As a boy scout, my husband learned this little phrase of great importance. “Be prepared!”
Coming away for the weekend with my husband so I could write was a good idea. As I sit to do my blog on my series on women, I come to realize I am not prepared. I left my notes at home. It is, however, a great lead-in on how as Christians we need daily to be prepared. We never know what God has in store for those he loves. The apostle Paul tells us how to be prepared in Ephesians 6: 10-19.
He tells us to BE STRONG. We don’t pull it out of a hat somewhere. Our strength is in the Lord and his mighty power. He has given us armor to fight our adversary the devil. Most of us think our enemies are people we are in conflict with, but here we are told that our enemies are much more than flesh and blood. Our true enemies are unseen. They are part of an unseen world, this dark world, and evil spirits in heavenly places. For that reason, we need special equipment!
We can resist! We will be able to STAND in the battle and when it is over, be still standing!! That is IF we are wearing God’s armor.
GIRD YOUR WAIST WITH TRUTH. How many times do we get an idea and let our mind run with it and then find ourselves wrapped up in fear or some other negative emotion? Or, hear a story, shape our life around it, and then find out it was false. Gird your waist with truth. Study the Bible, know His truth. It is the only one there is.
Cover your body with THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS; live a clean life by God’s spirit rather than following your own wants and desires. Your own desires can get you into trouble with health, finances or relationships.
For shoes, be ready with THE GOOD NEWS OF PEACE. Isaiah 52:7 says
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!”
Then take up your shield. It is a SHIELD OF FAITH. You will be able to fight ALL the fiery arrows of the devil. When he sends an arrow full of hate, and accusation, you are surrounded by the love of God by faith.
You need the HELMET OF SALVATION. That is our covering as children of God. Our salvation was bought with the price of our crucified Lord. It makes us his.
The SWORD OF THE SPIRIT is our only weapon. That sword is God’s very own word. It is the weapon Jesus himself used when facing the devil. For example, If the enemy says you are going to die, tell him
“I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord”
Then PRAY; pray always, pray about everything, pray in the Spirit, persevere in prayer, be watchful in prayer, and pray for all the saints, and for church leaders that they will be bold, and able to speak out the mystery of the gospel as they ought to speak. Keep your spiritual wifi on.
I may have forgotten my notes, but I dare not approach my day that way.
I must be prepared! I pray that we all are!
