Rise up!!

Ephesians 6:10-18 (KJV)

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 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. 13 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. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

Knowing what the full armor of God IS and understanding each of them individually, we see that it is a daily contribution. Just like picking up our cross and choosing to follow Jesus daily. To be born-again is a lifestyle! It is not something that can be picked up and set down without consequence, one being death in the lake of fire if people don't start seeking the Lord like their lives depends on it and IT DOES. It's not that the Lord doesn't love you or see you, He does, but no one knows the time or the hour in which Jesus is returning. So, if one happens to let go of the Lord's hand and falls away from Him (not Him from us), and around that same time Jesus returns, I humbly advise them that they will not be taken up with the Lord. Some of us tend to think our God is forgiving for everything, and He is, but if you turn away from Him before that last hour, it is your doing, not His. For we are called to live in Holiness for the Lord every single day, praying without ceasing and in thanksgiving. We all fall short of the Glory of God, but repentance is all the Lords wants, as we won't ever actually BE PERFECT like Jesus, but we do know how to now, not sin and lean on the Holy Spirit in all areas of our lives. Let me give an example, a lot of us let our pride get in the way and it is often hard to not get upset over SOMETHING in life. Life is ALWAYS trying; the enemy is at work every day in some way. God has a plan over everything and satan has plans throughout this world. So, you may find yourself becoming, let's say, angry about another's opinion or belief. Our flesh wants to overcome and just let the person have it, but to walk in the Spirit is to be slow to anger, praying, forgiving, letting go, sharing the word. That is actually something the Lord is still working on in me and I am so grateful that I am nowhere where I use to be! I used to have so much pent-up anger. I often use to hit walls, yell, throw things, but by the grace of God I have self-control again! I am mother to three young children, so some days are challenging with patience and irritation, but every day the Holy Spirit is there guiding and reminding me to love, to be gentle and kind, patient. It has been an amazing renewing of the mind and to feel JOY again is such a wonderful feeling. I cannot thank Jesus enough for dying on the cross and for setting me free! I feel the spiritual warfare has been heavy lately and I just want to encourage the church and myself to keep holding on and keep praying without ceasing in Jesus' mighty name! I pray this blesses you and encourages those are newer in Christ to rise up, put on the armor daily (not physically, believe it in your soul) and to stand against the wiles of the devil! Thank you so much for reading, God bless.

* (I thank you, Holy Spirit, for putting it in my spirit to share the full armor of God. I pray it blesses those it needs too, in Jesus mighty name! I love you; I cherish you; I adore you Lord! Amen.) *