Ephesians 6:11-13put on the helmet of salvation,
the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, the shoes of peace ,and I
would pick up the sword of the spirit and the shield of faith
I was so delighted when I finally memorized the pieces of the armor of God, as
Paul tells us about in the Bible-Ephesians 6:11-13. I would put on the helmet of
salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, the shoes of
peace ,and I would pick up the sword of the spirit and the shield of faith.
This entire procedure would take place as I lay in bed each morning. I felt like
I was really equipping myself against Satan, and to a certain degree, I was. All
my bravado came crashing down one day, as fear of an impending airline flight
began to creep into my mind. I have always been afraid to fly, but I thought I
had overcome this apprehension, with God’s help. I wrestled with all the
negative thoughts Satan kept placing in my mind, trying to dispel the dread that
increasingly crept into my mind and heart. I was still putting on the armor of
God each morning, wondering how Satan could get such a hold on me . I asked my
prayer partners to pray for me, helping me overcome this unrealistic fear. I was
ashamed that I didn’t have more faith in God, and that I allowed Satan to grab
me like that. Well, the prayers were answered, because my fears were totally
destroyed and I really enjoyed my flight .
After I returned home I began to think about the armor passage in the Bible. It
dawned on me –more was needed with some of those pieces of armor that just
placement on the body. Take the sword of the spirit (God’s Word)..I needed to
have scripture handy- ready to rebuke Satan as he whispered his lies into my
ears. And what had I done with the shield I picked up each morning? I guess I
must have just grabbed it limply and left it dangling at my side. This shield is
made up of my beliefs, and was intended to quench the fiery arrows of Satan. God
gave me that shield to USE, quenching those fiery arrows . I needed to pick it
up and reject those lies from Satan.
The same is true for the belt of truth. I pray if I am ever tempted to lie or
deceive anyone, that belt would just squeeze me tight –getting my attention
about living my life God’s way. Also, those shoes of peace- I need to point them
down the path of amity when conflicts arise. Yes, I need to put on my armor each
morning, but I also need to take these pieces and USE them. Yes, I need to “Just
Do It”!!!!!
Marion Smith noles65@aol.com
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