It is written: “From birth I was cast on you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God.” -Psalm 22:10
” …a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,” -Titus 1:3
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds where framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. … But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” -Hebrews 11:1-3, 6 KJV [Read all of Hebrews 11:1-39]
As soldiers of the cross, Christians are to put on the symbolic armor of God. God’s armor is spiritual only!
“Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God…” –Ephesians 6:11-17 “Fight the good fight of faith…” 1 Timothy 6:12
The effective soldier of Christ should be informed with God’s Word; empowered with God’s Courage; energized with God’s Spirit; comforted with God’s Grace.
Note that, in the list of Christian armor, the only defensive tool is the sword of the Spirit—the Word of God. The disciple of Christ must use none of Satan’s weapons—anger, malice, hatred, strife, evil speaking, etc. After enlisting as a soldier of the cross, this sword of the Spirit can only be obtained and used properly by careful Bible study. –Associated Bible Students of Central Ohio, PO Box 813, Westerville, Ohio • 43086-0813
“But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double minded man, unstable in all he does.” -James 1:6-7
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief and all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire- may prove genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” -1 Peter 1:6-9
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” -James 2:14-17
“Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” -2 Peter 1:1
Making One’s Calling and Election Sure
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self- control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” -2 Peter 1:1-11 NIV
Jesus turned the world upside down with love, truth and righteousness never ever resorting to physical injury to anyone! The truth is that the word revolution from Black’s Law Dictionary 6th Edition is “used to designate a sweeping change in a method or system of government, or the power that controls the government. It is frequently accomplished by or accompanied by violent acts, but it need not be violent in its methods and it does not necessarily denote force or violence (emphasis added.)”
PREPARE MY FEET TO RUN WITH THE GOSPEL OF PEACE Lord, today wherever my feet take me I will represent the good news of Jesus. I will use my life to be an expression of Your deep inner peace. Your Word says “beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” Today I will bring the good news of Jesus and the power of what He did on the cross to a dying and hurting world.
SHIELD OF FAITH Father today I take up the shield of faith which will, according to your Word, extinguish the flaming arrows of the enemy. The shield will not only stop the flaming arrows, but as I choose to stay behind the shield in humility I will be protected from every assault that comes against me. Today I declare with my mouth that You, 0 Lord, are the only true and living God and my faith is in You and You alone.
SWORD OF THE SPIRIT Lord, today I take up the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. It is alive and active and sharper than any two-edged sword. Today I choose to apply the Word of God and its wisdom to every situation I face. I will hide Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You. From Your Word I will seek wisdom, discernment and direction as I seek to do Your will. Your Word will be the weapon I deploy to defeat the schemes of the enemy.
HELMET OF SALVATION Father this morning I put on the helmet of salvation to guard my mind today. Guard what I think, hear, see, and speak and I subject every thought to the Lordship of Jesus. Help me to take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ. I declare today that I have the mind of Christ according to your Word.
BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
I put on the breastplate of righteousness to guard my heart, my will and my emotions. It is not my righteousness, but the righteousness of Christ through what He did on the cross. Today I am honored to live out of His righteousness that He places within me. Father protect me from reacting to circumstances and people emotionally. Let me respond with the Spirit of Christ, and not out of my emotions.
BELT OF TRUTH Father I put on the belt of truth. Jesus You are the Truth–Satan you are a liar. Today I choose to believe the truth about who God is and who I am in Christ. I am a son /daughter of God, joint heirs with Christ. I have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus. I have been filled with the Holy Spirit and today I will live a victorious life according to the Word of God which is truth.
PRAYER: Lord, I thank you for giving me the full armor of God which will protect me today. As I put on the armor I seal this act in confidence in Christ and His finished work. I place a hedge of protection around myself and my family. I ask that by Your Spirit You guard and protect me so that I can accomplish all that You ask me to do. Lord, I consider it a privilege to love and serve You and I declare with my mouth that there is none like You. I love You with all my heart; You are a good Father. May my life be pleasing to You. I worship you in spirit and in truth.
Father, I come to you this morning and I put on the full armor of God. AMEN