"A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power." (Ephesians 6:10 - NLT)
What is strength?
The world tries to convince us that strength is a physical trait. "Go join a gym to become muscular!"
I believe fitness is a very important aspect of life. But at the end of the letter to the church of Ephesus, Paul urges us to be strong IN the Lord. We aren't strong enough on our own to withstand the attacks of the enemy. Physical strength won't necessarily help us either!
I must admit that I daily reduce the threats of the enemy down to a simple whisper, telling me a specific lie, e.g. 'You're not good enough!'. That's just one of Satan's strategies.
This 'final word' by Paul is almost like an afterthought: "Oh, in case you forgot who you're fighting against...it's the devil and the evil spiritual forces." (v. 12)
The armour of God is a popular passage. I have yet to come to grips with what it actually looks like to daily put on the FULL armour. Let's face it, I can be quite lazy. And there's the problem!
The enemy works through lies, convincing us that spiritual warfare isn't real (or the least important of our worries).
Before going out of the house, you might remember to put on the belt of truth. Perhaps you forgot the helmet of salvation and run back for it. (How about those sunglasses of discernment or the watch of patience?)
But do you ever put on the entire armour???
Maybe today, try and see what happens when you actually put it all on. See what happens when you rely on God's strength and not your own.
Two nights ago, our 7-week old baby did not sleep well. Admittedly, it was really difficult to then get through the next day. So last night, I prayed for supernatural strength & protection, and it seems to have worked. (I've been awake since 7am, feeling fresher than ever!)
You see, I truly believe God is calling me to write this daily devotional to give Him glory. The enemy has other plans. We must acknowledge that his schemes work within the world. It's not about giving him more credit than he deserves. God is sovereign and death has no hold over us. Yet, if we're not wise to suit up with the full armour of God, we will experience a certain 'spiritual death' in our daily mission.
Don't underestimate your value! And know whose side you're fighting for and who you belong to.
What is strength?
The world tries to convince us that strength is a physical trait. "Go join a gym to become muscular!"
I believe fitness is a very important aspect of life. But at the end of the letter to the church of Ephesus, Paul urges us to be strong IN the Lord. We aren't strong enough on our own to withstand the attacks of the enemy. Physical strength won't necessarily help us either!
I must admit that I daily reduce the threats of the enemy down to a simple whisper, telling me a specific lie, e.g. 'You're not good enough!'. That's just one of Satan's strategies.
This 'final word' by Paul is almost like an afterthought: "Oh, in case you forgot who you're fighting against...it's the devil and the evil spiritual forces." (v. 12)
The armour of God is a popular passage. I have yet to come to grips with what it actually looks like to daily put on the FULL armour. Let's face it, I can be quite lazy. And there's the problem!
The enemy works through lies, convincing us that spiritual warfare isn't real (or the least important of our worries).
Before going out of the house, you might remember to put on the belt of truth. Perhaps you forgot the helmet of salvation and run back for it. (How about those sunglasses of discernment or the watch of patience?)
But do you ever put on the entire armour???
Maybe today, try and see what happens when you actually put it all on. See what happens when you rely on God's strength and not your own.
Two nights ago, our 7-week old baby did not sleep well. Admittedly, it was really difficult to then get through the next day. So last night, I prayed for supernatural strength & protection, and it seems to have worked. (I've been awake since 7am, feeling fresher than ever!)
You see, I truly believe God is calling me to write this daily devotional to give Him glory. The enemy has other plans. We must acknowledge that his schemes work within the world. It's not about giving him more credit than he deserves. God is sovereign and death has no hold over us. Yet, if we're not wise to suit up with the full armour of God, we will experience a certain 'spiritual death' in our daily mission.
Don't underestimate your value! And know whose side you're fighting for and who you belong to.
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