Next Phase

Ephesians 6: 11-18 

"Put on the whole armour 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 armour 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 theSpirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayerand supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints"

One big take away that I got from being at the She Speaks Conference was from the closing talk given by Miss Whitney Capps. She spoke empathetically of how overwhelming a conference like this can be and that taking a step of faith toward ministry because God has called you is going to draw some spiritual fire. So then, she shared, "Here's what you need to wear home" and began going through the scripture in Eph 6:11-18 that describes the armor of God.

The Belt of Truth

"Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth"

I'm reading "Bad Girls of the Bible" by Liz Curtis Higgs. The first chapter is all about Eve and rightly so, as she was not only the first woman, but the first sinner aka "bad girl". She narrates the moment when she was tempted and sinned. Eve had access to God himself and yet when the serpent approaches and questions her about the ONE tree she could not touch, Eve could not even quote God correctly. Her perception was not aligned with truth. She listened and even engaged in conversation with the serpent and well, you know the rest of that story. We need to know truth. We need to study truth. We need to live truth. As Whitney shared (paraphrased), "When Satan tells you 'you can't do this' instead of arguing, agree and say 'But my God can and now I'm going to go hang out at the cross. Satan will never follow you there." 

Wise, true words. 

The Breastplate of Righteousness

"and having on the breastplate of righteousness"

This, Whitney reminded us, is not something we acquire or earn, but that Christ has "fixed his righteousness on us". I LOVED this..."fixed on us"...covering the sin in our hearts and NOT to be removed. 

Our Feet fit with the Readiness of the Gospel of Peace

"And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace"

Whitney didn't go into depth on this piece, but let me share that our feet need to be fixed so that we cannot be toppled and ready. Ready to move. Ready to go. 

"We can stand secure knowing that we have peace. If we are to develop in our faith, we need to understand what it means to have peace with God and the peace of God."

Presented by Dave Grant in Escanaba & Iron Mountain-Kingsford: Sunday, September 14, 2008

Shield of Faith

"Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."

Whitney shared in her ministry, there have been days when the darts were thick. The enemy was working hard to discourage her and make her feel like it wasn't worth it. She shared that somedays, you will be too weary to hold up your own shield. What she suggested is that we have a group of people, our family or some christian brothers/sisters who will hold up their shields of faith over you. I began to think and praise God for the women he has placed in my life who have been this for me, who ARE this for me today. They are people I can go to while feeling broken and bruised and they hold up their shields over my heart and pray in the name of Jesus for His truth in my heart and for the lies to flee. They pray the fruits of the spirit for me. They pray on my behalf. This is what the body of Christ is supposed to be/do for each other. A home base amidst the war where we can be fed, encouraged, rebuilt and sent back out to fight. 

Helmet of Salvation and the Sword of the Spirit

"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of theSpirit, which is the word of God"

Salvation is ours and is required if we shall withstand the devil. We use this truth to protect our minds. 

The sword of the spirit is the only offensive tool discussed in this passage because spiritual warfare, the battle belongs to the Lord and truthfully, the day Christ rose from the dead...satan knew his end. He knows he will not win. But like any sore loser, his plan is to take as many out with him as possible. The sword is the word of God. 

Heb 4:12
"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

Even when Christ was confronted in the dessert, he used scripture to to rebuke the devil. The Word of the Lord is powerful!

Prayer

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching there unto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints"

Prayer is key. 

The armor of God is ours. It is fixed on us. It is available to us.  

I believe that this is something that we don't do often enough and I'm learning that praying quietly is not enough. I'm learning that God wants to reveal more of Himself to us yet we don't make ourselves available. 

I'm learning. 

***Starting Wednesday, Sept 12, 2012, I'll be facilitating a weekly bible study on prayer at our church Pollock Pines Community Church using the book "Becoming a Woman of Prayer" by Cynthia Heald 
in hopes of learning more; 
In hopes of providing a shield of faith for women in our body;
 Readying ourselves to bring the gospel of peace to our community. 
I'm looking forward to knowing scripture more, knowing God more and seeing His power and watching Him move. 

Come meet some of my talented and Christ loving She Speaks sisters!