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*SCAM
WARNING*
Have
you been on an Alpha Course yet, interested, want to find out the truth
to the real meaning of life, where we came from and where we are going
after this life. In fact a whole host of questions you may have and
want to explore.
Christian Singles - Romance
When You Die
Can you
be
sure of knowing exactly
where you will be going
Christian Music Resources
Looking
4 Christian music of various kinds, then you've come to the
right place, with links 2 some of the top and well known artists in
the Christian world.
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Copyright By Patsy Ree R Martin
1997.
The Armor of God.
WE ARE INVOLVED IN A SPIRITUAL BATTLE. The world is a tremendous
battlefield where forces under satan's power and those under God's
authority are at war. Satan and his forces motivate bitter hatred for
Christ and His followers. Either we defeat the enemy or the ememy will
defeat us. We should put on our spiritual armor so that we can
successfully face trials, temptations, and Satan.
PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD. Paul tells us to use every piece of
God's armor and be prepared to stand our ground in the battle against
Satan. A good soldier of Jesus is like a Roman soldier in the days of
the apostle Paul. He would not dream of going into battle without every
piece of his armor secured and ready for battle. Sometimes, the soldier
would want to lay aside some of his armor because of the weight. We
should not put down our armor because the load is too heavy. It takes
just one unprotected moment in which our defenses are down to lose the
battle.
OUR ENEMY, SATAN. All believers find themselves subject to Satan's
attacks because they are no longer on Satan's side. In the Christian
life we battle against powerful evil forces directed by Satan. If we
want to overcome Satan, we must depend on God's strength and use every
piece of His armor. Thus, Paul tells us to "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 rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places" (Eph. 6:11-12).
SPIRITUAL WARFARE - THE ARMOR OF GOD. Paul takes those pieces of armor
by Roman soldiers and makes a spiritual application to each one. He
states, "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" (Eph.
6:13). Each piece of armor is to be put on to help believers overcome
the temptations and attacks of Satan. Paul explains each piece of
warfare:
1. Gird your waist with truth (Eph. 6:14): This is the belt on which
the soldier hung his sword and other weapons. It kept other parts of
warfare equipment in place. The truth is our best defense. We must know
the truth about God's Word, His will, and His purpose. It provides us
strength to successfully face trials and temptations. Only believers
have the truth which can defeat Satan's lies.
2. Put on the breastplate of Righteousness (Eph 6:14): The breastplate
protects the heart. Unrighteous acts commited by the Christian rob him
of vital protection and expose his spiritual heart to Satan. We must be
committed to do what is right no matter what the cost.
3. Shod your feet with the preperation of the Gospel (Eph 6:15): The
sandals were made of thick leather and wrapped around the foot and
ankle. Sometimes the bottom was covered with spikes or nails for firm
footing in combat. The soldier's sandals were made to be ready at a
moments notice. We must prepare to pray, study God's Word, and spread
the gospel wherever we go.
4. Take the shield of Faith (Eph. 6:16): The soldier's shield was as
large as a door. It consisted of an iron frame with thick leather over
it. A soldier could kneel down behind his shield and be completely
protected in the front. Sometimes, Roman soldiers would soak their
shieds in water so that the enemy's arrows would be put out on impact.
Faith is taking God at His word and claiming His promises. The shield
of faith protects us from Satan's flaming arrows. With faith in God we
can see beyond our circumstances and know that ultimate victory is
ours.
5. Take the helmet of Salvation (Eph. 6:17): The helmet, which is the
most costly and ornate piece of the soldier's armor, protects the
soldier's head and brain. Our salvation is our source of confidence in
the midst of temptation. No matter how severe the temptation, our
relationship with God is unaffected.
6. Take the Sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17): The Word of God, the only
offensive weapon in this armor, was used by the Lord against Satan. The
living Word is powerful, effective, and instructive. It gives us the
ability to overcome Satan. When we are tempted we need to trust God's
Word. We need to memorize the scriptures of the Bible so we can resist
temptations.
7. Praying always (Eph. 6:18):
Prayer is a neccessity. Every outstanding victorious Christian has been
a person who spent time in fervent prayer to God. In the midst of the
battle, we must keep in constant touch with our commander for direction
and encouragement. We must be willing to pray, fight, and expect great
victories in prayer.
LEARN YOUR SPIRITUAL WEAPONS.
The devil's
success depends on your ignorance, so we must be knowledgable and
watchful of our spiritual warfare. Satan's forces cannot defeat,
torment, or humiliate us if we are filled with God's Spirit. But those
that neglect their spiritual warfare place themselves in Satan's way.
Learn everything that you can about your spiritual weapons so you can
be a victorious Christian.
BELIEVE IN YOUR WEAPONRY. Every soldier must believe, deep in his
heart, that his weaponry will prevail against the enemy. He must be
confident, if he uses the armor, that it will bring victory to him. In
earthly warfare the soldier does not provide his own means of defense
or weapons of assault, therefore in Christian warfare our entire
equipment is divinely provided.
GOD IS OUR COMMANDER, FOLLOW HIS PLANS. God does not send us out
without a war plan. In the midst of battle, we as believers, must keep
in constant touch with our commander for direction and encouragement.
He dispatches the Holy Spirit to us with clear directions on how to
fight, where to run, and where to strike next.
THE BATTLE IS GOD'S. The battle in this war against Satan is not ours.
We are just soldiers fighting in His war. We may get weary, wounded,
and discouraged, but we must keep on fighting. He gives the orders. We
are the volunteers. We must have faith in Him and wait on His orders on
how to win. God loves you and equips you for what lies ahead. You have
nothing to fear. No weapon formed against you shall prosper.
WE NEED SUPERNATURAL POWER TO DEFEAT SATAN. When we become a Christian,
Satan becomes our enemy and he tries every device to turn us away from
Christ and back to sin. Although Jesus assures us of victory, we must
fight until He comes, because Satan is constantly battling against all
who are on the Lord's side. We need supernatural power to defeat Satan.
God has provided that by filling us with the Holy Spirit and providing
us with His armor. Do not feel discouraged because you have God inside
you. "Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world" (1
John 4:4). Satan and his host tremble as God manifests His power
through us. We can stand our ground in the battle between light and
darkness and good and evil.
(Brother Lee. I'd like to point out here, that Christians that believe
once you are a Christian you can't be possessed quote that above
scripture from 1 John 4:4. I like to err on the side of caution.
Although God dwells in us by His Spirit, I see it as something that has
to be tapped into, used, switched on, if you like. If a Christian can't
be possessed, he/she sure can be influenced, oppressed, etc.)
ARE YOU A COWARD OR CONQUEROR? Let's be a conqueror for Christ.
Concquerors are those that endure to the end without turning back (Mark
13:13). They receive the blessings God promised. God will reward those
who endure the testing of evil, survive the battle, and remain
faithful. Cowards refuse to live for God and are not humble enough to
accept God's authority over their lives.
JESUS IS OUR VICTORIOUS CHAMPION. We are on the winning side. We have
nothing to fear. If you have chosen Christ you will receive tremendous
victory. Jesus has proven himself to be the greatest Champion that ever
lived. Eternity with Jesus will be more than we can imagine. We can
have victory in our daily life over sin, fear, temper, lust, pride,
impatience, and worry.
GOD WANTS YOU FOR HIS SOLDIER. God wants to count on you. He is
constantly at war with the power of Satan. Let God train you before the
battle and use you as one of His soldiers. Put on the full armor and be
ready for the trumpet. God can deliver and strengthen us. Do not be
afraid! We are fighting the Lord's battle! Let God know that He can
depend on you. Assure God each day that you will be faithful to bear
any burden He gives you. Treat it as special trust from the Lord.
WE CAN FIGHT AND WIN THIS BATTLE TOGETHER. In regular armed forces the
commander trains the soldiers until they are as one force. Their
cadence march is in perfect unity, step by step. They are taught how to
use their weaponry, how to fight, and how to protect their fellow
soldiers. We are in a spiritual battle and we should march together in
unity, praying and believing. We need to learn our spiritual warfare,
how to fight Satan with it, and defend our brothers and sisters. We can
win this battle together. Nothing, no nothing can stop us from being
victorious. |
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