
Recently, my mom gave me a play-by-play of a surprising confrontation she saw on a live webcam feed from a watering hole in Africa. The Gemsbok, a large antelope, has horns that can be more than two feet long, making it a formidable animal that doesn’t seem to scare easily. That is, unless it comes across a group of brave and rowdy ostriches.
The lead ostrich, which was taller than its foes, shook its large feathers, roared, and stomped toward three Gemsbok, causing them to flee.
“I guess they didn’t realize how powerful their horns are,” I said to my mom.
Believers in Jesus can forget the power we have when faced with attacks from our spiritual enemy, Satan. We have the Holy Spirit who lives inside us (Romans 8:11) and the armor of God to help us: “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11). Satan wants to challenge our belief in God’s Word, question our identity in Christ, and tempt us to sin.
But we can stand strong because God’s armor includes “the belt of truth, . . . the breastplate of righteousness, . . . the shield of faith, . . . the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (vv. 14-17).
When the enemy attacks us with feelings of fear, condemnation, or despair, let’s remember we’re God’s children and are well equipped to stand strong.
By Nancy Gavilanes
REFLECT & PRAY
Why do you sometimes forget to use the armor of God? How can you stand firm in your battles?
Dear God, thank You for giving me Your divine protection.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Speaking to gentile (non-Jewish) believers in Jesus (Ephesians 2:11-12), Paul uses the metaphor of a Roman soldier’s armor—compelling imagery for that audience. Although drawing on militaristic imagery to highlight a struggle against “the powers of this dark world” (6:12), the apostle also emphasizes that this isn’t a fight against human beings—“against flesh and blood”—but against “spiritual forces of evil” (v. 12). It’s a conflict in which believers follow our suffering Savior, who died out of love to reveal “the gospel of peace” (v. 15). He’s equipped us with spiritual armor (vv. 10-17) so we can stand strong when we face spiritual battles.
Monica La Rose
Connection Blogs"
- Prayer Is Your Lifeline
Seasons of Satan’s strong attacks must be combatted in unceasing prayer. There is only One who can help us see temptation for what it really is and give us grace to be victorious. Only One who can alert us to the presence of the evil One and identify his whispers for what they really are. Only One who can look behind enemy lines and alert us when deadly missiles are poised and about to be fired upon us, our families, or our church. Therefore, the lines of communication must be open always to the Father in prayer. It must be the air we breathe.
Our weakness... is our flesh, Jesus said. Our redeemed spirits—regenerated by the Spirit of God within us—may long to stay awake and watchful. But our humanity is weak during this present age. It will pull us to slumber if we are not careful.
Prayer is not merely a “nice thing” to do to get a few things you need. It is your protection and lifeline from all that is threatening your soul and the lives of those you are charged to protect. You would never fall asleep if you knew a mortal enemy was prowling about your house, intent on killing your children.
Paul, realizing this, tell us in Ephesians, Chapter 6:10-20, to put on the full armor of God and then do one thing: “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18, emphasis mine)
It’s time to wake up, and stay awake, in prayer.
Lord God, please cover and protect my life with Your armor! May I continually recognize that You have provided everything I need to battle the temptations of life and the evil of the culture around me! Teach me to put on each piece of Your armor prayerfully and intentionally each day so that I am able to stand, to be alert, and to pray at all times in the Spirit!
Praise God for the depth of his love, which is the very core of his being (1 Jn. 4:8-9).
Thank God that he will never take his love from you or your family (Ps. 103:17).
Confess any times during the last week when you gave little thought to God’s great love for you.
Commit yourself to beginning each day with the refreshment of God’s love (Ps. 90:14).
Ask that you “may have power . . . to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge” (Eph. 3:17-19).
Pray for specific places in the world where violence, greed, and hatred are wounding many lives. Pray that this work of Satan will be defeated, overpowered by the love of God shown through Jesus and his church.
Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayerleader.com. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
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