Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

May 29
Friday


ARMED FOR
THE FRAY

READ:
Ephesians 6:10-18
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Put on the whole armor
of God, that you may
be able to stand against
the wiles of the devil.
__Ephesians 6:11
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Paul the apostle, a spiritual warrior, testified as he came to the end of his embattled life: "I have fought the god fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 tim. 4:7).

Years earlier, that valiant soldier of Jesus Christ had pleaded with his fellow Christians to put on the armor of God that would enable them to stand firm in their conflict with the powers of darkness. He knew the vital importance of donning that armor every day. In his service for Christ, Paul had been whipped, beaten, stoned, and imprisoned, and was often hungry, thirsty, cold, and weary (2 Cor. 11:22-28).

Strapping on the belt of truth, the breastplate or righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit (God's Word) enabled paul to "quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one" (Eph. 6:14-`17). With God's armor we too are fully covered and prepared for battle.

The prince of darkness with his hosts of demonic helpers is an incredibly crafty foe. That's why we need to guard against his deceitful devices and put on the whole armor of God every day. When we do, like Paul when he was nearing the end of his days, we can be confident that we have "kept the faith." __Vernon Grounds
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```````````````Sound the battle cry! See--the foe is nigh!```````````
``````````````````Raise the standard high for the Lord;````````````
```````````````Gird your armor on, stand firm, everyone;```````````
`````````````Rest your cause upon His holy Word. __sherwin````````
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God's armor is tailormade for you,
but you must put it on.

**************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 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<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

The Christian life is often represented as spiritual warfare (vv.11-12),
using military terms and metaphors (2 Cor. 10:3-4; 1 Tim. 6:12;
2 Tim. 2:3-4; 4:7; 1 Peter 2:11). The critical battle, however, was
fought and won at Calvary (Col. 2:13-15). That explains why the
battle for the believer is not to gain new ground, but simply to stand
firm on Christ's victory, emphasized in Ephesians 6:11,13-14.
__Sim Kay Tee

[saint701]

Cool presentation, Cimi.

Very interesting..while out walking this afternoon, I saw (the belt of truth, gird about your loins, waist, with truth), differently than I have before. When I think of truth, I often think of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, but until today didn't think of asking the Lord to gird about my loins with the Holy Ghost. I saw it this way: John 16:8-11. Having on the Holy Spirit would guard against sin, (unbelief), add righteousness, (Jesus rose from the dead), and judge our adversaries, (they have been condemned to the lake of fire). Thanks, Cimi..share your thoughts, anyone...smiles, saint701.