OUR DAILY BREAD : ARMED AND EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE

[cimi]

January 28
Monday


ARMED AND
EXTREMELY
EFFECTIVE

READ:
Ephesians 6:10-18
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We do not wrestle
against flesh and blood,
but against...spiritual
hosts of wickedness.
__Ephesians 1;12
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Last January, the police officers in Tijuana, Mexico, had their guns confiscated. It was suspected that some of them had been in collusion with drug traffickers. At first, fearing for their safety, the police stopped patrolling. But eventually, some of them returned to work__carrying slingshots. Three weeks passed before their more effective weapons were returned to them.

Although we all remember a shepherd boy who used a sling and a single smooth stone with great success in his encounter with a giant (1 Sam. 17), few of us would have the courage to face violent threats armed with such puny protection. But every day, although we are often ill-prepared, we do face a threat. As believers, we fight against an enemy we cannot see. Our struggle is not "against flesh and blood, but against...spiritual hosts of wickedness" (Eph. 6:12). The outcome of this battle is sure, however. Jesus is the Victor. And using the armor and weapons He supplies, we are able "to stand" (v.13). We fight in His power and strength.

Each day we must put on the armor of God--the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit, God's Word (vv.13-17). Preparation and protection are the key to winning spiritual battles. __ Cindy Hess Kasper
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~Though fierce the hatred of our foe~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~Whose legions seek to work us woe.~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~He can't destroy the Living Word~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~Nor those who own Him as their Lord. __D. De Haan~~~~~~~
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Spiritual victory comes only to those
who are prepared for battle.

*************Today's Bible Reading __ Ephesians 6:10-18***********

10 Finally, my brethren, be
strong in the Lord and in
the power of His might.

11 Put on the whole armor
of God, that you may be
able to stand against the
wiles of the devil. 12 for we
do not wrestle against flesh
and blood, but against
principalities, against
powers, against the rulers
of the darkness of this age,
against spiritual hosts of
wickedness in the heavenly
places. 13 Therefore take up
the whole armor of God,
that you may be able to
withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to
stand. 14 stand therefore, having
girded your waist with
truth, having put on the
breastplate of righteousness,

15 and having shod your feet
with the preparation of the
gospel of peace; 16 above
all, taking the shield of
faith with which you will
be able to quench all the
fiery darts of the wicked
one. 17 And take the helmet
of salvation, and the sword
of the spirit, which is the
word of God; 18 praying
always with all prayer and
supplication in the Spirit,
being watchful to this end
with all perseverance and
supplication for all the
saints.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Paul often uses military images to illustrate the Christian life (2 Cor.
10:4; 1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 2:3; 4:7). At the time Paul wrote Ephesians,
he was a prisoner in Rome (Acts 28:16,20;Eph. 6:20). Paul uses the
armor of the Roman soldier to illustrate the spiritual armor that the
believer possesses. Christians are to put on the armor of God so
that ew can stand against the offensive of our enemy, the devil (Eph.
6:11-17). __SKT