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Mission: To connect every burdened soul to the Lord by the power of the Word and anointed prayers for self transformation and actualisation of divine blessings.

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Vision: A transformed society of believers, basking continually in the glory of Christ Jesus.

Wednesday, 16 December 2015

PUT ON THE FULL ARMOUR OF GOD

Text: Eph 6:10-20
Armour of God is a divine spiritual shield for protection. It is a safeguard, a defence made available by God for his children. It offers total protection. The number one enemy of man is the devil and 1 Peter 5:8, "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."  The devil will always wage spiritual war against you. Hence you must be battle ready at all times and be spiritually armed. You should not be ignorant of the devices of the devil. (2 Cor 2:11). You are admonished to be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

Eph 6:11-13 advises that we "put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."
Brethren, everyday has its own evil so you must be fully armed; sufficient unto the day is evil thereof. To be able to protect, defend, shield and stand, you need the full armour the Lord has provided. These are:
(1) Have the belt of truth buckled around your waist.
(2) Put the breastplate of righteousness in place.
(3) Make sure that your feet are fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
(4) Take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
(5) Take the helmet of salvation .
(6) Know the sword of the spirit which is the word of God.
(7) Pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers  and requests.
To have the belt of truth buckled around your waist is to know the truth and the truth is the word of God. There are so many man-made doctrines nowadays which are contrary to the word of God. For you to be able to stand firmly, you must know the word, hold on firmly to it and stand by it. The Bible says in John 8:32, "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." Just as a soldier puts on a belt and add other weaponry to the belt, so a Christian must put on the belt of truth. When you know the truth, you will apply it wisely and appropriately in any situation that confronts you.
Breastplate of righteousness is likened to your heart. For your spiritual life to be alive, your heart must be pure and in right standing with God. The heart is prone to be tempted hence it must be filled with the right words. When it is filled with the right words you will speak with grace. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Lk 6:45, "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." The good you store in your heart distinguishes you from the evil man. When you are deeply rooted in God's word you will be fully established and will be well planted. You will be so steady and stable because your feet will be so firm that when challenges come and Satan tries to tempt you will be able to stand.
To have the shield of faith is to believe the word and all the promises of God and stand by them. Profess your faith with your mouth and act on it. Mt 17:20b, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed you can say to this mountain, move from here to there and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Your salvation is very important to you. You have to be saved  but the devil does not want you saved. This is why Phil 2:12 advises us to guide our salvation with fear and trembling. At all times you have to wear the helmet of salvation by professing Jesus. Salvation comes only by the grace of God and through Jesus Christ.
Sword of the spirit is the word of God.  The word empowers, guides, and gives you deliverance. Col 3:16a, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly." Jesus spoke the word with power and authority to rebuke and resist the devil. God's word is backed with power. Speak it with authority to resist the devil, to counter its ploy, and to all the challenges that may confront you and to all situations.
Finally, pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayer and requests. Also, the name of Jesus is a potent weapon for you to use to be able to stand the wiles of the devil. Pro 18:10, "The name of God is a strong tower, the righteous runs into it, and is safe and secure." As a strong tower you find refuge when you run into it. The days are evil therefore put on the full armour of God so that you will be able to stand till the end and you will not fall prey to the devil.
Prayer.
Lord Almighty, thank you so much for the armour you made available for me to be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Father, grant me the grace to be able to use them wisely and appropriately so that I will be able to stand till the end. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

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